How to change the buttons “Back” and “Recent” places on Xiaomi Redmi: 5 working ways

Navigation buttons at the bottom of the Xiaomi Redmi screen are one of the most talked-about topics among smartphone owners of the brand. → Home. → Recent" isn't always convenient, especially for left-handed people or users accustomed to alternative staging on other Android devices, MIUI Offers several ways to reassign buttons, including hidden settings and developer tools.

In this article, we will analyze all current methods - from built-in functions to use. ADB-You'll learn how to swap buttons on Redmi Note. 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 and other models that work on MIUI 12, 13 or 14. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances for devices with gesture control and without root access (root).

Before you start, check your firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Some methods may not work on custom firmware or beta versions of the software. Also note that on models with hardware buttons (for example, Redmi 4X), reassignment is software impossible – you will need physical modification.

1. Method: Built-in MIUI settings (for gesture control)

If your Xiaomi Redmi runs on MIUI 12 and later with gestures enabled, the easiest way to change buttons is to use the built-in system options.This method does not require superuser rights and is suitable for most modern models, including the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ and Redmi K50.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Display.
• 👆 Scroll down and select a full-screen display.
• 🔄 In the Navigation Type section, click Navigation buttons (if you use gestures, switch to buttons first).
• 🔀 Slap the icon. ⚙️ (Additionally) next to the button option.
• 🔄 Select the reverse order of the buttons (Back) → Home. → Recent changes to Recent → Home. → Back up).

If you don't have the option Backorder, your model doesn't support this function through the standard menu, so move on to the following.

2. Method: ADB-teams (without root)

For devices where the built-in option is not available, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method works on all versions of MIUI and does not require root rights, but requires connecting the smartphone to the computer. Importantly, after completing the commands, the buttons will reset to standard order when resetting settings or updating the firmware.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
2. Turn on the smartphone Developer Mode (7 times tap the version of MIUI in Settings → About phone).
3. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
4. Connect Redmi to your computer and confirm the debugging permission.
5. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.

Enter a command to check the connection:

adb devices

If the device is displayed, do:

adb shell settings put secure sysui_nav_bar "space,recent,home,back,space"

To return to standard order:

adb shell settings put secure sysui_nav_bar "space,back,home,recent,space"

Download ADB Tools on PC

Enable the developer mode on Xiaomi

Activate debugging over USB

Connect the phone to the computer

Check the connection of the adb device team-->

If the buttons have not changed after the commands are executed, restart the device. Some firmware may require an additional command:

adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.CLOSE_SYSTEM_DIALOGS

Method 3: Applications for button reassignment

If previous methods didn't work, you can use third-party utilities, and we tested several apps and selected the most reliable ones for Xiaomi Redmi:

For the use of Button Mapper:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Grant permission for Special Features (in your phone settings).
3. Select the Navigation Bar in the app menu.
4. Slip the button you want to reassign and select a new action.

💡

If the app doesn’t see the navigation bar, try temporarily disabling gesture control in the MIUI settings.

Limitations:

• 🚫 Nana MIUI 14 Some applications may not work due to changes in security policies.
• 🔄 After the system update, reconfiguration may be required.
• ⚠️ Applications without root cannot completely replace system buttons, but only emulate them.

Method: Editing system files (root only)

If your Xiaomi Redmi has superuser rights, you can manually edit the system files that are responsible for the location of the buttons. This method provides maximum flexibility, but requires caution - incorrect changes can lead to a bootloop.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/usr/keylayout.
3. Find the Generic.kl file (or qwerty.kl for some models).
4. Copy the file to internal memory for backup.
5. Open the original file in the text editor.

Find the lines:

key 139   MENU       WAKE_DROPPED


key 158   BACK       WAKE




key 172   HOME       WAKE_DROPPED




key 219   APP_SWITCH WAKE_DROPPED

Change seats. BACK (158) and APP_SWITCH (219), key-number:

key 139   MENU       WAKE_DROPPED


key 158   APP_SWITCH WAKE




key 172   HOME       WAKE_DROPPED




key 219   BACK       WAKE_DROPPED

Save the file, set resolutions 644 (rw-r--r---) and restart the device.

5. Method: Castom firmware (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work, you can install custom firmware with flexible navigation settings.

• 📱 LineageOS – supports button reassignment through Settings → System system → Gestures.
• 🔧 Pixel Experience – offers a navigation bar setup as on Google Pixel.
• ⚡ Havoc-OS – includes advanced options for buttons and gestures.

Installation process:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Install custom recovery (such as TWRP).
3. Download the firmware from the official website (for example, LineageOS).
4. Sweat through recovery, having previously made a backup.

💡

Custom firmware gives you maximum customization freedom, but it is not warranty and can contain bugs. Check compatibility with your Redmi model before installing.

After installation, go to Settings → System → Buttons and select the desired order. In some firmware, you can even set up a double tap or long press buttons.

6. Frequent problems and solutions

When reassigning buttons to Xiaomi Redmi, users experience common errors, and here’s how to avoid or fix them:

⚠️ Note: If after use ADB-The buttons are gone, reset the navigation bar: adb shell settings delete secure sysui_nav_bar Then restart the device.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔍 Compatibility of your Redmi model with the selected method (e.g. Redmi) 7A does not support reassignment through ADB).
• 📋 The relevance of firmware (in beta versions) MIUI It could be bugs).
• 🛠️ Conflicting applications (e.g. launchers like Nova Launcher sometimes block system buttons).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions