Modern smartphones Xiaomi and Redmi line delight users with huge displays that are ideal for multimedia and games. However, in everyday life, when you are busy with the second hand, using a device with a diagonal of more than 6 inches becomes extremely inconvenient. Standard areas of reach of the thumb often do not cover the top of the screen, which creates discomfort when typing or switching apps.
Fortunately, in the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS, engineers have introduced a special mode that allows you to instantly reduce the display workspace, which shifts the interface to the bottom of the screen, making all elements available to control a single brush, activating this option requires a few simple actions in the system menu, which we will discuss in detail below.
Enabling this feature dramatically changes the experience of interacting with the gadget, especially for owners of Note or Pro models. You can comfortably type messages in transport, flip through social media feeds or answer calls with your phone in one hand. Let’s take a look at all the available activation methods and fine-tunings that will help adapt the smartphone to your individual needs.
Activation of the function through system settings
The main way to turn on the mode is in the standard menu of device parameters. First, you need to open the Settings app and go to the Additional Features section. This is where the tools that improve the ergonomics of using a smartphone without third-party software are concentrated.
In the list of options available, find One-Hand Mode. Move the slider to the active position. After that, the system will suggest choosing the activation method: via swipe on the Home button (if you use button navigation) or through a special gesture on the screen, the choice of method depends on your habits and the current navigation configuration.
⚠️ Note: If you use full-screen navigation (gestures), activation through the Home button will not be available, in which case the system will automatically switch you to control via swipe on the lower bar of the screen or through a floating button.
Once the feature is turned on, the smartphone screen will visually shrink and the interface will shift downwards. You can return the full screen size at any time by tapping on an empty area or pulling over the edge of a reduced window. This is a basic setting that works consistently on all current versions of firmware.
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For quick access to one-hand mode, add the Switch widget to your desktop or notification curtain if your version of MIUI supports customization of the control panel.
Customization of gestures and activation methods
Xiaomi's shell flexibility allows you to customize not only the fact of the mode's activation, but also the way it's called. There are several options (triggers) available in the One-Hand Mode menu. You can choose to swipe down the lower navigation bar, which is the most convenient way for modern frameless users.
There is also the option of activating via long-pressed touch button Home if you prefer classic three-button management. For users who need top speed, the option of calling through triple tapping on the screen or through a floating button that can be moved around the display is available.
- 👆 Swipe down: swipe down the lower horizontal bar of the screen (relevant for full screen mode).
- 🏠 Home button: long-term press on the central navigation button (three button mode only).
- 🔘 Floating button: clicking on a special icon that appears on the screen after activation of the function.
- 👆 Triple tap: three quick touches on the screen in any part of it (option is not available on all models).
It is important to understand that the sensitivity of the touchscreen can vary depending on the protective film or glass installed. If the mode with one hand turns on spontaneously or, conversely, does not respond to touch, try calibrating the screen or changing the force of pressing.
☑️ Checking the setting of gestures
Use of a floating button and additional options
One of the most useful features is the ability to use a floating button to control a smaller screen. When this mode is activated, a semi-transparent round icon appears on the display, which can be dragged to any convenient area. Pressing it turns the interface, and holding allows you to move the window of the smaller screen.
Some versions of MIUI have a "Floating Window" feature that works in conjunction with one-handed mode, which allows you not only to zoom in, but also to move the active application to any corner of the display, leaving the rest of the screen free for other tasks or widgets.
For users with large models such as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra or Redmi Note 13 Pro+, it is critical to be able to quickly return the full screen.There is a cancellation zone for this: if you touch the area outside the reduced window, the interface will instantly unfold to the entire diagonal.
Hidden possibilities of a floating button
Comparison of management methods on different versions of MIUI
The interface and settings may vary significantly depending on the version of the operating system installed. Owners of older Android 10-11 and MIUI 12 devices may encounter a classic menu, while HyperOS and MIUI 14 users will see an updated design and new ways of interacting.
The table below compares the available features and activation methods for different generations of the shell so you can navigate the capabilities of your device.
| Function/Version | MIUI 12 and older | MIUI 13-14 | HyperOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swipe activation | Just on the button. | Down the lower lane. | Down lane + gestures |
| Floating button | Aye (basic) | There's (customizable) | Improved animation |
| Triple tap | No. | Aye (optional) | There is. |
| Floating window | Limited. | Expanded. | Full integration |
It is worth noting that on global firmware versions (Global ROM), some features may be called differently or hidden in the depth of the menu. Chinese versions (CN ROM) tend to get new ergonomics features earlier.
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Owners of HyperOS-based devices should pay attention to the updated folding animations, which make the transition between modes smoother and less noticeable to the eye.
Solving activation problems
Often, users are faced with a situation where one-hand mode does not turn on or does not work correctly. Most often, the problem lies in conflict with other accessibility settings or in the operation of third-party launchers. If the standard method does not work, try restarting the device.
It's also worth checking if you have custom themes that modify the system interface. Some custom themes can block system gestures as part of their own design. Temporary switching to a standard theme often solves the problem.
⚠️ Note: If you use third-party gesture control software (e.g., to emulate navigation buttons), the system mode of one hand may not work stable or start at all due to interception of input.
If the screen responds to one-handed touch delay, check the touchscreen sensitivity settings. Some Redmi models have a “Pack in Pocket” or “Sensitivity Enhancement” option that can affect the operation of the reduced interface.
Alternative methods and third-party applications
If Xiaomi’s built-in tools don’t suit you for some reason, Google Play offers a variety of alternatives. Apps like Samsung’s One Hand Operation 2 (available for all Androids) provide enhanced functionality, including swipes from the side of the screen.
These tools allow you to create your own control zones, assign complex macros and adjust the transparency of the panels, but using third-party software can consume additional battery power and processor resources, which is undesirable for budget models.
For advanced users with Root rights, Magisk modules are available that implement one-handed mode at the system level, making it available even in applications where the standard function is blocked.
- 📱 One Hand Operation 2: A powerful tool with flexible swipe settings.
- 🖱️ Assistive Touch: Emulation of the Home button for control without touching the edges.
- ⚙️ Button Mapper: Reassigning physical volume buttons to call mode.
Alternative methods are justified if the standard shell functionality seems too limited, but for most users, the built-in MIUI is enough for a comfortable experience.