[Xiaomi 13 Ultra] lubo777:
This is a HOWTO how to replace the boring MIUI Launcher on a Xiaomi CN ROM phone and how to use Gestures Navigation with Nova Launcher on MIUI ROM.

The solution described below has been tested by me and works perfectly on a Xiaomi 13 Ultra (CN) phone purchased from China with the latest version of MIUI 14.0.20

I don't know if this solution works if you have a Xiaomi phone from China with the new HyperOS installed, instead of MIUI... as of the current moment, I'm still waiting for my phone's bootloader to be unlocked and CANNOT test the HyperOS.

For more than 4 years, ever since MIUI version 10, Xiaomi officially blocks the ability of all users of Xiaomi phones (CN) produced for the China region to use a Launcher of the phone owner's choice on their personal phone.

Another limitation, deliberately introduced by Xiaomi, is that you cannot use the built in Gestures navigation with any Launcher other than theirs ... because guess - the gestures are built in their half-backed Luncher, not in the OS ... :)

This rule applies to all users of their operating system, whether it's on Global or CN ROM.

Changing the MIUI Launcher on a Xiaomi 13 Ultra Phone​

As I described in the guide "if Xiaomi 13 Ultra CN, then DON'T do THIS:" it turns out that I have to wait 25 days before I get permission from Xiaomi to unlock the bootloader of my Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

25 extremely annoying days, during which Xiaomi forces me to use their operating system and their HALF-BACKED morally outdated product called MIUI Launcher.

Another LIMITATION imposed by Xiaomi, which you should keep in mind, is that on a locked CN ROM you CANNOT install apps with lower version than those already installed on the phone ... :(

I came across a guide on the Internet to deal with this super irritating problem faced by tens of thousands of Xiaomi users.

Unfortunately, today I can't find the link to that original solution.

In the guide, the author suggested installing version 4.23.0.3275 of the MIUI Launcher on your phone: com.miui.home_ALPHA-4.23.0.3275

According to the author of this guide, specifically this version 4.23.0.3275 of the MIUI Launcher allows you to set another alternative Launcher on your CN ROM phone.

I personally FAILED to install this version of the program, as the version of com.miui.home on my phone was higher.

However, if you have an older version of the operating system on your Xioami phone, I hope this solution works for you! :)

Good luck! :)

MIUI Launcher for HyperOS​

So, after this latest attempt and disappointment, I decided to search for and install the latest version of the MIUI Launcher made for Xiaomi's "new" operating system HyperOS ...

I hoped that the newer versions wouldn't be as wooden and annoying! :)

INFO: The MIUI Launcher for HyperOS is 100% the same wooden half backed thing as the launcher on MIUI ...

So, in search of a newer version of the MIUI Launcher for HyperOS, I came across the website hyperosupdates.com.

From there I downloaded com.miui.home_RELEASE-4.39.14.7750-12111906_HyperOSUpdates.com.apk

This is the link to the program if you want to download it directly from the hyperosupdates.com website: https://hyperosupdates.com/apps/com.miui.home/439147750/

I downloaded the program to my phone and encountered another limitation from Xiaomi:

Can't install system applications from unofficial channels! :)​

Fortunately, for those who love freedom, there IS a solution to this yet another annoying problem and yet another restriction!

Activate Developer Options then in Settings / Additional settings / Developer options, activate the USB Debugging and Install via USB settings.

open a terminal, go to this folder, and start the command:

adb install com.miui.home_RELEASE-4.39.14.7750-12111906_HyperOSUpdates.com.apk

Congratulations! You have just installed version of the MIUI launcher for HyperOS, which ALLOWS you to set Nova Launcher as default launcher.

You can easily do this from the menu Settings / Apps / Manage Apps.

Here click on the 3 dots at the top right and select Default Apps / Launcher.

From this menu, choose the Launcher you have installed and want to use by default for your phone.

No more annoying refusal message!

Hooray! :)

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Gestures Navigation with Nova Launcher for MIUI Phones​

If you prefer Gestures Navigation for navigation, you will need to do a few more things... :)

The next problem we encounter on phones with the MIUI version of Android is that here, specifically for this manufacturer, Gestures Navigation is developed solely as part of the MIUI Launcher.

Accordingly, if you do not want to use the MIUI Launcher, you will not have Gestures Navigation... :)

I personally installed the MyGesture app from Google Play.

If for some reason Google Play does not allow you to install it, you can download and install it from the link here: MyGesture

Install the app, allow access to "Display over other apps" and "Accessibility services".

In the battery optimization settings, TURN OFF restrictions for the MyGesture app and that's it!

You now have full-fledged navigation with Gestures Navigation and finally can use your favorite Nova Launcher on your Xiaomi (CN) phone produced for the China region!

Hiding the Navigation Menu at the Bottom of the Screen​

To hide the navigation bar, run the following command from your computer:

adb shell settings put global force_fsg_nav_bar 1

If this command does not hide the navigation bar, try this: adb shell settings put global force_fsg_nav_bar 0

Keep in mind that after restarting the phone, the button bar will appear again.

​

Hiding the Full Screen Navigation Indicator​

If there is still a thin glowing line at the bottom of your screen, that's the "Full screen navigation" indicator.

You can easily hide it by going into: Settings / Home Screen / System navigation. Here, click on Hide full screen indicator

Good Luck!

Lupo