Modern brand smartphones Honor offer users a high degree of interface customization, allowing the device to be adjusted to individual control habits. One of the most common tasks that owners face after purchasing or upgrading a system is the need to change the order of the navigation buttons. The standard arrangement may be inconvenient for left-handers or simply unusual for those who have switched from another operating system or phone model.
In this article we will look in detail at how to swap the buttons on Android at the bottom of the screen on devices Honor. The setup process is intuitive and takes only a few seconds, however, the paths to the required parameters may differ slightly depending on the shell version EMUI or Magic UI. We will consider all current methods, from classic configuration through the menu to using the hidden capabilities of the system.
Before making changes, it is worth noting that the flexibility of interface customization is a key feature of the ecosystem. Android. You can not only invert the order of the Back and Menu buttons, but also completely abandon them in favor of more modern control gestures. Let's examine each of the available options in detail.
Available methods of navigation in the Honor system
Shells installed on smartphones Honortraditionally provide the user with a choice between two main ways of interacting with the interface. The first option is the classic one with three virtual buttons located at the bottom of the display. The second option is a system navigation panel with three virtual buttons located at the bottom of the display. The second option is the system gesture controlthat frees up useful screen space and makes using the device more ergonomic.
The choice of a specific method depends on your personal preferences and device model. If you're used to physical buttons or clear visual separation of functions, a button panel is for you. In this case, the system allows you to flexibly configure their location. If you prefer minimalism and maximum content display area, then switching to gestures will be the optimal solution.
It is important to understand that the transition between these modes does not require rebooting the device and occurs instantly. You can test both options during the day to determine which one provides the greatest comfort during everyday use of your smartphone Honor.
Try using each navigation mode for at least a few hours to understand which one suits your style of working with your phone better.
Instructions for changing the location of the navigation buttons
To change the order buttons on the navigation bar, you will need to go to the main system settings. This process is universal for most models working on the basis Android with shells from Huawei i Honor. First, unlock the screen of your smartphone and find the application icon Settings, which usually looks like a gear.
In the menu that opens, you need to scroll down the list to the section responsible for the operation of the system and display. In different firmware versions, this item may be called differently, but most often it is designated as System and updates or simply System. Key device management parameters are hidden inside this section.
Next, find the subsection System navigation. This is where all the tools for controlling the way you interact with the screen are concentrated. After entering this one, you will see a switch between the “Buttons” and “Gestures” modes. Make sure that the mode is selected Buttons, since setting their relative position is available only in this mode.
Under the image of the virtual panel you will find a checkbox or switch with the caption “Swap buttons” or “Invert buttons." Enabling this option will instantly swap the positions of the Back and Menu (or Recent Apps) buttons. The Home button, if displayed separately, usually remains in its place in the center or disappears depending on the selected panel style.
☑️ Algorithm for changing buttons
⚠️ Attention: On some older smartphone models Honor with version EMUI below 8.0, the path to the settings may differ. Look for the section
Smart helporSpecial featuresif you do not find the option in the system menu.
Setting up the gesture control system
If you If you decide to abandon buttons altogether, the system will prompt you to switch to gesture control. This mode is becoming the de facto standard for modern smartphones, as it allows you to use the entire screen without wasting space for the navigation bar. To activate this mode in the same menu System navigation you must select the option Gestures.
When switching to gestures, the system may prompt you to watch a short training video or interactive demonstration. Do not ignore this feature, since the control logic here is different from push-button. For example, swiping up from the bottom edge of the screen replaces the Home button, and swiping from the sides replaces the Back button.
One of the useful features in gesture mode is the ability to adjust the sensitivity of the edges of the screen. This is especially true for devices with curved displays or for those who accidentally touch the edges with their palm. You can choose how deep from the edge the back gesture should start reading.
How to go back in gesture mode?
To perform the “Back” action, you need to smoothly move your finger from the left or right edge of the screen to the center. You don’t need to start swiping strictly from the very edge, just start within 1-2 centimeters from the edge.
It is also worth noting that in gesture mode, the hidden bar at the bottom of the screen (gesture indicator) can be temporarily hidden when reading books or watching videos, which creates the effect of complete immersion. In this case, returning the buttons or panel is not required, since control is carried out intuitively.
Interface features on different versions of Magic UI
Smartphone software Honor is constantly updated, and with the release of new versions of the shell Magic UI (and now and MagicOS) the location of some menu items may change. Users of devices with Magic UI 4.0 and higher should pay attention to combining navigation settings with accessibility parameters.
In the latest firmware versions, developers have added the ability to fine-tune the appearance of the navigation bar. You can not only swap the buttons, but also change their transparency or choose a display style (for example, three dots instead of classic shapes). These settings are in the same section, but may require an additional click on the gear icon next to the mode selection.
If you have a beta version of the software or a custom build installed, the standard paths may be broken. In such cases, it is recommended to check the official documents for your specific software version, as interfaces may undergo significant changes during the testing of new functions.
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface may differ depending on the region where the device is delivered and the specific firmware version. If you do not find the described item, use the settings search.
Using the settings search for quick access
In situations where you cannot find the desired section in a multi-level menu, the most effective tool is the built-in search. On smartphones Honor it is implemented very conveniently and allows you to find hidden functions in a matter of seconds. To do this, just open the main menu Settings.
At the top of the settings screen you will see a search bar with a magnifying glass or the words “Search”. Click on it and enter keywords related to your task. The system will instantly filter the available options and return relevant results. This eliminates the need to manually navigate through all subsections of the menu.
To solve our problem, just enter one of the following words: navigation, buttons, system or gestures. The system will highlight the desired item, and all you have to do is tap on it to immediately get to the navigation panel control menu. This method works equally well on all current versions Android.
| Search keyword | Transition result | Probability of success |
|---|---|---|
Navigation |
Direct transition to selecting buttons/gestures | High |
Buttons |
Control button settings | High |
System |
System settings section | Average |
Home |
Home button or gesture settings | Average |
Solving problems with the missing navigation bar
Sometimes Users are faced with a situation where the navigation bar disappears completely and the buttons are not displayed even after enabling the corresponding mode. This may be caused by accidentally activating full screen mode in a specific application or by a system glitch. First of all, check if the “Full Screen Mode” mode is enabled for the current application.
To do this, swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold your finger for a few seconds. If the panel appeared, it was simply hidden. It is also worth checking the settings of the specific application that is experiencing the problem. Some games and video players have their own interface display settings that take precedence over system ones.
If the panel does not return after rebooting the device and checking the settings, the system process may have failed. SystemUI. In this case, an effective solution may be to clear the cache of this process through the developer menu or safe mode, but such actions require caution.
If the navigation bar disappears suddenly, the first thing to try is to restart your smartphone - this solves 90% of interface software glitches.
⚠️ Attention: Do not install third-party applications to replace the navigation bar unless absolutely necessary. They can conflict with the system shell Magic UI and lead to unstable operation of the phone.
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to change the size of the navigation buttons on Honor?
Unfortunately, using standard system tools Honor you cannot change the size of the navigation buttons. Only changing their order or completely switching to gestures is available. To change the size, you will need superuser rights (Root) and specialized modules, which is not recommended for ordinary users.
Why does the "Back" button not work in some applications?
This may be due to the peculiarities of the application itself. Some apps block standard navigation to prevent accidental exit. Also check to see if the Back button action is set to perform a different function in Accessibility.
How do I get the buttons back if I accidentally turned on gestures and don't understand how to control them?
Even in Gesture mode, the basic logic works: swiping up from the bottom center of the screen opens a list of recent applications or returns you to the home screen. Go to settings through the list of applications, find the navigation section and switch back to buttons.
Does changing buttons affect the speed of the smartphone?
No, changing the location of buttons or choosing between buttons and gestures is purely a visual and logical adjustment of the interface. This does not in any way affect the performance of the processor, the speed of applications, or the battery life of the device.