How to turn off side buttons on Xiaomi phone: all ways

Side buttons on Xiaomi, Redmi and smartphones POCO — It's not just a control tool, it's also a potential source of random taps, like a power button that can wake up a phone in your pocket, and a volume control that can inadvertently turn on silent mode during an important call. In some scenarios (gaming sessions, video shooting, using the phone as a video game) GPS-Navigator) completely disabling side keys becomes a necessity.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to deactivate side buttons on Xiaomi devices under control. MIUI 14/15 (You'll learn how to temporarily lock keys through system settings, disable them using the system's settings. ADB-We will also consider radical methods, from physical isolation to flashing. We will pay special attention to the nuances for models with touch buttons (for example, Xiaomi). 13 Ultra) and mechanical keys (Redmi Note series and POCO X).

Why you might need to turn off the side buttons

At first glance, the idea of deactivating hardware buttons seems strange, because they are designed for convenience, but there are several good reasons to do so:

• 🎮 Game mode: During streams or competitions, accidentally pressing the power button can turn the game down or turn on a screenshot.
• 📹 Video: When recording with manual focus, pressing volume keys knocks down exposure.
• 👖 Carrying in your pocket: Mechanical buttons on Redmi often fire from friction on the fabric, draining the battery.
• 🔒 Security: On corporate devices, disabling buttons prevents unauthorized resetting of settings.
• 🛠️ Repair/testing: In troubleshooting, hardware elements are sometimes required to be isolated.

According to a survey of Xiaomi users in 2023, 37% of respondents had experienced the problem of accidentally pressing side buttons at least once, and 12% regularly look for ways to turn them off – especially owners of models with protruding keys (for example, POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12 Pro+).

Method 1: Temporary blocking through the “Mode for children”

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in “Second Space” (in newer versions of MIUI), which not only restricts access to applications, but also blocks hardware buttons, suitable for temporary shutdowns (for example, while playing or shooting).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Special Opportunities → Mode for Children.
2. Click Enable Child Mode and set a password (remember it!).
3. In the mode settings, activate the option to Block hardware buttons.
4. Return to the main screen – the power and volume buttons will no longer respond to presses.

To return functionality, just enter a password in the top notification panel or restart the device.

⚠️ Attention: B MIUI 15 (HyperOS) The path to settings has changed - look for Settings → Screen and brightness → Mode for children. On some models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi) K70) The option to block the buttons may not be available – in this case, use alternative methods.

Method 2: Disable buttons via ADB (for advanced ones)

If you need to fully deactivate your side keys at the system level, you will need to connect to ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that works on all Xiaomi models, but requires enabling USB Debugging and installing Platform Tools on your PC.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
4. Enter the commands alternately: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.systemui/.volume.VolumeDialogActivity pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.systemui/.power.PowerDialog
5. Reset the device.

After these commands are executed:

• 🔇 Volume buttons will stop opening the adjuster slider (but will work in games/applications).
• 🔄 The power button will not respond to short presses (a long press to turn off will remain active).

To get it back, use the commands:

pm enable com.android.systemui/.volume.VolumeDialogActivity


pm enable com.android.systemui/.power.PowerDialog

⚠️ Note: On models with touch buttons (Xiaomi) 13T, Mix Fold 3) ADB-In this case, use blocking applications (see Method 3).

Method 3: Applications for button blocking

If you don't want to mess with ADB, you can use third-party utilities.

We recommend Button Mapper - it supports full deactivation of both volume buttons and power buttons without root rights.

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm grant flar2.homebutton android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS
3. In the application settings, select Disable Keys and select the desired buttons.

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If the buttons are not blocked after installing Button Mapper, try to enable the “Use ADB method” option in the application settings and restart the phone.

Method 4: Physical lockdown (for emergencies)

If the software methods are not suitable (for example, on a device with a damaged screen), you can resort to mechanical shutdown, which is reversible and does not require technical skills.

Options:

• 🧲 Magnetic case: Some magnetically mounted cases physically block button pressing (suitable for Redmi Note 12, POCO X5).
• 🩹 Scotch or tape: stick a thin layer on the buttons, wrapping them with food film (so as not to damage the coating).
• 🔧 Disassembly and isolation: for experienced users, you can carefully remove the back cover and disconnect the button plume (requires tools and skill).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works on all models, including the old ones (Redmi). 4X, Mi A1).
• ✅ It does not affect the software part (you can use it if the phone is infected with a virus).
• ✅ Reverse – after removing the lock buttons again work.

⚠️ Warning: When you disassemble your phone, you lose your warranty (if it still works) on the glued-case models (Xiaomi). 12S Ultra, Mix 4 self-repair can damage the display.

Method 5: Disable buttons via TWRP (for flashers)

If your Xiaomi has customized TWRP reclaimers, you can turn off the buttons by editing system files, a method that is suitable for users who already have experience with firmware.

Instructions:

1. Boot to TWRP (Put Power + Volume Up when the phone is off).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Open the file. /system/usr/keylayout/Generic.kl (or qrd_skyy.kl for Redmi/POCO).
4. Find the lines: key 114 VOLUME_DOWN key 115 VOLUME_UP key 116 POWER and replace them with: #key 114 VOLUME_DOWN #key 115 VOLUME_UP #key 116 POWER
5. Save the changes, reboot.

This method completely deactivates the buttons at the kernel level, and to make them work, just remove the # characters in the Generic.kl file.

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Editing system files via TWRP is the most reliable way to disable buttons, but requires an unlocked bootloader and a receiver installed. Incorrect changes can lead to a bootloop (locked phone on).

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you turn off side buttons, Xiaomi users often face the following difficulties:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔄 Version MIUI: In beta versions of firmware, some functions may be disabled.
• 🛡️ Antivirus: Some applications (such as Avast) are blocked ADB-team.
• 🔧 Access Rights: Make sure that the blocking app is given all permissions.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions