Reassign buttons to Xiaomi Redmi 9: 5 ways to change the location of the keys

Why users want to change buttons to Redmi 9 and what to know before you start

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 often face an uncomfortable arrangement of physical buttons — especially the volume keys, which can be accidentally pressed in your pocket or when playing. Another common reason is the habit of changing the order of buttons after switching from devices of other brands (for example, Samsung or iPhone), where the power key is located on the opposite side. Fortunately, MIUI allows you to flexibly adjust the functionality of the buttons, and for advanced features there are third-party utilities.

Before you start making changes, consider a few key points:

• 🔄 Not all buttons can be reassigned through standard settings – for example, the power key has limited options due to system security.
• ⚙️ Resetting the settings will return the buttons to their original state, so fix the changes with screenshots or records.
• 🛠️ Deep customization (e.g., a complete replacement of button functions) requires root rights, which cancels the warranty and increases the risk to the system.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways to reposition buttons, from built-in MIUI tools to advanced apps. All methods tested on Redmi 9 with MIUI 12–14 firmware (including global and Chinese versions). If your device runs on an older version, update the software via Settings → About Phone → System Update.

Method 1: Reassign volume buttons via MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI options, which are suitable for exchanging volume/down buttons and also for turning off their response to a short press.

1. Open Settings and go to the Sound and Vibration section.
2. Scroll down and select Volume buttons.
3. Activate the option to change the volume buttons.

After that, the top button will turn down the volume and the bottom button will turn up, which works on all versions of Redmi 9 (including Redmi 9A, 9C, 9T) and does not require superuser rights.

Check out the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone

Make a backup copy of important data

Charge your phone at least 50%

Turn off Developer Mode if it has been activated previously-->

⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience) may not have this partition. In this case, use Method 3 or Method 4 of this article.

If you need to not only swap the buttons in places, but also turn off their response to a single press (for example, to avoid accidentally turning on the camera), go to Settings → System → Gestures and deactivate the down Volume button option for the camera.

Method 2: Use One Hand Mode for Virtual Buttons

If you're annoyed by the physical location of the buttons, but you don't want to reassign them, you can activate One Hand mode, which reduces the screen size, making the control more convenient for the thumb, and this method is especially useful for users with small hands or using the phone with one hand.

To activate the regime:

1. Go to Settings. → Additional functions.
2. Select One-Hand Mode.
3. Activate the slider and adjust the size of the reduced screen (options 3.5, 4.0" and 4.5 are available).

In One Hand mode, virtual navigation buttons (Back, Home, Recent) are shifted closer to the bottom edge of the screen, making them easier to use, but physical buttons (Power and Volume) will remain in place.

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If you have navigation gestures enabled (no buttons), the One Hand mode will automatically adapt the swipe area, making them more accessible to the thumb.

Method 3: Applications for button reassignment (without root)

For users who need more flexibility than MIUI offers, there are third-party apps, one of the most reliable is Button Mapper (available on Google Play).

• 🔊 Volume buttons (including long press and double press).
• 🔄 Power button – for example, make it run by voice assistant.
• 📱 Virtual navigation buttons (if displayed).

Instructions for setting up Button Mapper:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Grant permission for Special Access (a request will appear when you first start).
3. Select the button you want to reassign (such as Volume Up).
4. Assign a new action from the list (for example, Open the camera or Turn on the flashlight).

The app supports conditional rules – for example, you can configure the volume button up to open Google Assistant only when the screen is off. However, note that some actions (for example, completely disabling the power button) can conflict with system processes.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14 Button Mapper may require additional permissions through the ADB. If the application is not working, follow the command: adb shell pm grant flar2.homebutton android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS (setup ADB see in the Method 5).

Method 4: Reassign buttons with ADB (for power users)

If standard methods and applications don't offer the flexibility you need, you can use ADB commands (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to change system settings that are not available through the GUI.

• 🔀 Completely change places Volume Up and Volume Down.
• 🚫 Turn off the button response to a short press.
• 🔄 Assign new functions to buttons (for example, launching an application).

The work will require:

1. A computer with ADB drivers installed.
2. Developer Mode on the phone (activated by 7-fold pressing on the Assembly Number in Settings → About the phone).
3. USB-cable to connect Redmi 9 to PC.

Example of commands for exchanging volume buttons:

adb shell settings put system swap_volume_keys 1

To return the original location, replace 1 by 0.

On Redmi 9 with firmware MIUI 13+ some ADB-commands may be blocked by Xiaomi's security policies, in which case, before executing commands, you must disable signature verification. MIUI:

adb shell setprop persist.security.adbd 1

Method 5: Complete root customization (for advanced)

If you're willing to sacrifice the warranty for maximum freedom, getting root rights will give you access to modifying the system files that drive the buttons, for example:

• 🔧 Reassign any button (including Power) to any action.
• 📱 Change button behavior depending on the application (e.g. in games).
• 🔄 Create custom combinations (e.g. Volume Up) + Power to start shooting mode).

This will require:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool.
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP).
3. Switch to Magisk to get root rights.

Once you get root, use apps like Xposed Framework or Tasker to fine-tune it, for example, using the Xposed Additions module, you can assign the Volume Down button to start Google Pay with double tap.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 9 with a MediaTek Helio processor G80 Unlocking the bootloader can lead to data loss in the section /data. Always make a backup copy through TWRP before manipulation!

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Getting a root license on Xiaomi voids the warranty and may disrupt services (such as banking applications or DRM-protected content on Netflix).

Frequent problems and their solutions

When reassigning buttons, Redmi 9 users often encounter common errors, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

If after the changes, the phone stopped responding to buttons at all, reset your settings via Recovery:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press the Power + Volume Up before the MI logo appears.
3. In the recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset. → Reset Settings.

This will return all buttons to their original state without losing data.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions