How to completely disable the volume buttons on Xiaomi: official and hidden methods

Why Users Want to Turn Off Volume Buttons on Xiaomi – and When It’s Really Needed

Physical volume buttons on Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi lines) seem to be an integral part of the device - until they start to interfere. In practice, there are at least 5 situations when blocking these buttons becomes not a whim, but a necessity:

First, children or pets accidentally change the volume while playing or watching videos, knocking down settings. Second, buttons can stick due to moisture or mechanical damage, which leads to spontaneous changes in sound. Third, some users use the smartphone for professional purposes (for example, streaming or recording podcasts), where a stable volume level is critical. Finally, buttons are often pressed in the pocket or bag, which drains the battery due to the constant on of the screen.

It’s important to understand that turning off volume buttons completely is not a standard MIUI feature, so either hidden system settings or third-party tools will be required. In this article, we’ll look at all working methods, including official (via Settings), semi-official (via ADB) and alternative (apps from Google Play), each method tested on current versions of MIUI 14/15 firmware and adapted for 2020-2026 models.

Method 1: Turning off volume buttons via “Children’s Mode” (official method)

The easiest and safest way to block volume buttons is to use the built-in Kids Mode, a method that doesn’t require super-user rights and works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and later, but it has a limitation: the buttons will only be blocked within this mode.

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Special facilities → Regime for children.
• 🔒 Set up your password (required! otherwise, the child will be able to leave the mode).
• ⚙️ In the mode settings, activate the option “Block physical buttons».
• 🎵 Make sure that the list of blocked buttons is marked Volume + and Loudness −.

Once activated, the volume buttons will stop responding to the presses. To return them to work, you just need to exit the Kids Mode (you need to enter a password), which is ideal for temporary locking, but not suitable if you need to completely and permanently disable the buttons at the system level.

⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI (for example POCO X3 Pro) There may be no button lock option in Kids Mode, in which case move on to the next method.

Method 2: Using ADB to disable buttons (for power users)

If you want to completely deactivate the volume buttons at the system level, you'll have to use the ADB tool (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer, but doesn't need root rights. It works on all Xiaomi devices with Android 10 and later.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools (includes adb.exe).
2. On your smartphone, activate USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb shell settings put global volume_rockers_wake 0 adb shell settings put global volume_music_controls 0
4. Reset the device.

These commands turn off the volume buttons' response to the screen waking up and controlling the music. Add another command to lock it completely:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.android.systemui/.volume.VolumeDialogActivity

Download Platform Tools|Enable debugging on USB|Connect the phone to the PC|Start the command line on behalf of the administrator-->

⚠️ Warning: After the last command is executed, the volume buttons will stop opening the sound control panel, but may continue to change the volume level in some applications (for example, in YouTube.

Method 3: Applications for button locking (without root)

If ADB seems too complicated, you can use third-party applications.

• 🔐 Button Mapper – allows you to reassign the actions of the buttons, including their complete disabling.
• 🛡️ MacroDroid creates macros that intercept the pressing of volume buttons.
• 🔧 Tasker is an advanced automation tool that can block buttons through plugins (e.g. Secure Settings).

Example of settings in Button Mapper:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Provide access to Special Opportunities in Android settings.
3. Select Volume Up and Volume Down, then assign the action “No action”.
4. Save the settings and restart the phone.

The advantage of this method is reversibility: you can return the original functions to the buttons at any time. However, some applications (for example, MacroDroid) can conflict with energy-saving MIUI modes, so after setting up, add them to the exception list in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization.

Button Mapper|MacroDroid|Tasker|Another |I don't know-->

Method 4: Disabling buttons via TWRP and editing system files (for advanced ones)

If you have a custom TWRP recap and you have a backup, you can turn off the volume buttons by editing the keylayout file, which requires root rights and is only suitable for advanced users.

Instructions:

1. Download any file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
2. Go to /system/usr/keylayout and find the Generic.kl file (or qwerty.kl, depending on the model).
3. Open the file in the text editor and find the lines: key 115 VOLUME_UP key 114 VOLUME_DOWN
4. Comment on them by adding a # at the beginning of each line: #key 115 VOLUME_UP #key 114 VOLUME_DOWN
5. Save the file, return the original rights (644) and reboot the phone.

This method is guaranteed to disable buttons at the kernel level, but has risks: if you edit the file incorrectly, the device may stop booting. TWRP.

Method 5: Mechanical button locking (extreme case)

If the software methods don't work (for example, on devices with very outdated firmware), there is a physical lock, which does not require technical skills, but makes the shutdown irreversible without disassembling the phone.

Mechanical locking options:

• 🔧 Insulation tape sticker on the buttons under the lid, suitable for models with a removable back panel (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro).
• 🛠️ Removing buttons (requires disassembly of the phone and soldering iron) After that, you can control the volume only through software tools.
• 🧲 Some cases (like the Spigen Tough Armor) have thickened edges that physically block access to the buttons.

Warning: mechanical interventions are insecure and can damage the button plumes. If you're not sure about your skills, you'd better focus on software techniques.

💡

Before disassembling the phone, take a picture of the location of all the plumes and screws, which will help to avoid errors in the reverse assembly.

Comparison of methods: which way to choose?

To make the choice easier, we have compiled a table with the pros and cons of each method:

For most users, the best solution is to combine Kids Mode and Button Mapper: the first is for temporary locking, the second is for permanent blocking, and if you want to completely remove the functionality of the buttons at the firmware level, you can not do without ADB or root.

💡

On devices with MIUI 15 and newer some ADB-Teams may not work due to tighter security policies, in which case use applications or mechanical locking.

FAQ: Frequent questions about turning off volume buttons on Xiaomi