How to turn on and configure button highlighting on Xiaomi Redmi 4

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to fine-tune the interface to improve comfort in various lighting conditions. Redmi 4, despite its age, remains popular due to the reliability and functionality of the MIUI shell. One of the key elements of ergonomics is the illumination of capacitive navigation buttons located under the screen.

Properly configured this setting not only saves battery power, but also reduces visual noise at night. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithms for activating, adjusting timeouts and solving common problems with interface illumination.

It is worth noting that MIUI software provides flexible management tools that are often hidden from the surface, and understanding the logic of the system will allow you to adapt the device to your individual preferences without installing third-party software.

Basics of navigation management in MIUI

The MIUI interface is based on three main controls: Menu, Home and Back. On the Redmi 4, these elements are presented as capacitive sensors that require backlighting to identify in the dark. The system automatically adjusts the brightness of the glow depending on the light sensor, but the user can force the behavior of this mechanism to change.

Navigation buttons work on the principle of short-term activation when touching or activating the screen. Standard behavior of the system involves dimming the light after a certain period of time, so as not to distract the user from the content on the display.

It is important to distinguish between the software and hardware implementation of backlight. Redmi 4 uses a classic lighting system. LED-A backlight integrated into a screen matrix or located under glass, which means that a software failure can result in a complete lack of glow even with proper LEDs.

To access the basics, you need to go to Settings → Settings → Buttons. This is where the basic navigation controls are concentrated. The absence of any item may indicate the specifics of the firmware version or regional restrictions.

Step-by-step activation and tuning of the glow

The process of turning on the backlight does not require root rights or complex engineering menus. All the necessary switches are available in the standard interface. The first step should always be to check the current state of the system, since some energy-saving modes can force the excess illumination to turn off.

Go to the settings menu and find the button item, which can be called buttons or buttons and gestures in different versions of MIUI, and you'll find a slider or drop-down list that regulates the lights' burning time.

The optimal value for most users is considered to be an interval of 3-5 seconds. Shorter time can be uncomfortable with slow typing, and too long to use up battery power. Experiment with values to find a balance.

If the buttons don’t light up after setting the settings, try resetting the interface software, which won’t affect your personal data, but will return the system parameters to factory values, eliminating possible logical errors.

Adjusting timeout and intensity

One of the most useful features in MIUI is the ability to fine-tune the duration of the glow, an option that is especially relevant for those who use a smartphone in total darkness, where the bright light of the buttons can cut the eyes and interfere with the view.

The button settings menu often includes the option “Switch off button lights after....” Here you can choose a specific time or “Do not turn off” mode, which will keep the buttons burning as long as the smartphone screen is active.

The intensity of the light is usually tied to the overall brightness of the screen or is automatically controlled by the sensor, but there are hidden engineering codes that allow you to check the performance of each LED separately, to do this, enter the code ##6484## in the dialer, after which you select the LED test.

Keep in mind that the constant operation of the backlight at maximum brightness can lead to uneven burnout of the matrix layers in the area under the buttons, although on modern IPS-screens Redmi 4 this risk is minimal.

Relationship with the energy saving regime

MIUI is known for its aggressive battery-saving policy, and when activated, either "Energy Saving" or "Ultra-Energy Saving" mode, the system automatically turns off all visuals, including the backlighting of navigation buttons.

This is done to extend the battery life of the device in critical situations. If you notice that the buttons stopped burning after reaching a certain percentage of charge (usually 20% or 10%), check the battery settings.

To disable this feature, go to Settings → Battery and uncheck the power saving mode or add the necessary applications to the exceptions. It is also worth checking the settings in the section “Security” → “Battery”.

⚠️ Warning: Forced button lighting in active power saving mode may result in a faster discharge of the device than the system algorithm suggests.

There is also Sleep Mode, which turns off the backlight when the phone is down screen, a smart feature to prevent the screen and buttons from accidentally turning on in your bag or on the table.

Disabling sound effects and vibrations

Button highlighting is often accompanied by a sonic click or a slight vibration when pressed. For many users, this is useful tactile feedback, but in some situations (movie, theater, meetings) it may not be appropriate.

Controlling these parameters is in the same section as the light settings, so you can turn off the sound and vibration separately, leaving only the visual indication, or vice versa, and this allows you to create a completely silent usage profile.

• 🔇 Sound: Disabled by the “Touch Sound” slider in the “Sounds and Vibrations” section».
• 📳 Vibration: Adjusted by a separate switch "Vibration upon touch».
• 💡 Light: Managed independently in the button settings section.

Separately adjusting these settings gives you complete control over the behavior of the device, for example, you can leave a vibration to confirm input, but remove the lights so as not to attract attention in a dark room.

Transition to navigation by gesture

With the development of the Android operating system and the MIUI shell, the classic buttons are gradually giving way to gesture navigation. Redmi 4 with updated versions of the firmware also has this feature, which completely disables the need for highlighting the bottom buttons.

When you turn on Full Screen Mode or Gesture Navigation, the bottom bar of the screen becomes a functional swipe area, in which case the backlight issue disappears, as physical or capacitive tags cease to be the main way of controlling.

To activate, go to Settings → Additional Settings → Full-screen mode. The system will offer you to choose between classic buttons and gestures. The switch is instant and does not require rebooting.

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When using gestures, it is recommended to increase the sensitivity area of the screen edges in the settings to avoid skipping swipes.

However, even when using gestures, many users leave the buttons on as a backup control method or for quick access to the Home and Menu functions without unnecessary finger movements.

Diagnostics and troubleshooting

If the button highlighting on Xiaomi Redmi 4 doesn’t work even after all the settings, there may be a hardware malfunction or a deep software failure.The first step should always be to reboot the device, which eliminates temporary system process errors.

Check if you have custom theme installed. Some third-party themes may change the system files that render the interface, including backlighting. Go back to the standard Classic or Default theme for verification.

In rare cases, the problem lies in the oxidation of the contacts of the plume of the display, especially if the smartphone was exposed to moisture, then it may be necessary to disassemble and clean the contacts by a specialist.

⚠️ Warning: Self-disassembly of the Redmi 4 smartphone to check the plumes voids the warranty (if it is still valid) and requires special tools and skills.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Competent button lighting is a balance between usability in the dark and the energy efficiency of your Xiaomi Redmi 4.