Why change the buttons to the Mi A2 Lite?
The Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite (codenamed daisy) is a popular model with pure Android One, but its standard location of the Back, Home and Recent buttons is not always convenient. Left-handed people often experience discomfort when pressing the Back button with their right hand, and thumb users with random touches. Fortunately, you can swap the buttons in places without root rights using hidden settings or third-party tools.
In this article, we will look at all the current ways: from built-in Android features to editing system files through the Internet. ADB. Important: Some methods require unlocking the bootloader or installing additional software. If you are a beginner, start with the simplest options (sections 2–3), and experienced users can jump straight to the top of the box. ADB-The method or editing build.prop.
⚠️ Warning: Changing system files can cause smartphone malfunctions. Before starting, back up important data via Settings → System system → Backup or Mi Cloud. If after manipulation the phone stopped responding to touch, try resetting to factory settings (section 6).
Method 1: Using Android settings (without root)
The Mi A2 Lite with Android 9-10 has a hidden feature to change the location of the navigation buttons. It does not require superuser rights, but it is not available in all firmware.
- Open the settings → System → Gestures.
- Select System Navigation → 3-button navigation.
- Slap the icon. ⚙️ (Cogs) next to the inscription Order of buttons.
- Choose one of the options: “Home in the middle” or “Back to the right”.
If there is no Order of the Buttons, your firmware does not support this option, in which case move on to the next method.
⚠️ Note: On some custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience), this item may be located elsewhere: → Buttons → Navigation bar. If the buttons are too small after changing, try to increase their size in the same menu.
Advantages and disadvantages of the method
| Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|
| Does not require root or ADB | It doesn't work on all firmware. |
| Complies with Material Design Standards | Limited number of options |
| Not reset after the update | Could be in conflict with gestures |
Method 2: Applications for button customization
If the built-in settings don't work, use third-party utilities. We tested 3 apps that run on Mi A2 Lite without root:
- 🔄 Button Mapper – allows you to reassign navigation buttons, physical keys and even gestures. Supports the creation of custom combinations (for example, double-clicking “Home” to launch the camera.
- 🎛️ NavBar Apps — adds additional buttons (like turning off the screen or quickly accessing Google Assistant) and changes their order. Works through special features, so does not require root.
- 🖥️ Custom Navigation Bar is the most flexible solution for changing the appearance and location of buttons, allowing you to adjust transparency, size and even add your own icons.
🔹 Instructions for setting up Button Mapper:
- Install the application and give it permission for Special Features (in your phone settings).
- Choose the Navigation Bar → Virtual Keys.
- Slip the button you want to reassign (for example, “Back”).
- In the action list, select Keycode. → KEYCODE_HOME (If you want to change the "back" and "home" places).
- Save the changes and restart the phone.
Download the app from the official store |Enable the permission "Special features" | Disable battery optimization for Button Mapper|Reboot the phone after settings-->
⚠️ Note: Apps like Button Mapper may conflict with some banking programs (e.g. Sberbank Online or Tinkoff).If payment services stop working after setting the buttons, disable reassignment or add applications to exceptions.
Important: On Android 11+ Some features of Button Mapper may not work due to Google restrictions. ADB-method (section 4).
Method 3: Change buttons through ADB (without root)
If previous methods didn’t work, try editing system settings via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method does not require superuser rights, but requires a computer and a computer. USB-cable.
Step 1: Preparation
- 🖥️ Install. ADB and Fastboot Tools on PC.
- 📱 Turn on Debugging. USB on the phone: Settings → The phone. → Build Number (tap 7 times to unlock Developer Settings), then go back to Settings → System system → For developers → Debugging by USB.
- 🔌 Connect Mi. A2 Lite to the computer and confirm the debugging permission.
Step 2: Execution of commands
Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB and type:
adb shell
settings put secure sysui_nav_bar "space,back;home;recent"This command will swap the buttons so that "Back" is on the right and "Recent" is on the left.
- settings put secure sysui_nav_bar "Back, Home, Recent – Standard Order.
- settings put secure sysui_nav_bar "Recent, Home, Back" - "Recent" on the left, "Back" on the right.
🔹 How to get it back?
Enter:
settings delete secure sysui_nav_bar💡
If the buttons have not changed after the command, restart the phone or check if your shell is override (for example, MIUI Launcher).
Mistakes and solutions
| Problem. | Decision |
|---|---|
| The command is not executed (not found) | Check if USB debugging is enabled and if ADB drivers are installed correctly. |
| The buttons dropped after the reboot | Repeat the command or use settings put global instead of secure. |
| ADB does not see the device | Try another one. USB-cable or port. On Windows, install Xiaomi drivers USB Drivers. |
💡
ADB-It's the most reliable method without root, but it requires care. Errors in commands can cause the system interface to fail.
Method 4: Edit build.prop (for experienced)
If you are ready for experimentation, you can change the order of the buttons through the system file build.prop. This method requires an unlocked bootloader and access to recovery (for example, TWRP).
Step 1: Create a backup copy
Before editing build.prop, be sure to make a backup:
- Boot in TWRP Recovery (hold Power + Volume up when turned on).
- Choose Backup → System and save a copy to SD-map.
Step 2: File editing
TWRP:
- Go to Advanced → File Manager.
- Open the file /system/build.prop.
- Add at the end of the line: qemu.hw.mainkeys=0 ro.product.locale.language=ru ro.product.locale.region=RU Then find ro.build.version.sdk and paste it: persist.sys.fflag.override.settings_provider_model=false
- Save the changes and reboot.
🔹 What do these lines do?
- qemu.hw.mainkeys=0 – Forced to include the navigation buttons.
- persist.sys.fflag... – disables restrictions on changing system settings.
What happens if you make a mistake in build.prop?
⚠️ Note: Some of the Mi's firmware A2 Lite editing build.prop can lead to loss OTA-If you're interested in official updates, use other ways.
Method 5: Installation of custom firmware
If neither method worked, consider installing an alternative firmware where the order of the buttons is configured flexibly. A2 Lite will do:
- 📱 LineageOS – Supports button changes through Settings → Buttons → Navigation panel. Official page.
- 🤖 Pixel Experience - firmware with clean Android and advanced gesture settings.
- ⚡ Havoc-OS is a custom firmware with many customization options, including button reassignment.
🔹 How to install custom firmware?
- Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (instructions on the official Xiaomi website).
- Install TWRP Recovery (e.g., via fastboot flash recovery twrp.img).
- Download firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).
- In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe (select Dalvik, Cache, System, Data).
- Install firmware and GApps, then restart.
⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware voids the warranty and may result in data loss. A2 Lite with unlocked bootloader does not work Google Pay and some banking applications (due to the lack of SafetyNet).
Method 6: Resetting settings (if something went wrong)
If the buttons stop working or the phone starts to glitch after the changes, reset to factory settings. On the Mi A2 Lite, there are two ways to do this:
Method 1: Through the settings menu
- Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
- Select Delete all data (reset to factory).
- Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 5-10 minutes).
Method 2: Through Recovery
If the phone is not switched on:
- Press Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery.
- Select Wipe Data → Factory Reset (Manage Volume and Power buttons).
- Confirm the reset and reset.
🔹 What to do after a reset?
- 🔄 Restore data from a backup (Mi Cloud or Google Account).
- 🔒 Reconfigure the debugging on USB, if you plan to use ADB.
- 📱 Install applications to reassign buttons again.
💡
Resetting is the last chance to make the phone work again, and if there is a problem, the system partition may be damaged (reflashing via Fastboot is required).