Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones offer gesture control by default, which allows users to increase the usable screen area. However, many owners of devices who have moved from older Android models feel uncomfortable with the lack of familiar physical or on-screen control keys.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how to turn on touch buttons on Xiaomi, what options are available for displaying them, and how to customize the behavior of these interface elements for yourself. The activation process takes only a few seconds, but significantly changes the experience of interacting with the gadget, making it more predictable for those who do not want to remember complex swipes.
It is worth noting that the location of elements may vary slightly depending on the version of the operating system MIUI or HyperOS, but the overall algorithm of actions remains the same for the vast majority of current models.
Differences between gesture navigation and buttons
Before we get to the technical side of the issue, it’s important to understand the fundamental difference between the two types of navigation: Gesture control, which has become a standard in recent years, frees the bottom of the screen from graphic elements, allowing content to occupy the entire display area. This visually expands the space, but requires the user to remember certain finger movements, such as swiping from the bottom up to the desktop.
Button navigation, in turn, provides visual cues in the form of three or two ikons on the bottom panel, a classic approach that has been used in Android for more than a decade, and its main advantage is that you don’t have to learn: you always see where to click to go back, go to the home screen or open a list of running apps.
For people with large fingers or those who often use the phone with one hand in gloves, touch buttons are often more convenient.Gesturals can require more precise and wide-ranging movements that are not always comfortable to perform in cramped conditions, such as public transport.
Activation of classic navigation through settings
The process of enabling buttons in the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS is as unified as possible. You do not need to get root rights or install third-party launchers, since this feature is built into the system by default. All you need is to find the corresponding section in the settings menu.
To start, unlock your smartphone and find the Settings icon on your desktop, which usually looks like a gear. Once you open the menu, scroll down to the Additional or Advanced Settings section, depending on the translation of your locale, and that's where the settings that govern system navigation are hidden.
💡
If you can’t find an item on the menu, use the search bar at the top of the settings screen and type in a “navigation” or “buttons” request.
In the list that opens, look for Full-screen menu (some versions may simply call it "Navigation"). Click on it and you'll see two options for switching: Full-screen mode (gestures) and Buttons. Select the second option, and the changes will take effect instantly, without the need to reboot the device.
☑️ The button-including algorithm
Customization of appearance and location of buttons
Once you activate the classic control method, the system will prompt you to personalize it, which is an important step, since the order of the buttons affects the speed of access to functions. The standard Android scheme involves the Back button on the left, Home on the center and Application Menu on the right, but in Xiaomi these positions can be changed.
In the same Full-screen menu, you will find the option Order of the Buttons. There are two main options available here: the standard (Back button on the left) and the alternative (Back button on the right), the second option is often chosen by users who are used to the iOS interface or older versions of MIUI, where the logic of the work was different.
Also worth noting is the hidden features: Some firmware versions have a feature to hide buttons when watching videos or reading, when they only appear when you touch the bottom of the screen, which allows you to combine the advantages of both control methods.
The Hidden Transparency Function
Remember, changing the order of the buttons can take time to get used to, and the brain automatically reaches to the usual location, so in the early days, random clicks are possible in the wrong place.
Table of comparison of navigation methods
To help you make your choice, we've created a comparison table that shows you the key differences between modes, which is especially useful when deciding whether to set up a device for older relatives or children.
The table shows the main parameters that affect the daily use of a smartphone. Pay attention to the column "Ergonomics", as for users with small screens of smartphones or, conversely, very large devices (Phablets), this factor can be decisive.
| Parameter | Gestures (Swipes) | Buttons (Classic) | Hybrid mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen area | Maximum | Busy with the navigation lane | Hiding in the content |
| Speed of learning | Low (must be taught) | High (intuitive) | Medium |
| Convenience with one hand | Depends on size. | High. | High. |
| Visual noise | Absent. | Present. | Minimum |
As the data shows, buttons are better at ease of use, but they are worse at aesthetics and space use, but for many users, functionality is more important than millimeters of usable space.
Solution: buttons are missing or not working
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where after updating the system or resetting the buttons disappear, and switching to the menu does not work, this can be due to a conflict of themes or an error in the system process SystemUI. In most cases, the problem is solved by restarting the device.
If a simple reboot doesn’t work, check to see if you activate One Hand mode or special features that can block the bottom of the screen. Also make sure that there is no protective film with thickened edges on the screen that can prevent the sensor from responding to lower zone presses.
⚠️ Warning: If buttons only stop responding in certain applications (such as games or video players), check the settings of the app itself. Often there is a Full-screen option that hides navigation elements for immersion in content.
In rare cases, you may need to clear the Settings cache or reset all settings to factory settings, but this is an extreme measure.
💡
In 90% of cases, problems with the display of buttons are solved by simply restarting the smartphone or changing the theme of the design to a standard one.
Additional functions and hidden settings
The MIUI shell is famous for its functionality, and navigation is no exception. In addition to basic settings, there are additional options available through a special feature menu or an engineering menu (although the latter is not recommended without experience), for example, you can set the long-press sensitivity to the Home button to call the voice assistant.
Also worth mentioning is the vibration when pressed, in the Sounds and Vibrations section, you can turn on or off the tactile response to touch the system, and for many users, it's an important confirmation element that creates a sense of physical contact with the interface.
If you use third-party launchers (Nova Launcher, Lawnchair, etc.), they can intercept navigation control, in which case, you should look for button settings in the launcher settings, not in the Android system menu.
⚠️ Note: Installing third-party button replacement apps (Virtual Button, Soft Keys) on new versions of Android can lead to unstable system operation and conflicts with system navigation.