How to change touch buttons places on Xiaomi smartphones: 4 working ways

Touch navigation buttons on Xiaomi smartphones are a convenient alternative to physical keys, but their standard location (from left to right: Back, Home, Recent) does not always suit users. Someone is used to the reverse order after other Android devices, someone is more convenient to control with one hand, and left-handed users face discomfort when navigating. Fortunately, MIUI allows you to reassign touch buttons without installing third-party applications - albeit with some limitations.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to swap buttons, from built-in MIUI 12-14 settings to ADB and root-right methods, and why some models (like the Poco F5 or Redmi Note 12 Pro+) don’t work, and what to do in such cases, so if you want to not just swap the back and recent buttons in places, but also completely redefined their functions, here’s a solution.

1. Standard method: settings MIUI without additional programs

The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI options. It is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones based on MIUI 10-14, but there are nuances: on some models (for example, with MIUI for POCO), this section may be missing or not work correctly.

To swap the buttons in place:

Open the Settings → Display.
Select Full-screen Mode (or Navigation buttons in older versions).
Slip on the location of the buttons (or the order of the buttons).
Select the reverse order option (or manually drag and drop the icons if edit mode is available).

Some firmware (e.g. MIUI 13 Global) instead of drag and drop, you can choose from two predefined schemes: the standard (Back-Home-Recent) and the reverse (Recent-Home-Back).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for POCO (for example, Poco X3 Pro or Poco F4) The location of the buttons may not be available, this is due to customized firmware, where the navigation settings are placed in a separate menu Additional settings → Buttons and gestures.

📊 What version? MIUI you use?

MIUI 12

MIUI 13

MIUI 14

The other one/I don't know

2. Reassign buttons via ADB (no root)

If your Xiaomi settings do not have the option of changing the order of the buttons, you can use the ADB-This method does not require root rights, but requires connecting the smartphone to the computer. 11T others.

Instructions:

Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional settings → For Developers).
Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type:

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

For reverse order (Back button on the right):

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

Once you have completed the command, restart the device. If the buttons have not changed, check if the settings have reset after the reboot, in which case you will need to repeat the command or use the method with Tasker (see the next section).

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If ADB does not recognize the device, install Mi PC Suite drivers or use Google USB Driver universal drivers.

Automation via Tasker (for power users)

If ADB-commands are reset after rebooting, you can automate their execution using the Tasker app. This method is suitable for Xiaomi on Android 8.0+ and allows you to flexibly adjust the order of the buttons, including custom schemas (for example, only two buttons or adding a swipe up gesture»).

Algorithm of action:

Install Tasker from Google Play.
Create a new task (Task → + → Code → Run Shell).
In the command field, type:

settings put secure sysui_nav_bar "space,recent;home;back,space"

For use in loading:

Create a profile (Profile → Event → System → Device Boot)
Put the task you created on it.

Tasker also allows you to assign hotkeys to quickly switch between button circuits, for example, you can set up a double press on the power button to change the order of navigation.

What to do if Tasker is not working?

If the command does not apply, check: - Is debugging enabled by USB In the developer settings. - Does Tasker have rights to execute ADB-commands (in application settings). – Does antivirus (e.g. Mi Security) block script execution.

4. Complete reassignment of root-rights buttons

If you need to change buttons, and completely redefined their functions (for example, assign to the button “back” open menu or launch the application), you need root rights. This method is suitable for advanced users and allows you to use applications like Button Mapper or Xposed Edge.

Steps to set up with Button Mapper:

Get root access (for example, through Magisk).
Install Button Mapper and give it root rights.
In the main menu of the app, select the Navigation Bar.
Click on the button you want to reassign (like “Back”) and select a new action from the list (like Open App or Toggle Flashlight).

With root rights, you can also:

🔄 Change any two buttons, including the home button».
➕ Add new features, such as holding the back button to open Google Assistant.
🎯 Set up gestures on swipes from buttons (for example, swipe left on the Home button for return).
🚫 Disable unnecessary buttons (for example, leave only Home and Back»).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and Android 13+ Some Button Mapper features may not work properly due to SELinux limitations. XDA Developers.

Method	Root is required.	Compatibility	Limitations
MIUI settings	❌ No.	MIUI 10–14 (not all models)	Only reverse order.
ADB-team	❌ No.	Android 9–13	Resets after rebooting
Tasker	❌ No.	Android 8.0+	Tough setup
Button Mapper	✅ Yes.	Any version	Risk of disrupting the stability of the system

5. Features for specific Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi smartphones have unique firmware or limitations that affect button reassignment.

Poco F3/F4/F5: These devices do not have the button location section in MIUI for POCO. The solution is to use ADB or Tasker. Alternatively, switch to custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience), where button settings are more flexible.

Redmi Note 11/12 Series: Some firmware versions only change the buttons via ADB, but after the MIUI update, the settings are reset, in which case Tasker will help with automatic application of the command when booting.

Black Shark 4/5: Black Shark gaming smartphones have their own JoyUI shell, where navigation settings are hidden in Settings → Game features → Navigation buttons. Additional schemas are available here, including a gamer mode (buttons on the sides of the screen).

Xiaomi 13/14 Series: On flagships with MIUI 14 and Android 13, the standard method works, but after resetting to factory settings, you may need to re-configure via ADB.

Check the version of MIUI (Settings → About the phone)

Enable USB debugging (for ADB/Tasker)

- Make a backup of settings (Settings → Additional → Backup)

- Install drivers ADB on PC (if necessary)-->

6.Alternative solutions: gestures and third-party launchers

If you can’t reassign the buttons, consider alternative navigation options:

👆 Gestures MIUI: B Settings → Display. → Full-screen mode can enable gestures (swipe up for Home, swipe and hold for Recent) This completely removes the buttons, but requires getting used to.
📱 Third-party launchers: Apps like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair allow you to customize your own gestures and even add virtual navigation buttons.
⚙️ Xposed Framework: For root devices, the Xposed Edge module is available, which allows you to assign any actions to swipes from the edges of the screen, replacing the buttons.
🎮 Game modes: Game Turbo (available on most Xiaomi/Redmi) You can set up additional navigation buttons that only appear in games.

Gestures are the most reliable way to get rid of button problems, but they don’t work for everyone, such as on larger smartphones (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra), reaching the bottom of the screen with one hand can be difficult, so it’s better to combine gestures with virtual buttons through Nova Launcher.

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MIUI gestures consume less power than virtual buttons, as they do not require constant display of the navigation bar.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When reassigning buttons, users often face typical problems, and here's how to solve them:

The buttons don't change after ADB-team:

Check if the command is properly entered (registration is important!).
Reset the device.
Try an alternative syntax: adb shell cmd overlay enable-exclusive com.android.internal.systemui.navbar.tworow.

Tasker does not follow the command:

Make sure that the Tasker settings enable ADB access.
Check if Mi Security blocks script execution (add Tasker to exceptions).

After the MIUI update, the buttons reset:

Updates often reset settings sysui_nav_bar. Repeat the command. ADB Or set up automatic application via Tasker.
If you are using Button Mapper, upgrade to the latest version.

On the lock screen, the buttons have not changed:

This is normal behavior – the lock screen always displays standard buttons.
If you want to change them, you will need to edit system files (framework-res.apk), which requires root and knowledge in modifying the firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions

Can I change the buttons to Xiaomi without a computer?

Yes, if your version of MIUI has a built-in option (see section 1). If it is not, you can not do without a PC: you will need either an ADB (you need a computer) or a Tasker (but here you may need an ADB for the first setup).

Why do buttons return to place after reboot?

This is a feature of Android: settings sysui_nav_bar, applied ADB, The solution is to use Tasker to automatically apply the command when downloading or to gain root rights for permanent changes.

Can I assign another action to the back button, such as opening a menu?

No root rights, no. Standard methods (MIUI or ADB) allow you to swap buttons, and you need root rights and applications like Button Mapper to completely reconfigure.

My Redmi Note 9 doesn't have a button change option. What do I do?

On the Redmi Note 9 (and many other budget models), the button location section is often missing. Use ADB or Tasker as described in sections 2 and 3. Also check if the option is hidden in Additional Settings → Special Features → System Navigation.

Will the way with ADB work on Xiaomi with a blocked bootloader?

Yes, ADB-commands don't require unlocking the bootloader. They work on any device that has debugging enabled. USB. However, for some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) may require confirmation of permission to execute commands on each connection.