Owning a modern Xiaomi smartphone is not only access to powerful hardware and high-quality cameras, but also a constant adaptation of the interface to their own habits. For many users who have switched from devices of other brands or simply prefer left-hand control, the standard location of the navigation buttons becomes a serious obstacle in daily use of the gadget. Fortunately, the MIUI shell and the newer HyperOS provide ample opportunities for customization, allowing you to change the order of the buttons in just a couple of touches.
The need to rearrange the back and menu keys (or multitasking) is often dictated by anatomical features or ergonomics. If you're used to holding your phone in your left hand, the return button on the right can be inconvenient for quick thumb access. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the standard methods for changing navigation, look at the hidden developer settings, and touch on the shift to gesture control that is becoming the industry standard.
It’s important to understand that the layout of interface elements is not just a matter of aesthetics, but a factor that affects speed and comfort. Incorrectly configured navigation can lead to random clicks or slow down routine tasks. Below we will present step-by-step algorithms of actions relevant to most current Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models so that you can customize your smartphone perfectly.
Staff settings through the system menu
The easiest and safest way to change the order of the navigation buttons is built directly into the basic settings of the Android operating system with the shell. MIUI. This method does not require root rights, third-party software installation or complex manipulations. ADB-The settings interface is logical and accessible even to inexperienced users, making this option the preferred choice for most device owners.
First, unlock your smartphone screen and find the Settings icon, which usually looks like a gear, and in the settings list you can scroll down to the “Advanced” section or search for “Advanced Settings” immediately, depending on your firmware version, which is where key system management options, including language, date, time, and of course navigation, are hidden.
Inside the Advanced Settings menu, you'll find Full Screen Mode. Despite the name, this section is not only responsible for hiding buttons, but also for their configuration. Clicking on this section will show you a switch between buttons and gestures, and below you'll see a schematic image of the buttons with the ability to mirror them. Choosing the right schema will instantly apply the changes to the interface.
⚠️ Warning: If you don't see Full-screen mode in the locations listed, search by settings. Type the word "navigation" or "buttons" into the search bar at the top of the settings screen, and the system will specify the path itself.
It is worth noting that some global firmware versions may have slightly different paths, such as older MIUI versions that might have been in the Screen or Display section, but the logic of Xiaomi’s interface remains the same: look for partitions related to management or additional system settings. Once the layout is changed, the changes take effect immediately, without having to restart the device.
Transition to gesture management
As screens evolve and diagonally expand, physical or screen buttons are beginning to take up the usable display area. Gesture control, first introduced massively in the iPhone X and quickly adopted by Android manufacturers, allows you to use the entire screen surface for content. On Xiaomi smartphones, this feature is implemented extremely conveniently and intuitively after a short period of addiction.
To activate gesture control, you need to go back to the Settings menu → Additional → Full Screen Mode. Here you need to switch the switch from Button to Gesture. Once activated, the bottom navigation bar will disappear, and swipes from the edges of the screen will be used to control. The swipe from the bottom up returns to the desktop, the swipe from the bottom up with a delay opens the menu of running applications, and the swipe from the left or right edge of the screen acts as a back button.
The main advantage of gestures is ergonomics and speed. You no longer need to aim at the small button in the corner of the screen; just swipe from the edge, which can be done even on the move or with one hand. In addition, the problem of “burnout” of pixels at the bottom of the screen, which is relevant for AMOLED-matrixes used in the flagship models of Xiaomi and Redmi, disappears.
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When switching to gestures, turn on vibration when navigating in the “Sound and vibration” settings – a tactile response will help you get used to the absence of visual buttons faster.
But gestures have their own peculiarities, as some users complain of conflicts with apps that use edge swipes for their internal menus (such as the side menu in messengers). In such cases, Xiaomi usually offers to prioritize action or temporarily returns to buttons. It is also worth remembering that when using protective glasses with thick bezels, the sensitivity of the edges of the screen can be reduced.
Use of hidden settings and developer modes
For advanced users who don’t have enough standard options, the MIUI shell offers access to hidden features through a developer menu.This mode is designed to test applications and debug the system, but contains a number of useful tools for fine-tuning the interface. Activating this menu does not affect the warranty, but requires caution when changing unknown parameters.
To open access to advanced settings, go to the About Phone menu and find the MIUI Version (or OS Version in HyperOS). You need to quickly click on this line 7-10 times in a row until the toast notification “You became a developer” pops up. Then a new item will appear in the Additional Settings menu – “For Developers”, where you can find additional management options.
In the developer menu, we're interested in the section that deals with minimum width or density of DPI, and the option to force the interface to change orientation. Although there's no direct button replacement, you can zoom in to make the navigation buttons bigger or smaller, which indirectly affects the usability of the navigation buttons, and you can also turn off animations, which will make switching between buttons sharper and faster.
Risk of changing the DPI
Another useful feature for those looking for alternatives to standard buttons is Quick Notes, which allows you to configure certain functions in the developer menu or in the special feature settings with long presses on volume buttons or other hardware keys, which partially compensates for the lack of familiar on-screen buttons, transferring frequently used actions to the physical elements of the case.
Third-party applications for customization of navigation
If the built-in features are not enough, Google Play Store apps designed specifically for deep customization of Android come to the rescue. Software like Navigation Bar, Virtual Button or Fluid Navigation Gestures allow you to completely replace Xiaomi’s standard navigation bar with your own, with unique design, layout and behavior of buttons.
Installing a third-party navigation launcher requires special permissions. Once you install the application, you will need permission to "Above Other Windows" and access to special capabilities (Accessibility), which is necessary so that the application can intercept system commands and display its interface elements on top of any running programs, including desktop and games.
The advantage of using third-party solutions is the ability to create unique profiles, for example, you can set one button layout for portrait orientation mode and a completely different one for landscape orientation, and many applications also allow you to change transparency, size, color, and even add additional buttons, such as a screenshot, lock the screen or launch a voice assistant.
| Annex | Type of license | Key feature | Demands a Root. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fluid Navigation Gestures | Freemium | Flexible gesture setting | No. |
| Navigation Bar | Free of charge. | Reordering of buttons | No. |
| Button Mapper | Freemium | Reassignment of buttons | No. |
| Xposed Navbar | Free of charge. | Full control of the system | Yes. |
However, it is worth considering that third-party applications consume additional RAM and battery power. They work in the background constantly, which can be critical for budget models of smartphones with a small amount of RAM. In addition, after major updates to Android or MIUI, such applications may temporarily stop working correctly before the release of the update from the developer.
Solving problems with sticking and responsiveness
Sometimes users want to change buttons not because of preferences, but because standard ones have stopped responding properly. Touch layer sticking, software glitches or screen damage can make the bottom of the display less sensitive. In such cases, changing the type of navigation or moving the buttons can be a temporary solution to the problem before repairing the device.
If the buttons are not working properly, the first thing you should do is calibrate the sensor. Xiaomi smartphones have built-in engineering menus available through a code set in the "caller." Enter the code ##6484## to get into the CIT (Customer Information Test) menu. Here you can select the Touchpanel test and follow the instructions to check and calibrate the sense-truth of the screen throughout the area.
The problem can also be in the contamination of the screen or the glued protective glass of poor quality. Thick glass or the presence of air bubbles at the bottom of the screen often leads to the fact that the system ignores the pressing in the navigation area.
☑️ Diagnostics of button problems
In rare cases, the cause of buttons malfunction is a conflicting application. If problems begin after installing a new program, try to delete it or start the phone in Safe Mode. To enter Safe Mode on Xiaomi, it is usually enough to press the off button in the menu, and then hold your finger on the “Switch off” icon on the screen for a long time until the suggestion to switch to this mode appears.
Navigation Methods Comparison: Which to Choose?
Choosing between buttons and gestures and their location is a matter of taste, but it also has a practical basis. The classic three buttons provide visual clarity: you can always see where the home or menu button is, which reduces cognitive load for users who don't want to remember new patterns of finger movements.
On the other hand, gestures offer a more modern and smooth interface experience, allowing faster switching between apps and creating a seamless interface. For users of large smartphones (Phablets), which are often used with one hand, gestures are often more convenient, since they do not require reaching for the lower corners of the screen.
If you're in doubt about which option to choose, try living with each of them for 2-3 days. The human brain quickly adapts to new motor skills, and what seemed uncomfortable on the first day, in a week may become the only way to control.
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There is no “right” way of navigation – there is only one that is convenient for you at the moment of using your smartphone.