How to Change Keys to Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Setup

Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones offer a huge range of options for customizing the interface, but many users face the need to change the standard behavior of hardware or virtual buttons. The question of how to change keys to Xiaomi often arises when switching from other Android devices or if you want to optimize one-handed control. Unlike many competitors, the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS provide flexible tools to adjust the navigation and functionality of side keys without the need for superuser rights.

The process of reconfiguration can range from simple switching between gestures and buttons to deep reconfiguration of physical volume and power buttons. In this article, we will examine all available methods in detail, from built-in system settings to using specialized applications for macros. You will learn not only to change the appearance of the navigation bar, but also to assign to the buttons the launch of applications, perform actions or even emulate complex scenarios.

It is worth noting that the reconfiguration options depend on the specific device model and operating system version. Owners of flagship models Xiaomi 13 or Xiaomi 14 can have access to features that are not yet available on the budget series of Redmi Note. However, the basic principles remain the same throughout the ecosystem, allowing each user to make interaction with the smartphone as comfortable and personalized as possible.

Basic Navigation: Moving from buttons to gestures and back

The first step in changing the controls is to choose the type of navigation. Xiaomi smartphones use full-screen gesture control by default, which hides the bottom panel and frees up useful screen space. However, many users prefer the classic version with three virtual buttons: Back, Home and Application Menu. To change this setting, you need to go to the system settings section.

The way to the menu you want is to open Settings, then select Desktop and find System Navigation, and you'll find two main options: Full-Eclan Mode and Buttons. Button Mode will bring back the navigation bar. It's important to understand that system navigation affects all applications, so changing this parameter is global across the entire interface.

If you choose to use the buttons, the system will offer you to further adjust their location, you can choose which side will be the back button and which will be the button “Menu”, which is especially convenient for left-handed or those who are accustomed to the logic of iOS management.

⚠️ Note: When switching to gestures, the Home button stops working as a separate element, it is performed by swipeing up. Make sure you are used to the new logic before removing the tutorial prompts.

Some firmware versions have a floating button, which is a virtual analogue of AssistiveTouch from iOS, and can be activated in the same navigation menu or through a search by settings. This button can be moved to any area of the screen and used to quickly access screenshots, lock the screen or launch apps, which is a great alter-native for physical keys.

Setting the side power button and volume keys

The physical buttons on the body of a smartphone are not just a mechanism for turning on the screen. In modern shells MIUI and HyperOS, the power button can perform many additional functions. The standard action is a short press to turn on the screen or unlock, and a long one is a call to the off menu or voice assistant.

To set up, go to Settings → Additional → Turn on button. Here you will find the option “Double tap”, which by default can open the camera or do nothing. You can assign to this action the launch of any installed application. This is a great way to quickly open the navigator or messenger without unlocking the phone completely and without looking for an icon on the desktop.

Volume control keys are also partially retuned, especially when the screen is off. In the Settings menu → Additional → Buttons (or similar, depending on the model), you can activate the camera start function by double pressing the volume down button. This works even in sleep mode, allowing you to instantly capture an important moment.

Special attention should be paid to the Side Button feature, which is activated by a long press on the power button. By default, it calls Google Assistant or Xiaomi Voice Assistant. In the same settings menu, you can reassign this action to call the off menu, which is often more convenient for the average user who does not need a constantly active voice assistant.

Change the keyboard layout and input language

When users ask how to change keys, they often mean the virtual keyboard layout. The standard Gboard or MIUI Keyboard keyboard makes it easy to switch languages and change the look and feel. To change the language, you usually just need to click on the space or use a special globe icon at the bottom of the screen.

If you need to add a new language or change the order of switching, go to Settings → Additional → Language and input. Select an active keyboard (such as Gboard) and go to the Languages section. Here you can add Russian, English, Tatar or any other supported language. Also in this section, you can choose the classic QWERTY, YTSUKEN or specific options for printing with one hand.

For those who type a lot and quickly, adjusting keyboard height and key size will be useful. In the advanced keyboard settings, you can turn on the One-Hand Print mode, which shifts all the input keys left or right, making them reachable for the thumb, which significantly improves the comfort of using large smartphones of the Redmi Note or Mi series.

⚠️ Warning: Installing third-party keyboards from unknown sources can lead to data leakage.Use only verified apps from Google Play or GetApps.

There is also the option to completely replace the standard keyboard with an alternative one, such as Yandex Keyboard or SwiftKey, which offer improved text prediction and unique design themes, and once installed, the system will prompt you to activate it as the primary input tool.

Using applications to reassign buttons

If you don't have enough of Xiaomi's built-in functionality, Google Play comes to the rescue, and programs like Button Mapper or MacDroid allow you to reassign physical buttons deeper than standard settings allow, and they can track double and triple taps, as well as long, varying force taps.

The way these applications work is simple: you install the program, give it the permissions you need (often require access to special features), and create rules. For example, double-pressing the volume button up can open a flashlight, and long-pressing the power button (if the model allows) can start a voice recorder, which turns a smartphone into a powerful tool with fully customizable control.

• 📱 Button Mapper: one of the most popular apps that allows you to reassign volume, power and even headset buttons.
• ⚡ MacroDroid: a powerful utility for creating complex scenarios, where the press of a button can start a chain of actions.
• 🔧 Key Mapper: an open solution with wide functionality for advanced users, supporting swipe emulation.

It is important to understand that some of the functions of these applications may require activation via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) on a computer, which does not require root rights, but requires execution of commands in the console.

pm grant com.flar2.homebutton android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS

Using third-party software gives flexibility, but can consume additional battery power, as the application must constantly hang in the background and track buttons.Be sure to check the reviews and access rights that the program requests before installing.

Table of comparison of methods of setting

To make it easier for you to navigate how to change key behavior, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you choose the best method depending on your goals and level of technical training.

Solving problems with sticking and button failure

Sometimes the need to change the keys is not dictated by the desire to customize, but by a physical malfunction. If the volume or power button is stuck, stopped responding or works after a time, software methods can be a temporary salvation, you can reassign the functions of the broken button to another or use virtual analogues.

In the event of a mechanical failure of the power button, it is critical to know how to turn on or restart the phone without it. Many Xiaomi models have an “Alarm on” function. You can set the alarm when the switch is off and the phone will turn on at a predetermined time. Also helps to connect the charger: some models turn on automatically when power is applied, if the Special Opportunity settings → For the visually impaired (or in the section For developers) the corresponding item is activated.

To replace the physical power button, you can use the Assistive Touch app, which will create a floating button on the screen with lock/unlock function, which will allow you to use your smartphone until you get to the service center. However, remember that the software solution does not eliminate a physical problem, and moisture or dirt under the button can be aggravated.

⚠️ Attention: If the buttons stop working after falling or getting water, do not try to develop them by force. This can damage the plume or membrane permanently.

It's also worth checking whether the In-Pack mode is on or the protective film is blocking the sensors and buttons, sometimes solved by simply cleaning the area around the keys with a soft brush or removing the case that can press on the button mechanisms.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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Flexible key settings on Xiaomi allows you to adapt the smartphone to any user habits, from simple gestures to complex macros, significantly increasing usability.