Swipe up on Xiaomi with MIUI 12: Full customization of gesture navigation

Swipe gesture up on Xiaomi smartphones with shell MIUI 12 has become the primary way to interact with the system since the abandonment of traditional navigation buttons, but not all users know that this gesture can be flexibly customized to their needs, from changing sensitivity to reassigning actions. In this article, we will analyze all the nuances of the swipe configuration upwards: from basic parameters to hidden features that the manufacturer does not advertise.

Feature MIUI 12 is that the system offers three options for gesture navigation: standard (like on the iPhone), MIUI-Full screen and classic buttons, each of which implements swipe up in its own way — for example, in full screen mode, this gesture can open Recent apps, and in standard mode, it can return to the home screen. We will show you how to choose the best option and avoid common mistakes that make gestures work incorrectly.

It is important to consider that swipe up settings may differ depending on Xiaomi’s model (for example, the Redmi Note 10 and Mi 11 Ultra gesture processing algorithms are slightly different) and firmware versions. Therefore, the article provides universal solutions, as well as ways to diagnose problems if the swipe does not work or conflicts with other features.

What is a swipe up in MIUI 12 and why you need it

Swipe up in context MIUI 12 is a gesture command that replaces physical or virtual navigation buttons, and depending on the configuration of the system, this gesture can perform one of three basic actions:

• 🏠 Return to the home screen (similar to the Home button) is the most common use.
• 📱 Opening a list of recent apps (similar to the Overview or Multitasking button).
• ↩️ Backwards (in some modes, such as full-screen games).

V MIUI 12 implements a unique swipe context recognition system: if you swipe from the bottom edge of the screen upwards and hold your finger for a second, the system interprets this as a Google Assistant call (if the function is enabled). This distinguishes the shell from stock Android, where a separate gesture diagonally is required to call the assistant.

The advantages of swipe upwards over classic buttons:

• ✅ More screen area – no virtual buttons that take up to 10% of the display.
• ✅ Quick access to functions – for example, swipe up with pause opens the voice assistant, and fast swipe – the main screen.
• ✅ Adaptability – In some apps (like YouTube or TikTok), swiping up can hide the navigation bar for immersing content.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12.5 and the newer swipe up by default activates the Quick Ball function if it is enabled.This may interfere with navigation - check the settings in Settings → Special facilities → Quick Ball.

Three types of navigation in MIUI 12: Which one to choose for swipe up

Before setting up the swipe up, you need to decide on the type of navigation, since the logic of the gestures depends on this. MIUI 12 available three options:

To select the type of navigation, go to: Settings → Display. → Full-screen display → Type of navigation.

Tip: if you use Google Assistant frequently, choose Android gestures – in this mode, swipe diagonally from the corner of the screen calls the assistant, which is more convenient than holding your finger in the back. MIUI-gesture.

Step-by-step setting up the swipe up in MIUI 12

Let’s look at the setup process using the example of full-screen gestures MIUI (The instructions are relevant for all Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO s MIUI 12 and newer.

Turn off the cover or film that interferes with the sensor

Close all background applications

Connect the charger (if the charge is below 20%)

Check that the system is updated to the latest version-->

Step 1: Selecting the type of navigation

1. Open the Settings.
2. Go to the Display section.
3. Select a full-screen display.
4. Slip it on the navigation type.
5. Activate the Gesture option MIUI (full-screen).

Step 2: Adjust the Swipe Sensitivity

V MIUI 12 can be adjusted to how easy or difficult a swipe should be:

1. In the same menu (Full screen display) find the item Sensitivity gestures.
2. Move the slider to the left (less sensitivity) or to the right (more).
3. The recommended value is the average, since false positives are possible at maximum sensitivity.

Step 3: Reassigning actions to swipe

By default, the swipe up opens the main screen, but this can be changed:

1. From the Full-screen Display menu, select Additional gesture settings.
2. Swipe up from the bottom edge.
3. Choose one of the actions: 🏠 Home (main screen) 📱 Recent annexes ↩️ Backwards (only in some firmware) 🔍 Search (Google call or MIUI Search)

Step 4: Set up the swipe with pause

This default gesture opens Recent Apps, but it can also be reassigned:

1. In Additional gesture settings, select Swipe up and hold.
2. Available options: 📱 Recent annexes (standard) 🎤 Google Assistant 🔧 Control Panel (fast access to settings) ❌ Disconnect (if the gesture interferes)

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If the swipe up triggers accidentally (for example, in games), reduce the sensitivity or turn off the retention gesture in the settings.

Solving Swipe Up Problems

Sometimes swipe up stops working or doesn't work properly, so let's look at the typical causes and ways to fix them.

Problem 1: Swipe up doesn't work

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔋 Low battery charge (less than 5%) - system limits gestures.Solution: plug charging.
• 📱 System Failure – Reboot the Device.
• 🛠️ Damaged touch screen – check the sensor in Settings → The phone. → Diagnostics → Sensor test.
• 🔄 Conflict with shell - update MIUI last-minute.

Problem 2: Swipe up is the wrong action

If you have a recent Apps open instead of the main screen or vice versa:

1. Check the settings in the full-screen display → Additional gesture settings.
2. Make sure that the One Hand mode is not activated (Settings) → Special facilities → One hand that changes the logic of gestures.
3. Reset your gesture settings to standard: Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting gesture settings.

Problem 3: Swipe up is running with a delay

A slow response to a gesture is usually associated with:

• 🐢 System Overload – Close Background Applications in Recent.
• 🗑️ Filled Memory – Clear the cache in Settings → Memory. → Clean up.
• 🔧 Incorrect animation settings - turn on Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode, then to Settings → Additionally. → For developers, install: Windows animation - Off. or 0.5x Transition animation - off. or 0.5x

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI swipe up stopped working, reset gesture settings (Settings) → System system → Resetting settings → Reset gesture settings. This will bring back the standard configuration without losing data.

Hidden opportunities of swipe up in MIUI 12

In addition to basic functions, swipe up in MIUI 12 hides a few useful chips, which few people know.

1. Quick camera start-up

Double swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen (in gesture mode) MIUI) It opens the camera instantly, even if the phone is locked, and it's the default feature, but you can turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Screen Lock and Password → Quick Camera Start.
2. Deactivate the option if the gesture interferes.

2. Calling Google Assistant without delay

In Android gesture mode, a swipe diagonally from the corner of the screen upwards calls Google Assistant. MIUI-Signs for this need to swipe up with a pause, but this can be changed:

3.Swipe up in apps

In some apps (like YouTube or Chrome), swiping up from the bottom edge may conflict with navigation.

• 📱 Enable the option Immersive Mode in the application settings (if any).
• 🔧 B Settings → Annexes → Application management → [Title of the annex] → Full screen mode select Display over gestures.

4.Swipe up to hide keyboard

V MIUI 12 swipe down the keyboard hides it, but few people know that swipe up the keyboard can switch input languages (if an option is activated:

1. Open the Settings. → Additionally. → Language and input → Google Keyboard (or other keyboard).
2. Activate Swipe to switch languages.

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Swipe up in MIUI 12 is not just a navigation tool, but also a tool for quick access to the camera, Assistant and application management. Experiment with settings to find the best option.

Swipe up on different models Xiaomi: features

Thought MIUI 12 is unified for most Xiaomi devices, some models have unique nuances in the implementation of swipe up.

Xiaomi Mi 11 / Mi 11 Ultra / Mi 11 Lite

On the flagships with MIUI 12.5+ Swipe up supports adaptive vibration, so when you make a gesture, the device vibrates slightly to confirm the action:

1. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → System Vibration.
2. Activate the vibration when navigating.

Redmi Note 10 / Note 10 Pro

On these models swipe up in gesture mode MIUI It can conflict with Game Turbo to avoid problems:

• Open Settings → Special features → Game Turbo
• Turn off the option of blocking gestures in the game settings.

POCO F3 / POCO X3 Pro

Devices POCO base MIUI 12 for POCO have a separate section of gesture settings:

1. Go to Settings. → POCO Launcher → Gestures.
2. You can set up additional gestures here, such as swiping up from both sides to call Google Feed.

Xiaomi Mi A3 / Mi A2 (Android One)

On Android One devices (without any) MIUI) Swipe up works according to stock Android standards:

• 🏠 Swipe up - main screen.
• 📱 Swipe Up and Hold – Recent Apps.
• ↩️ Swipe on the right or left - back.

Sensitivity setting is not available – it is adjusted automatically.

How to return the classic buttons if the swipe is not satisfied

If gesture navigation seems uncomfortable, you can return the traditional Back, Home and Recent buttons.

1. Open Settings → Display → Full-screen display.
2. Select the navigation buttons.
3. Press More. → Order buttons to change their location (e.g., place Back on the right, like in Samsung).

You can also adjust the transparency of the buttons:

1. In the same menu (Fullscreen Display) activate Transparent Navigation buttons.
2. Choose the transparency level or button color.

If the swipe up still works after returning the buttons (for example, in some games), reset the gesture settings:

Settings → System → Resetting settings → Resetting gesture settings

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A) When you reset your gestures, you may lose vibration when you press the buttons. → Sound and vibration → Vibration on touch.

FAQ: Frequent questions about swipe up in MIUI 12