Xiaomi’s screen smartphones are getting bigger every year, even compact models like the Redmi Note 12 or more. POCO X5 They require stretching of their fingers for comfortable use. MIUI There's a hidden one-hand gesture function that reduces the size of the interface to a handy square, but it's not easy to find in the settings: it's hidden in the special features menu or requires activation through the Lab. MIUI.
In this article, you will learn how to turn on one hand mode on any Xiaomi, Redmi smartphone, POCO Or Black Shark, from budget models to flagships, we'll break down three official ways (including gestures), explain why the feature might not work on some firmware, and give you tips for customization for maximum convenience. And also – we will tell about the hidden chips that make one-handed control even more effective.
What is the one-handed mode on Xiaomi and why is it necessary?
One-Handed Mode (One-Handed Mode) is a function of the MIUI, It reduces the active area of the screen to 4-4.5 inches, moving it to the left or right lower corner, and it is activated either by a gesture of conducting the home button (navigation bar) or by a swipe from the edge of the screen (on models without hardware buttons). After activation, all interface elements – keyboard, notification panel, buttons in apps – become accessible to the thumb without the need to intercept the smartphone.
The main advantages of the function:
- 📱 Comfort for big smartphones: Xiaomi 13 Ultra (6.73) or Redmi K60 Pro (6.67) to reach the top edge of the screen with one hand is almost impossible – the mode solves this problem.
- 🚇 Transportation safety: no need to let go of handrails or risk intercepting your phone on the go.
- 🎮 Game mode: in some games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile) smaller screen allows you to quickly press the control buttons.
- ⚡ Time savings: No need to switch between two hands for simple actions.
It's important to understand that one-handed mode is not just about zooming in. MIUI It is integrated with system gestures, so it works smoothly and does not break the application interface (unlike third-party solutions like One Hand Operation).+). However, on some models, the feature may conflict with other options, such as full-screen gestures or split-screen gestures.
Official ways to turn on one-hand mode
V MIUI There are three native ways to activate one-handed mode, depending on the firmware version and the smartphone model.
Method 1: Through the menu of special features (MIUI 12–15)
This method works on most modern Xiaomi devices, including the Redmi Note. 11/12, POCO F4/F5 Xiaomi 12/13. Instructions:
- Open the Settings. → Special facilities.
- Go to the One-Handed Mode section (may be called One-Handed Mode on global firmware).
- Activate the switch at the top of the screen.
- Select the size of the smaller screen (usually 4.5" or 4.0").
- Set the position: left or right lower corner.
After switching on, the mode will be activated by a gesture of swiping from the bottom edge of the screen to the center (on models without buttons) or by a double tap on the Home button (if a navigation bar is used).
☑️ Check before activating one-hand mode
Method 2: Through the laboratory MIUI (lip-service)
On some firmware (especially Chinese or custom) the option is hidden in the Laboratory. MIUI. To find her:
- Go to Settings. → The phone.
- Tap 5-7 times on the line MIUI version until the notification appears You became a developer!
- Return to the main settings menu and open additionally → Laboratory MIUI (or Advanced settings → Laboratory).
- Find the one-handed control section and activate it.
If the laboratory does not have this option, try resetting the settings. MIUI (No data loss, or update the firmware. On some devices (e.g. Black Shark 5), the feature is called Game One-Handed Mode and only works in games.
What to do if you are in the laboratory MIUI No one-handed regime?
Method 3: Gestures for one-handed mode (MIUI 14+)
In the latest versions MIUI (starting MIUI (14) One hand mode can be activated directly through the gesture settings:
- Open Settings → Display → Full-screen mode.
- Choose one-handed gestures.
- Activate the option and adjust the swipe sensitivity (average value is recommended).
Now the mode will be switched on by a short swipe from the bottom edge of the screen to the side (left or right, depending on the angle chosen), which is the most convenient method, since it does not require additional taps on the buttons.
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If the gesture doesn't work, check if it conflicts with Google Assistant or a swipe to swipe back. → System system → Gestures
Why the One-Hand Mode Doesn't Work
Even after setting it up properly, the function sometimes refuses to turn on, and here are the main reasons and ways to eliminate them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The gesture doesn't work. | Conflict with full-screen gestures | Turn off full-screen gestures in Settings → Display or reset priority |
| The mode is turned on, but immediately switched off. | Automatic shutdown timer is triggered | Increase the time in the settings of the mode (maximum - 30 seconds) |
| No option in the settings | Outdated version of MIUI or custom firmware | Update the software or install it. MIUI EU (at risk) |
| It only works in some applications. | Manufacturer restrictions (e.g. Black Shark) | Use it. ADB-command for forced inclusion (see spoiler above) |
Critical Feature: on Devices with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi) K50 Ultra mode of one hand can cause pixels to burn out during prolonged use due to the static position of the interface. To avoid this, periodically change the side of the smaller screen (left / right corner).
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After the update MIUI One hand mode is gone, try resetting your gesture settings: → System system → Resetting settings → Reset your gesture settings.
Hidden chips of one-handed mode on Xiaomi
Few people know, but in MIUI There are some extra settings that make one-handed control even more convenient:
- 🔄 Quick side-switching: double-guest the opposite side to change the angle of the screen (e.g., from left to right).
- ⏱️ Automatic Shutdown: In the settings of the mode, you can set a timer (from 5 to 30 seconds), after which the screen will return to its normal size.
- 🎯 Game mode: on Black Shark and some POCO There is a separate option One-Handed Mode for games, which adapts the interface for gameplay.
- 📲 Keyboard compatibility: In reduced mode, the Gboard or Xiaomi Keyboard keyboard automatically shrinks to a compact view.
Another useful feature is split-screen combination: If you need to use two apps at the same time (like a chat and a browser), turn on one hand mode, and then activate the split-screen through the multitasking menu, one of the windows will be reduced, and the other will remain in the normal size.
On Xiaomi 14 and the new flagships, there is an experimental feature called Dynamic Scaling, which automatically adjusts the size of the interface to the position of the hand.
- Activate Developer Mode (as in Method 2).
- Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Find the Dynamic One-Handed Mode option and turn it on.
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If you use one-hand mode frequently on Google Chrome or Instagram, add these apps to the exceptions in the feature settings, so they will automatically open in a reduced form.
How to set the mode of one hand under yourself
To make one-handed control as comfortable as possible, we recommend optimizing the following parameters:
1.Selecting screen size
In one-hand settings, 2-3 sizes are available (usually 4.0, 4.5" and 5.0").
- 📏 Size of your hand: If your fingers are short, choose 4.0".
- 🎯 Type of tasks: for typing is enough 4.0", and for watching video better 4.5".
- 📱 Smartphone models: on Redmi 10C (6.5) is enough 4.0" and on Xiaomi 13T Pro (6.67) more comfortable 4.5".
Screen positioning
The angle of the smaller screen can be changed in the settings.
- 👉 The right corner is convenient for right-handed people and when holding the phone in the right hand.
- 👈 The left corner is suitable for left-handed people or if you often use your smartphone lying on your side.
- ⚡ Autodefinition: on some models (e.g, POCO F5 Pro) has an option Automatic selection that changes side depending on the position of the device.
3. Sensitivity of gestures
If the mode is switched on accidentally or, conversely, does not work on the swipe, adjust the sensitivity:
- Go to Settings. → Display. → One-hand gestures.
- Select Sensitivity and set a value from 1 (minimum) to 5 (maximum).
- For the test, swipe your finger from the bottom edge of the screen at different angles.
Optimal setting: If you use a high-sided case (like the Spigen Tough Armor), increase sensitivity to 4–5, Make sure that gestures work even when incompletely contacting the screen.
Alternative ways to control one hand
If the built-in mode for some reason does not suit you, consider these options:
Third-party annexes
Google Play has several utilities for one-handed control:
- 📱 One Hand Operation + (requires rooting ADB): Allows you to customize gestures for any action, including swipes to return or open menus.
- 🔄 Swiftly Switch: Adds a floating panel with frequently used features (return, home, recent apps).
- 🎯 Edge Gestures: Creates custom gestures from the edges of the screen to call any applications or actions.
⚠️ Note: Third-party applications may conflict with MIUI Before installing, back up your data and check the compatibility reviews with your Xiaomi model.
2. Keyboard setting
If the main goal is a convenient typing, it is enough to optimize the keyboard:
- In Gboard: Open the keyboard settings → Size and layout → set up a one-handed mode.
- In Xiaomi Keyboard: Settings → Additionally. → One-hand mode.
- For SwiftKey: The layout → One hand (alternative options for left and right hand).
3. Use of voice commands
For those who often use a smartphone on the go, an alternative can be a voice assistant:
- 🎤 Google Assistant: Set up voice commands to open apps or perform actions (e.g., “OK Google, open Telegram").
- 🤖 Xiao AI (Chinese firmware: supports gesture and voice control at the same time.
Voice input is especially convenient in Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator, where it is important not to be distracted from the road.
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If you choose between built-in one-hand mode and third-party apps, choose the first. MIUI It does not affect performance, unlike utilities that work in the background.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When setting up one-handed mode, users often face typical problems, and here's how to prevent them:
⚠️ Note: If you are using a dark topic in the MIUI, In one-handed mode, artifacts can be displayed (black bars at the edges of the screen), this is a firmware bug that is fixed by updating or changing the theme to a light one.
Error 1: The mode turns on by itself
Causes and solutions:
- 👆 Random touches: reduce the sensitivity of the gesture in the settings.
- 📱 Case conflict: If the case presses on the screen, try another or calibrate the sensor (Settings) → Display. → Screen calibration).
- 🔄 Firmware bug: reset gesture settings (Settings) → System system → Resetting settings → Reset your gesture settings).
Error 2: Swipes do not work in reduced mode
If standard gestures do not work in one-handed mode (for example, swipe back), check:
- 🔧 Gesture settings: go to Settings → System system → Gestures and make sure the option Full-screen gestures do not conflict with the single-handed mode.
- 📱 Updates: on some models (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) this bug has been corrected in MIUI 14.0.4 and newer.
Mistake 3: Applications are not adaptable
Some applications (such as TikTok or Wildberries) may not display correctly in reduced mode.
- 🔄 Restart the application in one-handed mode (swipe up) → brush it off from multitasking → Open up again).
- 📝 Add the app to the exceptions: Settings → Special facilities → One-handed control → Exceptions.
- 🔧 Use Forced Scaling in Developer Settings (Minimum Width) → set 360-400 dp).
If the problem persists, check if the app blocks screen size change (this is typical for banking applications like SberBank Online or Tinkoff).