How to turn on Xiaomi if the power button doesn’t work: the complete guide

When the beloved Xiaomi refuses to give signs of life because of a broken power button, it can take any owner by surprise. Often this happens at the most inopportune moment when the gadget has discharged to zero and the usual holding of the power key does not start the system. Physical wear of the microswitch is a common problem, especially on models that are already several years old or on devices that have been hit.

Fortunately, Android engineers and Xiaomi have provided several software and hardware workarounds for such cases. You don't have to bring your phone to the service center right away, because there are forced start methods that work even with a completely broken Power button. Recovery of access to the device is often possible by the user, if you know the right sequence of actions.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the known ways to turn on a smartphone, from using an alarm clock to connecting to a computer. It is important to understand that if the phone is turned off completely (not in sleep mode), some software methods may not work without prior preparation. We will consider as a full-time function. MIUI, and more advanced tools like ADB and engineering menu.

Use of alarm clock to automatically switch on

The easiest and most affordable method that works on many Xiaomi and Redmi models with installed SIM-The card is the alarm function, and even if the smartphone is completely off, its system clock continues to run on backup power, and when the set time comes, the device will try to start. You need to make sure that the alarm is activated and the volume of the sound is set to a maximum, so as not to miss the moment of turning on.

To implement this method, it is required that the phone was installed SIM-If the alarm is on "only once", remember to reset it to "repeat" mode to check the method at any time. After the phone turns on the timer, you can safely use the interface and copy important data.

⚠️ Note: This method will not work if the phone battery is completely discharged to zero.The device must have at least a minimum charge to initiate the start-up process.

There are nuances of this function depending on the version of the MIUI firmware. On some global versions of the software, the "Alarm Signal" function can be hidden or removed by developers. In this case, it is worth trying to install a third-party alarm app from Google Play, which has rights to deep access to the system, although the chances of success with the system alarm is always higher.

Starting through a computer connection and ADB

A more technically complex but extremely effective way is to use debugging. USB (USB If this feature was pre-activated in the Developer menu, you can send a command to turn on your smartphone directly from your computer. This will require you to install Xiaomi drivers and the Android Debug Bridge platform on your PC.

Connect the phone to the computer through USB-In some cases, a simple connection to the port USB may initiate the loading if the BIOS Or the bootloader has a trigger, but if the system is completely de-energized, you need to signal:

adb reboot

If the phone is in deep sleep or is software-activated, this command can reboot the device. It's important to understand that if the phone is hard shutdown, the ADB may not see the device without first supplying power. In this case, the "double connection" method helps: press the volume button (if it works) and plug the cable in, waiting for vibration.

It is worth noting that on modern versions of Android and MIUI security is enhanced, and the command adb reboot may not work on a completely turned off device without root rights. However, trying to connect to charging through a computer port (rather than a regular socket) sometimes causes the power controller to initiate a loading interface selection of the USB mode, from where you can already go to the system.

The method of discharged battery and charging indicator

Paradoxically, waiting for the battery to run out is one of the most effective ways to wake up the phone without a button. When the charge level drops to a critical minimum, the power controller forcibly triggers the charging process by displaying the corresponding logo on the screen even if the phone has been turned off, at which point the system is in a boundary state between the off and on mode.

Once you have a Chinese hare (Mi Bunny logo) or a battery animation, you need to act quickly. Your job is not to just let the phone charge, but to transfer it to the Recovery menu or immediately to the system. This, once the screen lights up, you need to quickly press the volume button combination, usually by pressing the Volume+ or Volume button (depending on the model) immediately after the logo appears.

If you manage to get into the Recovery menu (usually a black screen with a text menu in English or Chinese), you can choose the option Reboot or Reboot to System. Navigation in this menu is done by volume buttons, and the choice is by the power button, but in this case, if the power button does not work physically, often touch the screen (on touch recavereators) or automatically select by timer.

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If the power button doesn’t respond in the Recovery menu, try quickly pressing the volume button several times – on some models this emulates the “Enter” click.

This method requires patience and a few tries, and you may need to discharge your phone and repeat the procedure 2-3 times to catch the right moment and find the right combination of volume buttons for your particular Redmi or Poco model.

Use of applications for power management

If the phone is still on but the button is no longer responsive, or if you need to restart the device, specialized apps will come to the rescue. There are many utilities in the Google Play store, such as Power Button to Volume Button or Assistive Touch, which allow you to reassign the functions of the on button to other physical keys or display a virtual button on the screen.

These programs often require special permissions that can be obtained without root rights using a computer and ADB. Once you install the application and grant the rights, you can turn off and turn on the screen with a double tap, shake the device or press a floating button on the display. This is a temporary solution that will allow you to comfortably use your smartphone before visiting the service.

However, if the phone is already off, you can't run these apps, so installing and configuring them is a precautionary measure. If your phone is still working but the button is floundering, install the app immediately and set up authorization through ADB to have a backup control.

Hardware solution: closing contacts

When software methods are exhausted and the power button is physically broken (failed, oxidized), there is a variant with a direct effect on the hardware. This method requires disassembling the smartphone and having minimal skills in working with electronics, the essence of the method is to close the contacts of the power button on the motherboard directly, simulating a press.

This requires removing the back cover (if it is removable) or unzing it with a hair dryer and a suction cup (if it is glued). Find the power button plume. Carefully unplug the plume from the board. Using a thin tweezer or wiring, briefly lock the two contacts on the board to which the plume was approaching. This action should start the loading process.

⚠️ Warning: Disassembling your smartphone voids warranty. Careless closure of contacts can short-circuit and cause your device to fail.

There's also the option of connecting the phone to the charger right after the contacts are closed, and sometimes the power controller perceives the power supply after a short circuit as a signal to start. If you have soldering experience, you can solder remote wires to the button contacts and bring them out of the case so that you can turn the phone on without disassembling each time.

Enter Recovery and Fastboot without the Power button

Special attention should be paid to entering special boot modes that can help restore the system or flash the phone. Fastboot mode on Xiaomi is often activated when connecting a USB cable to a phone turned off, if you simultaneously press the volume button. Even without the power button, holding the "Loudness" when connecting the cable often leads to the appearance of a hare on the screen.

From Fastboot mode, you can try to transition to Recovery using volume button combinations (the selection menu usually appears for a few seconds). In the Recovery menu, navigation can only be done with volume buttons, but selecting an item sometimes requires confirmation. If the power button doesn't work at all, you can try using the "blind printing" method: knowing the location of the "Reboot" item in the menu, pressing the volume button the right number of times, and pause to simulate confirmation (although this rarely works).

For some Xiaomi models, there is an ADB team to reboot in Recovery:

adb reboot recovery

If the phone is on but the button is not working, this command will put the device into recovery mode, where you can reset your settings (Wipe Data) or reboot, which can be a salvation if the system is getting stuck and requires a restart, and the button is physically absent.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)