Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 10 often face an uncomfortable location of touch-sensitive navigation buttons – the standard scheme with the back, home and recent buttons is not always optimal for left-handed or thumb users. Fortunately, MIUI allows you to flexibly customize the interface, including swapping virtual keys, activating gestures or even completely disabling the navigation bar. In this article, we will analyze all available methods, from basic settings to hidden functions for experienced users.
It is important to understand that customization options vary depending on the MIUI version and regional firmware. For example, in the global versions (MIUI Global), some options may not be available, while in the Chinese (MIUI China) advanced options are available. We will look at the universal solutions that work on most Redmi 10 modifications (including the Redmi 10 2022, Redmi 10A and Redmi 10C models), and point out the key differences.
Why You Might Need to Change the Location of the Buttons
The inconvenient layout of the buttons is one of the most common reasons for reconfiguring them, and here are typical scenarios where users of Xiaomi Redmi 10 decide to change the layout of the controls:
- 🤲 Left-handed: the standard placement of the “Back” button on the right creates discomfort with single-finger control.
- 📱 Large screen: Redmi 10 with a diagonal of 6.5′′ is not easy to reach the top buttons, especially when using one hand.
- 🔄 Other Brand Habit: Users who switched from Samsung or Google Pixel often want to return to their familiar layout (for example, the Back button on the left).
- 🎮 Game mode: In games, the standard navigation bar may interfere and be temporarily disabled or moved.
In addition, changing the location of the buttons can be useful for people with disabilities or those who use a smartphone in non-standard conditions (for example, wearing gloves or with a stylus). MIUI 12/13/14 provides special modes for such cases, but they are often hidden in the depth of settings.
Method 1: Standard configuration via the System menu
The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI options. It is suitable for most users and does not require super-user rights (root).
- Open the Settings app (cog icon).
- Go to the Display section.
- Select Full-screen mode (in some versions – Navigation buttons).
- Slip on the option of button location.
- Choose one of the proposed options: 🔘 Standard (Back) → Home. → Recent) 🔘 Reverse (Recent) → Home. → Back up) 🔘 Only gestures (hidden by the navigation panel)
If you don’t have button location on your menu, you’re using firmware with limited settings, in which case you can try updating your MIUI to the latest version or using alternative methods described below.
Update MIUI to the latest version
Make a backup copy of important data
Charge your phone at least 30%
Check the vacant space (required) ~500MB)-->
⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) may not have a standard button setting menu. ADB third-party.
Method 2: Use gestures instead of buttons
If virtual buttons interfere with or take up useful screen space, they can be completely replaced by gesture control.This method is especially popular among owners of Redmi 10 with large screens. MIUI two types of gestures are implemented:
- 👆 Gestures MIUI (swipe up to return to the main screen, swipe sideways to return back).
- 📱 Android Gestures (similar to pure Android, like on Google Pixel).
To activate the gestures:
- Go to Settings → Display → Full-screen mode.
- Select Gesture Control.
- Check out the animation and practice swiping.
- Return to the previous menu and turn off the option to Show the navigation bar.
If gestures seem uncomfortable, you can return the buttons at any time, and MIUI 14 also has the ability to adjust gesture sensitivity, which is useful if the smartphone does not always correctly recognize swipes.
How do you calibrate your gestures?
| Type of management | Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|---|
| Standard buttons | It is intuitive, and works in all applications. | It takes up space on the screen, can interfere with games |
| MIUI gestures | Maximum screen area, convenient for large displays | It requires addiction, false positives are possible. |
| Android gestures | More versatile, similar to other smartphones | Fewer features than MIUI gestures (for example, no swipe for screenshots) |
Method 3: Change buttons through ADB (for power users)
If the standard settings are not comfortable and gestures seem uncomfortable, you can manually reassign buttons using the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a technique that requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic command line knowledge, but gives you complete control over the navigation bar.
Here's the step-by-step instruction:
- Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.
Redmi 10
File transfer
Platform Tools
Android SDK
cmd
Terminal
adb devicesIf the device appears in the list, follow the command to change the order of the buttons (for example, change the “Back” and “Recent” places):
adb shell settings put secure sysui_nav_bar "space,recent,home,back,space"Once you have entered the command, the navigation bar will automatically update. To return the standard order, use:
adb shell settings put secure sysui_nav_bar "space,back,home,recent,space"⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause a crash in the interface. Before experimenting, back up your settings through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset to quickly restore the system in case of an error.
💡
If after ADB commands the buttons disappeared completely, reboot the phone – this will reset the temporary settings of the navigation bar.
Additional settings for left-handed and users with features
MIUI offers a few hidden features that are useful for left-handed or disabled people, often hidden in the feature menu:
- 🔄 Left-handed mode: automatically mirrors the location of buttons and menus. Activated in Settings → Additionally. → Special facilities → Left-handed regime.
- 👆 Enlarged buttons: increases the size of virtual keys for ease of pressing. → Display. → Size of elements.
- 🎯 Floating navigation bar: allows you to move buttons anywhere on the screen. Available in some custom firmware or through Magisk modules.
For users with motor limitations, MIUI 13/14 has added AssistiveTouch, a floating button that duplicates basic gestures, which can be configured in Settings → Additional → Special Features → AssistiveTouch. This option is especially useful if the physical buttons on Redmi 10 are out of order.
💡
The left-handed mode in MIUI not only changes the location of the buttons, but also adapts the animations of the system menus (for example, the drop-down notification window will open on the right).
Frequent problems and their solutions
When changing the location of the buttons, users of Xiaomi Redmi 10 may face a number of typical problems.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The buttons do not change after setting up | The system's cache hasn't updated. | Restart your phone or clear the cache through Settings → Apps → App management → System apps → Launcher → Clear the cache |
| Gestures are not working smoothly. | Low screen sensitivity | Increase sensitivity in Settings → Additional → Special features → Sensitivity of gestures |
| ADB-commands are not applied | USB debugging is not enabled | Check the debugging status in Settings → For developers and confirm the PC permission |
| The buttons disappeared after the update | Resetting MIUI settings | Return the standard panel through Settings → Display → Full-screen mode |
If none of the methods worked, you may have a modified firmware with reduced features installed on your Redmi 10, in which case flashing to the official MIUI via Fastboot or Recovery will help. Firmware instructions can be found on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums.