Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are based on the shells MIUI and HyperOS, by default offer users control through swipes, which allows you to maximize the use of screen area. However, not all owners of gadgets are comfortable with using the interface, where you need to remember complex combinations of finger movements. Often there is a situation where standard navigation buttons seem more familiar and predictable, especially when switching from other models of phones.
Disabling gestures on Xiaomi is a process that may be required not only for personal comfort but also to solve technical problems. Sometimes the system reacts to accidental touches of the edges of the display, which leads to unintentional exit from applications or return to the desktop. In this guide, we will discuss in detail how to change the way you navigate, as well as touch on adjacent settings that affect the operation of the touch screen.
It is important to understand that changing the type of navigation does not affect the performance of the device, but can significantly change the user experience. Below we will look at all the available methods of switching, including standard system settings and additional utilities that help fine-tune the display response to your needs.
The main ways to switch navigation
The easiest and safest way to avoid swipes is to use the built-in tools of the Android operating system. In Xiaomi smartphones, this option is hidden in the special features menu, although logically it refers to the basic interface settings. You do not need to install third-party software or obtain superuser rights.
To start, you need to open the main settings menu for your device, and find a section called Additional Settings or Advanced Settings, depending on the firmware version and region, and that's where the settings that govern user interaction with the MIUI shell interface are located.
Inside this menu, you'll find Full-screen Mode, and if you click on it, you'll see a switch that activates or deactivates gesture control. If the slider is on, the screen uses swipes; if it's off, you'll see classic buttons.
Once the switch is off, the system will immediately change the switch, and at the bottom of the display, you'll see three buttons: Back, Home, and Application Menu, which is reversible, and you can get it back to normal at any time if the new format seems uncomfortable.
Step-by-step instructions for different versions of MIUI and HyperOS
The interface of the shell Xiaomi is constantly updated, and the location of some items may vary slightly on different versions of the software. Owners of new flagships with HyperOS or fresh MIUI 14 should adhere to one algorithm, while on older models the path may be shorter.
Consider a detailed algorithm for current firmware versions. Follow the instructions carefully so you don't get confused in the multi-level settings menu.
- 📱 Unlock your smartphone and find the Settings icon (cog) on your desktop.
- ⚙️ Scroll down to the Additional Settings section and click on it.
- 🖱️ Select Full-screen Mode (sometimes it may be simply called Navigation").
- 🚫 Move the switch Full-screen gestures in an inactive state.
If you are a user of an older version of the shell, such as MIUI 11 or MIUI 12, the path may look different. In some cases, the navigation point is placed in a separate Control menu or is immediately located in the root directory of settings called Full Screen Navigation.
☑️ Post-switch check
It is important to note that some global firmware versions may have the path: Settings → Desktop → System Navigation. If you can’t find the right item on the standard path, search inside the settings by typing in “navigation” or “gestures.”
Sensitivity adjustment and error avoidance
Sometimes users don't want to turn off gestures completely, but only to fix them, for example, the phone can react to touch when you just hold it in your hand, or, conversely, ignore swipes, in which case calibration or sensitivity changes help.
You can check the response of the touchscreen on the engineering menu or through special applications, but before resorting to complex methods, it is worth checking whether the hypersensitivity mode designed for use with protective glasses is turned on.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use thick protective glass and hypersensitivity mode at the same time unless urgently needed, this can lead to phantom presses and false gestures.
To access the screen testing, you can use the service menu. To do this, dial the combination ##6484## in the Phone application. In the menu that opens, select Touchpanel and follow the instructions on the screen to check the display response.
If the test shows failures in certain areas of the screen, it is possible that the problem is hardware in nature, and software disabling gestures will not solve the problem completely, in which case it is worth considering replacing the touch screen or contacting the service center.
Use of third-party applications for navigation
If Xiaomi’s standard tools don’t allow you to implement the desired management scenario, Google Play apps come to the rescue, and they can completely replace the system navigation bar, offering advanced functionality.
One of the popular solutions is the Navigation Bar app, which allows you to create your own button combinations, change their size, transparency and location, and is ideal for those who lack a single button or, on the contrary, are hampered by unnecessary interface elements.
These applications need special permissions to work, usually through the Accessibility menu, and without that permission, the application won't be able to intercept system commands.
| Annex | Functional | Demands a Root. | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navigation Bar | Button castomization | No. | Low. |
| Assistive Touch | Floating button | No. | Average. |
| Virtual Soft Keys | Button emulation | No. | Low. |
| Button Mapper | Reassignment of buttons | No. | Minimum |
| Universal solution | High flexibility | No. | Depends on the settings. |
Using third-party software gives you a lot of freedom, but it is worth remembering the consumption of resources. Constantly active overlay can slightly increase battery consumption, although on modern devices this is almost invisible.
Security of Third Party Applications
Solving the problems with sticking gestures
There are times when the user has already disabled the gestures, but they continue to work or work incorrectly, this can be caused by a software failure, application conflict or damage to system files.
The first step in this situation should be to clear the cache of the application responsible for the system. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find the System Interface (or System UI) and select Clear the cache.
If clearing the cache didn't help, try resetting your navigation settings. Some versions of MIUI have a separate reset for input settings. Also an effective method is to reboot the device in safe mode to eliminate the impact of third-party launchers.
⚠️ Warning: Before performing a full Hard Reset, be sure to back up all important data, as this process will remove all information from the internal drive.
In rare cases, the problem lies in a specific firmware update. If a bug appeared after an update, it is worth checking Xiaomi user forums for such complaints. Often developers release patches that correct such errors in the shortest possible time.
Disabling special gestures and functions
In addition to basic navigation, Xiaomi smartphones have a lot of additional gestures that can be annoying, including tapping on the screen, swipes for screenshots, one-hand control and other features.
To turn them off, go to Settings → Additional Settings → Special Features. Here you will find the Gestures section where all such features are collected. Turn off unnecessary options such as Quick Camera Start or Three-Finger Screenshot.
💡
Tip: If you often take screenshots but triple taping gets in the way, try assigning a screenshot to a combination of volume buttons or use a voice assistant.
You should also pay attention to the One-Hand Mode feature, which is activated by a swipe from the bottom of the screen and zooms down the image, and if you're not using this feature, you'd better turn it off to avoid random activation when typing.
Disabling unnecessary functions not only removes visual noise, but can also have a positive effect on autonomy.