Xiaomi Poco X3 (including the NFC and Pro versions) is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but many users still do not know how to make the most of its capabilities. One of the key features that significantly improves the experience of interaction is gesture management. Unlike traditional navigation buttons, gestures allow you to use the whole screen, make the interface more modern and speed up the work with the smartphone.
In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for turning on and configuring gestures on the Poco X3 running MIUI 12/13/14, comparing gesture types, and solving typical problems from broken swipe to shell conflicts, and figuring out which gestures to choose for gaming, multi-tasking and everyday use, as well as telling you about hidden chips that are not in the standard settings.
Why are gestures better than navigation buttons?
Moving to gesture control isn’t just about following trends; research shows that gesture users spend 20 to 30 percent less time performing standard actions (backtracking, opening recent apps, moving to the home screen), especially on the Poco X3, thanks to:
- 📱 Large screen 6.67 – gestures save space that virtual buttons take.
- ⚡ Speed – Swipe is faster than pressing a button (especially from 120Hz in Poco) X3 Pro).
- 🎮 Game mode - gestures do not interfere with shooters and MOBA, where navigation buttons may be accidentally pressed.
- 🔄 Multitasking – horizontal swipe to switch between applications more intuitive than double-clicking on the button “Recent".
In addition, gestures are less likely to cause random taps when holding a phone in one hand, a problem familiar to many Poco X3 owners with its dimensions. However, this way of navigation has drawbacks: for example, on some firmware, a back gesture can conflict with side swipes in applications (for example, Instagram or TikTok).
Types of gestures on Xiaomi Poco X3: which one to choose?
There are three types of gesture controls available in MIUI, and each one is suitable for different scenarios.
| Type of gesture | Description | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI gestures | Branded implementation from Xiaomi: swipe from the bottom for returning to the main screen, swipe from the side - back, swipe up and retention - recent applications. | ✅ Maximum integration with MIUI✅ Support for all functions (e.g. split screen) | ❌ Can conflict with applications❌ Less universal when changing the phone |
| Android gestures | Standard gestures from Google: swipe from the bottom and hold — recent, fast swipe — the main screen, swipe from the edge — back. | ✅ Habitual to users of other brands✅ Works better with applications | ❌ Less customization❌ No support for some chips MIUI |
| Full-screen gestures | Swipes at the edges of the screen (left/right – back, bottom – main screen/recent). | ✅ Maximum free space✅ Minimalist look | ❌ I need to get used to it.❌ They can interfere with games. |
For most Poco X3 users, MIUI gestures are better integrated with firmware and support all features, including split screen and floating windows. However, if you use side menu apps often (like Facebook or Gmail), it’s worth trying Android gestures – they’re less likely to cause conflict.
⚠️ Attention: On Poco X3 Pro MIUI 13+ When you select Full-screen gestures, you may lose sensitivity at the bottom of the screen, and this is due to optimization for 120 Hz, as described in the "Problems and Corrections" section".
Step-by-step: how to turn on gestures on Poco X3
Activation of gestures takes less than a minute, but there are nuances depending on the version of MIUI.
- Open Settings (the gear icon on the home screen or in the application menu).
- Go to the Display section.
- Select Full-screen Display (in some versions – Navigation on the system).
- Click on the Navigation Type and select one of the options: 🔄 Gestures MIUI (recommended) 🤖 Android gestures (for compatibility with applications) 📱 Full screen gestures (for maximum space)
After choosing the type of gestures, the system will offer you a brief training – do not miss this step, especially if you have not used gestures before.
Restart your phone (optional, but recommended for stable operation).
Check the version of MIUI (Settings → About the phone)
Close all background applications
Connect charging (if the charge is below 20%)
Make a backup of settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Backup)-->
If you notice that the sensor is late after you turn on the gestures, try calibrating the screen:
- Go to Settings → Display → Sensor calibration.
- Follow the instructions on the screen (usually touch the crosses several times in different corners).
- 🎮 Game mode with gestures: in Settings → Special facilities → Turbo mode can be configured to make exceptions for gestures during games.
If none of these methods worked, try resetting to factory settings by saving data beforehand. Go to Settings → About Phone → Reset and select Reset all settings (not to be confused with Reset to factory settings, which will delete all data!).
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If gestures are not stable in games, try adding the game to Game Turbo Mode (Settings → Special Features → Game Turbo Mode) and this will turn off background processes that may interfere with swipe recognition.
Gesture and button comparison: which is better for Poco X3?
To decide whether to switch to gestures, let’s compare them with traditional navigation buttons on the key criteria:
| Criteria | Gestures | Navigation buttons |
|---|---|---|
| Speed of operation | ⚡ Faster (one swipe vs pressed) + animation) | 🐢 Slower due to delayed pressing |
| Comfort in games | 🎮 Do not interfere (you can turn off in game mode) | ❌ They can be tapped accidentally. |
| Multitasking | 🔄 Intuitive switching between applications | 📱 Requires a double tap on "Recently" |
| Application compatibility | ⚠️ They may conflict with the side menu. | ✅ Always working steadily. |
| ergonomics | 👍 Easy to control with one hand | 👎 Buttons may not be available on a large screen |
As you can see from the table, gestures win by most things, but they are not a universal solution. For example, if you use side menu apps often (like Microsoft Office or Google Drive), buttons may be more convenient. The best option is to try both over the course of a week and choose the one that fits better into your use case.
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On the Poco X3 Pro with a 120Hz screen, gestures work smoother than on the standard version (60Hz), but may require additional sensor calibration.
Additional chips: gestures in games and special modes
Gestures on the Poco X3 can be used not only to navigate the system, but also to control in games or special modes.
- 🎮 Screenshot gestures in games: instead of standard Power + Volume Down can be assigned to swipe three fingers down. → Additionally. → Buttons and gestures → Screenshot gesture. Turn on the option and select the swipe direction.
- 🔍 Quick start of Google Assistant: You can assign a swipe from the corner of the screen to call the voice assistant: Open Settings → Annexes → Google Assistant → Activate the swipe from the corner and select the angle (usually the bottom left or right).
Split screen through gesture
In MIUI, you can open two applications simultaneously with a swipe up with retention:
- Open the first appendix.
- Swipe up from the bottom edge and hold your finger.
- Select the second app from the list.