When the power button on a Xiaomi smartphone stops responding or crashes, it can take the owner by surprise, often after a device falls, moisture is injected, or simply because of the natural wear of the mechanical switch, at which point the user panics, because the standard action algorithm involves holding the Power key for a long time to call the menu or forced restart.
But the Android operating system that is the basis of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS has a number of software-based ways to control the device: you don't have to bring your phone to the service center right away if you just want to restart the system. There are a number of methods to bypass physical failure and perform the necessary software reset.
In this article, we will take a look at all the options available, from built-in accessibility features to the use of debugging tools for advanced users, and we will look at the nuances of working with a touchscreen when it is partially functional, and methods that will help if the screen does not respond to touch at all.
Use the built-in Assistive Touch menu
The easiest and most affordable way to do this, without having to connect to a computer or have root rights, is to activate a virtual button. In Xiaomi shells, this feature is called “Assistive Touch” or “Floating Button,” which duplicates the basic functions of physical keys, including the screen lock and the reboot menu.
To activate this feature, you need to go to the device settings. The path may vary slightly depending on the Android version, but it usually looks like this: Settings → Advanced Settings → Special Features → Assistive Touch. In some versions of MIUI, this item may be in the Quick Access section.
Once the function is turned on, a translucent button will appear on the screen. If you click on it, a shortcut menu will open, among them a lock button. The key point is that when you click on the virtual lock button, the system often offers a standard off and reboot menu, just like when you use a physical Power button.
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If the lock button in Assistive Touch simply turns off the screen without a menu appearing, try pressing the virtual button for a long time (about 3-5 seconds) and in newer versions of HyperOS, this action often triggers an emergency call or reboot menu.
Importantly, this method only works if the touchscreen is fully functional, and if the display is broken or does not respond to touch, this method, alas, will not help, and you will have to move to more complex methods of control.
Reboot through system settings
The second method that is often overlooked is the regular reboot feature, hidden deep in the system settings. Xiaomi engineers have provided the ability to control power through a software interface, which allows you to do without mechanical keys.
To use this method, open the standard Settings app. Scroll down to the very bottom of the About Phone section (or Advanced Settings in older versions), and you'll find Reboot or Shut down, and clicking on it will trigger a confirmation system dialog box.
☑️ Algorithm of actions through settings
This is the most secure way for the file system, as it initiates a regular process of closing applications and services. Unlike hard reset, there is no risk of data corruption or software errors after turning on.
Keep in mind that if your phone is completely frozen and does not respond to touch, you will not be able to enter the settings menu, this method is effective only when the interface is working, but the physical power button has failed, and in some custom MIUI builds, this item can be hidden or moved.
Using ADB for Forced Restart
For users who are not afraid of technical terms and have access to a computer (PC or Mac), the most powerful tool is Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This is a console utility that allows you to control the device at a low level. It is indispensable when the sensor is not working, but the system is loaded.
To get started, you need to enable USB debugging. If you haven't previously activated the developer mode, it's difficult to do it without the power button, but it's possible through the About Phone menu (multiple clicks on the build number). If the developer mode is already on, go to Settings → Advanced Settings → For Developers and activate the USB debugging switch.
Next, connect the smartphone to the computer through USB-The computer must have Xiaomi drivers and platform installed. SDK Platform-Tools. Open the command line (CMD) or terminal in a folder with ADB and enter a command to check the connection:
adb devicesThe phone should display a debugging permission notice from that computer. Once confirmed, type in the command to reboot:
adb rebootWhat to do if your computer can’t see your phone?
Adb reboot signals the kernel to restart, which is like holding the power button for a long time, but it's software-based. If the system is completely frozen and the ADB is not responding, you can try the adb reboot-bootloader command, which will put the device into Fastboot mode, where you can select the Reboot option.
This method requires some preparation, and if you haven't enabled USB debugging beforehand, you won't be able to use it, so it's a good idea for experienced users to keep this feature on all the time if they're afraid of button problems.
Function "Planned on and off"
The unique feature of MIUI and HyperOS is that you can automate power, you can set the phone to turn off and on at a given time, and that's ideal if the power button is broken right now and you need to restart the phone urgently.
Find Battery and Performance or Advanced Settings in the settings. Inside, look for Scheduled Tasks (or Scheduler). You can set the time to turn your device on and off. For example, set the current time off + 2 minutes and the time on + 5 minutes.
Once the timer is activated, the phone will turn off on its own and then turn on at a given interval, which is equivalent to a full reboot. The method is completely safe and does not require a PC connection or a working sensor at the time of the process (you need to configure while the screen reacts).
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Automatic scheduling is the only way to restart your phone if the sensor stops working, but the system is still functioning and you have managed to set the timer until the touchscreen fails completely.
It's important to remember the battery charge. If you're planning to shut down, make sure that you have enough charge to go off and on, otherwise the phone might just run out when it's off.
Special features and gesture management
Android has a wide range of capabilities for people with disabilities that can be adapted to our task, in particular, we are talking about the function of Voice Access or Switch Access.
If you activate Voice Control (available via Google or Xiaomi system settings), you can give commands to the phone by voice. The phrase "Open Settings" or "Push Home" can help navigation if the touchscreen is partially damaged. However, for a direct command "Reset" system voice assistant may require confirmation by touch.
A more advanced option is to use macros. If you have an automation application installed (e.g. MacroDroid or Tasker, if you have root rights), you can create a script that, by clap your hands or shake your phone, will execute a reboot command via ADB or system calls.
Also worth mentioning is Air Gesture, if it’s supported by your model. Although it’s more commonly used to answer calls or scroll pages, when combined with voice commands, it can help you get to the settings menu to perform a reboot.
Table of methods and their effectiveness
To make it easier to find a solution, we have organized all of these methods into a comparative table that will help you quickly determine which option is right for your situation, based on the current state of your smartphone.
| Method | We need a working sensor. | I need a PC. | Difficulty | Security of data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assistive Touch | Yes. | No. | Low. | Tall. |
| Settings menu | Yes. | No. | Low. | Tall. |
| ADB Teams | No (if you're in the mood) | Yes. | Tall. | Tall. |
| Planner | Yes (for setup) | No. | Medium | Tall. |
| Recovery Mode | No (works with buttons) | No. | Medium | Medium |
*Note: Entering Recovery Mode without a power button is extremely difficult and model-specific. On some Xiaomi models, you can log in by connecting to the charger when the phone is off, but this is not a guaranteed method for all devices.
What to do if nothing helps
If none of the software methods worked and the phone needs to reboot (for example, due to heavy heating or apps freezing), the final frontier is battery drain. While this sounds archaic, in cases with a faulty power button, it is often the only way out.
Leave the phone on until it runs out and turns off on its own. Then plug in the charger. Most Xiaomi smartphones, when connected to the network when off, either turn on immediately or show a charging indicator, after which they can be tried to turn on with a combination of volume buttons (if they work) or just waiting.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to disassemble your smartphone and close contacts on the board yourself unless you have experience in electronics repair, which can lead to short circuit and final device breakdown, as well as loss of warranty.
If the power button problem is permanent, the best solution is to replace the button plume or the entire charging plume (often integrated into it).
A temporary solution could be to use magnetic cases with a smart cover function that wake up and excite the screen, although they can rarely initiate a full reboot without system settings.