How to swap buttons on Xiaomi at the bottom of the screen: 3 ways + fixing

The navigation buttons at the bottom of Xiaomi’s screen are three classic icons: Back, Home and Recent, and are arranged in a default order that is not convenient for everyone: left to right or right to left depending on the region. This is especially annoying for users who are used to a different layout on Samsung, Google Pixel or older versions of Android, MIUI It allows you to flexibly adjust the order of buttons – and today we will explore all the ways to do this, including hidden chips and bypassing restrictions on some models.

It is important to understand that the procedure differs depending on the firmware version (MIUI 12, 13, 14 or HyperOS, device type (Redmi, POCO, Xiaomi series Note/T/Pro) And even if you're using gesture control or classical buttons, you'll find this article:

• 🔧 Step-by-step instructions for all versions MIUI (including HyperOS)
• 📱 Differences for Redmi, POCO and flagship Xiaomi
• ⚙️ Hidden settings through ADB for models without a standard menu
• ⚠️ Common Errors and How to Avoid Them (for example, Why buttons are not saved)

If you've just switched brands or upgraded your firmware and the buttons suddenly switched places, don't panic. 90 percent of the time, it's solved in 2 minutes. Let's start with the simplest way.

Method 1: Standard setup in MIUI (for most models)

This method works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO version MIUI 10 and newer (including HyperOS), except for some models for the Chinese market with cropped settings – they will require ADB (see method 3).

To swap the buttons in place:

1. Open the settings (the gear icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Display section (on some models – Screen).
3. Select the Navigation Panel (or System Navigation in HyperOS).
4. Slip the order of the buttons (in older versions it may be called the location of the buttons).
5. Choose one of the proposed options: 🔄 Standard (Back) → Home. → Recent) 🔄 Reverse (Recent) → Home. → Back up) 🔄 Home on the left (for left-handed)

Confirm the changes – the buttons will change places.

If you MIUI 14 or HyperOS, the menu may look different:

Settings → Display → System Navigation → Navigation Type → Buttons → Order of buttons

Important! On some devices (e.g, POCO F5 Xiaomi 13T) The option is hidden behind the optional menu. If you can't find "Order of buttons," try it:

• 🔍 Enable Developer Mode (7 times tap on the Version) MIUI phone).
• 🔧 Return to System Navigation – sometimes the option appears after activation of the developer mode.

Method 2: Change through gesture control (if the buttons are hidden)

If you use gestures instead of buttons (full-screen swipes), the standard button setting menu will not be available. MIUI You can temporarily return the buttons, change the order of the buttons, and then switch to gestures again:

1. Open the Settings. → Display. → System navigation.
2. Select the buttons (instead of the gestures).
3. Now the option Order buttons will appear - adjust it to yourself.
4. Return to System Navigation and select Gestures again.

Note: On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) When you return to gestures, the order of the buttons is reset, and then only the method of using the ADB.

If you want to completely abandon buttons in favor of gestures, but at the same time keep the usual order of action, pay attention to the gesture settings:

• 👆 Swipe up – returns to the main screen (analogue of the home button»).
• 👆➡️ Swipe Up and Hold – Opens up a list of recent apps.
• 👈 Swipe on the right – Back action (configured in Additional gesture settings).

Method 3: Advanced adjustment through ADB (covert)

If your firmware does not have a button setting menu (often found on Chinese versions) MIUI Or the scaling of the scalp, you can use it. ADB — Android debugging tool: This method works on all Xiaomi devices, but requires a computer connection.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-Type C Cable (original to avoid connection issues).
• 📥 Google's Platform Tools (includes) ADB).
• 🔧 Included Developer Mode and Debugging by USB phone-on.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and unpack Platform Tools on your computer.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and select File Transfer Mode (not Charge).
3. Open the command line (CMD Windows or Terminal on the macOS/Linux) and go to the folder with ADB:
4. Check the connection of the device:
5. Enter a command to change the order of the buttons (example for the order "Home-Back-Recent"):

Team options for different layouts:

Attention, after the update. MIUI setting ADB You can reset. To detect changes, use a command:

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

If the buttons have not changed after the commands are executed:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 🔧 Check if Mi Security is blocking changes (turn it off temporarily in Settings) → Annexes → Permit management).
• 📱 Make sure that the buttons are selected in System Navigation, not Gestures.

Problems and Solutions: Why don't buttons change?

Even after all the instructions have been followed, the buttons can stay in place or drop, and here are the most common reasons and ways to eliminate them:

⚠️ On some Xiaomi models for the Chinese market (e.g. Redmi) K60 Ultra or Xiaomi 14 with firmware CN) The button setting option is locked at the firmware level. ADB or install a Global ROM.

Problem 1: There is no item in the menu called “Order of buttons”.

• 🔹 Make sure you use buttons and not gestures in navigation settings.
• 🔹 Update the firmware to the latest version (in older versions) MIUI 9 and below may not be available).
• 🔹 Check the firmware region: on the Chinese versions (CN ROM) many settings are hidden.

Problem 2: Buttons are reset after rebooting.

• 🔹 This is typical for devices with MIUI 12.5 Enhanced and newer. Solution - to use ADB with the team for global (see above).
• 🔹 Turn off battery optimization for the Lawnchair app or MIUI Launcher (if you use a custom launcher).

Problem 3: Buttons change but don’t respond to clicks.

• 🔹 Reset your navigation settings to standard: Settings → Display. → System navigation → Reset.
• 🔹 Check if a third-party application (e.g. Nova Launcher or Gesture Control) is in conflict with your settings).
• 🔹 Perform a reset of the system cache: Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings → Reset all settings (app data will not be deleted).

Problem 4: There is no button setting menu on HyperOS.

In the new HyperOS shell (debuted on Xiaomi 14), the path to settings has changed:

Settings → Display → System Navigation → Navigation Type → Buttons → Additional settings (cog in the upper right corner) → Order of buttons

💡

If you frequently check your phone, keep the command. ADB For your favorite order of buttons in a notebook, once you reset or update it, you just need to type it once to get back to the layout.

Features for different Xiaomi models

Not all Xiaomi devices are the same – even within the same line, the settings may differ. Below is a list of models with nuances when changing buttons:

If your model is not in the table, but you are faced with a problem – check the firmware version in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Problems are often resolved after upgrading to the latest stable version.

💡

On devices with HyperOS (Xiaomi 14, 13T And newer) the path to button settings has changed. Look for it in the "Additional settings" section of the System Navigation menu».

Alternative methods: third-party launchers and applications

If the standard methods don't work or you want more flexibility, you can use third-party solutions that are suitable for:

• 📱 Devices with locked settings (CN ROM).
• 🔧 Users who need more than 3 buttons (for example, adding a screenshot or Google Assistant button»).
• 🎨 Those who want to customize the appearance of buttons (color, size, animation).

Method 1: Launchers with support for navigation settings

Some launchers allow you to override navigation buttons:

• 🌐 Nova Launcher + Nova Launcher TeslaCoil (requires Root).
• 🌐 Lawnchair (free, open source).
• 🌐 Microsoft Launcher (limited settings but gestures support).

Method 2: Applications for customization of navigation

• 🔧 Fluid Navigation Gestures – Replaces buttons with gestures with touch zone settings.
• 🔧 NavStar – Adds additional buttons (for example, to quickly launch applications).
• 🔧 Xposed Framework + GravityBox Module (requires Root).

⚠️ Attention! When using third-party launchers or navigation apps, you may experience conflicts with system gestures (e.g., a backup swipe will stop working). → Additionally. → Backup.

Method 3: Root access to complete customization

If you have a Root right, you can edit the system files that are responsible for navigation, for example, change the file. /system/usr/keylayout/Generic.kl, It's a very risky method, but it's a very risky method:

• 🚨 May lead to bootloop (circular loading).
• 🚨 Violates the warranty (if the device is warranty-free).
• 🚨 Requires knowledge of working with ADB and Fastboot.

For most users, standard methods or ADB. Only use the Root if other methods have not worked.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting buttons on Xiaomi