How to change the bottom buttons on Xiaomi smartphones: all the ways to MIUI and AOSP

The bottom navigation bar on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most talked-about interface details. Some are used to the classic Back, Home and Recent buttons, others prefer gesture control, and still others want to reassign actions to their tasks. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to change the bottom buttons on Xiaomi, Redmi devices, POCO Black Shark – from standard settings MIUI Up to hidden functions and third-party utilities.

The problem is that the manufacturer often limits the flexibility of the setting, especially on budget models. For example, on the Redmi Note 12 you can not swap buttons without additional manipulation, and on the Xiaomi 13 Ultra with a different set of keys. MIUI 15 some of the options are hidden in the developer, and we tested all the methods on the actual firmware (2026) and identified those that work consistently.

If you want not just to change the order of the buttons, but to completely redefine their functionality (for example, double-click on Home to start the camera or long-term retention for a voice assistant), solutions using the use of voice assistant will be useful. ADB Or apps like Button Mapper, but everything in order.

1. MIUI Standard Settings: What You Can Change Without Root

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi added basic customization options to the bottom panel, but their functionality depends on the firmware version and the device model":

The path to settings: Settings → Display. → Full-screen display → Type of navigation

Here you will see three options:

• 📱 Navigation buttons – classic three buttons (you can change order).
• 👆 Gesture management MIUI — Swipes instead of buttons (configured separately).
• 🔄 Android Gestures – Google’s Standard Gestures (not available on all models).

If you select Navigation Buttons, you will see the option "Back button location" where you can swap "Back" and "Recent" (left/right position) on some devices (e.g, POCO F5) There is also a "Show the menu button" switch, which adds a fourth button to call the context menu in the applications.

⚠️ Note: On the Black Shark and some Redmi models with custom firmware, this section may not be available. ADB third-party.

Also in Settings → Additionally. → Special facilities → System navigation sometimes hides the option "Duration of pressing" - it allows you to configure the delay of the buttons (useful if you accidentally activate the wrong actions).

2. Reassign buttons through developer modes

Hidden settings MIUI They allow you to extend customization, but you need to activate them with "Developer Mode." Here's how to do it:

Steps to include:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the line "Version" MIUI" And tap it 7 times in a row.
3. Enter a password/pattern lock if required.
4. Return to the main settings menu and a new section for developers will appear.

Now we move on to Settings. → For developers and looking for the following options:

• 🔧 "Showing the presses" - visualizes touches (useful for debugging).
• 🔄 "Transition animation – affects the speed of button reaction.
• 🎯 "Debugging by USB" — need to work with ADB (below).
• 🔑 "Unlocking OEM" — required for some modifications (cautiously, may reset data!).

Unfortunately, in standard developer mode, Xiaomi does not provide a direct option for reassigning buttons. However, here you can turn off animations, which will speed up the response to clicks, or turn on "Fictitious location" for gesture testing.

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If the developer menu does not have the necessary options, update the firmware to the latest version. MIUI 15 there are additional settings for gesture control.

3.Use of ADB deep-customize

ADB (Android Debug Bridge is a tool for interacting with an Android device via a computer, which can change system settings, including reassigning buttons. The method works on most Xiaomi models, but requires a PC connection.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📥 Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Turn on the phone "Debugging by" USB" (Settings → For developers).
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and type in the command line: adb devices (the name of your device should appear).
4. Use the following commands: adb shell settings put secure sysui_nav_bar "Space,back;home;recent: Where back, home, recent are button identifiers.

Examples of commands for popular configurations:

⚠️ Attention: Wrong commands ADB This can cause buttons to lose functionality or the interface to freeze!

4. Third-party applications for button reassignment

If standard methods don't work, Google Play apps come to the rescue, allowing you to reassign not only the bottom buttons, but also hardware keys (such as volume control).

1. Button Mapper (No Root)

• 🔄 Reassign any buttons (including Bixby on some models).
• 🎯 Support for long taps and double taps.
• ⚠️ Requires permission for special opportunities.

2. NavStar (for gesture control)

• 👆 Customization of swipes (for example, swipe up to run an application).
• 🎨 Changes in color and transparency of the navigation panel.
• 🔒 It works without root, but some functions are paid.

3. Tasker + AutoInput (Advanced Automation)

• 🤖 Creating complex scripts (for example, running a script while holding a button).
• 📱 Integration with other applications.
• ⚙️ Requires customization and knowledge of the basics of automation.

Instructions for Button Mapper:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Launch and provide access to "Special Features" (Settings) → Special opportunities → Button Mapper).
3. Select a button to reassign (for example, "Back").
4. Assign a new action: launch the application, simulate clicking, call the menu, etc.

5. Features for specific Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi devices have unique nuances when setting buttons. We collected data from popular series:

Redmi Note 11/12/13 and POCO X5/F5:

• 🔄 Nana MIUI 14 The option "Show the menu button" is available in the navigation settings.

Xiaomi 12/13/14 Mix Fold 2/3:

Black Shark 5/6 (gaming-smartphone):

• 🎮 There is a proprietary application "Shark Space", where you can configure side triggers.

Table of method compatibility:

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On Black Shark gaming smartphones, it is better to use branded tools, not universal applications - they are optimized for high loads.

6 Risks and how to avoid them

Reassigning buttons is a seemingly harmless procedure, but it can have unexpected consequences. Here are the main risks and ways to minimize them:

1. Loss of button functionality

• 🔧 Reason: Wrong commands ADB application conflict.
• 🛠️ Solution: Reset navigation settings through Settings → Annexes → Application management → System setup → Warehouse → Clear the data.

2. Interface freeze

• 🔄 Reason: Conflict between gesture control and classic buttons.
• 📱 Solution: Reboot your phone in Safe Mode (hold the power button) → "Restarting in Safe Mode").

3. Reset settings after the update

• 🔄 Reason: Xiaomi resets customization with major updates.

⚠️ Note: On Bootloader Unlocked devices, button reassignment may conflict with custom firmware. ROM return the standard settings!

Checklist before experiments:

7. Alternative methods: gesture control and virtual buttons

If you don't like physical buttons, consider switching to gesture controls or virtual panels, and here are the pros and cons:

Gestures MIUI:

• ✅ Quick access to multitasking swipe up.
• ✅ Screen space is being released.
• ❌ It requires getting used to (especially swipe back).

Android Gestures (Google):

• ✅ More intuitive for users of other brands.
• ✅ Supports a “reverse swipe” for return.
• ❌ On some models, Xiaomi works with lags.

Virtual buttons (via applications):

• 🎯 Apps like Floating Touch or Edge Gestures add floating panels.
• ⚙️ Transparency, size and actions can be customized.
• ⚠️ Increase battery consumption.

How to turn on gestures MIUI:

1. Go to Settings. → Display. → Full-screen display → Type of navigation.
2. Select "Gestural control" MIUI".
3. In the "Gestural settings" section, adjust the sensitivity of swipes.

Comparison of methods:

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing buttons on Xiaomi