Modern smartphones, including the popular Redmi Note 9 Pro, are increasingly moving away from the classic three-button control scheme at the bottom of the screen. Swiping allows you to free up valuable display space and make interaction with the interface smoother and more intuitive. Many users, when they first pick up a device based on MIUI, do not immediately find the switch, since it is often hidden in the depth of the system menus.
Including gestures is not just a fashion homage, but also a real way to extend the life of the screen by eliminating the burnout of static interface elements such as the navigation bar or buttons. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to activate this feature, what are the nuances of the settings, and what to do if standard methods do not work or cause discomfort when using.
It’s worth noting that the MIUI shell interface may vary slightly depending on the Android operating system version and regional firmware. However, the basic algorithm of actions remains the same for the entire Xiaomi ecosystem. We will consider all possible activation paths so that each owner can customize their gadget as conveniently as possible.
Why switch to swipe management
The main reason for switching to gestures is ergonomics: On the large screens that the Redmi Note 9 Pro is equipped with, reaching the lower corners to close applications or go back can be physically inconvenient, especially when used with one hand.
Also, the lack of static navigation bars visually increases the usable area of the display, especially in applications that can't scale properly or hide system elements, and the full-screen mode becomes truly complete, with no black fields or extra buttons blocking the content.
⚠️ Attention: When you first use gestures, you may feel disoriented. It takes 2 to 5 days for your brain to switch from buttons to swipes, so don’t be too quick to turn off the function if you have difficulty in the first hours.
Also worth mentioning is speed. The swipe animations in MIUI are optimized to create an instant response. Switching between apps, calling the multitasking menu, and returning to the desktop are faster than clicking physical or on-screen buttons, which subjectively improves system performance.
Step-by-step activation through the settings menu
The most reliable and standard way to enable gesture control on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is to use the system settings menu, which is guaranteed to work on all official firmware, whether it is a global version or a Chinese build.
Then you scroll down to the look and feel section, and it can be called differently in different versions of MIUI, but the layout logic is the same, and you need to find the item that's associated with the full screen mode.
☑️ Algorithm for incorporating gestures
After you go to Settings → Desktop → System Navigation (or Settings → Additional → Full-screen mode), you will see two options: “Buttons” and “Gesters.” Choose the second option. The system immediately removes the bottom bar with three buttons, replacing it with a thin bar-indicator.
The same menu often provides additional edge sensitivity settings, which are useful for devices with curved edges, although the Redmi Note 9 Pro has a flat screen. If swipes aren't triggered the first time, you can try changing this setting or just get used to the new amplitude of your finger movement.
Alternative method by searching for parameters
If you don't want to wander around the menu for a long time, you can use the built-in settings search, which is especially true if the menu items have been renamed in your firmware version or moved by developers, which saves time and allows you to instantly get to the desired section.
To do this, open the Settings app and find the search bar at the top of the screen, type in a keyword like “gestures” or “navigation,” and the system will automatically filter the settings and suggest the options you want.
In the search results, select System Navigation or Full Screen Mode, which will instantly take you to the Control Type Selection page, and it's easy to switch the switch to enable swipe management.
Why can menu items be called differently?
Using search is a great way to quickly find hidden features that you might not have known existed. There are hundreds of settings in MIUI, and you can't remember the location of each, so the search feature is one of the most important tools for customizing a smartphone.
Navigation Types Comparison: buttons vs. gestures
To make a final decision, we need to compare the two main types of navigation, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, which can be critical for different smartphone use scenarios. Below is a table to help make informed choices.
| Characteristics | Three buttons. | Full-screen gestures |
|---|---|---|
| Screen area | Takes up a seat downstairs. | Maximum utilization |
| Speed of access | Requires a precise hit. | Quick swipe from anywhere |
| Getting used to | Instant (standard) | It takes 2-5 days. |
| Compatibility | 100% applications | Possible conflicts in games |
As you can see from the table, gestures are better in terms of ergonomics and visual perception, but can take time to get used to, and buttons remain more predictable, especially for users switching from button phones or older Android models.
It is important to note that in some specific applications, especially emulators or older games, gestures may conflict with control within the program, in which case the system usually suggests temporarily hiding the navigation bar or switching to buttons.
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Selecting the type of navigation is a matter of taste, but gestures provide a more modern experience with the MIUI interface and are better suited for larger diagonals.
Sensitivity settings and additional parameters
Once you turn on the gestures, the system offers a fine setup, and the navigation menu often has the option "Hide the indicator," and if you turn on it, the thin bar at the bottom of the screen will disappear, making the interface even cleaner, but you may forget that you are in gesture mode.
Some versions of MIUI also offer a swipe direction setting for returns, and the default swipe is right-to-left in global firmware, and the Chinese version is left-to-right. If you're used to a certain standard, be sure to check this setting.
For people with disabilities or those who prefer alternative methods, there is the possibility of controlling through floating buttons or voice commands, but they are not a substitute for full navigation.
⚠️ Note: If you have enabled the indicator hide option, calling the multitasking menu can become difficult.
Remember, touchscreen sensitivity also affects gestures, so if the screen is dirty or a thick protective film is pasted, swipes may not be recognized, and you may want to wipe the display regularly to keep the touch layer running smoothly.
Solving and Conflicting Applications
Often, users are faced with a situation where gestures stop working in certain applications or work incorrectly, often because the application has its own navigation system or is not optimized for full-screen modes, in which case the system can automatically switch to buttons.
If you notice that the Home swipe (up center) doesn't work, try making it faster and sharper. Or, conversely, if the system is too sensitive and folds applications when you scroll pages, reduce the speed of the swipe in the special features settings.
In rare cases, you may need to reset your interface settings, and you can use ADB commands to do that, but it requires a computer and debugging skills, and it's easy for the average user to reboot the device.
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If gestures are running late, try turning off animations in developer mode or clearing the Security and Settings app cache.
Also worth checking for system updates. Xiaomi regularly releases patches that fix touchscreen and navigation bugs. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update to make sure you have the latest version of the software.