Instructions: how to return the buttons at the bottom of the screen to Redmi

After a large-scale MIUI firmware update, many owners of Xiaomi smartphones encountered an unexpected change in device management. Instead of the usual three buttons at the bottom of the display, navigation using gestures appeared, which for many users turned out to be unusual and inconvenient. This problem is especially acute for those who switch from other brands or simply prefer the tactile response of a physical click, even a virtual one.

Returning the classic interface is not at all difficult, but the settings are often hidden in non-obvious sections of the menu, especially if you have a global version of the shell or Chinese firmware installed. In this article we will analyze in detail all the ways to activate buttons, possible pitfalls when changing modes and additional settings that will help make your control as comfortable as possible. Redmi as comfortable as possible.

Users often confuse the complete disappearance of buttons with temporary hiding of interface elements in certain applications. Before you panic and look for ways to reset the settings, it is worth checking the basic system settings. Below we will look at an algorithm of actions that is guaranteed to help restore the familiar appearance of the bottom control panel.

Differences between gestures and buttons on MIUI

Modern versions of the shell MIUI offer two main navigation methods. Gesture control, which replaced buttons, allows you to use the entire screen area without “dead zones” at the bottom. However, this approach takes some getting used to and often leads to accidental swipes when you just want to scroll through your news feed.

Button navigation, on the other hand, provides a clear separation of actions. You know for sure that pressing the central area will take you home, and the side keys are responsible for going back or listing applications. For many users with large smartphones, this is critically important, since reaching the top of the screen to swipe can be physically difficult.

It is worth noting that switching between these modes does not require superuser rights or complex software. This is a standard function, available in the settings menu of any current smartphone Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO. The only difference is where exactly this switch is located depending on the version of Android.

When switching to gestures, the system often offers a training video that you can skip. If you accidentally agreed to this offer, the buttons disappeared instantly. Going back is a conscious choice by the user in favor of ergonomics, and not a step back in the development of technology.

Step-by-step guide for enabling buttons

To activate classic navigation, you need to go through a certain path in the system menu. The settings interface may differ slightly on different models, but the logic remains the same for the entire Xiaomi ecosystem. You do not need to download third-party applications, everything is done through the system.

First, open the main settings menu of your device. Usually the gear icon is located on the desktop or in the notification shade. Find the section responsible for screen operation and system controls. In the latest versions of MIUI, it may be called differently.

• 📱 Go to Settings your smartphone.
• 🔍 Find the item Additional settings or immediately Desktop.
• ⚙️ Select section Button navigation or System navigation.
• ✅ Activate the switch opposite the item Buttons.

After completing these steps, three virtual keys will instantly appear at the bottom of the screen. If you don't see the "Advanced Settings" option, try searching inside the settings menu. Enter the word “navigation” or “buttons”, and the system will redirect you to the desired section.

In some cases, especially on Chinese firmware versions, the path may look different: Settings → Screen → Button navigation. It is important to read the names of the items carefully, as the translation may not be entirely accurate.

Setting the order and location of the keys

After the buttons have appeared, you may encounter another problem: their order may not suit your habits. On Android devices, there are two standard layouts: Back on the left or Back on the right. Xiaomi allows you to select any of these options without installing additional apps.

In the same menu where you enabled the buttons, you usually find a setting for their order. This is especially true for those who are switching from an iPhone or older Samsung models, where the logic of the keys is different. Changing the order occurs instantly and does not require rebooting the device.

Location	Left button	Center button	Right button
Android standard	Back	Home	Applications menu
iOS / Samsung mode	Applications menu	Home	Back
Hidden navigation	Not visible	Not visible	Not visible

To change the order, just click on the corresponding item in the navigation menu. The system will offer you two layout options with a visual diagram. Choose the one that seems more intuitive to you. This is a simple but important setting to improve the speed of working with your smartphone.

Why is the order of the buttons important?

The correct placement of buttons reduces the number of erroneous presses and speeds up work in applications where the return function is often used. The brain retains muscle memory faster with a stable interface.

Please note that the central Home button often has additional functions. On some models Redmi a short press minimizes applications, and a long press launches Google Assistant or clearing memory. These options can also be changed in the adjacent menus.

Hide buttons in full screen mode

Sometimes users want to have buttons for everyday use, but hide them when watching videos or playing games so that they don't block part of the image. MIUI includes a "Hide Gesture Prompt" feature or similar option for buttons that allows you to control the visibility of the panel.

If buttons are getting in the way in specific apps, check your full-screen settings. In the Advanced settings → Full screen mode section you can select applications that will launch with a stretched image. In such apps, the navigation bar can be hidden automatically.

⚠️ Attention: If you have turned on hiding buttons, but they do not appear even when you swipe from the bottom, check if Do Not Disturb mode or accessibility options are activated, blocking system elements.

There is also a function to hide the panel when inactive. If you don't touch the screen for a few seconds, the buttons may disappear, freeing up useful space. This is configured in the same section of the system navigation and depends on the version of your firmware.

To force the hidden buttons to be called up, simply swipe up from the very bottom edge of the screen. The panel will appear briefly, allowing you to perform the required action, and then disappear again. This is a compromise between the aesthetics of gestures and the convenience of buttons.

Display problems after the update

After a major update to MIUI or Android, navigation settings may be reset to factory settings. In some cases, users complain that there is a button switch, but the buttons themselves do not appear on the screen. This may be due to a conflict between themes or third-party launchers.

If the standard activation does not help, try changing the theme to the standard one. Third-party themes from the store GetThemes can modify system interface files, blocking the display of stock controls. Return to the default theme and check the buttons again.

Another reason may be applications for screen recording or taking screenshots that intercept control of the display. Close all background apps and check if there is a “lock screen” from a third-party application overlaid on top of the system.

⚠️ Attention: The interface and names of menu items may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14, HyperOS). If you don't find an exact match, look for synonyms or use the settings search.

In rare cases, clearing the Settings application data helps. This will not delete your personal files, but it will reset the system configuration to its original state. Do this only if you are sure that the problem is a software failure of the interface.

Use of third-party solutions and launchers

If the Redmi system capabilities do not suit you, you can always use third-party launchers, such as Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher. They offer their own navigation bars, which can be customized to the smallest detail by changing the size, transparency and button icons.

However, using third-party solutions requires more RAM resources and may slow down the device a little. In addition, system gestures may conflict with launcher gestures, creating inconvenience during operation. This solution is recommended for advanced users.

To install alternative navigation without changing the launcher, there are special applications from Google Play that emulate buttons on top of the screen. But remember that they create a constant overlay that can interfere with games and consume battery power.

Before installing additional software, make sure that you have exhausted all the capabilities of the built-in menu. In 99% of cases, the standard functionality of Xiaomi is enough to completely customize the controls to suit your needs without the risk of getting viruses or slowing down the system.

Why did the buttons disappear after installing the game?

Some games automatically turn on full-screen mode, hiding navigation elements for immersion in the process. This is normal system behavior. Quit the game and the buttons should return. If not, check the full screen mode settings for a specific application.

Is it possible to change the size of the buttons on Redmi?

In the standard MIUI settings, changing the size of the navigation buttons is not provided. However, you can change the overall size of the font and display elements in the “Screen” section, which will indirectly affect the size of the buttons.

Do the buttons work, but do not glow at night?

Virtual buttons on modern AMOLED and IPS screens do not have a separate backlight, they are simply displayed as pixels. If you cannot see them in the dark, the screen brightness may be too low, or the reading mode is turned on, which changes the color temperature.

How to turn off vibration when pressing buttons?

Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Vibration when touched (or System vibration). Disable this item so that the buttons are pressed silently and without tactile feedback.

The settings were reset after a reboot, what should I do?

If the navigation settings are not saved, this may indicate damage to the system configuration file. Try updating the firmware to the latest version or performing a factory reset, after saving important data.