How to change the control buttons on Xiaomi devices: from smartphones to Smart TV

Why do users want to change the control buttons on Xiaomi?

The control buttons on Xiaomi devices are not just interface elements, but a key tool for interacting with the gadget. Over the years, the manufacturer has experimented with their location, functionality and even physical execution: someone remembers the classic mechanical buttons on the Redmi Note 3, and someone is already used to completely high-speed gestures on the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. But what if the standard configuration does not suit?

The reasons for changing control buttons can be different: from banal inconvenience (for example, randomly pressing the Power button in your pocket) to specific needs (reassigning buttons for gaming or accessibility). Some users want to turn off vibration when pressed, others – to replace the physical keys with touch gestures, and the owners of Xiaomi TV They want to make it easier to control the remote, and in this article, we're going to look at all the scenarios that we can think of, from basic settings to hidden functions that don't even get written about in the official manuals.

It is important to understand that customization options depend on the device model and version. MIUI (or HyperOS for new gadgets. POCO F5 s MIUI 14 available only options, and on Xiaomi 13T Pro with HyperOS 1.0 is different. We'll take these things into account and give recommendations for different versions of the firmware.

Ways to change buttons on Xiaomi smartphones

So to start with the most common scenario, which is customizing buttons on smartphones, there are three basic approaches.

• 🔧 Standard settings MIUI/HyperOS — The safest method, which doesn't require superuser rights, is suitable for reassigning Volume buttons, adjusting gestures and turning off vibrations.
• 🛠️ Using third-party applications is empowering, but can conflict with system processes. Popular tools: Button Mapper, Tasker, MacroDroid.
• 🔓 System file editing (requires root) - for advanced users willing to risk system stability.

Let’s look at each method in more detail, starting with the simplest.

1. Standard settings MIUI/HyperOS

Even without installing additional applications in MIUI And HyperOS has built-in options for customizing buttons:

1. Open the Settings. → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures (on some models, the path may differ: Settings) → System system → Gestures).
2. In the Buttons section, you’ll see options for reassigning volume, power, and even the Google Assistant button (if you have one on your device).
3. For example, you can make the Volume Down button with a long press start the camera, rather than reduce the volume.

On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) The path to gesture settings may be different: Settings → Screen. → Additional screen settings → Gestures. You can use gesture navigation instead of the classic buttons, or you can adjust the sensitivity of the touch keys.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X6 Pro) after upgrading to HyperOS, the ability to reassign the Power button to run the voice assistant disappears.

Make sure the latest version of the firmware is installed on the device

Backup of important data

Remember the standard button settings in case of resetting

Check the compatibility of third-party apps with your model-->

2. Third-party applications for extended customization

If built-in options aren't enough, third-party tools come to the rescue, one of the most popular is Button Mapper (available on Google Play).

• 🔄 Reassign single, double and long presses to any buttons (including Volume) Up/Down power).
• 🎮 Create macros (for example, start a game) + shutdown).
• 🔇 Turn off vibration when pressing buttons.
• 🔄 Change the order of navigation buttons (if they are displayed on the screen).

Example of settings in Button Mapper:

1. Long press on Volume Down → Start flashlight


2. Double tap on Power → Open Google Pay




3. Single tap on Volume Up → Flick through notifications

Some functions (such as Power button reassignments) may require permissions to be granted via ADB. Instructions:

adb shell pm grant flar2.homebutton flar2.homebutton.permission.BIND_ACCESSIBILITY_SERVICE

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices, some apps (such as Tasker) may not work properly with gestures. Check compatibility in the free version before buying the Pro version.

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If the device starts to brake after reassigning the buttons, try disabling battery optimization for the Button Mapper application in the settings. MIUI (Settings → Annexes → Application management → Button Mapper → Battery → No restrictions).

Features of changing buttons on Xiaomi TV projector

Button management on Xiaomi TV And the nuances of the Xiaomi Mi Projector 2 are not physical keys on the body (which you can't normally reassign), but the buttons on the remote control or touch gestures.

The main scenarios of customization:

• 📺 Reassign buttons on the remote (for example, make the Netflix button open YouTube).
• 🎮 Setting up the game mode for buttons (relevant for Xiaomi) TV Stick and Hybrid Devices).
• 🔇 Disabling the sound signal when pressing the remote buttons.
• 🔄 Change the order of buttons in the menu (requires access to the engineering menu).

To change the buttons on the remote will require:

1. Install the Mi Remote Controller app (available on Google Play).
2. Connect the remote to the TV via Bluetooth (if it is a wireless model).
3. In the application, select the TV model and reassign buttons according to the instructions.

For Android devices TV (For example, Xiaomi Mi TV 4S) You can use the Button Mapper for Android TV, permitting:

• 🔄 Reassign Home, Back, Menu buttons.
• 🎮 Customize buttons for games (for example, emulate the gamepad keys).
• 🔇 Turn off the button lighting on the remote.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models TV (Like Mi. TV Q1) When buttons are reassigned, standard features such as a quick Prime Video or Disney launch may be lost.+. Before you change, check if you are using these buttons.

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Xiaomi. TV Android TV 12 and later reassignment of buttons is possible only through third-party applications - there are no built-in options for this.

How to change the buttons on Xiaomi smart watches and bracelets

Xiaomi smartwatches and fitness bracelets (such as Mi Band 8, Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro) also allow customizing buttons, but the options are limited.

• 🔄 Reassigning action by pressing a physical button (for example, starting a workout instead of returning to the menu).
• 🔇 Turning off vibration when pressed.
• 🎯 Customize gestures (for example, shaking to turn on the screen).

To change the settings:

1. Open the Mi Fitness app (or Zepp Life for new models).
2. Select your device and go to Settings → Device control → Buttons.
3. Depending on the model, you can choose the action for single or double pressing.

For example, on the Xiaomi Watch. S3 tune in:

• 🔄 Single tap - return to the menu.
• 🔄 Double-click – Launching the last application.
• 🔄 Long pressing – Enabling the voice assistant.

⚠️ Attention: On the Mi Band 7/8 Reassignment of the button can lead to conflict with the gestures of the screen, for example, if you assign a workout to the button, then swipe up to view notifications may not work correctly.

Solving problems after changing buttons

Even with a careful setup of the buttons, there can be problems, and let's look at the most common problems and how to solve them.

1. buttons do not respond or are triggered accidentally

If after reassignment buttons stopped working or triggered by themselves, check:

• 🔌 Application conflict – if you’ve used third-party utilities (like Button Mapper and Tasker at the same time), disable one of them.
• 🔄 Resetting – Return the standard button settings to the Settings menu → System system → Gestures.
• 🛠️ Cache Clearance – For system applications (like Launcher) this can help.

If the problem persists, try calibrating touch buttons (relevant for devices with virtual navigation keys):

1. Go to Settings → About the phone.


2. 7 times click on the MIUI version (Developer Mode is activated).




3. Return to Settings → Additional settings → For developers.




4. Find the option of Calibration of the touch screen and follow the instructions.

2. The vibration of the buttons is not switched off.

If you have turned off the vibration in the settings, but it still works when you press the buttons, check:

• 🔊 Sound settings - sometimes the button vibration is tied to system sounds. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Vibration on touch.
• 📱 Do Not Disturb – In some firmware, it blocks vibration changes.
• 🔧 Application Rights – If you’ve used Button Mapper, make sure it has access to Special Features.

On HyperOS devices, the vibration of the buttons can be tightly tied to system animations, in which case only disabling animations in the developer settings (Settings) will help. → Additional settings → For developers → Scale of window animation: Off.).

3.The buttons are triggered with a delay

The delay in pressing buttons is often related to:

• 🔋 Battery Saving Mode – Turn it off for system applications.
• 📱 CPU overload – check if the device is warming (use) CPU Monitor).
• 🔄 Gesture conflict – if you have navigation gestures and virtual buttons enabled at the same time.

Touch Latency Test (available on Google Play) can be used to diagnose delays. If the delay is more than 100 ms, try:

1. Disable all unnecessary gestures in Settings → Screen → Gestures.


2. Clear the system launcher cache (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Launcher → Storage → Clear the cache).




3. perform a reset of the screen settings (Settings → Screen → Reset screen settings).

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If after all the manipulations the buttons work incorrectly, reset the settings to factory (but do not forget about the backup!).

Hidden button features on Xiaomi: what can be done without root

Many users don’t know that even without superuser rights, there are hidden button-handling options on Xiaomi devices.

• 🔑 Double tap on Power to launch the camera – works on most models, even if the option is not displayed in the menu. → Lock screen → Double press of the power button.
• 🎵 Holding the Volume Up button to switch music tracks – included in Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures.
• 🔋 Triple tap on Power for emergency call - useful in emergencies. → Memory and emergency situations → Emergency call.
• 🔍 Long pressing the Home button (if any) to run voice search works even on older models like Redmi. 4X.

A new feature has been introduced on HyperOS devices, which is context gestures, for example, you can configure:

• 📱 Swipe on the Volume Down button for quick flashlight start.
• 🔄 Double tap on the back of the phone for a screenshot (works on Xiaomi) 13T newer).

To activate these functions:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Gestures.


2. Enable the option Contextual Actions.




3. Set up gestures according to the instructions.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO M6 Pro) hidden button functions may conflict with branded shells (e.g, POCO If the gestures stop working, try changing the launcher to a standard one. MIUI Launcher.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing buttons on Xiaomi