How to Change the Buttons on Xiaomi: From Reassignment to Repair

Buttons on Xiaomi devices are not just physical controls, but a flexible tool that can be adapted to your needs. Whether you want to reassign the power button function, add a double press to start the camera or completely replace the faulty key with a software analogue - the capabilities of modern smartphones and smart gadgets of the brand allow this. However, not all users know that the button settings are hidden in different sections of the menu, and some functions require activation through developer mode or third-party applications.

In this article, we will analyze all the ways to change the buttons on Xiaomi – from the basic settings to the basics of the buttons. MIUI Advanced methods with the use of ADB We will pay special attention to devices with hardware buttons (Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO X3) and sensory analogues (Mi 11, Redmi) K50), Because the approaches to setting them are fundamentally different, you will also learn how to diagnose button malfunctions and what to do if they stop working after a system update.

Button types on Xiaomi devices and their capabilities

Before you start changing the buttons, it’s important to understand what type of button you’re dealing with. Xiaomi devices come with three main types of keys:

• 🔘 Physical buttons are mechanical keys (power, volume) on the body. 9A, POCO M3) and flagships older than 2020 (Mi 10).
• 👆 Touch buttons – virtual areas on the screen that simulate clicks (for example, a navigation bar in the screen) MIUI 12+).
• 🎮 Program buttons – gestures or key combinations activated through the software (for example, double tapping the screen to wake up).

Each type supports a different level of customization, for example, physical buttons can only be reassigned through developer mode or ADB, While touch is configured in the Settings menu → Display: Program gestures are the most flexible, and can be configured via the Button Mapper app or built-in options. MIUI.

🔹 Important: On devices with MIUI for POCO (for example, POCO X3 NFC) Some button settings may not be available due to the lightweight firmware, which requires the installation of the full version. MIUI via Fastboot.

How to Reassign Physical Buttons Without Root Rights

If you need to change the power button or volume control function, but you do not want root access, use the built-in developer mode or utility. ADB. This method works for most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and newer.

📌 Step 1: Activate the Developer Mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version.
3. Enter the password from your Mi Account if required.

📌 Step 2. Set the buttons through ADB:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and allow debugging over USB.
2. Open the command line and type: adb shell settings put global button_extra_key_single_tap 27 (where 27 — Action code, such as camera launch).
3. Reset the device.

Developer mode activated |

ADB drivers installed on PC|

Smartphone connected in file transfer mode|

Backup of important data is made-->

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Before experimenting, check the team’s compatibility with your Xiaomi model on the forums. 4PDA or XDA Developers.

🔧 Popular action codes for buttons:

• 📸 27 - Camera launch
• 🔦 26 - lighting up the flashlight
• 🔇 5 - switching to silent mode
• 🔄 19 – Quick application switching

Setting up touch buttons and gestures in MIUI

Touch navigation buttons and gestures in MIUI They're much easier to customize than physical ones. You don't need any additional tools to do that, but you need the standard options in the Settings menu. → Display.

📱 Changing the location of the touch buttons:

1. Go to Settings → Display → Full-screen mode.
2. Select the navigation buttons.
3. Press the button location and select the desired option (left-right or right-left).

✋ Customization of gestures:

• 👆 Swipe up - return to the main screen.
• 👇 Swipe down – Opening the notification bar (on some models).
• 🔄 Swipe diagonally – fast switching between applications.

Swipe up to return to the main screen|

Double tap to wake up|

Diagonally gesture for multitasking|

I turned off all gestures, I use buttons.-->

💡 Hidden Opportunity: On Devices with MIUI 13+ You can activate hidden gestures through the function lab:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5 times on the version MIUI (If the developer mode is already activated).
3. In the menu that opens, select Functions Laboratory → Additional gestures.

Reassign buttons with third-party applications

If built-in capabilities MIUI Not enough, you can use third-party utilities:

• 🔧 Button Mapper – allows you to reassign physical and virtual buttons, create user actions (for example, launching Google Volume Cutting Assistant).
• 🤖 Tasker is an advanced automation tool that supports the creation of complex scripts using buttons.
• ⚡ Macrodroid – a simplified analogue of Tasker with ready-made templates for reassigning keys.

📲 Instructions for setting up Button Mapper:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Grant permission to use Special Features (in Android settings).
3. Select a button to reassign (such as Volume Down).
4. Assign action: launch the application, simulate the press, execute the command ADB.

⚠️ Note: Apps like Button Mapper may conflict with system processes MIUI, Especially on devices with HyperOS (new firmware for Xiaomi 14 and later).If after setting up the buttons stopped working, clear the app cache or roll back to factory settings.

💡

If Button Mapper doesn’t see a button on your Xiaomi, try enabling the “Show System Apps” option in the special features settings. Also check if the antivirus or optimizer is blocking access. MIUI.

Diagnostics and repair of broken buttons

If the buttons on your Xiaomi stop responding to clicks, first determine the cause:

• 🔋 Software glitch – buttons don’t work after updating or resetting settings.
• 💧 Physical damage – buttons stuck or not pressed after falling/getting moisture.
• 🔌 Problems with the plume - characteristic of devices with a removable back cover (Redmi) 4X, Mi A1).

🔍 Diagnostics of software malfunctions:

1. Restart the device in Safe Mode (hold the power button) → long-tail → Safe regime).
2. Check the buttons – if they work in safe mode, the problem is in third-party software.
3. Perform a reset settings through Settings → About Phone → Reset settings.

🛠️ Repair of physical damage:

• 🧹 Cleaning the buttons – if the button is stuck, gently rinse it with alcohol (at least 90%) with a cotton swab.
• 🔧 Trail replacement - Removable battery models (Redmi Note 5) often leave the contact of the button plume.
• 📱 Replace the button on new devices (Mi 11, POCO F5) The buttons are integrated into the body, so you will need to replace the entire module.

💡

If the buttons stop working after the update MIUI, Try to roll back to the previous firmware version via Fastboot, and most often the problem is solved by installing a stable global build instead of a beta version.

Reassign buttons on smart watches and fitness bracelets Xiaomi

Xiaomi’s smart devices — Mi Band, Mi Watch, Redmi Watch — also support button settings, but with limitations, such as the Mi Band 7, which allows you to reassign a long press on a physical button, and the Mi Watch Lite, which allows you to change the swipe action on the screen.

⚙️ Setup of Mi Band 6/7:

1. Open the Mi Fitness app (or Zepp Life for new models).
2. Go to the Device Profile → Settings → Button.
3. Select an action for short/long pressing (e.g., Starting a workout or turning off the alarm clock sound).

⌚ Setting up the Mi Watch:

• 📱 Through the Xiaomi Wear app, you can change the action of the side button (for example, launching the Voice Assistant or measuring heart rate).
• 🔄 On some firmware, reassignment of swipes on the dial is available (for example, swipe left for the Weather).

⚠️ Note: On devices with WatchOS firmware (e.g. Xiaomi Watch) S1) part of the button functions is blocked by the manufacturer.Attempt changes them through ADB It can cause synchronization with the phone to fail.

Creating custom button combinations

For advanced users, Xiaomi offers the ability to create custom button combinations – for example, running an application by triple pressing volume or activating the “Do Not Disturb” mode when holding the power button.

• 🤖 Tasker – Creating complex scenarios.
• 📱 Macrodroid for simple automation.
• 🔧 ADB — for the purpose of systemic actions.

📝 Example: start a flashlight by double pressing volume

1. Install Macrodroid and provide all the necessary permissions.
2. Create a new macro with a Volume button trigger → Double-push.
3. Add the action Turn on the flashlight.
4. Save and activate the macro.

💡 Helpful tip: To keep the button combinations running consistently, turn off battery optimization for Macrodroid or Tasker in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Optimizing the battery.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up buttons on Xiaomi