Smartphone users Huawei i Honor often face a situation where the usual control buttons “Back”, “Home” and “Application Menu” suddenly disappear from the screen. Instead, an empty space or a gesture bar appears at the bottom, which causes discomfort for those who have been accustomed to classic navigation for years. The problem may occur after accidentally changing settings, updating firmware EMUI or a malfunction of the system launcher. Returning the buttons at the bottom of the screen on Android Huawei is not so difficult, but the path to the solution depends on the version of your operating system and device model.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the possible methods of restoring control buttons, from standard menu settings to using hidden engineering codes and resetting the desktop settings. You'll learn how to switch between gesture controls and classic buttons, and what to do if standard methods don't work. The instructions cover a wide range of devices, from older models based on Android 8 to the latest devices with the shell HarmonyOS.
Switching the navigation mode through the main settings
The most obvious and reliable way to return the buttons is to check the current navigation mode in the system menu. Starting from version EMUI 9.0, Huawei has introduced gesture controls by default, hiding the buttons. To return them, you need to go to the system settings section. The path may differ slightly depending on the model, but the logic remains the same for all devices of the brand.
Open the application Settings and scroll down the list to the item System and updates. Inside this section, find the subitem System navigation. This is where the switch is located, which determines the way you interact with the interface. If you have Gestures mode activated, the buttons will be hidden. You need to select the “Navigation buttons” option.
After selecting the classic mode, the screen will instantly change, and the three treasured buttons will appear at the bottom of the display. The system will also prompt you to choose the order of the buttons: standard (Back left) or mirrored (Back right). This is convenient for left-handers or those who are used to a specific layout. The changes are applied immediately, without the need to restart the device.
If you cannot find the “System Navigation” item in the menu, use the search bar at the very top of the “Settings” section and enter the word “navigation” or “buttons”.
In some cases, especially on older models with the shell EMUI 8, the path may look different. Then you should look for the section Smart help or System navigation in the main list of settings.
⚠️ Attention: On devices with an update to HarmonyOS 2.0/3.0 the location of the items can be changed. If you don't find the section you're looking for, check for system updates or check the official manual for your specific model.
Using the hidden navigation bar
There is a little-known feature that allows you to bring up the navigation buttons temporarily, even if gestures are enabled in Settings. This is the so-called “hidden navigation bar”. It is a small dot or strip in the corner of the screen, clicking on which reveals a full row of control buttons. This method is ideal for those who want to save screen space, but periodically need classic buttons.
To activate this feature, go to the menu Settings → System and updates → System navigation. Select a mode Navigation buttonsand then click on the link Advanced settings (or the gear icon next to the mode selection). Here you will see an option Hide panel navigation. Activate the switch.
After enabling this option, the buttons will disappear, but a small triangle or dot will appear in the lower corner of the screen (usually on the left or right, depending on the settings). When you click on this element, a panel with three buttons will expand. Tapping or tapping again anywhere else on the screen will hide them again. This is a hybrid mode that combines the advantages of gestures and buttons.
- 📱 Saves useful screen space for application content.
- ⚡ Allows you to quickly switch between modes with one touch.
- 🔄 Convenient for watching videos in full screen mode without blocking the interface.
Using a hidden panel can be especially useful in games or when reading books, where unnecessary interface elements distract from the process. However, it is worth considering that accidentally pressing the trigger point may cause an unintentional exit from the application.
Reset settings launcher and clearing the cache
Sometimes buttons disappear not because of a change in settings, but as a result of a software failure in the system launcher. A launcher is an application responsible for displaying the desktop and navigation bar. If the process com.android.systemui or the system launcher is frozen, the interface may not display correctly. In such a situation, a forced stop and clearing of data helps.
Go to the section Settings and select item Applications. Click on the menu button (three dots in the corner) and select Show system processes. This is a critical step because without it you won't see the services you need. In the list that appears, find the application with the name System navigation or Android System.
Select the found application and click button Memory. Here you will need to click Reset or Clear data. Don't worry, it won't delete your personal files, photos or contacts. This operation will only return the interface settings to factory values, which often solves the problem with missing controls.
Settings → Applications → (Menu) Show system → System navigation → Memory → ResetAfter performing a reset, the screen may blink and the buttons should appear. If this does not happen, try rebooting your device. In rare cases, you need to perform a similar procedure for the application Desktop (Huawei Launcher), but this will reset the arrangement of icons on the main screen.
☑️ Actions if the launcher crashes
Interface features in different versions of EMUI
Shell EMUI has undergone significant changes over the years, and The location of the navigation settings differs significantly between versions. Understanding these differences will help you navigate the menu faster if the standard path is not suitable.
| EMUI version | Path to navigation settings | Interface features |
|---|---|---|
| EMUI 5.x - 8.x | Settings → Smart help → Navigation | Classic view, often there is a separate switch. |
| EMUI 9.x - 10.x | Settings → System → System navigation | Introduction of gestures, appearance of a hidden panel. |
| EMUI 11 / HarmonyOS | Settings → System and updates → System navigation | Simplified menu, emphasis on gestures, new animations. |
On devices with EMUI 11 and higher, the interface has become more minimalistic. Sometimes the navigation item is hidden in the “System” subsection so as not to overload the main settings menu. Users of older models, such as Huawei P20 or Honor 10can find settings in the “Smart Help” section, which has been eliminated or renamed in new versions.
If you have a device released during the transition to new Google standards, you may have hybrid settings. In such cases, the system may offer training videos when you first turn it on, explaining the difference between gestures and buttons. Carefully study the pop-up tips when setting up your phone for the first time.
What to do if the “Navigation” item is gray and inactive?
This may mean that the “One-handed” mode is activated or an application is running in full screen mode, blocking changes to system settings. Exit all applications and disable one-handed mode in the notification shade.
Solving problems with disappearing buttons in specific applications
It happens that navigation buttons work correctly on the desktop and in most apps, but disappear when you launch a certain application. Most often this is due to full-screen mode settings for specific apps. Android allows you to hide the navigation bar to improve immersion in content, such as games or video players.
To check if buttons are locked for a specific app, go to Settings → Applications. Select the problematic application from the list and find the item Full screen mode (or “Display in cutout”). Here you can force the display of buttons or change the behavior of the status bar.
It is also worth checking the settings of the application itself. Many video players and games have their own "Hide Controls" or "Immersive Mode" option. Disabling this option within the app will return the buttons to their place. If the problem is observed in all applications at once, most likely the issue is a system failure, described in the section about resetting the launcher.
- 🎮 In games, buttons can be hidden automatically to prevent accidental clicks.
- 🎬 Video players often use swipe gestures instead of control buttons.
- 📚 Reading apps may hide the interface to focus on text.
It is important to distinguish between software hiding buttons and a hardware malfunction. If the screen responds to touches in other areas, but the button area is dead even though they are visible, this may indicate a problem with the digitizer (touch layer) at the bottom of the display.
⚠️ Warning: If the buttons disappear in only one application and do not return even after restarting it, try deleting the cache of that specific application, not the entire system.
Alternative methods and third-party launchers
If standard system tools do not help return the buttons, or if you want to customize their appearance, you can resort to installing third-party launchers. App stores offer many solutions that completely replace the standard Huawei interface, adding their own navigation bars with unique designs and functions.
Popular launchers such as Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or KK Launcheroften have built-in settings to emulate navigation buttons. After installing such a launcher, you can customize the size, transparency and button placement to your liking. However, it is worth remembering that third-party launchers can consume more battery resources.
Another radical method is to use applications to create virtual buttons on top of the screen, such as Assistive Touch. These apps create a floating button that, when clicked, opens a menu with the functions “Back”, “Home” and others. This is a great temporary solution if the physical screen area or system bar is not working properly.
Third-party launchers give the most flexibility in button customization, but may conflict with proprietary Huawei features such as smart gestures or quick app switching.
When using third-party software, be careful about the permissions you grant. Applications that draw on top of other windows require special access in security settings. Without granting the “Display on top of other applications” right, virtual buttons will not work.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why did the navigation buttons disappear after updating Android?
System updates often reset user preferences to factory settings. New versions of Android and EMUI prioritize gesture control, so the system automatically switches navigation mode. You just need to manually return the “Navigation buttons” setting to the system menu.
Is it possible to adjust the height of the navigation buttons on Huawei?
In the standard EMUI settings, changing the height of the buttons is not possible. However, if you enable the Hidden Navigation Bar mode, the buttons will appear on top of the content, which visually changes their appearance. To actually resize, you need to install third-party themes or a modified launcher.
There are buttons, but they are not pressed - what to do?
If the buttons are displayed but do not respond to touches, try restarting the phone. If this doesn't help, check to see if the Gloves or High Sensitivity mode is enabled, which may cause false alarms or ignored touches. Also clean the screen of dirt.
How to return the "Application Menu" (square) button if it has disappeared?
In some versions of EMUI, the square button can be replaced with a swipe up. Go to the navigation settings and find the item “Replace the menu button with a swipe”. Disable this option to return the classic square button for viewing running applications.
Does power saving mode affect the operation of the navigation buttons?
In extreme power saving mode, the system disables many background processes and can simplify the interface, which sometimes leads to hiding the navigation bar or changing its behavior. Disable the power saving mode to check whether the functionality of the buttons is restored.