How to change the location of the keys on Xiaomi: setting up navigation

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to personalize the interface of the device to suit their habits. Standard layout of control buttons can be uncomfortable for left-handers or those who move from other operating systems. MIUI and the new HyperOS operating system provide a flexible navigation configuration system, allowing you to easily change the order of the screen controls.

This process does not require superuser rights or complex technical manipulations. All the necessary tools are already built into the basic system settings. Changing the location takes only a few seconds, but significantly improves the comfort of daily use of the gadget. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions for different versions of firmware.

Before you start setting up, it’s worth noting that the interface may vary slightly depending on the Android version and regional build. However, the logic of the menu remains the same for all modern devices of the brand. Below are detailed instructions that will help you quickly adapt your smartphone to your needs.

Basic methods of interface management

Modern smartphones offer two fundamentally different approaches to navigation: classic on-screen and gesture. The classic option involves using three virtual buttons at the bottom of the screen that emulate physical navigation. Gesture control allows you to interact with the interface with swipes on the edges of the display, freeing up useful space.

The choice of method depends on the user’s personal preferences and the size of the device’s screen. On large Xiaomi smartphones with a diagonal of more than 6.5 inches, gestures are often more convenient, since it is easier to reach the top of the screen with one finger.

• 📱 Three buttons – classic look with elements “Back”, “Home” and “App Menu».
• 👆 Full-screen gestures – swipe control without visible navigation elements.
• 🔄 Hybrid mode – using gestures with a thin bar-indicator display at the bottom.

It's important to understand that switching between these modes changes the logic of the entire interface. If you're used to buttons, switching to gestures will require a period of adaptation, but in the long run it can speed up the work. MIUI It allows you to test both options without restrictions.

Step-by-step instructions for changing buttons in MIUI and HyperOS

The reconfiguration process in current versions of Xiaomi shells is unified. To change the order of the buttons, you need to go to the main menu of the system settings. Find the section responsible for additional screen settings.

Next, you'll select "Navigate the screen" or "Full screen mode." This is where all the switches that control the appearance of the bottom panel are concentrated, and the system will suggest you to choose one of two main display options.

Once you select Button mode, the system automatically applies the changes, and you'll see how the sequence of elements at the bottom of the display has changed, and if you don't like the result, you can instantly go back and choose an alternate.

In some older versions of firmware, the path may look a little different: Settings → Advanced Settings → Screen Navigation. In newer HyperOS builds, this item is often listed under the Desktop subsection or searchable by settings.

⚠️ Warning: When switching to full screen, the old button order settings stop working as they physically disappear. Don't try to find the Menu button if gestures are activated.

Setting up navigation with two buttons

Special attention should be paid to the two-button management mode, which appeared in earlier versions of MIUI. In this mode, the "Applications Menu" button disappears, and its functions are taken over by the "Home" button. A short press returns to the desktop, and a long one opens the list of running programs.

This option is often chosen by users who are switching from other brands where this is standard, saves usable screen area by making the display area a little larger, and you can activate this mode in the same menu where the order of the buttons is selected.

To enable two buttons, select the appropriate item in the list of navigation options, the system will warn you about changing the logic of the central key, and once confirmed, the Home button will become a multifunctional control element.

• 🔘 Short press – return to the main screen.
• ⏳ Long-Tap – Calling the menu of the latest apps.
• 🚫 Absence of a third button – the application menu is called by swipe up or through widgets.

Using two buttons can be especially convenient on compact smartphones, where every millimeter of the screen weighs in gold. However, users with thumbs can have a hard time accurately hitting the reduced area of the home button.

Use of the “Appoint buttons” application

For advanced users who lack standard functionality, Xiaomi has implemented the Button Shortcuts system application, which allows you to reassign the actions of physical volume and power buttons, as well as create complex scenarios.

While this app doesn't visually change the order of on-screen navigation buttons, it dramatically expands the control of the device, so you can set up a camera, voice recorder, or any other program by double-pressing or long-press.

To access these settings, open the Assign buttons app in the Tools folder or search it for functions that are hidden in the standard settings menu.

Settings → Additional settings → Assign buttons

In this menu, you can set an action for a combination of volume buttons when the screen is off, which is convenient for quick access to frequently used functions without unlocking the phone.

Using third-party utilities to reassign buttons requires caution. Android system restrictions can block some features if the app does not have special availability permissions.

Solution with navigation

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the navigation buttons disappear, stop responding to clicks or work incorrectly, most often due to a software failure of a particular application or the MIUI system itself.

The first step in diagnosis is to switch navigation mode, try switching from buttons to gestures and back again, which reboots the system navigation process and often eliminates time glitches.

If the problem persists, check to see if Full Screen mode is on for a particular application. In some programs, the navigation bar is automatically hidden to immerse in the content. To return the buttons, you need to swipe from the edge of the screen.

⚠️ Note: If the buttons are missing after installing a third-party launcher, check its settings. Launchers like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher may have their own priorities for displaying system elements.

In rare cases, cleaning the cache of the Navigation system application helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications, find the system processes related to navigation in the list, and select Clear Cache.

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If the touch layer is not working properly at the bottom of the screen, try temporarily flipping the image or turning on the sensitivity mode in the display settings.

Comparison of navigation modes

Choosing between buttons and gestures is a matter of ergonomics and habit. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, which become noticeable only during prolonged use. Let's compare their key characteristics.

Button navigation provides visual clarity: the user can always see where the back button is, which eliminates random action, which is especially important for older people or those who do not often change their smartphones.

Gesture controls, in turn, offer a more modern and fluid experience: transition animations look smoother, and the absence of static elements allows content to occupy the entire matrix area.

• 🚀 Speed of operation – gestures often work faster because they don’t require a precise hit on a small area.
• 👁️ Visual noise – buttons take up space and can be distracting when watching videos or reading.
• 🧠 Memory – gestures require muscle memory, buttons require visual control.

For gamers, the choice is obvious: horizontally, buttons often overlap the view or interfere with the girth of the device. Landscape gestures work more predictably and do not create "dead zones" at the corners of the screen.

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The optimal choice depends on the use scenario: for text and documents, buttons are more convenient, for multimedia and games – gestures.