How to set up buttons on Xiaomi phone: a complete guide with life hacks

Buttons on Xiaomi smartphones are not just physical controls, but a flexible tool that can be adapted to your needs. Have you ever wondered why the power button is on the right and the volume button is on the left? Or did you want to reassign double-pressing the lock button to start the camera? In this article, we will discuss all the ways to adjust the buttons on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO — From basic functions to hidden capabilities MIUI 14/15.

It’s important to understand that customization options depend on the phone’s model and firmware version, for example, flagship devices (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Xiaomi 14 Pro) support more options than budget models (Redmi Note 12 or RBC). POCO M6 But even on the simplest smartphones, you can optimize the function of buttons for convenience:

• 🔄 Reassign button functions (for example, make a volume button to scroll pages)
• 🚫 Turn off random taps in your pocket or bag
• ⚡ Use hidden button combinations to quickly access functions
• 🎮 Set up buttons for games (including triggers on Black Shark)

1. Basic button settings in MIUI: What can be changed without root

Let’s start with the simplest – the standard settings available in the menu. MIUI. Most users do not even suspect that you can change the behavior of buttons without installing additional applications.

Go to Settings. → System and device → Buttons and gestures. Here you'll find some key options:

• 🔘 Power button: You can turn on the function Double press to start the camera or Triple press to SOS. On some models, reassignment to Voice Assistant or Flashlight is available.
• 🔊 Volume buttons: you can turn off the volume change of the alarm clock separately from the media, as well as configure Page Scrolling (useful for reading books).
• 🔄 The order of the navigation buttons: if you use virtual buttons (on the screen), they can be swapped or removed altogether.

On models with an IR port (for example, Xiaomi) 13T Pro or Redmi Note 11 Pro+) In this menu also appears the option of setting the button IR-remote – it can be reassigned to start the application Mi Remote or disable altogether.

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO X5, Redmi 12C) The button reassignment option may be hidden. To see it, upgrade your firmware to the latest version. MIUI 15 or activate Developer Mode (7 times click on Version) MIUI phone-setting).

2. Reassign buttons using applications (without root)

If the standard options MIUI You can't do it enough, you can use third-party apps, and they allow you to flexibly configure buttons, but they have limitations: some functions only work when the application is turned on in the background.

The most popular utilities:

• 📱 Button Mapper: Allows you to reassign any physical buttons (including Bixby on some models.
• 🎛️ MacroDroid: Creates button-pressing automation (for example, a long press on Volume Down can trigger Google Assistant).
• 🔧 Tasker: the most powerful tool, but it requires customization, and you can attach buttons to any action, including changing system settings.

Example of settings in Button Mapper:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Grant permission for Special Features (in your phone settings).
3. Select a button (like Volume Up) and assign an action: Launch an application, Open a link, or Simulate a screen tap.
4. Save the profile and test it.

Restriction: On Xiaomi with MIUI 14+ Some applications may not work due to security policies, and activating Developer Mode and disabling will help. MIUI Optimization in the settings for developers (Settings) → Additionally. → For developers).

3. Customizing buttons for games: triggers and macros

If you use a Xiaomi smartphone for gaming, setting up the buttons can be a big advantage, especially for Black Shark models and other games. POCO F-series with physical triggers.

First, check if your model supports the following game mode:

1. Open the Settings. → Special facilities → Game mode.
2. Activate the option to Show the game panel.
3. Start the game and swipe right to left along the edge of the screen to open the panel.
4. In the panel, select Triggers or Macros (not available on all models).

On Black Shark. 5/6 Additional settings are available in the Shark Space app:

• 🎮 Setting the sensitivity of physical triggers (4 levels).
• 🔄 Reassign triggers to any action in the game (e.g., sit down or jump).
• ⚡ Creating macros to automatically execute a sequence of actions (useful in PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty).

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If the triggers don’t work in the game, try turning off battery optimization for the Shark Space app in the Battery settings and performance.

⚠️ Attention: Using macros in multiplayer games (such as Free Fire or Mobile Legends) can be considered cheating. Game developers block accounts for automating actions.

4.How to turn off buttons so they don't press in your pocket

One of the most common problems Xiaomi users have is accidentally pressing buttons in their pocket or bag, which leads to the camera turning on, the voice assistant running, or even calls, and solves the problem in several ways:

Method 1. Use the built-in settings MIUI:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen → Additional settings.
2. Activate the option to block buttons when the screen is off.
3. Choose which buttons to block: Power, Volume, or both.

Method 2: Set up "Smart Lock":

• 🔒 Enable Smart Lock in Settings → Lock screen.
• 📱 Add the Approach Sensor to the locking conditions list (the phone will lock the buttons when it is in your pocket).
• 🔄 Set exceptions for certain applications (e.g. player).

Method 3. Use a magnet case:

Many of Xiaomi’s original cases have a built-in magnet that automatically locks the screen and turns off buttons when closed, the most reliable way to do so, but requires the purchase of an accessory.

5. Hidden button combinations on Xiaomi: what they do

Xiaomi smartphones have hidden button combinations that trigger service modes, which are useful for diagnosing or resetting settings, but you need to use them carefully.

Warning: Combination of nutrition + Volume up leads to reboot in Fastboot. If you don't know how to exit this mode, don't use it! To exit Fastboot, press Power and wait 10 seconds.

On Xiaomi models 12T Pro and newer combination of nutrition + The volume down can trigger Diagnostic Mode instead of a screenshot, which displays sensor data, which is useful for checking the phone's health.

6. Customize buttons on Xiaomi with root rights: advanced features

If you're willing to take drastic measures, getting root rights will give you access to full customization of the buttons.

• 🔧 Reassign any hardware buttons (including the Bixby button on some models).
• 🔄 Change button behavior depending on the application (for example, in a game the volume button controls the shooting).
• 🚀 Install custom firmware with unique button features (e.g. Pixel Experience adds gestures from Google Pixel).

To set up the buttons with root, use:

• 📱 Xposed Framework + Xposed Additions (for older versions of Android).
• 🔧 Magisk + Button Mapper Module (for new versions).
• 🖥️ ADB-commands to modify system files (requires terminal knowledge).

Example ADB-commands for reassigning a button:

adb shell settings put global button_extra_key_single_tap 26

where 26 is the action code (e.g. 26 = camera start)

⚠️ Attention: Getting root rights voids the warranty on the phone and can lead to a brick. MIUI 15 The latest processors (Snapdragon) 8 Gen 2/3) unlocking the bootloader erases all data. Before the procedure, back up via Mi Cloud or TWRP.

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Root rights give you maximum customization freedom, but require technical knowledge. MIUI Apps like Button Mapper.

7. Frequent button issues on Xiaomi and their solutions

Sometimes the buttons on Xiaomi don't work properly, sticking, not responding, or going off on their own, and let's look at the typical problems and how to fix them.

If the button is physically damaged (for example, after a fall), it can be replaced by yourself.

1. Buy the original button for your model (e.g., on AliExpress or at a service center).
2. Disassemble the phone by following the guide for your model (see YouTube for "Disassembly Phone Model").
3. Unplug the old button and connect the new one.
4. Get your phone together and check it.

Important: Self-repair will void warranty. If the phone is warranty, contact the Mi Service Center.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions