Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to adapt the interface to their habits, especially after switching from other devices. the Redmi 8 model, despite its age, remains popular due to stable operation, but the standard layout of controls can seem inconvenient for new users. The question of how to change the buttons on the Xiaomi Redmi 8, is one of the most frequent in enthusiastic communities.
Changing the position of the navigation buttons is not just a cosmetic fix, but an important step to improve the ergonomics of the gadget. System navigation in the shell of MIUI allows you to flexibly adjust the order of items, removing or changing them, this is especially true for those who are accustomed to the logic of management of Android from Google or iOS interfaces.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the available methods for reconfiguring the control keys, not only the standard settings, but also the hidden features that will help make your Redmi 8 as comfortable as possible. Deep customization is available to every user without the need to obtain super-user rights.
Standard methods for setting up navigation in MIUI
The MIUI shell on Redmi 8 provides built-in tools for managing the navigation bar, which does not require third-party software installation or deep programming knowledge to access.
To change the location of the buttons, you need to go to Settings → Additional settings → System navigation. Here the user will see a switch between the two main modes: classic buttons and full-screen control. Selecting the button mode activates the lower control panel.
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Before changing the settings, take a screenshot of the current location to quickly return to the original option if necessary.
Once you select the button mode, the system will suggest adjusting the order of the buttons, so you can choose a mirror display, where the back button moves to the right and the app menu moves to the left, which is a standard procedure that takes only a few seconds and does not require rebooting the device.
Transition to full-screen gesture control
The modern alternative to physical or on-screen buttons is gesture control, which Redmi 8 has implemented with a high-quality performance that allows you to completely remove the bottom panel and free up useful screen space, which many users find faster and more intuitive.
To activate gesture mode in the same System Navigation menu, select the appropriate item. Once activated, the buttons will disappear, and the control will be carried out by swipes from the edges of the screen. The swipe from the bottom up returns to the main screen, the swipe with a delay opens the multitasking menu.
- 🔄 The swipe from the left or right edge of the screen performs the function of the button "Back".
- 🏠 A short swipe from bottom up in the center returns to the desktop.
- 📋 Swipe from the bottom up with a pause opens the list of running applications.
Importantly, it can take some time to get used to gestures, and the sensitivity of the edges of the screen can be adjusted in additional settings if the swipes don't work the first time, which is especially useful for owners of thick-framed protective glasses.
Configure additional button functions
In MIUI, there is an opportunity to expand the functionality of the navigation buttons, for example, a long press on the home button (central) can call the voice assistant Google Assistant or Yandex, which allows you to quickly activate voice search without unlocking the screen.
There's also a double-press speed setting available, so if you accidentally activate the dual-tape function, you can reduce the sensitivity, but in contrast, for power users, you can have a maximum response speed, which speeds up the system, and all of these options are in the button settings subsection.
⚠️ Attention: Activating too sensitive double-press settings can cause applications to run randomly in your pocket.
Some firmware versions allow you to assign specific applications to run on long-term navigation keystrokes. This can be useful for quick access to the camera, voice recorder or instant messengers. However, the functionality depends on the version of Android and the MIUI shell installed on your Redmi 8.
Use of third-party applications for customization
If standard features aren't enough, Google Play Store apps come to the rescue, like the Navigation Bar or Virtual Navigation Bar, allowing you to create your own control panels with any layout of elements, and they block the system navigation by offering advanced functionality.
Installing these applications requires special permissions, including access over other windows. Once set up, you can add buttons to take a screenshot, adjust volume, turn off the screen or run specific programs, making the navigation bar a powerful control tool.
| Annex | Functional | Requiring Root rights | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navigation Bar | High (topics, macros) | No. | Average. |
| Simple Control | Basic (button order) | No. | Low. |
| Assistive Touch | Floating button | No. | Low. |
| Button Mapper | Reassignment of action | Partially. | Minimum |
It is worth considering that the use of third-party navigation launchers can consume additional battery power. Background processes of such applications constantly monitor user actions. For Redmi 8 with its capacious battery, this is not critical, but optimization will not interfere.
☑️ Check before installing the navigator
Solving problems with sticking and responsiveness
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the buttons stop responding or work incorrectly. On Redmi 8, this can be due to both software failures of the MIUI shell and contamination of the screen.
Try restarting your device or clearing the cache of your System UI system application. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → System Processes. Finding the right component can take time, as the names can vary depending on the firmware version.
⚠️ Warning: Cleaning up system applications data can reset the interface to factory-based ones.
If the problem is hardware-related (e.g., the touchscreen is not responsive at the bottom), the screen rotating or floating windows will temporarily help resolve the issue, but in the long run this requires a diagnosis of the display at the service center.
Hidden diagnostics of touchscreen
Impact of System Updates on Navigation
Xiaomi regularly releases security updates and new versions of MIUI for its devices. Each major update can change the logic of the interface. On Redmi 8, the transition from MIUI 11 to MIUI 12 and above made significant changes to the animation and layout of elements.
Users are advised to keep the system updated, as newer versions often contain corrections for navigation-related bugs. However, before installing a major update, it is worth reading reviews, as new features can be introduced raw.
In some cases, after updating, the navigation settings may reset. The system may suggest choosing the type of control when you first start after the update. Read the system suggestions carefully so that you do not switch to an uncomfortable control mode by accident.
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Regular firmware updates are the best way to ensure the navigation system is stable and data is secure.