Most smartphones and tablets have 3 or 4 hardware buttons that are attached to certain functions: volume control, power control, assistant call. In this article, we have collected applications that can help you reassign the functions of hardware buttons to the actions you need or more useful functions.
Buttons remapper
Change the assignment of hardware buttons.
System requirements:
Android version required: 4.3+.
Installation space required: 16 Mb.
RAM usage: 77 Mb.
Permissions – permission to change button assignment in the “Special Features” section.
The Buttons remapper allows you to reassign buttons with a short or long press, as well as a combination of buttons. Adding a new action enables you to replace the standard one or expand it with an additional one. If you press and hold the button for a long time, you can set the selected action time in seconds – 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10. For short and long press settings you can set triggering: in all applications, only on the home screen, except the home screen, during a call or an arbitrary list set by the user.
There are no additional settings in the Buttons remapper, nor are there any ads. At the same time there is a paid unlock premium features. For 1.3 USD the user gets:
– Unlimited number of button assignments.
– Selection of applications with active reassignments.
– Choice of actions when pressing combinations of buttons: double-click and two buttons at once.
– Unlock “chain of commands”, “tap the screen area”, “turn off the microphone during a call” and “voice assistant”.
Main advantages:
– Reassigns a key or adds an extra action.
– Selects single-tap, double-tap, long-tap, and two-button combinations.
– Select applications to operate the reassigned keys.
– No ads.
Main drawbacks:
– Some of the features don’t work without premium features.
– No useful settings.
Impression:
The Buttons remapper app allows you to completely reassign button actions or add extra actions when you long or double click on buttons. For full use and freedom of action, you will need to purchase a premium version of the app.
Download Buttons remapper from Google Play
Remap buttons and gestures
Assign actions to hardware and screen buttons, as well as gestures.
System requirements:
Android version required: 5.0+.
Installation space required: 14 Mb.
RAM usage: 413 Mb.
Permissions – permission to change button assignment in the “Special Features” section.
Remap buttons and gestures allows you to reassign hardware buttons, a headphone button when a headset is connected, assign touch button actions on the screen, and gesture actions. For each type of button, you can customize the single-, double-tap, or long-hold action.
The app has dozens of assignable actions, in particular using the standard “back”, “return to home screen” and “running apps” buttons. Remap buttons and gestures will allow you to use the device if the lower part of the screen is not working, not displayed or you need to permanently display the navigation buttons. Other features include enabling or disabling certain functions related to settings, communication, sound, notifications, etc.
Of the additional parameters the user can adjust the sensitivity of gestures, the duration of the flashlight, automatically disable assigned buttons when you call or start the camera.
The app is free with aggressive ads popping up after a few actions in the app. The developers charge 3 USD to disable the ads.
Main advantages:
– Ability to reassign hardware buttons, assign screen buttons and gestures.
– A large number of assignable actions.
Main disadvantages:
– High RAM consumption.
– Aggressive advertising.
– Few useful settings.
Impression:
Remap buttons and gestures offers a wide configuration of assignable hardware and screen buttons and gestures. With its help you can configure the most optimal assignment and position of the buttons in a working or partially working device. The impression is spoiled by aggressive advertising and high RAM consumption.
Download Remap buttons and gestures from Google Play
Button Mapper: Remap your keys
Reassign hardware and headset buttons.
System requirements:
Android version required: 4.1+.
Installation space required: 39 Mb.
RAM usage: 315 Mb.
Permissions – permission to change button assignment in the “Special Features” section.
Button Mapper allows you to reassign the volume buttons on your mobile device and a connected headset. The application does not work when the screen is turned off except for rooted devices.
For each assigned button, you can set the single-action, double-action and keystroke action of the button. Optionally, the tactile feedback parameters can be set. The following actions are available among the assignable actions:
– Selecting buttons from the navigation bar.
– Assigning quick or system settings.
– Applying commands and intents from the Tasker application.
– Launch a shortcut or an application.
– Controls the music player.
Customizable features also include setting exceptions and click duration.
Some of the features require root rights, while others need to be unlocked. To remove restrictions, you need to make a certain donation, minimum 3.7 USD. The action is one-time and applies to all connected devices.
Main advantages:
– Reassignment of hardware volume buttons.
– Assigning actions to the headset buttons.
– Selection of intents from the Tasker application.
– No ads.
Main disadvantages:
– The purchase of the app is required to unlock certain features.
Impression:
Button Mapper is a functional application for reassigning hardware keys. The application will allow you to set the preferred actions for single or double pressing, as well as holding a button for a long time. At the same time the basic version of the application is limited in the number of assigned actions. To access all functions you need root rights.
Download Button Mapper: Remap your keys from Google Play
There are a variety of reasons for remapping your hardware buttons. You may want to extend the life of your buttons, for instance. Or, more commonly, you may have an extra button and you want it to do something else. There aren’t a ton of ways to accomplish the task. However, there are a few decent apps that can do it for you.
Source: https://www.androidauthority.com/best-hardware-remap-apps-android-978645
Conclusion
This article compiles the best apps for reassigning buttons on Android. The presented apps will help to extend the functionality of your device with additional actions assigned to hardware or screen buttons and prolong the life for devices with damaged buttons, screen or sensor.
Do you use apps to reassign buttons? Write the name of the app you use in the comments.
