Customizing buttons on Xiaomi: a complete guide to changing functions and repair

Buttons on Xiaomi smartphones are not just controls, but keys to the user-friendliness of the device: from physical on/lock keys to touch areas on the screen, each of them can be reassigned to your needs. But what if the button stops working? Or how to activate hidden functions that are not talked about in the standard manual?

In this article, we will analyze all the ways to configure buttons on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO — From basic changes to the Settings menu to deep modifications through the engineering menu, you'll learn how to return dead keys to work, reassign the functions of touch-sensitive navigation buttons, and even add hidden gestures to quickly access applications. IR-port, then you will find instructions for setting the buttons of the remote control directly in the smartphone.

The material is relevant for devices on MIUI 14/15 And HyperOS, but most of the methods work on older versions of the firmware!

1. Standard ways to adjust buttons in MIUI

To start with, the simplest of them all are built-in options that are available without superuser rights, and even if you've never delved into Xiaomi's settings, these features will help make device management more intuitive.

The main button parameters are hidden in the Settings menu → Display. → Navigation buttons (for models with physical keys, the path may be different: Settings) → System system → Gestures. You can do this:

• 🔄 Change the order of the navigation buttons (for example, change the places "Back" and "Recent").
• 🎯 Activate gestures instead of classic buttons (full screen control).
• ⚡ Configure the sensitivity of touch keys (relevant for devices with AMOLED-screen).
• 🔇 Turn off vibration when pressed (useful for battery saving).

On models with physical buttons (for example, Xiaomi Mi). A2 or Redmi Note 7 in the Settings menu → System system → Additional buttons available for additional options:

• 🔑 Locking the power button in your pocket (protection against accidental pressing).
• 📱 Double tap to start the camera (even on a locked screen).
• 🔋 Disabling the power button when connecting the charging (prevents wear of the mechanism).

It's important! On some models, for example, POCO F5) The path to button settings may be different. If you don't find the right section, search Settings for "buttons" or "gestures".

⚠️ Attention: Changing the sensitivity of touch buttons to the maximum value can lead to false positives when touching the screen with the palm of your hand — 70-80% scale-up.

2. Reassign buttons without root rights

If built-in options aren't enough, you can go further by reassigning button functions with third-party apps, which is true, for example, if you want to:

• 🎵 Run the player by double pressing the volume button.
• 📸 Take a screenshot with one click of the power button.
• 🔦 Turn on the flashlight by holding the lock button.

This will be done with the following annexes:

Let’s look at the Button Mapper example:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Grant permission for Special Access (in Android settings).
3. Select a button to reassign (such as the volume button).
4. Assign Action: Launch the Application, Gesture or Command ADB.
5. Save the settings and restart the device.

Enable debugging over USB in the developer settings |

Provide Button Mapper with access to special features|

Disable battery optimization for the application|

Reboot the smartphone after settings-->

HyperOS models (such as Xiaomi 14) may require additional permission via the ADB. To do this, connect the phone to the PC and execute the command:

adb shell pm grant flar2.homebutton android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS

⚠️ Warning: Reassigning the emergency call button (e.g., triple power tap) may disrupt emergency services!

3. Customize buttons via the engineering menu (#4636###)

The engineering menu is a hidden settings section that allows you to test the hardware components of a smartphone, including buttons, and access it through a secret code:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636###.
3. Go to the Hardware Testing section (on some models – Device Testing).
4. Choose Buttons or Key Test.

Here you will see a list of all the physical buttons of the device and their current status:

• 🟢 Green – The button works correctly.
• 🔴 Red color – the button does not respond to pressing.
• 🟡 Yellow – the button is triggered with a delay (possible wear of contacts).

In the engineering menu, you can also calibrate buttons if they are too sensitive or require a strong press.

1. Press the button on the list.
2. Follow the instructions on the screen (usually you need to press the button). 5-10 once).
3. Save calibration and restart the device.

On some models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro) in the engineering menu is available Key Backlight option – here you can configure the backlight of touch buttons (brightness and timeout).

Repair of broken buttons: from cleaning to replacement

If the button stops working, don't rush to bring the phone to the service. In 60% of cases, the problem can be fixed yourself.

Step-by-step instructions for cleaning buttons:

1. Turn off your smartphone and remove it. SIM-map.
2. With a plastic shoulder blade, gently slap the button (start at the corner).
3. Remove the dust with a dry brush or compressed air.
4. Wipe the contacts with isopropyl alcohol (at least 90%).
5. Let me dry. 10-15 minutes and collect the button back.

💡

If the power button stopped working after the fall, do not try to disassemble the phone yourself - in 90% of cases, the problem lies in the disconnected motherboard plume.

To replace the button, you will need:

• 🔧 Set of screwdrivers (star) T3-T5).
• 🧲 Magnetic screw mat.
• 🔥 Hair dryer or adhesive heating station (for models with adhesive casing).
• 🛠️ New button (only order the original part for your model!).

YouTube has detailed video demos for popular Xiaomi models, such as the Redmi Note 9 Pro, which takes a lot of time to change the power button. ~20 minutes:

The Redmi Note 9 Pro power button replacement guide

⚠️ Note: When disassembling phones from IP-With certification (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro) you risk losing water and dust protection. After repair, it is recommended to check the leakproofness with a waterproof test (immerse the device in water for 30 seconds without any water. SIM-map).

5. Customization of the DU remote buttons (IR-blaster)

Many Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones are equipped with an infrared port (IR-It's a blaster that allows you to control your appliances, but what you don't know is that you can reassign your remote buttons and create custom scenarios.

First, check if there is any IR-port:

• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 11, Mi 10, Mi 9 – there.
• 📱 Redmi Note 11 Pro+, Note 10 Pro - there.
• 📱 POCO F4, POCO X5 Pro - no.

If the port is present, install the official Mi Remote app (available from the App Store for HyperOS).

1. Open Mi Remote and add a new device (like a TV).
2. Choose a brand of technology from the list (if you don’t have one, try Universal).
3. Test the buttons – if some don’t work, click Edit the remote.
4. In the editing menu you can: 🔄 Change the buttons (for example, make the button "Up" instead of "Up"). ➕ Add new commands (e.g. launch Netflix* on the TV). 🗑️ Remove unnecessary buttons (to avoid confusion).

For advanced users, you can create macros, which are sequences of commands, for example, a single button can:

6. Hidden button features on Xiaomi

The manufacturer hides some button features that can be activated through the developer’s settings or ADB-Here are the most useful ones:

1. Quick launch of Google Assistant

On models with HyperOS, you can configure the start of the voice assistant by holding the Power button:

1. Activate Developer Settings (click 7 times on Version) MIUI at the Settings → The phone).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find the Power button Hold option and select Google Assistant.

2. Double press to turn on the screen

On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) You can turn on the screen by double pressing the volume button:

adb shell settings put global double_tap_power_gesture 1

3. Touch gestures on volume buttons

With Button Mapper (mentioned earlier), you can assign swipes to the volume buttons:

• 👆 Swipe up - deploy the notification panel.
• 👇 Swipe down - open the Quick Settings Panel.
• ☝️ Double swipe - start the camera.

4. Lock button as satellite key

On HyperOS devices, the power button can be used to quickly switch between applications:

1. Activate Settings → System system → Gestures → Power button.
2. Enable the option of Double-click for the last application.

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after you set it right, the buttons can crash, and we'll look at the typical situations and the ways to fix them.

Problem 1: Volume button doesn’t regulate sound in apps

Decision:

• Check if the button is assigned to another action via Button Mapper.
• Disable Separate Media and Call Management in Settings → Sound.
• Update an app that doesn’t have adjustments (like YouTube or Spotify).

Problem 2: The power button turns on the screen, but does not block it

Decision:

• Check if the option is activated Double tap to wake up in Settings → Lock screen.
• Calibrate the button through the engineering menu (section 3 of the article).
• If the problem remains, replace the button (the micro-switch may wear).

Problem 3: Touch navigation buttons are missing after the update

Decision:

• Go to Settings. → Display. → Navigation buttons and select Three buttons.
• If the option is inactive, reset settings through Settings. → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting interface settings.
• HyperOS may require a rollback to a previous firmware version (if the bug is confirmed on forums).

Problem 4: The remote control buttons stopped working

Decision:

• Check if it's closed. IR-harbour.
• Update the Mi Remote app to the latest version.
• Reboot your smartphone – sometimes IR-The module "hangs" after long-term use.
• If nothing works, test the port with the command: adb shell dumpsys sensorservice | grep -i "If the answer does not contain a line with IR Blaster, the module is faulty.

💡

After the update MIUI missing button functions, try to clear the cache of system applications: go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Show system-based → Find the System Interface and clear the cache.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions