How to turn off gestures on Xiaomi phone: 3 ways + problem solving

Navigation gestures in MIUI are a convenient alternative to classic buttons, but not everyone likes them. Most complaints are related to accidental positives (for example, when playing or scrolling a tape), inconvenience for people with disabilities or just a habit of traditional control. If you too are experiencing discomfort, this article will help to bring back the usual buttons “Back”, “Home” and “Recent” or fine-tune the sensitivity of gestures.

We will look at the current ways for MIUI 12-14 (including HyperOS), analyze the nuances for different models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.), and provide solutions for cases where the settings are gray or unavailable, paying special attention to hidden parameters that are not obvious in the standard menu.

Why gestures can interfere: 5 common problems

Before you go to shutdown, it’s worth understanding exactly what problem you’re facing. Here are typical scenarios where users are looking for ways to remove gestures on Xiaomi:

• 🎮 Games and applications: swipe gesture from the bottom conflicts with control in games (for example, in the game). PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).
• 👴 Older users: It’s hard to remember new movements, especially if you’ve used buttons before.
• 📱 Screen sensitivity: gestures are triggered by false touches (such as when holding your phone with one hand).
• 🔄 Multitasking: It is inconvenient to switch between apps by gesture if you are used to the button “Recent».
• 🛠️ Screen breakdowns: in the gesture area (bottom of the display) there may be “dead” pixels or damage that interferes with the correct operation.

If your problem doesn't make it to the list, don't worry, the solutions below are universal, and if you're not sure if you should give up gestures, take our survey:

Important: On some models (such as Xiaomi 12S Ultra or MIX Fold 2), gestures may be tied to proprietary features (such as folding screen disclosure), in which case completely disabling them may limit the functionality of the device.

Method 1: Standard shutdown via MIUI settings

This is the easiest method that works on most devices with MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS. Instructions are suitable for Redmi, POCO, Xiaomi and Black Shark models:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Display section.
3. Select Full-screen display (on some firmware - Navigation panel).
4. Slip it on the navigation type.
5. Select the button option (or the three buttons on the older versions).
6. Confirm the change if a request is made.

After that, the classic buttons will appear at the bottom of the screen: back (triangle), home (circle) and recent (square). If this does not happen, check if you have a custom theme installed, which can hide the interface elements.

Some devices (such as the POCO F4 GT) may have an option to use gestures and buttons simultaneously, allowing both navigation modes, but can cause conflict in games.

Method 2: Disconnect via hidden menu (for experienced)

If the standard method doesn't work (for example, menu items are inactive), you can try activating the engineering menu, which requires caution, as improper actions can disrupt the system.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##6484### (on some models - ##64663###).
3. You will be taken to the MIUI Version menu (or MTK Engineer Mode for devices on MediaTek).
4. Go to Gesture or Navigation.
5. Find the Force FGB Navigation Bar and set the value 1 (included).
6. Reboot the phone.

If the buttons don’t appear after the reboot, go back to the engineering menu and check the Navigation Bar Height setting – it should be greater than 0 (e.g. 48).

⚠️ Note: Not all Xiaomi models support the engineering menu. On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14), this method may not work or require root rights.

Method 3: Use ADB (for advanced users)

If the previous methods didn't work, you can use ADB debugging. This is a universal way that works even on locked firmware.

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Use the command to disable gestures: adb shell settings put global force_fsg_nav_bar 1
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

If you want to return gestures, use the same command, but with a value of 0 instead of 1. For devices with HyperOS, an additional command may be required:

adb shell cmd overlay enable com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.gestural

⚠️ Note: Some of the scalings after use ADB App permissions are reset, and access settings for the camera, microphone, and storage are checked after the reboot.

1. Reinstall drivers via Mi Flash Tool.

2. Use USB 2.0 port instead of 3.0.

3. Enable the option "Debugging by" in the developer settings USB (security)".-->

Customize the sensitivity of gestures (if you do not want to turn off completely)

If gestures are generally fine, but they work too easily or require a lot of pressure, you can calibrate them, and this feature is not available on all devices, but it's worth checking:

1. Go to Settings → Display → Full-screen display.
2. Select Signs (or Sensitivity) settings.
3. Try the options: 🔍 Low sensitivity – suitable for gaming. ⚡ High sensitivity – for quick switching. ⚖️ Balanced - Standard mode.

Xiaomi 13 Pro

trigger-zone

Nana POCO-There can be a separate Game Turbo section where you can only turn off gestures in games without affecting the main system.

Problem Solving: What to Do When Gestures Don't Turn Off

Sometimes users find that the settings are gray, the buttons don't appear, or after a reboot, everything comes back.

• 🔒 Operator-Blocked Settings: Some firmware for specific regions (e.g. Redmi in India) may have restrictions. → Additionally. → Region (resetting will be required).
• 🛠️ Custom firmware: If you use informal firmware (like Pixel Experience), the settings may work differently. Check the developer forums (like XDA-Developers) for your model.
• 🔄 Resetting: If the changes don’t persist, try resetting the interface settings in Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings → Resetting settings MIUI. This won’t delete your data, but it will return all display parameters to factory.
• 📦 Conflict with running apps: Some launchers (like Nova Launcher) or utilities (like Edge Gestures) can block system gestures.

If nothing works, check if the one-hand mode is on (Settings → Additional → One-hand mode) and it may conflict with the navigation settings.

💡

Before resetting or flashing, make sure to back up your data via Settings → Google → Backup or Mi Cloud.

Gesture and button comparison: what’s best for Xiaomi

Before you give up gestures, you should weigh their pros and cons. Here's a comparison table:

If you still have doubts, try the hybrid mode (if it is available on your model):

1. Enable gestures in Settings → Display → Full-screen display.
2. Activate the option to Show the Back button (if any).
3. In games, use the button, in other applications - gestures.

HyperOS also has a feature called Adaptive Gestures, which automatically adjusts sensitivity to context (e.g., reduces it in games).

FAQ: Frequent questions about turning off gestures on Xiaomi