Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have largely abandoned physical control buttons, providing users with flexible navigation tools. The transition to gesture control allows users to use the maximum display area for content, making the interface more modern and easy to work with one hand. However, after buying or updating the firmware, many users are faced with an interface where there are familiar buttons at the bottom of the screen, which does not always meet the expectations of a flagship device.
Turning on gesture navigation is not just an aesthetic change, but also a way to speed up interaction with the MIUI operating system or the new HyperOS. Correctly configured swipes allow you to instantly switch between running applications, go back or call the control menu without unnecessary taps. In this article, we will discuss in detail the process of activating this feature, consider the hidden sensitivity settings and answer frequent questions that arise when changing the type of navigation.
It’s worth noting that menu items may vary slightly depending on the operating system version and regional firmware. However, the overall algorithm of actions remains the same for most current models, including the Mi, Redmi Note and POCO series. We have prepared a step-by-step instruction that will help you learn a new way of managing in minutes.
Login to navigation settings and method selection
The first step to change the way you navigate is to log into your device's settings menu, and you need to find the section that handles your screen and general system settings. Most MIUI devices have standardized this path, but newer versions of HyperOS may have changed the logic of grouping points. Open the Settings app on the home screen and scroll through the list to Advanced Settings.
Inside this section, you should look for a item that might be called "Navigation on Screen" or just "Navigation." That's where the interface management logic switches. If you're using an older version of Android or a specific firmware build, that item might be right in the main settings menu or in the Screen section. The key is to look for an option that visually presents two options: three buttons at the bottom or swipe management.
After you go to the navigation menu, the system will prompt you to choose one of the available modes. By default, the button mode is often activated, since it is used by users who move from button phones or old models. To activate gestures, you need to click on the corresponding icon or switch, after which the bottom bar with buttons disappears, and thin bars of hints appear on the sides of the screen.
⚠️ Warning: When you switch mode, the system can freeze the interface for a few seconds to redraw the controls.
If you can't find the right item, search by settings, type the word "navigation" or "gestures" into the search box, and the system will redirect you to the desired menu, which is especially true for devices where the menu has been translated into another language or has a non-standard structure.
Description of the main gestures and navigation
Once you turn on gesture mode, the smartphone's control is completely changed. Instead of pressing virtual buttons, you now use swipes (finger swipes) to specific areas of the screen. The basic principle is that swiping from the bottom up in the center of the screen brings you back to the desktop, no matter what application you're in, which is similar to pressing the central home button in old interfaces.
To swipe back, which is equivalent to a back button, from the left or right edge of the screen to the center, the system allows you to choose which side the gesture will work on, which is convenient for left-handed people. If you swipe from the edge and hold it in the center of the screen, you will open a multitasking menu, where all the applications you run are displayed, this action replaces the square button or triple press.
There are also additional gestures for quick access. For example, swiping down from the center of the top of the screen (not from the very edge where the status bar) can trigger a search or quick action, depending on the launcher settings. In applications, swipe from the bottom up with a pause in the middle of the path allows you to quickly switch between the last two running programs, which saves time.
- 👆 Swipe from bottom up in the center - access to the main screen.
- 🔙 Swipe from left or right edge – back (analogue of the Back button).
- 📑 Swipe from bottom to top with a delay - opening the menu of running applications.
- 🔄 Swipe from bottom up with pause in the middle – quick switch between the latest apps.
It takes a while to master these movements, as it requires muscle memory to develop. At first, you can accidentally open the menu instead of returning, but after a couple of days of active use, Xiaomi will react to your movements instantly and intuitively.
💡
For faster switching between apps, try swiping upwards from the bottom, but slightly higher, and abruptly stop your finger in the middle of the screen.
Sensitivity setting and prompt positioning
One of the common problems with switching to gestures is that the screen will not respond to touch, and if swipes are not recognized or are triggered too often, sensitivity needs to be adjusted, and the navigation menu, usually in the upper right corner or in the submenu, will have Sensitivity or Sign settings.
Here you can change the area of activation of side swipes. Standard setting involves activation from the very edge, but if you often use high-sided covers, the touch area can overlap. Increased sensitivity allows you to register swipes even when you touch a little further from the edge of the screen. Also available is the option to hide the hint strips at the bottom of the screen that interfere with watching video or reading.
Some versions of MIUI have a swipe direction set for returns, so you can choose to only swipe back to the left, right, or both sides, and left-handers can opt for right-handed activation, so that the random touches on the left don't interrupt the process.
| Parameter | Description | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity of edges | Determines the width of the area at the edge of the screen for swipe back | Medium or High. |
| Sign clues | Displaying thin lines at the bottom of the screen | Off (for aesthetics) |
| Party of return | Selecting the screen side for the "Back" gesture | From both sides |
| Vibrant response | Tactile returns when performing a gesture | At the request of the user |
Remember that too high sensitivity can lead to false positives when you just hold your phone around the edges. Find a balance where the control is comfortable but not overly aggressive.
☑️ Checking the navigation settings
Solving Problems with Gesture Recognition
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the gestures are not working correctly, this can manifest itself in the ignoring of swipes or chaotic behavior of the interface. The first reason is often a protective film or low-quality glass that distorts the touchscreen signal at the edges of the device, in which case the screen calibration or temporary removal of protection helps.
The second reason could be third-party launcher conflicts, and if you have an alternative interface, it can intercept gesture control, in which case you need to check the launcher permissions in your application settings, or temporarily return to the standard launcher POCO Launcher or MIUI Home. System conflicts can also occur after a failed firmware update.
⚠️ Note: If gestures stop working after a system update, try clearing the Settings and System Interface app cache, but don’t delete them completely.
It is also worth checking whether the “Gloves Work” mode or the increased sensitivity of the screen in special features are enabled, which, designed for specific conditions, can interfere with the normal operation of navigation gestures in normal operating conditions.
If nothing works, reset your navigation settings to factory values. In extreme cases, a full reset of your smartphone settings will help, but this will require backup data. Often the problem is solved by simply restarting the device, which resets temporary errors of the touchscreen drivers.
What if the gestures only work in one game?
Features of management in applications and games
When using gesture navigation in games and full-screen applications, it's important to understand the logic of how they interact. Most modern games automatically hide system prompts and use the entire screen area. However, a random swipe from the edge can throw you out of the game or open the multitasking menu, which is especially annoying in tense moments.
To solve this problem, MIUI and HyperOS have Game Mode or Game Turbo, which allows you to block gestures while playing, leaving only the swipe out of a certain angle (usually you need to swipe twice or from a particular angle) active, which prevents random access to the menu.
In applications that read or watch videos where swipes are important (like flipping pages or swiping the edge), conflicts can arise. The system tries to guess your intention: you want to flip the page of the book or go back to the menu. In such situations, changing the point of the start of the swipe helps: start moving not from the edge, but a little step back so that the system understands that this is an action inside the application.
- 🎮 In games, use Game Turbo to lock the edges of the screen.
- 📚 In the reader, configure swipe zones inside the application itself.
- 🎬 In video players, the swipe to exit is usually blocked automatically.
- 🛑 For forced closure of the suspended application, use a long swipe up with a pause.
Understanding these nuances will allow you to avoid frustration and effectively use the capabilities of the smartphone in any use cases, whether it is mobile eSports or reading documentation.
💡
Game Turbo is the best tool for customizing gesture behavior in horizontal applications and games, preventing accidental exits.
Comparison: gestures vs. navigation buttons
Choosing between gestures and buttons is a matter of habit and personal preference, but each method has its own objective advantages: Gestures win in ergonomics on large screens, because they do not require you to reach the bottom edge of the device, but buttons provide a more accurate tactile sensation and predictability, which is important for users with hand tremors or in situations where the phone is lying on the table.
The aesthetic aspect also plays a role: the absence of buttons frees up to 15-20 pixels of usable space at the bottom of the screen, which makes the picture more solid. However, buttons are less prone to random activation in the pocket, although modern algorithms for protecting against false presses at Xiaomi have minimized this risk.
In terms of speed, gestures allow complex actions (such as switching between apps) to be performed in one continuous movement, whereas buttons require a sequence of taps. On the other hand, buttons are easier to explain to older people or those who are picking up a smartphone for the first time.
⚠️ Note: When using protective glasses with a thick frame, the buttons may become less responsive, while the center part of the gesture screen remains accessible.
Ultimately, most users who have tried gestures on modern Redmi and Xiaomi devices don’t go back to the buttons, evaluating the smoothness and speed of the interface, but if you’re used to the classics, the system allows you to go back to the buttons at any time without losing data.