Palm descent on Xiaomi: a complete guide to setting up and applying a gesture

Hand-descent gesture on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most convenient, but underrated features MIUI. This intuitive way of controlling allows you to quickly take pictures, run applications or perform other actions just by swiping your hand across the screen, but many users either do not know about its existence or face problems when setting up. In this article, we will discuss how to properly activate and use the palm descent on different models Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, We also reveal the hidden possibilities of this gesture.

The function appeared in early versions. MIUI, But it's been very much evolved. MIUI 12 The sliding of the palm worked only for the camera, then in MIUI 14/15 It can be customized for any task, from screenshots to running a voice assistant, and the key is to know where to look for settings and how to avoid false positives. Next, you'll find step-by-step instructions, optimization tips, and answers to frequent questions.

What is a descent by the palm and why it is needed

Palm Swipe is a gesture where the user swipes the edge of the hand across the screen from top to bottom of the smartphone, and the system recognizes this movement and performs a predetermined action. Initially, the function was designed for the convenience of taking photos: instead of pressing the screen or volume button, you could simply swipe your palm to take a picture.

And over time, the gesture has expanded, and now it can be used to:

• 📸 Take screenshots (including long ones)
• 🔄 Quickly switch between applications
• 🎤 Activate the Google Assistant or Xiao AI)
• 🔦 Turn on/off the flashlight
• 📱 Run any application of your choice

The main advantage is one-handed control, for example, when you hold a smartphone in one hand and take a photo with the other, palm descent allows you to take a picture without changing your grip, and gesture is also useful with gloves or with busy hands (for example, when carrying bags).

What Xiaomi models support the descent of the palm

The feature is available on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, steerable MIUI 10 and newer. There are nuances, though:

On new models (released after 2020), the function works out of the box.

• 📱 Update the firmware to the latest version MIUI
• 🔧 Enable Developer Settings (7 times tap on the Version) MIUI)
• 🔄 Reset gesture settings in Settings → Additionally.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) The palm descent may conflict with the "double tap to wake up" gesture, in which case you have to turn off one of the gestures.

Step-by-step instructions: how to turn the descent palm

Activation of the function takes less than a minute, but the path to settings depends on the version MIUI. Follow the instructions for your firmware:

For MIUI 14/15 (2023–2026 years)

1. Open the Settings. → Additional settings
2. Choose gestures and movements (or motion control)
3. Find the section Descent with your palm and tap it.
4. Activate the switch in the upper corner
5. Select an action from the list (such as Screenshot or Camera)

For MIUI 12/13 (2020–2022 years)

1. Go to Settings. → System and device
2. Open the gestures → Screen gestures
3. Find the Descent with your palm and turn it on.
4. Set up sensitivity (medium recommended)

Update MIUI to the latest version

Make sure the screen is clean (greaty spots interfere with recognition)

Turn off the case if it closes the edges of the screen

Check if the "No Limits" mode for gestures is enabled-->

Once activated, test the gesture: swipe your hand across the screen from top to bottom (as if you're swiping water).

• 🔄 Increase sensitivity in settings
• 🧴 Wipe the screen with a dry wipe
• 📱 Reset the device

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Pro), the gesture can only work in landscape orientation. If you need to use it in portrait mode, turn on the option Allow in any position in additional settings.

Palm descent setting for the camera: the secrets of the perfect shot

It was originally designed to be a photographic feature, and it works best here, and it's a palm descent that allows you to:

• 📷 Take pictures without trembling (no screen tapping)
• 👥 Photographing a selfie with a group without looking for a button
• 🌃 Use in night mode (without shifting the frame)

To adjust the gesture for the camera:

1. Turn on the descent with the palm (as described above)
2. Select the action of the camera or take a picture
3. Open the Camera app and check the work

Tips for better results:

• 🎯 Keep your palm parallel to the screen – so the operation is more accurate
• 🖐️ Use your palm edge (not your fingers!) to clearly recognize your hand.
• 🔋 Turn off the shutter sound in the camera settings so as not to scare the subject of the shooting

If the gesture doesn't work in the camera:

• 🔧 Check if it conflicts with the magnification gesture (double touch)
• 📵 Make sure that the camera settings do not include One-Hand Mode.
• 🔄 Reinstall updates for the Camera app via Google Play

💡

To capture video, you can set the palm descent gesture to pause/resume recording. To do this, select the "Manage video recording" action in the gesture settings.

Advanced features: screenshots, application launches and other actions

In the latest versions MIUI You can tie the palm descent to any system or user action:

To set up non-standard actions:

1. Open the Settings. → Additionally. → Gestures and movements
2. Choose the Palm Descent → Set up action
3. Tap Add a new action
4. Specify the application or system function

In the models with MIUI 15 allows you to assign different actions to lower your palm in different applications, for example, in the camera — a picture, and on the home screen — a screenshot:

1. In the gesture settings, select Contextual Actions
2. Add a rule for a specific application
3. Specify the desired action

⚠️ Note: If you set a palm descent to launch an application that is already open, the system may fold it or open a new copy. To avoid this, use the "Switch to App" action instead of "Run the application".

Frequent problems and their solutions

Despite the convenience, users often have difficulty using the descent with their palm, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

The gesture doesn't work.

• 🧴 Dirty screen: Wipe the display with a dry microfiber. fat footprints interfere with recognition.
• 👕 Case interferes: Make sure the edges of the screen are not closed. Try removing the case.
• 📱 Low Sensitivity: In gesture settings, move the slider to High.
• 🔋 Battery savings: Turn off Ultrasaving mode in power settings.

False positives

• 🖐️ Random touches: Reduce sensitivity or turn off gesture in your pockets (Settings) → Screen. → Recognition in the pocket).
• 💧 Wet hands: Wipe your hands before using.
• 🎮 Conflict with games: Add the game to gesture exclusions (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Gestures).

The gesture only works in some applications.

If the palm descent works, for example, only in the camera, but not on the main screen:

1. Check if Full-screen gesture is enabled in the navigation settings.
2. Open the Settings. → Annexes → Manage applications and reset settings for problem application.
3. Update the firmware to the latest version.

💡

After the update MIUI palm descent stopped working, reset gesture settings in Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset your gesture settings.

Hidden chips and life hacks

Few people know, but palm descent can be used in non-standard ways.

Quick launch of Google Pay

Set up a gesture to start Google Pay (or Mi Pay) to instantly open your wallet at the cashier.

1. In the gesture settings, select Launch the application
2. Specify Google Pay
3. In Google Pay settings, enable Quick Access

Managing music

You can set the palm to pause/play the track.

1. Select Action Media Management
2. Specify the app (such as Spotify or Mi Music)
3. Set up the action (pause/play or next track)

Secret regime in the cell.

On some models (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi) K60 Pro) the palm descent in the chamber can be used to:

• 🔒 Gallery locks: The picture is saved to a hidden folder.
• 📤 Instant sending: Photo is automatically sent to the selected messenger.

For activation:

1. Open the camera settings → Additionally.
2. Find the Camera Gestures section
3. Activate the Secret Photo option

💡

If you often take pictures of documents, set the palm descent to scanner mode in the Camera app, so the pictures will automatically align and save in the camera. PDF.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions