Xiaomi Redmi 4X is one of the most popular budget devices released by the Chinese giant, and its popularity is largely due to its metal body and autonomy.However, despite the thoughtful ergonomics, many users face difficulties in initially setting up the interface, especially when it comes to navigation. The question of how to turn on or adjust the button highlighting on the Redmi 4X often arises due to the features of the MIUI shell, which hides some of the default settings.
Unlike more expensive flagships, capacitive navigation is used, where buttons do not have a physical mechanical basis, but are part of the screen or touch zone below. The backlight of buttons plays a critical role not only in aesthetic terms, creating a pleasant glow in the dark, but also in functional terms, allowing the user to clearly see the boundaries of the navigation zone. Without the right setting, using the phone in low light becomes a real torture for the eyes.
In this article, we will discuss all the available methods of activating and customizing backlights, as well as the technical aspects of the operation of the touch layer of your device. You will learn why sometimes the indicators can go out on their own and what hidden system settings can affect their behavior. On Redmi 4X models, backlight control is often tied to a system timer of screen activity, rather than a separate switch.
Features of the navigation system Redmi 4X
Understanding how navigation works in the Redmi 4X is the first step to a successful setup. This model uses a classic Xiaomi scheme with three main controls: the Menu button (three stripes), the Home button (house) and the Back button (arrow), these elements are virtual or capacitive, which means there are no moving mechanical parts under the glass, which is why their glow depends solely on the software settings and the state of the display.
It's worth noting that the MIUI onboard the device has its own power-saving algorithms. The system seeks to minimize energy consumption, so the navigation lighting may behave differently than on Android's stock, for example, it may not burn all the time, but only light up when touched or notified, which is not a defect, but rather a feature of battery optimization.
Users often confuse the lack of response to touch with the backlight turned off, and it's important to distinguish between these concepts: if the screen responds to pressing but doesn't light up, then the problem is with the visualization settings. If there is no reaction at all, it may be necessary to calibrate the sensor or to intervene more deeply in the system. 4X well-equipped IPS-display, but the touchscreen layer here is sensitive to the quality of protective films that can block the glow of the buttons.
Basic configuration through the system menu
For most users, it is enough to use standard operating system tools to activate the desired button mode. The configuration process does not require root rights or a connection to the computer. All the necessary parameters are hidden in the additional settings section, which by default may not be visible when you look at the menu surface.
To get to the right place, you need to open the Settings app and scroll down to the Additionals section. This is where the key switches that control the behavior of the interface are hidden. In some firmware versions, this section may be called Advanced Settings, depending on the regional version of the software and the interface language.
Inside the menu, find the button item, which can be called "Buttons" or "Navigation." Here you'll see a switch that allows you to change the location of the buttons or turn on their backlight. If the slider is active but the buttons are still not burning, try changing the order. Sometimes a change of sequence (for example, swap left-right) causes the system to redraw the interface and activate the backlight.
- 📱 Open “Settings” and go to the “More” section».
- 🔘 Find the buttons and select the desired layout.
- 💡 Activate the light switch if it is available in your version MIUI.
- 🔄 Restart the device to apply changes.
Note that new versions of the MIUI Global shell may have some items moved or renamed. If you do not find the options described above, it is possible that your firmware version is trimmed by the manufacturer for a specific region, in which case it is recommended to check for system updates or consider installing a global firmware version through the recavers.
Using an engineering menu to fine-tune
If standard methods fail, more advanced tools can be used. Xiaomi’s engineering menu provides access to hidden hardware settings, including control of display backlight and buttons. This method requires caution, as changing the wrong parameters can lead to unstable device operation.
To enter the engineering menu, open the Phone app and type in a special code. Depending on the model and version of Android, the code may vary, but for Redmi 4X, a combination of ##6484## or ##3646633## often works. Once you enter the code, the hardware testing interface (CIT) will open, where various component tests are presented.
You have to find a test that's connected to buttons or backlights, usually called KeyTest or Backlight, and inside the test you can see the buttons' reaction to the presses and, in some cases, force them to light up to check that they're working, and if the buttons are on the test and the system isn't, it's a software problem, and if the test doesn't have a glow, it might be that the plume or the display module is not working.
⚠️ Warning: Be extremely careful when changing the settings in the engineering menu.Do not change the values that are not sure, as this may lead to the inability to boot the system or damage the display.
Sometimes the sensor calibration option is available in the engineering menu, which can also help if the buttons are not working properly. It takes a few minutes to perform a full calibration and requires the exact instructions on the screen to be followed. Once the procedure is complete, the device will automatically restart and the settings will be applied.
☑️ Check before entering the engineering menu
Third-party applications for navigation management
When the built-in features of the system are exhausted, third-party developers come to the rescue. There are many applications in the Google Play store that allow you to completely replace the standard navigation bar. These programs give flexibility in setting the appearance, including color, brightness and mode of operation of the buttons backlight.
One of the most popular solutions is the Navigation Bar app or analogues like Simple Control. Once you install it, you will need to give it special permissions through ADB or superuser rights (if the device is rooted), which allows the application to intercept the system commands for displaying buttons.
The advantage of using third-party software is that you can create your own profiles, so you can set the buttons to only glow at night or change color depending on the application you’re running, which adds personality to your Redmi 4X and makes using your smartphone more comfortable.
- 📲 Download the navigation customization app from a verified source.
- 🔐 Provide the necessary permissions through special features settings.
- 🎨 Customize the color and brightness of the lighting according to your preferences.
- ⚙️ Save a profile and check the work in various applications.
However, it’s worth remembering that using third-party navigation bars can consume extra battery power. MIUI optimization algorithms can aggressively unload such applications from memory, so you’ll need to add them to the autostart exception list and energy savings.
Comparison of lighting modes
Different firmware versions and third-party solutions offer multiple modes of operation of navigation indicators, understanding the difference between them will help you choose the best option for your use case. Below is a table comparing the main types of backlight behavior.
| Mode of work | Description of behaviour | Impact on the battery | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent. | The buttons are on all the time while the screen is active. | High. | For users who often work in the dark |
| On the occasion. | Only light up when touched or notified | Low. | The best choice for energy saving |
| Automatic. | Depends on the lighting (light sensor) | Average. | For those who appreciate comfort without unnecessary settings |
| Unplugged. | The lighting never works. | Minimum | Only at critical charge levels |
The choice of "Constant" mode may seem convenient, but in practice it creates additional light noise in complete darkness, which can interfere with concentration. "At the event" mode is the most technologically advanced, since it activates backlighting at the moment of need, however, some older versions of drivers may have a slight delay when turned on.
Automatic mode relies heavily on the light sensor accuracy. If your light sensor is contaminated or covered with a tight case, the system may not correctly determine whether to turn on the backlight.
Why is the light flashing?
Diagnostics of malfunctions and hardware problems
If neither software settings nor third-party apps have helped to return the glow of the buttons, there is a high probability of hardware failure. Redmi 4X is a reliable device, but over time there can be problems with the contacts of the display plume or the touchscreen itself, especially after falls or moisture.
The first sign of a hardware problem is partial performance: for example, buttons respond to presses (vibration is, action is performed), but do not visually light up. This suggests that the signal circuit is intact, but the power supply of the LEDs backlight is broken.
In some cases, it helps to carefully press the bottom of the screen (in the area of the home button), or to easily compress the body in this place. If the backlight blinks or turns on, then the contact of the plume has gone away. However, this is a temporary solution, and to completely eliminate the problem will require disassembling the device and reconnecting the plume.
⚠️ Attention: Self-disassembly of the smartphone voids warranty (cancelles the warranty) and requires special tools (dryer, sucker, mediators). If you are not confident in their abilities, contact the service center.
Another rare but possible cause is the failure of the touchscreen layer itself. The Redmi 4X uses in-cell or similar technology, where the sensor is integrated into the matrix. Damage to this layer can cause the button zone to stop receiving touches and glowing, in which case only replacing the display module will help.
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Before going to the service center, take a screenshot of the screen with the buttons working (if they sometimes turn on) or take a video. This will help the wizard quickly understand whether the problem is in the software or in the hardware.
Optimization and Impact on Autonomy
Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 4X often choose this smartphone for its outstanding autonomy. The battery capacity of 4100 mAh in conjunction with the energy-efficient Snapdragon processor allows the device to work up to two days.
Constantly burning buttons, even if they are LED, consume energy. On a day scale, this may seem small, but in terms of monthly use, the difference can be several percent of the total battery life. For users who are away from retail for days, every percentage counts.
It is recommended to use adaptive lighting or event mode to minimize flow. It is also worth turning off the backlight completely if you are in a well-lit room or outdoors in bright sun where it is still not visible. This simple action will prolong the life of your device between charges.
- 🔋 Use dark themes to reduce contrast and the need for bright lighting.
- 🌙 Set up automatic turn on “Do Not Disturb” mode at night, which often extinguishes the buttons.
- 📉 Keep track of battery consumption statistics in settings to identify anomalies.
Remember that battery ageing is a natural process. If your Redmi 4X has been in service for several years, the reduction in battery life may not be due to button settings, but to the deterioration of battery chemistry, in which case no software optimization will yield the same result without replacing the battery.
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Optimal button lighting on the Redmi 4X is a balance between visual comfort and energy saving. Event-by-event or Automotive mode is the middle ground for most users.