Why to Change the buttons on Redmi 9 and What to Know
The navigation buttons on Xiaomi Redmi 9 are in the classic order of left-to-right: Back, Home, and Recent. However, many users are more comfortable with reverse alignment (like on iPhone) or completely disabling virtual keys in favor of gestures, especially for left-handed people or those who are used to other smartphone brands.
In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to reassign buttons to Redmi 9, from standard MIUI settings to hidden features and third-party apps. Importantly, the procedure differs depending on the firmware version (MIUI 12, MIUI 13 or MIUI 14) and the interface type (gestures or classic buttons). If you’ve recently upgraded your phone, check the version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
Before you start, consider that some methods require developer rights or additional software installation. We have noted such cases with warnings - do not miss them! Also remember that after resetting the settings to the factory, all changes will reset.
Method 1: Standard configuration in MIUI (without root)
The easiest method is to use built-in system options. It works on all versions of Redmi 9 (including Redmi 9A, 9C, 9T models) with MIUI 12 firmware and later.
- Open the Settings → Display.
- Scroll down and select Full Screen Mode.
- Slip on the location of the navigation buttons.
- Choose one of the options: 🔄 Standard (Back-Home-Recent) 🔀 Reverse (Recent-Home-Back) 👆 Gestures (complete hiding of buttons)
If you don't have navigation buttons, you have gestures activated. To return the buttons, select Navigation buttons instead of Gestures in the same menu.
⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS) may not have this item.
Method 2: Screen reversal (for left-handers)
If you're uncomfortable with the buttons because you're left-handed, you can just turn the screen around, and you can mirror all the interface elements, including the navigation bar.
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Enter password/pattern lock if required.
Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
Find the option Forced Screen Roll and turn it on.
Select to expand the screen to 180°.
Now, the buttons will swap automatically, but note that the entire interface will be deployed, including apps. Some games and programs (such as TikTok or Instagram) may not display correctly.
⚠️ Attention: Redmi 9 with version MIUI 14 and later, this option may not be available. Instead, try turning left-handed mode into Settings. → Special facilities.
| Method | Need root? | Works on MIUI 12-14? | Affects apps? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard setting | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. |
| Screen reversal | ❌ No. | ⚠️ Partially. | ✅ Yeah (mirror everything) |
| ADB-team | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. |
| Third-party annexes | ⚠️ Sometimes. | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Depends on the app. |
Method 3: Use of ADB (for power users)
If the standard settings do not give the desired result, you can apply ADB-This method doesn't require root rights, but it requires a computer and a computer. USB-Here's the step-by-step instructions:
Install Xiaomi drivers on PC| Enable USB debugging on your phone | Download ADB platform (e.g. official) | Connect Redmi 9 to your computer-->
- Enable USB debugging: Go to Settings → Developer → Activate USB debugging. Confirm permission to connect to your computer.
Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
Enter a command to check the connection:
adb devicesThe name of your device should appear.
Use one of the commands to change the buttons:
- For reverse order (like on iPhone): adb shell settings put secure sysui_nav_bar "space,recent,home,back,space"
- For standard order: adb shell settings put secure sysui_nav_bar "space,back,home,recent,space"
- Reboot your phone: adb reboot
If the buttons have not changed after executing the commands, check if the theme of the buttons (for example, MIUI Theme) overlaps them.
💡
The space combination in the command is responsible for the spaces between the buttons, and if you remove them, the buttons will stick together.
Method 4: Third-party applications (without root)
If the previous methods didn't work, we can use specialized utilities, and we tested a few and selected the most reliable ones.
- 📱 Nacho Notch — allows you not only to change the location of the buttons, but also to adjust their transparency and size.
- 🔧 Custom Navigation Bar - flexible navigation bar configurations. Requires debugging enabled USB. ⚠️ Note: The application may conflict with some banking programs (e.g. SberBank Online or Tinkoff) due to overlaying over other windows.
- 🎨 Fluid Navigation Gestures – Replacing buttons with gestures with wide customization options.
How to set up Custom Navigation Bar:
- Install the application and grant it overlay rights (Settings → Applications → Special Access Rights → Overlay).
- Open the app and select the Navigation Bar.
- In the Button Order section, drag the buttons in the right order.
- Apply the changes and restart the phone.
The downside of this method is the additional battery consumption (the app runs in the background), and some features may be blocked on MIUI 14 due to Xiaomi's security policy.
What if the application does not apply changes?
Method 5: Edit system files (root only)
This is the most radical method that requires root rights, and it's suitable for power users, because the wrong actions can lead to a device being knocked out. If you're willing to take a chance, follow the instructions:
- Get root rights with Magisk or SuperSU.
- Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
- Go to /system/usr/keylayout Find Generic.kl (or qwerty.kl, depending on the firmware).
- Open the file in the text editor and find the lines: key 158 BACK key 172 HOME key 139 MENU Change them in the desired order.
- Save the file, set the rights 644 (rw-r--r---).
- Reboot the phone.
Warning: After the MIUI update, all changes will reset and the procedure will have to be repeated, and some firmware (e.g., Global ROM) can block editing of system files even from root.
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If you are not sure about your root skills, use Method 1 or 3. The risk of damage to the system is too high.
Frequent problems and their solutions
When you change the buttons on Redmi 9, you'll see some common errors, and here are the most common ways to fix them:
- 🔄 The buttons don't change after ADB-Commands: Check if the debugging is disabled USB. Reconnect. USB-Cable (sometimes port change helps) Try another version of platform-tools.
- 📵 All navigation buttons are gone: Return to Settings → Display. → Full screen mode and select Navigation buttons. If the buttons are missing after installing the app, delete it and restart the phone.
- ⚡ Fast battery discharge after changes: Turn off background activity of apps to adjust buttons (Settings) → Annexes → Autostart. Check if High Performance is enabled in the battery settings.
If none of these methods worked, your version of MIUI may have limitations, and there are two options left:
- Update the firmware to the latest version (check in Settings → System Update).
- Install custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) where button settings are more flexible.