How to operate a smartphone with one hand: turn on the special mode. One-handed control on Xiaomi: how to turn on and how to use Mi5 one-handed control
Android: What is one-handed mode?
With the fashion for large screens, users have also experienced some inconvenience in controlling a smartphone or phablet with one hand. To make the task easier, Android has integrated a one-handed control mode. This option allows you to operate many smartphone functions using only one hand. To do this, the working area of the screen is reduced and no longer occupies the entire display, and its position is shifted closer to the finger. This will allow you to control your smartphone even if you are carrying, for example, a package in your other hand, but still want to do something on the phone.
Android: One-handed control mode on Samsung Galaxy Note 8 & Co.
Since the release of Android 7.0 Nougat, one-handed control mode has been available for various Samsung smartphones and phablets. A similar mode is available in smartphones of other brands.
To activate it, go to the “Settings” section and open the “Advanced Features” section. Below you will find the “One-handed control mode” option. Here you need to decide whether you want to invoke the command using the Home button or a gesture.
One-handed gesture control mode: Swipe up diagonally from any bottom corner of the screen to zoom out. Now you can use your smartphone with one hand. You can turn off the mode by touching the gray area.
Home Button: Press the Home button three times in a row to zoom out. To return to normal mode, run this command again.
When smartphones began to be released with large screens, 5 inches and larger, manufacturers began to add features that made it easier to control phones with such displays. For example, on Xiaomi Redmi Note or simply Redmi 4X, one-handed control will help to use the device for those who have a non-functional or damaged second hand; let’s look at the option in more detail.
How to turn it on
The use of the option begins after its activation. This is a simple procedure consisting of a few finger taps on the display. We present a short guide on how to enable one-handed control on Xiaomi:
Usage
After completing the above steps, the one-handed mode is activated. Using gestures, change the position of the image by moving it to the right or left. There is always a gear-shaped button nearby - “Settings”, if you tap on it, it brings up the parameters to configure or disable Xiaomi’s one-handed control.
Note! You can quickly exit the mode by tapping your finger on an empty area; this is written above the screen image. At the same time, the function is not disabled; to return it, you must perform a gesture using the touch buttons on the bottom panel.
Advantages
● Simplifies the use of a smartphone with a large display;
● Provides the opportunity to comfortably use the phone in vehicles, while driving and in other places where it is difficult to use the second hand;
● Allows disabled people or people with an injured hand to fully use the smartphone.
Possible problems and solutions
Users of Xiaomi devices encounter problems when they activate the one-handed control mode, we provide solutions for them.
● The screen does not return to its normal position or does not want to collapse. Then go to your smartphone’s settings, select “Advanced settings”, open “Special”. capabilities” and deactivate the “Switch Access” and “Zoom Gestures” functions;
● Sometimes the touch buttons do not activate the mode, then repeat the gestures;
● If the function does not work after the update, you need to select “About phone” in the settings and open “System update”. There, tap on the three dots in the upper right corner and click “Download full firmware.” If this does not help, you need to reflash the device using the “XiaoMiFlash” program.
The popularity of smartphones with large screen diagonals continues to lose relevance. They have a number of advantages, but there is a significant drawback - the difficulty of moving data on the sensor. This refers to situations where one palm of the owner is not free and the gadget must be controlled by the other alone. It is clear that the length of your fingers is not always enough to stretch an element from one end of the screen to the other. To avoid complexity, there is a one-handed control mode on Xiaomi. At the moment of switching on, movement on the sensor occurs along one of two routes:
1. The left finger runs from the “home” button to the “menu”.
2. The right finger runs from the home button to the back button.
As a result of the manipulations, the screen will move in the desired direction, become smaller and significantly simplify the use of the gadget.
How to enable one-handed control on Xiaomi
The function is located in the phone menu, in the “settings” tab.
1. Go down to “advanced settings”.
2. Activate the slider to the on position.
3. Set the new size in inches.
To exit the option, just click on the inactive dark-colored area of the display or swipe in the opposite direction.
One-handed control does not work on Xiaomi: what to do
It happens that the gadget does not recover from its state. What you can do:
1. When the gadget does not return to normal mode, you should go to “Settings” and in “Accessibility” turn off the option (“Switch Access” / “Gestures to zoom”).
2. When the option is not activated the first time, the entire algorithm of actions should be repeated.
3. If the phone continues to ignore the list of actions described above, then the problem is in the software and firmware will help, for example, using the ADB driver
This service from Xiaomi manufacturers is useful and sometimes becomes indispensable when it is impossible to use both hands to control the gadget.
Chinese cell phone manufacturers never tire of surprising smartphone users. For devices with a large screen, a one-hand control function has been developed; Xiaomi has implemented this innovation in most models. We are talking about devices running on the Android system with MIUI firmware.
Activation
In the Redmi 4X device, one-handed operation is difficult, so owners of these Xiaomi gadgets will be pleased with the feature. To activate, follow a few simple steps. Go to the gadget menu and select “Settings”. Scroll down the list on the display to the “Advanced” button. A window will open in which you will find the “One-handed control” option; similarly, the thumb control function in the Xiaomi Redmi 3 phone is activated.
Before the device switches to the activated control method, a list will appear on the screen to select the size of the future workspace. Often the user chooses between 3.5 and 4 inches diagonal. The system will ask you to confirm entering control mode. Click "OK" at the bottom of the screen.
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 menu is no different from the Redmi 4X, so you can switch to control mode to touch the display with one hand using the same steps. The only difference will be that for a 5.5-inch screen, you can choose from 4.5, 4.0 or 3.5 inches. The Xiaomi Mi Max 2 case is even larger in size, and the one-hand control function is also available for it.
After activation, all that remains is to figure out how to enable one-handed control on Xiaomi. Swipe your finger across the phone from the middle button from left to right (if you are right-handed) or perform a mirror action (if you are left-handed). All processes must be closed: menus, settings, programs, games. A small rectangle will appear on the right side of the screen, and the area behind it will become the background.
Purpose
The function was created for smartphone owners who feel insecure using a large display. The option is necessary in situations where it is not possible to fully use the gadget. On Xiaomi phones or gadgets of other Chinese analogues, the one-handed control mode is turned on when using programs at work or while traveling by car, entertainment applications on the street or games on public transport.
The one-handed control method allows you to reach any point in the workspace with your thumb and forefinger, which is important in such large devices as Xiaomi Mi 5. The function is suitable for left-handers and right-handers, since the active zone can be placed where it is convenient for the user.
Problems
There are several reasons why one-hand control does not work on Xiaomi smartphones. If you have completed activating the option, but the small rectangle does not appear, disable the “Gestures to zoom” item. You can find the position by opening the phone menu, then selecting “Settings”, and then the sub-item - “Special Features”. This chain of actions will help if you have problems switching to the default control mode.
Problems with small screen display occur if the user doesn't swipe away from the Menu button quickly enough. Do a quick, intense movement; if that doesn't help, it may be a firmware issue.
To avoid activation problems, make sure your device is running a genuine operating system. Otherwise, the functional buttons do not always work correctly; the device will need to be re-flashed. If your phone is an original Android system, try the activation steps again.
