Change mapping of Hardware buttons in an un-rooted device?

Question

How can I change the mapping of my un-rooted device's buttons like swapping the volume buttons? My device is a Sony Xperia E C1505

Answer 1

Not sure why would you want to swap those buttons but you can certainly do it using AutoInput (for Android 4.3 and above), Tasker, both are/have paid/7-day full trial, MacroDroid (free/paid) and Shortcut Launcher/ AutoShortcut (free/paid).

1. After installing Shortcut Launcher you would see four icons namely Shortcut 1, Shortcut 2, and so on in your app drawer.

   Tap Shortcut 1 → MacroDroid Shortcut → <Add New Macro> → Volume Up/Down → Volume Down → proceed → ignore Add Constraints → name it "Volume Down".

2. Similarly, assign a MacrDroid shortcut to Shortcut 2 but choose Volume Up and name it "Volume Up".

   Alternatively, AutoShortcut can be used in place of Shortcut Launcher. Use it in a Tasker's task to directly access a MacroDroid shortcut. It is available under Plugin.

3. In Tasker create an Event based profile from Plugin → AutoInput → Key → Configuration:

   • Keys: Volume Up
   • Key Action: Key Down

4. Create a task and add following actions:

   1. Plugin → AutoInput → Modes:

      • Configuration:

        • Key Suppress: Enable
        • Keys: Volume Up
      • Timeout: None
   2. App → Launch App → Shortcut 1
5. Create another Event based profile but for Volume Down (follow step 3)
6. Repeat step 4 but under sub-step 1 do Keys: Volume Down and assign the app Shortcut 2 in sub-step 2 there.

That's it. It's not completely flawless but the flaws can be ignored.

For any reasoning about related to AutoInput see my answer at Bind action to hardware key combination.