Gesture Navigation MIUI 10 Older Devices Guide

MIUI 10 introduced full-screen gesture navigation, but older Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO devices often don’t show the option in Settings. This guide walks you through the official method to enable gesture navigation on older MIUI 10 devices, and provides a reliable workaround if the setting is hidden. You’ll need a device running MIUI 10 (Android 8.1 or 9) and a few minutes to follow the steps.

What You’ll Need

A Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO device running MIUI 10 (Global or China ROM).
Device settings access (no root required for the official method).
For the workaround: a file manager app (like Mi File Manager, already installed) and a computer (optional but recommended for backup).

Step-by-Step

Check your MIUI version. Go to Settings > About phone and tap MIUI version repeatedly until it says “You are now a developer.” This enables Developer options.
Open Developer options. Go back to Settings, scroll down to Additional settings, and tap Developer options.
Look for gesture navigation. Scroll through Developer options. On some older devices, the toggle for full-screen gestures appears here. If you see Full-screen display or Gesture navigation, enable it. If not, proceed to the workaround.
Try the Settings search. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification shade, tap the gear icon to open Settings, then tap the search bar at the top. Type “full screen” or “gesture”. If a result like Full-screen display appears, tap it and enable the gesture option.
Workaround: Edit the system configuration file. If the setting is missing, you can manually enable it by editing the build.prop file. This requires a file manager with root access, or you can use the ADB method below if you don’t have root.
Root method (if you have root): Install a root-enabled file manager (like MiXplorer). Navigate to /system, find build.prop, long-press it, and open with a text editor. Add this line at the end: qemu.hw.mainkeys=0. Save and reboot. This enables on-screen navigation bar, but not gestures by itself—you still need the MIUI gesture setting.
Better workaround: Use ADB to enable the setting. On your computer, install ADB (Android Debug Bridge). Enable USB debugging in Developer options. Connect your phone via USB, open a command prompt, and run: adb shell settings put secure navigation_mode 2. This directly sets the navigation mode to gesture. Reboot your phone.
If the gesture mode still doesn’t appear: After the ADB command, go to Settings > Full-screen display (or Additional settings > Full-screen display). The gesture option should now be visible. Toggle it on.

Common Mistakes

Editing build.prop without root: On unrooted devices, you cannot edit system files. The ADB method is the correct approach.
Wrong ADB command: Some guides suggest adb shell settings put global policy_control immersive.navigation=* which hides the nav bar but doesn’t enable gestures. Use the navigation_mode command instead.
Not enabling USB debugging: ADB won’t work if USB debugging is off. Ensure it’s enabled in Developer options.
Assuming all MIUI 10 devices support gestures: Some very old devices (e.g., Redmi 4A) may not have the necessary hardware or firmware support. The ADB method may not work on those.

Tips

Back up your data before using ADB commands, especially if you’re not familiar with them. A simple reboot usually doesn’t cause data loss, but it’s good practice.
If you prefer not to use ADB, consider updating your device to MIUI 11 or 12 if available. These versions include gesture navigation by default for supported devices.
After enabling gestures, you can customize the gesture area width and hide the gesture hint line in Settings > Full-screen display.
If you have a device with a physical home button, gestures may feel less intuitive. Try both navigation modes for a few days to decide.

Troubleshooting

ADB says “device not found”: Ensure USB debugging is enabled and you’ve authorized the computer on your phone (a popup appears). Try re-plugging the USB cable or restarting ADB server (adb kill-server then adb start-server).
After ADB command, gestures don’t work: Reboot your phone. If still not working, your device may not support gesture navigation. Try the settings put secure navigation_mode 2 command again, then check Settings > Full-screen display.
Settings app crashes: This can happen if the system UI doesn’t handle the gesture mode. Reboot into safe mode (hold power, then long-press “Restart”) and see if it works. If not, you may need to reset the setting via ADB: adb shell settings put secure navigation_mode 0.
Gesture area appears but doesn’t respond: Some third-party launchers can interfere. Try switching to the default launcher and test again.
No “Full-screen display” option at all: Your MIUI version might be too old. Update to the latest MIUI 10 build via Settings > About phone > System updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this work on any Xiaomi device with MIUI 10?

Most devices with MIUI 10 and Android 8.1+ should work, but very old or low-end devices may lack support. The ADB method works for many, but not all.

Do I need root access?

No, the ADB method does not require root. You only need USB debugging enabled. Root is only needed for editing build.prop directly.

Will this remove the on-screen navigation bar?

Yes, after enabling gestures, the navigation bar will be hidden, and you’ll use swipe gestures instead. You can revert by changing the setting back.

Can I revert to the traditional three-button navigation?

Yes, go to Settings > Full-screen display and toggle off the gesture option. Or run adb shell settings put secure navigation_mode 0.

Is there any risk of bricking my device?

No, the ADB command only changes a system setting. It’s safe and reversible. Editing build.prop without knowledge can cause boot issues, but the ADB method avoids that.

Will this work on MIUI 11 or 12?

MIUI 11 and 12 already have gesture navigation built-in for supported devices. You don’t need this workaround.

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