If you have a mobile with physical navigation buttons (Home, Back, Multitasking) and if a virtual bar doesn't appear on the screen, you can add it easilyThis is useful if you don't want to use the physical buttonsif they've been damaged or if you prefer a more customizable experience.
Virtual buttons on your mobile
One of the novelties that came with Android 7.0 Nougat is the possibility of modify colors and functions from the navigation bar. It's ideal on mobile phones that already include virtual baralthough there are still many with physical buttons.
If that's your case and you want to have one virtual navigation barAs you've probably noticed, there are many options. Previously, several required rootBut today you can achieve it without advanced permissions.
If the physical buttons are damaged, or if you want avoid wearing them outIt might be ideal to use the app Virtual Soft Keys, Which is Delivery to Italy takes one or two business days.
With this app you can customize the bar changing colors and even the height, so that it takes up more or less screen space.
Also, you can show and hide The bar is easy to access: swipe up from the bottom to see it, and swipe down to make it disappear. This way, even if you have physical buttonsYou can hide the bar whenever you want.
This is ideal, and more considering that Virtual Soft Keys It is free and that you don't need root to have a virtual bar on screen.
Activate or change navigation from the settings
Many mobile phones allow you to choose between full screen gestures y virtual buttonsWith gestures, the basic actions are: Home (swipe from bottom to top), Multitasking (swipe from bottom to top and hold) and Back (swipe from the left or right edge).
If you can't find the setting, use the system search function: open Settings, tap the search field, type gestures and go into the navigation settings. There you can choose between gestures o buttons on screenOn some mobile devices, the route may be Settings > Home screen > System navigation and confirm Gestures as an option.
Hide buttons without enabling gestures
If you prefer to keep the virtual buttons But if you want to hide them temporarily for a cleaner look, several manufacturers include shortcuts:
- Huawei / EMUI: slide from left to right on the bar to hide it; to show it again, drag from the bottom edge.
- Samsung One UIPress and hold on the empty area next to the buttons and choose Hide navigation barTo retrieve it, swipe with two fingers from the bottom edge.
- Xiaomi/MIUI: and a Settings > Home screen > Navigation bar tab and activate Automatically hide buttonsThey will appear when you swipe up.
Additional useful settings
You can swap positions of Back and Multitasking by disabling the mirror buttonsIn recent versions of Android it is possible hide indicator full screen and reduce incorrect gestures forcing you to repeat them. If you don't see these options, your system is probably... previous to the versions that incorporated them in a generalized way (starting from Android 11 in many layers).
How to put the buttons back on the phone screen
To disable gestures and use virtual buttonsFollow the same settings path and choose the buttons option. It's usually located in Settings > Additional settings > Play in full screen and select virtual buttonsAnother common location is Settings > Home screen > System navigation and confirm Buttons. You can also search botones in the Settings search bar.
Advanced method with root (optional)
For advanced users with root accessSome devices activate the virtual bar by editing /system/build.prop and adding qemu.hw.mainkeys=0. make Backup Before you start, restart after saving and keep in mind that The physical buttons will continue to work.It is not compatible with all manufacturers.
What is the best option?
La gesture navigation frees it screen space, can contribute higher speed and reduce Distractions, but it has learning curvePlus possibility of errors and sometimes it enters conflict with apps based on landslides.
Los virtual buttons are easy, they commit fewer errors and admit more customization, although take up spaceThey can be something slower in chains of actions and sometimes They are hard to reach with one hand.
If you're looking for avoid wear from your keys or restore usability after a breakdown, the virtual button apps (such as Virtual SoftKeys or similar options that require Accessibility and allow you to add costumes, on o LanternThese are a practical and reversible solution. Give yourself time to get used to the gestures if you activate them, and combine shortcuts for comfortable navigation on your mobile device.
