How to set up side buttons on Xiaomi mouse: from basic features to advanced scenarios

Xiaomi’s side buttons are not just extra keys, they’re productivity tools. Whether you’re a gamer, designer or office worker, setting these buttons right can save hours of time. However, many users face challenges: standard software isn’t always intuitive, and some models (such as Mi Wireless Mouse Lite) have limited functionality. In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to customize — from Xiaomi’s proprietary software to third-party utilities, and also reveal hidden features that aren’t written about in the official instructions.

Despite its apparent simplicity, side buttons support multi-disciplinary schemas, macros, and even gestures. For example, in Mi Gaming Mouse, you can tie them to keyboard combinations in games, and in office models, you can switch browser tabs or run applications. The main thing is to know where and how to set it up. If you have never used advanced features, after reading this article, your mouse will become a real Swiss knife for working with a PC.

But before you start, make sure your model supports button reassignment. Older versions (like the 2018 Mi Mouse 1) often lack software support, and newer versions (like Xiaomi Smart Mouse 2) can lock functionality at the Windows driver level.

What Xiaomi models support setting up side buttons

Not all Xiaomi mice allow side key reassignment, but here are the key customization models:

• 🎮 Mi Gaming Mouse – full support through proprietary software, including macros and profiles for games.
• 🖱️ Mi Wireless Mouse 2 - Basic setup via Mi Mouse Driver (Basic Features Only).
• 💼 Xiaomi Smart Mouse 2 — Extended options in Xiaomi Bluetooth Suite, but only for Windows 10/11.
• ⚡ Mi Dual Mode Wireless Mouse – Limited setting (only "Go" / "Back" by default).

The models without support (or with minimal support): Mi Mouse Lite, Mi Portable Mouse (2019-2020), Mi Silent Mouse. They will require third-party utilities like X-Mouse Button Control or AutoHotkey.

Important: Mice with PixArt chips PAW3205 (For example, Mi Gaming Mouse Lite does not support reassigning side buttons at the driver level – only through third-party software.

⚠️ Note: If your mouse is not defined in the proprietary software, check the firmware version. For Mi Gaming Mouse, the current version of the driver is available — v1.2.4+ (Older ones may not support side buttons).

Installation of official software for setting

For most Xiaomi models, you need proprietary software. You can download it from the official website or through Mi. PC Let’s look at the Mi Gaming Mouse:

1. Download Mi Gaming Center (version for the game) Windows/macOS).
2. Connect the mouse via cable (even if it is wireless – a wired connection is required for the first setup).
3. Run the program and wait for the automatic device definition.
4. Go to Button Settings (button settings) section.

For Mi Wireless Mouse 2, use the Mi Mouse Driver:

1. Install the driver from the archive (unpack to the root of the C:). disk)


2. Reboot the PC.




3. Open the Control Panel → Devices and printers.




4. Right-click on the mouse and select Xiaomi Settings.

Installation problems? If the software can't see the mouse:

• 🔌 Check the connection by USB (Try another port).
• 🖥️ Update the drivers of the motherboard chipset.
• 🛡️ Temporarily disable the antivirus (it can block the installation of drivers).

Reassignment of side buttons in the company software

Once the drivers are installed, you can start setting up. Let's take a look at the Mi Gaming Center:

1. In the main window of the program, select a profile (default by default).
2. Click on the side button icon (usually marked as Side Button) 1/Side Button 2).
3. In the drop-down menu, select the action: 📂 Standard Key – key emulation (e.g. Ctrl)+C). 🎮 Game Macro – macro recording (sequence of pressing). 🔄 Switch Profile – Switching between profiles. 🖱️ Mouse Function – Mouse functions (double click, scroll).

Apply

For Xiaomi Smart Mouse 2 in Xiaomi Bluetooth Suite, additional options are available:

• 🌐 Browser binding (opening a new tab, closing the tab).
• 📁 Quick application launch (e.g. Win)+R for "Execute").
• 🔍 Gestures – combinations of clicks for specific tasks (for example, Side button) + scale-wheel).

Install official software|Connect the mouse to USB (even if it's wireless)|Check the driver version in Device Manager|Create a backup of your current settings (if any)-->

Gamers' advice: In the Mi Gaming Center, you can create separate profiles for different games. CS:GO Side buttons are conveniently tied to the purchase of weapons (Buy) AK47), In World of Tanks, the switching of projectiles.

⚠️ Note: If the side buttons do not work in games after setting up, add the game file to the antivirus exceptions. Some programs (for example, Avast) block key emulation as "suspicious activity".

Using third-party utilities for advanced configuration

If proprietary software is not suitable (for example, for Mi Dual Mode Wireless Mouse), use third-party software:

X-Mouse Button Control (XMBC)

Free utility with support for any mouse, including Xiaomi.

• 🔧 Reassign any buttons (including wheel and side keys).
• 📜 Create layers (different settings for different applications).
• 🖱️ Adjust scroll (for example, horizontal when pressing the side button).

Instructions for setting:

1. Download. XMBC official website.
2. In the main window, select your mouse from the Selected Mouse list.
3. Press Add and select the side button (usually Button 4 or Button 5).
4. Assign an action (e.g., Simulated Keystrokes for key emulation).

AutoHotkey (AHK)

For advanced users, an example of a side button binding script (XButton1) cl+Shift+T (restore a closed tab in the browser):

#IfWinActive ahk_exe chrome.exe


XButton1::Send ^+t




#IfWinActive

Advantages AHK:

• 🤖 Full automation (you can write scripts for any task).
• 🎛️ Support for conditional triggers (e.g. different actions in different programs).
• 📦 Lightweight (does not burden the system).

💡

If XMBC does not see the side buttons, try to update the mouse driver manually through Device Manager. select "Update driver" → "Perform a search on this computer" → "Select from the list" → "HID-mouse-mate".

Setting up side buttons for specific tasks

Side buttons can be adapted to specific scenarios, and let's look at the popular options:

For office work

• 📑 Switching tabs: Tie Ctrl+Tab and Ctrl+Shift+Tab to side buttons.
• 🔍 Search by page: Assign Ctrl+F on one of the buttons.
• 📋 Copy/paste: Side button + wheel-up = Ctrl+C, down. = Ctrl+V.

For designers and artists

• 🎨 Cancellation/re-action: Ctrl+Z and Ctrl+Y (in Photoshop, Illustrator).
• 🔍 Scaling: Side button + zoom-wheel.
• 🖌️ Tool Switching: Tapping to the hot brush keys (e.g. B for the brush in Photoshop).

For gamers.

• 🎮 Fast Teams: Dota 2 – Buying Items, and PUBG — switching.
• 💥 Macros: Recording sequences of actions (e.g. Q) → E → R for League of Legends combos).
• 🎧 Sound control: Linking to volume control in the game (F11/F12).

Unique Lifehack: In Mi Gaming Center, you can set up a "holding" action for the side button. For example, holding the Side Button 1 will emulate the Shift key that is pressed (useful for running in games without holding the key on the keyboard).

Solving common problems

If the side buttons don’t work or don’t work properly, check the following points:

Problem: Buttons do not respond to the setting

• 🔌 Check the connection: Wireless mice can "hang" - reconnect them.
• 🖥️ Driver conflict: Remove old versions of Xiaomi software through the Control Panel → Programme programmes.
• 🛠️ Resetting: In Mi Gaming Center, click Restore Defaults.

Problem: Buttons only work in some programs

• 🔍 Administrator rights: Launch Xiaomi software on behalf of the administrator.
• 🛡️ Antivirus: Add the program to exceptions (e.g. MiGamingCenter.exe).
• 🎮 Compatibility Mode: For older games (e.g, CS 1.6) Enable compatibility mode with Windows 7.

Problem: Side buttons are triggered accidentally

• ⚙️ Sensitivity: In Mi Gaming Center, reduce the Side Button Sensitivity setting.
• 🔧 Physical lock: Some models (such as Mi Gaming Mouse) allow you to turn off buttons mechanically.
• 🖱️ Firmware Update: For Xiaomi Smart Mouse 2, check the relevance of the firmware through Xiaomi Bluetooth Suite.

⚠️ Note: If after updating the drivers, the mouse stopped working completely, roll back to the previous version through Device Manager → Mouse properties → Driver. → Reverse: 20 percent of new drivers are bugged (especially for Windows 11).

Establishment of multidisciplinary schemes

One of the most useful features of Xiaomi’s proprietary software is the ability to create multiple profiles with different button settings, which is relevant for users who work in different programs or play different games.

How to set up:

1. At Mi Gaming Center, click Add Profile.
2. Name a profile (such as Photoshop or Photoshop) CS:GO).
3. Set up the side buttons for a specific task.
4. Enable the Auto-switch option (automatic switching when you start the program).

Example of multidisciplinary scheme:

How to automate profile switching? The Mi Gaming Center has Application Binding, which is a function that links a profile to a specific executable file (.exe). For example, when you start photoshop.exe, the Design profile will be activated.

💡

Multi-disciplinary schemes save time, but require pre-configuration, and it is recommended to create separate profiles for the 3-5 most common tasks (work, games, design).

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up Xiaomi side buttons