How to Enable and Configure Swipes on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide to 2026

Gesture control on Xiaomi smartphones became the de facto standard after the release MIUI 10, but many users still have problems configuring swipes, so the system automatically returns the classic navigation buttons, then the gestures work incorrectly after the update, then the ability to turn them on completely disappears. This article will help you understand how to activate swipes on any Xiaomi device – from budget Redmi to flagship Xiaomi 14.

We'll look at not only the standard way to enable through settings, but also alternative methods for cases where the option is hidden or blocked, focusing on common errors that can cause swipes to fail, and also give recommendations for optimizing gestures for maximum convenience. If you recently updated your firmware or bought a used smartphone with "curve" settings, this guide is for you.

Why Swipes May Not Work on Xiaomi

Before you start setting up, it's important to understand why gesture control might not be available.

• 🔄 An outdated version MIUI: On firmware older MIUI 10 full swipes are missing – only simplified gestures or buttons.
• 🛠️ Custom firmware: Informal builds (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS) may not support Xiaomi branded gestures.
• 🔒 Region restrictions: On some global versions for Europe (EEA) Swipes are disabled due to legal requirements.
• 📱 Hardware restrictions: Older models (e.g. Redmi) 4X or Mi A1) Physically not supporting smooth gestures due to weak iron.
• 🐞 Software bugs: After updating through OTA navigation settings may be reset or not work properly.

If your smartphone falls under one of these points, the standard swipe switching on may not work – additional actions will be required, which we will describe below.

⚠️ Note: On devices with an unlocked bootloader (bootloader) and installed TWRP Trying to change navigation settings through ADB This can lead to soft-brick.Before experimenting, back up using the Mi Flash Tool.

Standard way to enable swipes through settings

On most modern Xiaomi devices (starting with the MIUI 12) swipes are switched on through the standard menu. Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the section Additional → Special facilities → System navigation (on some firmwares the path may differ: Settings) → Display. → Full screen mode).
3. Select Full Screen Guests (Full Screen Guests) in English.
4. In the list of options, tap on Swipe from sides or Swipe from sides MIUI (MIUI gestures).
5. Confirm the choice and wait for the application of settings (the smartphone can briefly "suppose").

After activation, check the gestures:

• 🔙 Back: Swipe from right to left from the edge of the screen.
• 🏠 Swipe up from the bottom edge (short – returns to Home, long – opens Recent Apps).
• 📱 Recent Apps: Swipe up with pause or long swipe up (depending on version) MIUI).

Swipe from right to left (Back button)

Short swipe up (home button)

Long swipe up (recent applications)

Swipe from left to right (Google Assistant call if enabled)

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If swipes are unstable after switching on (for example, a backup accidentally works when scrolling the tape in TikTok), try calibrating the gestures:

1. Press and hold the swipe up for 3 seconds – the calibration menu will open.
2. Follow the hints on the screen, repeating gestures with the specified amplitude.

Alternative methods of incorporating swipes

If the standard method didn't work, try one of the alternatives. They're good for devices with unofficial firmware, older versions. MIUI or after resetting.

Method 1: Through ADB (for power users)

This method requires connecting the smartphone to the PC and using it. ADB (Android Debug Bridge.It will help if the gesture option is hidden in the settings.

1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools.
2. Turn on the smartphone Developer Mode (7 times tap the build number in Settings → About the phone).
3. Activate Debugging by USB in the developer menu.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and execute in the command line:

adb shell settings put global force_fullscreen_navigation 1

When you reboot, swipes should appear. If you want to return the buttons, replace the command with 1 for 0.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI EU) If you have a lag after you run it, reset it via adb shell cmd overlay reset com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.gestural.

Method 2: Through the Settings Editor (without root)

Apps like Activity Launcher or App Inspector allow you to manually run hidden gesture settings:

1. Install Activity Launcher from Google Play.
2. Open the app and find it in the list of com.android.settings.
3. Tap on.settings.GestureNavigationSettings – the hidden navigation menu will open.
4. Select Full Screen gestures and apply the settings.

This method works on 80% of Xiaomi devices, but may not work on highly customized firmware.

Swipe. MIUI

Classic buttons

Gestures from Google (Android 10+)

Other-->

Setting up sensitivity and swipe zones

Even after you turn on the gestures, many users face inconveniences: accidental positives, too narrow areas for swipe or delay, and fine-tuning will help fix this.

Adjustment of the activation zones

V MIUI 14/15 It is possible to change the width of the side zones for the swipe":

1. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Special facilities → System navigation.
2. Then, put it in the Gesture settings.
3. Select Swipe Sensitivity back and move the slider:

If you play in a lot PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact, set the maximum zone width to avoid accidentally leaving the game when swiping along the edge of the screen.

Turning off vibrations when swipes

By default. MIUI It's accompanied by tactile recoil gestures, which can be annoying, to turn off the vibration:

1. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → System Vibration.
2. Turn off the Vibration slider when navigating.

💡

If swipes are triggered too sharply, turn on the option Animation windows in the developer settings = 0.5x. This will make the transitions smoother without delay.

Resolving Common Swipe Problems

Even when you set up the gestures properly, they can work incorrectly, and let's look at the typical bugs and their solutions.

Problem 1: Swipes are running with a delay

If after swipe up the screen “freezes” for 0.5-1 second, to blame MIUI Optimization is a system process that conflicts with gestures:

1. Enable Developer Mode (if not already enabled).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find the options: Disable MIUI Optimization (or) MIUI Optimization → Off.) Window animation, Transition animation, Animators animation → set up 0.5x.

Reset the device.

Problem 2: Swipe back is triggered in games/apps

A common complaint of gamers is that when you swipe around the edge of the screen in Call of Duty Mobile or Free Fire, you exit the game.

• 🎮 Use Game Mode: Enable Settings → Special facilities → Game turbo mode and add the game to exceptions.
• 🔧 Reduce the swipe area: In gesture settings, move the sensitivity slider to the left (see section above).
• 🖥️ Activate Immersive Mode: Enable Developer Mode. Find Force Full-screen Display (immersive mode) and select On.

Problem 3: Swipes are missing after the update

After the update MIUI through OTA swipes have disappeared, and only buttons are available in the settings, reset the cache of system applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip three points up there. → Show all the processes.
3. Find the Launcher (or) MIUI System Launcher) and clear the cache.
4. Repeat for System. UI Android System.
5. Reset the device.

If this doesn’t help, try resetting your navigation settings through ADB:

adb shell cmd overlay reset com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.gestural

Swipe comparison MIUI and Android 10 gestures+

Starting with Android 10, Google has implemented its own gesture system that conflicts with Xiaomi's signature swipes. MIUI 12-15 users can choose between three options:

To switch between gesture types:

1. Open the Settings. → Additionally. → Special facilities → System navigation.
2. Select the desired option in the list.
3. Confirm the change and restart the device (recommended).

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Gestures MIUI They consume 5-10% more battery than classic buttons because of the constant processing of touches on the edges of the screen.If autonomy is critical, use buttons or turn off unnecessary gestures (for example, calling Google Assistant).

Additional tricks with swipes on Xiaomi

In addition to basic navigation, the MIUI And these are the most interesting things that are hidden in the hand gestures:

1. Quick opening of the camera

Double-pressing the power button isn't the only way to start the camera.

1. Go to Settings. → Screen locking → Locking gestures.
2. Turn Swipe down for the camera.
3. Now swipe two fingers down the locked screen to open the camera instantly.

2.Swipe for screenshot

Instead of a combination of buttons, you can make a screenshot with a gesture:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gestures.
2. Activate Swipe with three fingers down.
3. Check the work: swipe three fingers on the screen from top to bottom.

3. Diagonal swipes for quick action

V MIUI 13+ Support for diagonal gestures:

• 🔍 Swipe up-left: Google Assistant Call (if enabled).
• 📱 Swipe up-right: Opening the notification bar (on some models).
• 🔄 Swipe down-left/right: Quick switching between the latest apps.

To tune these gestures:

1. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Special facilities → System navigation → Customization of gestures.
2. Enable the option of Diagonal Swipes.
3. Set up actions for each direction.

💡

If diagonal swipes interfere with games, turn them off and use a smooth back tap instead (on devices with Always-on Display).

FAQ: Frequent questions about swipes on Xiaomi