Xiaomi’s current MIUI 13 smartphones offer users two basic ways to navigate: classic on-screen buttons and a more modern gesture system. The switch to gesture control frees up the usable screen area, making the interface visually cleaner and allowing you to fully immerse yourself in content without distractions at the bottom of the display. This is especially true for owners of devices with elongated screens, where every centimeter is diagonaled.
It takes a few seconds to turn this on, but there are hidden options in the settings menu that not everyone knows about. Guest navigation on Xiaomi works at the system level, which provides smooth animations and high response speeds comparable to flagship devices of other brands. In this article, we will discuss in detail the process of switching, adjusting sensitivity and solving typical problems.
It's worth noting that MIUI 13 has undergone significant changes over previous versions, and the location of some of the items may have shifted. The key difference is that the new system can fine-tune the return area and the sensitivity of swipes. Let's get to the practical part and customize your smartphone for the most comfortable experience.
The main advantages of gesture navigation in MIUI 13
The switch to a new control circuit is not just a tribute to fashion. The gesture system introduced in MIUI 13 is optimized for one-handed operation. You no longer have to reach for the bottom of the screen to roll the app or go back. It's easy enough to move around the edge of the display, which greatly speeds up interaction with the device in everyday use.
In addition to ergonomics, visuals are also important, and the lack of static buttons allows live wallpaper and full-screen widgets to cover the entire area available, creating a seamless interface that is particularly noticeable on the screen. AMOLED-screens of Redmi smartphones and POCO.
- 🚀 Increased screen usable area by eliminating the button panel.
- 🖐️ Faster navigation thanks to swipes from anywhere on the screen.
- 🎨 Aesthetic appearance of the interface without unnecessary graphic elements.
- ⚙️ Flexible sensitivity and return settings for each user.
Many users note that after getting used to gestures, you don't want to go back to the buttons. The system anticipates your actions: swipe from the bottom up to access the desktop or swipe to the side to switch between running applications become intuitive movements.
Step-by-step instructions: how to turn on gestures
The activation process in MIUI 13 has become more logical. You don't have to search for complex engineering menus or use third-party launchers. All the necessary tools are in the standard settings section of the system. Before you start, make sure that your device is unlocked and you are on the desktop.
First, open the main app menu and find the Settings icon, which is usually a gear, and you're interested in the Additional section (in some builds, it may be called Advanced Settings), and that's where the settings that affect how the interface works are concentrated.
☑️ Incorporation algorithm
In the menu that opens, you'll see two options: "Buttons" and "Fullscreen control." Choose the second option. The system will instantly apply the changes, and the usual buttons will disappear. Now navigation is done by swiping: from the bottom up to home, from the bottom up with pause - the application menu, swipe left or right back.
⚠️ Attention: When you switch to gestures, the normal "Back" button disappears. Don't be afraid if you miss the visual landmark first. To return, you now need to swipe from the left or right edge of the screen to the center.
Fine tuning of sensitivity and return area
MIUI 13 allows you to tailor the system to your individual preferences. If you feel that your smartphone is too often or too rarely responsive to your touching the edges of the screen, this can be fixed.
In the same Full Screen Control menu, click on the Return Settings option, where you can choose which side of the screen the Back Spot will be running from. Options are available: left only, right only, or both sides at the same time.
And there's a sensitivity slider here, and by moving it, you adjust how far you have to go into the screen to make the system recognize the swipe. 2.5D or 3D security glasses often require maximum senses.
Secret setting for gamers
Remember, the changes take effect instantly. Try to do a few swipes after each swipe to find the perfect position, which will take no more than a minute, but will greatly improve the comfort of use.
Navigation Methods Comparison: buttons vs. gestures
So to give you a definitive idea of what to do, let's compare the two methods in key terms. Although gestures seem more advanced, buttons also have their advantages in certain use cases.
| Parameter | Three buttons. | Full-screen gestures |
|---|---|---|
| Speed of access | Medium (to aim) | High (intuitive swipe) |
| Use with one hand | Uncomfortable on big screens | As convenient as possible. |
| Visual noise | Aye (panel occupied) | Absent (clean screen) |
| Learning capacity | Instant (common to everyone) | It takes 1-2 days of getting used to. |
As you can see from the table, gestures are a winner in ergonomics and aesthetics, but require a short period of adaptation. Buttons remain relevant for those who are used to a certain algorithm of actions or have difficulty with motor skills of the fingers.
But statistics show that more than 80 percent of Xiaomi users leave gestures permanently on after switching to MIUI 12 and later, confirming the convenience of this solution in the long run.
Conflict resolution and resolution
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where gestures stop working or work incorrectly, most often due to a conflict of third-party launchers or applications that overlap the screen. If the swipes stop responding, the first thing you do is check whether you have a floating window or picture-in-picture app running on the full screen.
Problems can also arise after you upgrade or install "heavy" design themes, which can be done by simply restarting the interface, pressing the power button or swiping up with pause (if the gestures are partially working) and restarting the device.
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone to reset temporary system errors.
- 🎨 Turn off third-party themes and return standard design.
- 📱 Check for updates to the system UI shop-in-the-box.
- 🛡️ Make sure the protective glass does not cover the touch areas at the edges.
⚠️ Note: If you use custom launchers (like Nova Launcher or Niagara), make sure that their settings allow system navigation.
💡
If you often accidentally fold applications, try changing the animation speed in the section "Developers": reducing the animation scale to 0.5x will make the system response sharper and clearer.
Hidden opportunities and tips for advanced
The gesture control in MIUI 13 hides a few non-obvious features, such as a bottom-up swipe with a delay (pause at the bottom) opens the menu of running applications, and if you swipe from the bottom up diagonally, you can quickly activate the search or voice assistant, depending on the settings.
Another useful feature is to quickly switch between the latest apps, by swiping your finger horizontally along the bottom of the screen (where the bar was once home), which works even faster than a standard swipe for the task menu.
For users who often type with one hand, the Access Panel is useful, activated by a triple tap on the Home button (in button mode) or by a special gesture, in gesture mode, the analogue is a swipe down the central part of the bottom status bar, if such an option is enabled in special features.
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The main idea: Mastery gesture control doesn't come immediately. Give yourself at least 3 days to get used to, and you'll notice that the speed of working with a smartphone has increased significantly.