How to Change the Back button to Xiaomi Redmi: A Navigation Guide

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the challenge of adapting the interface to their habits. One of the most popular features is to change the position of the navigation buttons, in particular the “back” button. The standard layout of controls can be convenient for left-handed people, but extremely inconvenient for right-handers, and vice versa. The MIUI shell provides a flexible system of settings to solve this problem without installing third-party software.

The process of changing the layout depends on the version of the Android operating system and the version of the MIUI firmware or the new HyperOS. In older versions of the interface, the user can only have two options for the location of the buttons, whereas modern systems offer a transition to gesture management. Understanding these differences will help you quickly navigate the settings menu and make using the gadget as comfortable as possible.

This guide covers all the current methods of reconfiguring navigation. We will look at the classic way through system parameters, gestures, and how to solve problems when buttons disappear or stop responding to touch. Following the steps described below, you can personalize your smartphone in minutes.

Classic navigation through three buttons

The traditional way of managing Android involves three virtual keys at the bottom of the screen. Xiaomi devices often use the default order: “Menu” (three stripes), “Home” (circle) and “Back” (arrow), but for many users, the scheme where the return button is located on the left, as was implemented in earlier versions of MIUI and on devices of other brands, is more common.

To change the order of the buttons, you have to go to system settings. The path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same. You have to find the partition that is responsible for the full screen or navigation. Here are the main switches that control the appearance of the bottom panel.

• 📱 Open the Settings app on the main screen.
• ⚙️ Go to the Additional or Advanced Settings section.
• 🔘 Select Full Screen Mode or System Navigation.
• 🔄 Find the button order switch and activate it.

Once you turn on the switch, you'll notice that the back button has moved to the opposite side of the screen, and this change is effective instantly and does not require a device to restart. It's important to note that on some global firmware versions, this item may be called "Invert Buttons" or have a similar name.

Transition to gesture management

Today's Redmi and Poco smartphones are increasingly offering to give up buttons in favor of full-screen gesture control, which frees up useful display space and makes interface interactions smoother. Instead of pressing virtual keys, you use swipes around the edges of the screen.

To activate this mode, select the appropriate item in the same navigation menu. The system will offer a brief training video or a diagram showing the main movements. The Back button is implemented by swiping from the left or right edge of the screen to the center. The swipe direction for return can be changed in additional parameters if the standard one seems uncomfortable.

⚠️ Attention: When you switch to gestures, the home button disappears. A short swipe up from the bottom of the display is now used to return to the home screen.

Gestures are especially important on extended-screen devices, where it can be difficult to reach the bottom corners with one hand. Swipes can be performed at any height of the side edge, which makes navigation much easier in large Redmi Note models. If you decide to go back to the buttons, the system will allow you to do this at any time through the same settings menu.

💡

To get used to gestures faster, try turning off vibrations when navigating in the sound settings. Lack of tactile response makes you rely more on visual movement memory.

Navigation in different versions of MIUI

The MIUI shell has undergone many changes, and the location of navigation settings may have shifted in different versions. Owners of older models, such as Redmi 9 or Redmi Note 8, running on Android 10 and below, may need a different algorithm of actions compared to users of flagships on Android 13-14.

In MIUI 12 and MIUI 13, settings were often hidden in the About Phone section through multiple clicks on the version, but this was about hidden features. For standard button changes, the path was usually led through “Advanced.” In MIUI 14 and HyperOS, Xiaomi engineers unified menus to make navigation settings more logical.

Below is a table that helps you navigate menu paths for different versions of the system:

If you can't find the right item, search by settings. Type the word "navigation" or "buttons" into the search bar at the top of the settings menu, and the system will suggest the desired section. It's a universal method that works on all versions of Android.

Back button problems and their solution

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the Back button stops working, disappears or reacts with a delay, this can be caused by both a software failure and a conflict of running applications. Before carrying a device into the service, it is worth performing a series of simple diagnostic steps.

A common cause is the SystemUI system interface process freezes, in which case a simple smartphone reboot helps. If the problem persists after turning on, check if the One-Hand or Increase mode is on, which can overlap the navigation bar area.

• 🔄 Reboot the device to reset temporary errors.
• 🧹 Clear the cache of the Security app and system services.
• 📵 Check if the newly installed application is in conflict with the system.
• 🖐️ Make sure the protective glass does not cover the touch layer at the bottom.

⚠️ Note: If the Back button doesn’t work in just one particular app, the problem is most likely on the developer’s side of that app, not Xiaomi’s system.

In cases where the navigation fails completely, you can try resetting the special features. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Special features and check active services. Sometimes third-party launchers or screen recording programs intercept navigation control.

Use of floating buttons and assistant

For those who don't like standard methods, Xiaomi offers a floating button or a ball function, which is a virtual assistant that can be moved around the screen, and allows you to emulate the click of the back, home and other system commands at any point on the display.

You can activate this tool in the "Special Opportunities" section, and here you will find "Ball" (or "Assistive Touch"). Once turned on, a translucent sphere will appear on the screen, and if you set its behavior, you can assign a short or long press on the "Back" action, which is a great solution for devices with a damaged lower part of the screen.

Using a floating button can be especially useful when watching videos in full screen mode when the main navigation bar is hidden, but it is worth remembering that this interface element takes up space on the screen and can overlap content in games or when reading text.

Third-party applications for customization of navigation

If MIUI isn’t enough, Google Play offers a variety of apps to expand navigation, like Navigation Bar or Fluid Navigation Gestures, which lets you create your own buttonbars, resize, be transparent, and add new features.

These applications often require special permissions through ADB or device administrator rights, giving full control of the lower bar of the screen, allowing you to add a screenshot or app switching button next to the return button, for example.

When installing third-party solutions, be careful: some may consume extra battery power or conflict with Android system updates. Always check developer reviews and ratings before downloading.

💡

Third-party navigators offer maximum flexibility, but require careful configuration and can reduce the stability of the system compared to standard MIUI tools.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)