Many Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone users, when they first encounter the brand’s devices, often wonder about the purpose of specific controls. Specifically, “Why the button” is one of the most frequent queries, which concerns both the physical power key and the functional side button in newer models. The intuitive interface of the MIUI shell or HyperOS hides the many possibilities available through simply pressing or holding these elements.
Modern smartphones have evolved from simple calls to powerful multimedia centers, and managing them requires a more flexible approach. The physical button is no longer just a screen switch. It is now a universal tool that can run applications, take screenshots, call a voice assistant or even pay for purchases. Understanding the logic of how these elements work allows you to significantly speed up interaction with a gadget.
In this article, we will discuss all aspects of the use of buttons on Xiaomi devices, learn how to reconfigure them to your needs, what hidden features are available with double pressing and why some models are equipped with additional keys.
The main purpose of the power button and the side key
Traditionally, the button on the right end of the case acts as a power button, its primary function is to turn the device on and off, as well as lock the screen to save battery power. However, in the Xiaomi ecosystem, this control is endowed with advanced functionality that often goes unnoticed by new users. A short press locks the screen, and prolonged retention (usually about 3-5 seconds) causes a switch-off or reboot menu.
In models that support NFC and Google Pay or Mi Pay, the same button can be used to quickly activate payment mode. This is implemented through a double-press function. When the screen is off, two quick clicks on the power button instantly call the card for contactless payment, which is extremely convenient in the store. This saves time and eliminates the need to unlock the phone and search for the bank application.
It's worth noting that on some budget models or devices with a drop-like cutout in the screen, the power button can combine the functions of a fingerprint scanner. In this case, biometric protection is activated by simply touching the same key that you'll be a smartphone, which is a good ergonomic solution to avoid taking up extra space on the back of the case.
- 🔘 A brief tap locks the screen or wakes the device.
- 🔄 Long-term retention opens the reboot and shutdown menu.
- 💳 Double tap (when configured) triggers a camera or payment app.
- 👆 Fingerprint scanner (in combined models).
Side button: evolution of management in MIUI and HyperOS
Starting with certain versions of the MIUI 12.5 shell and all current versions of HyperOS, the company has implemented the Side Button concept, a software add-on that turns a conventional double-press on the power key into a powerful access tool. By default, the system suggests using this gesture to call Google Assistant or smart home panel, but the user is free to change this behavior.
The main advantage of this feature is the speed of access to frequently used applications. You don't have to look for an icon on your desktop or menu. For example, you can set the system so that double-pressing opens a voice recorder, a calculator or a favorite game. This is especially true when the phone is in your pocket or bag, and you need to quickly start a specific scenario.
Hidden limitations of the side button
It is important to distinguish between the physical button and the software setting. If your device does not have a separate physical button for the Google Assistant (as it was on the old Pixel or some specific Xiaomi models), then the Side button is exactly a software emulation tied to the power key.
⚠️ Attention: Activating the dual-press function can cause random application launches if you carry your phone in a tight-fitting pocket without a case.It is recommended to adjust sensitivity or turn off the feature when the screen is off if the problem is relevant.
How to set up actions when pressing and holding
To make the button work exactly as you want it to, you need to go to the appropriate settings menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the overall logic remains the same. Go to Settings, then select the Additional Features (or Advanced Settings) section. That's where the Side Button is hidden.
In the menu that opens, you'll see a switch that activates the double-click function. Below is a list of actions. The system will offer standard options: call Google Assistant, start Mi Pay, open the smart home dashboard or launch a specific application from a list of installed ones. You can select any application from the list, which makes the button a universal launcher.
☑️ Side button setting
Special attention should be paid to setting long-term presses. In some use cases, for example, when shooting a photo or video, prolonged holding of the volume or power button can be reassigned. This often requires activation of special modes in the menu Advanced button settings. This allows, for example, to use volume buttons like a shutter in the camera, which is more convenient for horizontal shooting.
| Action. | Single tap | Double-push | Long pressing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen's off. | Screen activation | Launch of the annex (setting) | Shutdown menu/SOS |
| Screen on. | Screen locking | Launch of the annex (setting) | Google Assistant/Off. |
| In the cell. | Focus/Descent | Change of camera | Video recording |
| In the game. | Depends on the game. | Macros/Screenshot | Calling the Game Turbo menu |
The Secrets of Volume Buttons: Not Just Sound
The volume buttons on Xiaomi smartphones also have hidden potential that not everyone knows about. In addition to the obvious audio level change function, they can be used to control the media player, camera and even the system in critical situations. For example, when the screen is turned off, simultaneously pressing the power button and the volume down button takes a screenshot of the screen.
In camera mode, these buttons often act as a shutter button, which is especially useful when taking a selfie or when the phone is mounted on a tripod. In camera settings, you can specify in detail which action is performed by a short press and which is a long press, for example, a long press can start a serial shoot or video recording without requiring you to touch the screen.
There's also a Pocket Mode feature that uses the proximity sensor and buttons to prevent accidental taps. If the phone is in a dark enclosed space (pocket), push buttons are blocked. However, if you want to use volume buttons to switch tracks in the player when the phone is in your pocket, this feature sometimes has to be adjusted in special features settings.
- 📸 Screenshot: Nutrition + Loudness Down.
- 🔇 Silent mode: Nutrition + Loudness Up (on some versions).
- 🎥 Video recording in camera: Holding the volume button.
- 🔊 Photo Sound: Adjusted in camera settings separately.
💡
Use the volume button as a shutter button in the "Bouty" or "Portrait" mode, so as not to soil the screen and not lubricate the frame with a touch.
SOS mode and emergency calls
One of the most important features tied to physical buttons is SOS Mode. On Xiaomi devices, it is activated by five continuous pressing of the power button, a feature designed for emergencies when you need to quickly send a geolocated message to trusted contacts or call emergency services.
When this mode is activated, the phone can emit a loud beep (which can be turned off in the settings to avoid attracting the attention of the aggressor), take photos to the front camera and send coordinates. This is a critical security feature that must be configured in advance. In the SOS settings menu, you can choose whether the phone will call on speakerphone or only send SMS.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure that the emergency call contacts have real numbers of people who can respond quickly. Check the function in a safe environment to understand the phone's algorithm of actions.
To set up, go to Settings → Passwords & Security → SOS. You can activate the function, set the delay before sending (to have time to cancel the call in case of an error), and select a list of recipients. Also, the Emergency Alarm feature is often available in this menu, which will activate even if the phone is turned off (on some models with this technology).
Specialized buttons: Gaming and Macro
The Black Shark series of gaming smartphones (the Xiaomi ecosystem) and some Xiaomi flagships have additional physical switches, such as the Gaming Mode slider, which instantly puts the phone into maximum performance mode, turns off notifications and changes the audio profile, a hardware solution that does not require software activation through the menu.
There are also what's called macros, or extra Ultrasound buttons, which are sideways, and they respond to pressure or ultrasonic signals, and you can assign them to anything you want, like opening a map in your navigator, activating a voice recorder, or performing complex combinations in games, which is a professional level of customization.
💡
Additional game buttons allow you to perform actions faster than through the touch screen, giving an advantage in competitive games and speeding up access to functions.
These buttons are usually set up through a separate application pre-installed on the system, such as Game Turbo or a specific application for the phone model. You can assign different actions on the menu for short and long presses, as well as for simultaneous pressing of a pair of buttons, which creates almost limitless possibilities for automation of processes.
Diagnostics and repair of buttons
If your Xiaomi button is dead, stuck, or running over and over, don't bring the device to the service right away. First, run a software diagnostic. The CIT engineering menu (accessible by ##6484##) has tests for all the buttons. Once you pass the test, you'll see if the pressing system is seeing at the hardware level.
Often the problem is a faulty mechanism or a misalignment of the plume, and if the button is "failed" or has a backlash, it can indicate mechanical damage, in which case self-repair can be risky, especially if the phone is warranty, but if the warranty is over, replacing the button plume is one of the easiest and cheapest procedures in smartphone repair.
Sometimes software resets or firmware updates help if the problem is caused by a software driver conflict. But if the button doesn't physically click or has a modified tactile return, it's likely that a replacement component will be needed. Using protective cases with raised edges helps prevent buttons from sticking due to sand and dust.