How to restart Android without a power button on Xiaomi

The situation when the physical power button ceases to respond to pressing is one of the most unpleasant for the owner of the Xiaomi smartphone. The user is in a vicious circle: the screen is out to save energy, and it is impossible to wake the device in the usual way. You should not panic at this point, since the Android operating system provides several software methods for managing power that allow you to bypass the malfunction of the mechanical node. Even if the button module fails completely, you can still turn off or restart the gadget using the hidden capabilities of the interface.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to restart the system, from standard settings to advanced engineering tools. It is important to understand that the method of action may vary slightly depending on the version of the MIUI or HyperOS shell installed on your device. We will look at options for models with a working touchscreen and situations where the screen also does not respond to touch. Proper use of software tools often allows you to extend the life of a smartphone before visiting the service center.

Before you start taking any drastic measures, you should try to activate the Double-Tap to Wake Up feature, which is built into most modern Xiaomi shells and allows you to turn on the screen with a simple tap on the display. If this method does not work, then move on to the software solutions described below. Critically, if the battery is completely discharged, no software method will work without pre-charging.

Reboot through the system settings menu

The most obvious and safe way to reboot a device that doesn’t have a power button is through the operating system interface itself. If your screen is functioning properly and responsive to touch, you just need to find the appropriate item on the menu. The action algorithm is universal for most MIUI-based Android versions. You need to unlock the phone (if it’s already on) and go to the main app menu.

Next, look for the Settings icon, which usually looks like a gear. Inside the menu, scroll down to the bottom of the list where the system settings are located. There you will find the "About Phone" or "Advanced Settings", depending on the firmware version. In some Xiaomi builds, the off button is placed in a separate menu called by swipe down the notification curtain.

If the standard path doesn't work, try searching by settings. At the top of the settings screen, there's a search bar where you can type in the word "off" or "reset." The system will suggest the functionality you want, and then you click on the screen and you'll see a dialog box that tells you what to do: turn off, reset, or go into flight mode.

It is worth noting that on some custom launchers or when using certain themes, the path to the button may be hidden, in which case it is recommended to temporarily return the standard Classic theme. Also make sure you have access to the menu, as in some modes, Do Not Disturb or Save Energy, the interface can work with restrictions.

Use of special assistant applications

If you can't use the built-in tools, third-party apps come to the rescue from the Google Play store. There are many utilities designed specifically to emulate power management buttons. These programs create a virtual button on the screen that acts as a physical keyboard. One of the most popular and proven solutions is the Assistive Touch app or its counterparts.

Once you install an app, you'll need to give it the permissions you need, which are usually access over other windows and permission to change system settings, and without these permissions, it won't be able to control the power of the device, and then you'll have a floating icon on the screen that opens the menu with the "Block Screen," "Reboot" and "Switch off" buttons.

⚠️ Note: Install these utilities only from official sources. Deep-access applications may contain malicious code, so check developer ratings and reviews before installing them.

Another effective tool is the gesture control function in the special features settings. You can set up double tapping on the back (if the phone supports this feature) or on the screen to perform the "Block Screen" action. This allows you to simulate a short press of the power button. To implement this method, go to Settings → Additional settings → Special features → Gesture control.

Some users prefer to use alarm apps with phone turn on. Although they can't turn on a phone that's turned off, they can help wake the device up if it's in sleep mode but doesn't respond to the touchscreen. However, for a full reboot, it's better to use specialized utilities like Power Button to Volume Button, which lets you reassign the volume button functions.

Rebooting by means of ADB-team

For advanced users who have access to a computer, the most powerful tool is ADB (Android Debug Bridge) debugging, which allows you to send commands directly to the operating system without going through the GUI, and to take advantage of this, your phone must have Developer Mode on in advance and USB Debugging activated.

If these items were turned on before the button broke, you need to connect the smartphone to the PC through USB-The computer must have Xiaomi drivers and Platform Tools installed. After connecting, open the command line or terminal in the folder with ADB and enter a command to check communication with the device.

adb devices

If a device with a serial number appears on the list, the connection is established. To perform a reboot, type the following command:

adb reboot

This command initiates a soft reboot, and if you want to turn off the phone, you use adb reboot-p or adb shell reboot-p. This is especially valuable because it works even when the touchscreen is partially faulty, but the communication module is intact, and it's one of the most reliable ways to reanimate the device without a physical button.

It's important to understand that if you don't have debugging in advance, you can't use this method, so it's recommended that experienced users activate debugging proactively, right after you buy a new smartphone, and that can save the day when other ways are not available.

Use of Recovery Mode

Recovery mode is a special diagnostic interface built into every Xiaomi smartphone, which allows you to reset settings, install updates and, importantly for our theme, reboot the system. This mode is usually entered by a combination of buttons, but if the power button does not work, the task becomes more complicated. However, there is a method of logging in through ADB or special applications.

If you have the option to connect your phone to a computer with ADB installed, you can send a command to enter Recovery mode:

adb reboot recovery

Once you do that, the phone will reboot to the Recovery menu, where you can control the volume buttons (up/down) and the power button confirms the choice of item. But what if the power button doesn't work? In some versions of Recovery on Xiaomi, you can confirm the choice with a long press of the volume button, although this does not work on all models.

⚠️ Warning: Recovery does not allow you to use your phone in normal mode. Do not select "Wipe Data" if you do not want to lose all files».

There is also a software method of logging into Recovery via the app. TWRP Or similar, if you have superuser rights (Root), in which case the application has a button "Reboot» -> «Once you hit the Recovery menu, if the power button is dead, the phone can freeze during the action selection stage, in which case you just have to wait for the battery to discharge or try to connect. USB-keyboard OTG-Adapter if the phone supports Host mode, and try pressing Enter on the keyboard.

Table of compatibility of methods and state of the device

To make it easier for you to navigate your choice of method, we have compiled a summary table that will help you determine which method will be most effective depending on the current state of your Xiaomi smartphone.

And you can see from the table that having a touchscreen that works greatly enhances the user's experience, and if the screen is black, but the phone is vibrating or making sounds, it indicates a problem with the display, not the button. OTG-cable can be the only salvation that allows you to feel the cursor button off on the screen.

Alternative solutions and expert advice

When software is exhausted, there are physical tricks to be done: sometimes the power button doesn't work because of contact contamination or moisture. Try to press the button carefully, without undue effort, several times while wiping it with an alcohol wipe, which can help to remove oxidation or sticking of the mechanism.

Another option is magnetic cases. Some older phone models reacted to a magnet in a bookcase by turning the screen on or off. Although this feature is less common on modern Xiaomi, it's worth checking the magnetic sensor.

If you plan to (long-term use) a phone with a faulty button, it is recommended to install an app to automatically lock the screen on the timer.This will prevent accidental taps in your pocket and save battery power.