How to swap the buttons “Back” and “Home” on Xiaomi: all ways for MIUI

Navigation buttons on Xiaomi smartphones are one of those little things that can be annoying if they don’t align with your habits. The default MIUI button is the back button on the right and the home button is in the center, but many users are more comfortable with the reverse scheme (as in “pure” Android). Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to reassign these elements, from standard settings to hidden functions and even commands via ADB.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for modern firmware versions (MIUI 12/13/14), including nuances for different models of Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi. You will learn how to change the order of the buttons without root rights, what to do if the option is hidden, and how to return to the standard location if the experiment failed, and also why on some devices buttons can be “reset” after updating and how to prevent this.

Why do users want to change buttons?

The habit is second nature, and the location of navigation buttons is no exception, and here are the most common reasons Xiaomi owners are looking for a way to reassign them:

• 🔄 Switching from other brands: On Samsung, Google Pixel or OnePlus smartphones, the back button is traditionally on the left, and users are intuitively drawn to that corner of the screen.
• 👈 Left-handed people find it easier to reach the left button with their thumb, especially on larger devices (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or the other two). POCO F5 Pro).
• 🎮 Gamers who are used to a certain arrangement of elements in games may get confused when entering the main screen.
• 🔧 Ergonomics of gestures: B MIUI The swipe right gesture defaults back, which contradicts the button’s location – it’s confusing.

Interestingly, in China, home of Xiaomi, the standard back-to-right layout is considered more logical because it corresponds to the direction of reading characters. In Europe and the United States, most users are used to the reverse scheme, a cultural nuance that the manufacturer does not always take into account.

Method 1: Standard MIUI settings (without root and ADB)

The easiest method is to use built-in firmware options. It works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with MIUI 12 and later, but there are nuances:

1. Open the Settings → Display.
2. Scroll down and select Full-screen mode (on some models, the item may be called Navigation buttons or System navigation).
3. In the Navigation Type section, select Buttons (if you have gestures enabled, switch to buttons first).
4. Slip on the item Location of buttons (or Order of buttons).
5. Choose the option: AOSP (back left) or MIUI (back right).

If you don't have a button location, don't despair. On some devices (like the POCO X5 Pro or Redmi Note 12), it's hidden, and an alternative way to do that is to:

1. Press the empty area on the home screen and select wallpaper settings.
2. Go to Additional Settings → System navigation.
3. Here you can see a hidden option to reassign buttons.

Important: On some devices, button settings may be reset after the MIUI update, due to Xiaomi's policy of unifying the interface. To avoid the problem, reboot the device after changing the button location, which will help to fix the settings.

Method 2: Using hidden settings (for power users)

If the standard method didn’t work, you can try activating hidden options through the Test Menu (CIT), which works on most Xiaomi devices, but you need to be careful:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##.
2. In the menu that opens, select Testing (or Testing).
3. Go to the Navigation Bar (or Navigation Bar).
4. Here you will find options to change the order of the buttons, including the ability to disable the third button ("Recent").

Attention: Changes to the test menu can lead to unstable interface operation. If after manipulations lags appear or buttons disappear, reset settings through Settings → System → Reset settings (select Reset interface settings).

Another hidden method is the use of the Activity Launcher app (available on Google Play), which allows you to run hidden system windows:

1. Install Activity Launcher.
2. Open the application and find in the Settings list.
3. Inside the section, look for activity called ButtonSettings or NavigationBar.
4. Run it - a hidden button setting menu will open.

Method 3: ADB-Teams for Advanced Users

If previous methods didn’t work, the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) option is a one-stop solution that works even on devices with limited settings (like some POCOs with global firmware).

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) in the ADB folder.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Use one of the commands to change the location of the buttons: adb shell settings put global sysui_nav_bar "space,back;home;recent,space" — back button on the left adb shell settings put global sysui_nav_bar "space,recent;home;back,space" - the "back" button on the right (standard MIUI)
5. Reboot the device: adb reboot

If the buttons have not changed after the reboot, try the alternative command:

adb shell cmd overlay enable com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.trylayoutleft

💡

Before using ADB, create a restore point in TWRP (if you have custom Recovery installed) to help roll back changes if something goes wrong.

Method 4: Third-party applications for customization

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

When using third-party applications, consider:

• 🛡️ Security: Install utilities only from official sources (Google Play or Google Play) XDA Developers).
• 🔋 Battery consumption: Some applications (such as Fluid Navigation Gestures) run in the background and can increase power consumption.
• 🔄 Compatibility: Before installing, check if your Xiaomi model is supported (information is usually listed in the application description).

💡

Third-party apps are the most versatile way, but they can conflict with system updates. After installing a major MIUI update, settings can reset.

Problems and Solutions: What to Do When the Buttons Don’t Change?

Even after all the instructions are done, the buttons can still be in place.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using POCO Launcher or third-party shell (e.g. Nova Launcher), navigation bar settings may be blocked. Before changing buttons, go back to the standard launcher MIUI.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: On some firmware betas, navigation options are blocked. Check the build number in Settings → The phone.
• 🔒 Device Policies: On corporate or training phones, the administrator can prevent you from changing your settings via Android Enterprise.
• 🛠️ System modifications: If you previously installed custom firmware or Magisk modules, they could override standard button behavior.

How to return the standard button location?

If the button reassignment experiment failed or you just want to get it back to “the way it was,” do the following:

1. For standard settings: Go to Settings → Display → Full-screen → Button Location. Select MIUI (Back to Right).

ADB

adb shell settings delete global sysui_nav_bar

Then restart the device.

• Open the app (like NavStar) and reset your settings.
• Or remove the app and clear the Launcher cache.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up buttons on Xiaomi