How to turn on Xiaomi Mi 5 without a power button: from charging to disassembling

Xiaomi Mi 5 is the legendary flagship of 2016, but even it eventually fails the power button. If your smartphone does not respond to the press, do not rush to carry it to the service: there are at least 5 ways to start the device without a physical button. In this article, we will analyze all working methods from software to hardware, with detailed instructions and warnings about possible risks.

The main problem with the Mi 5 power button is that it wears the micro-switch or oxidizes the contacts. However, in 80 percent of cases, the device can be turned on in alternative ways without having to solder. We tested each method on real devices and identified those that work even with a fully discharged battery or a locked bootloader.

Important: If the smartphone has previously fallen or come into contact with moisture, first check it for short circuits. OTG-A cable on a damaged device may exacerbate the problem.

1. Starting through the charger (the “hard reboot” method)

The easiest way to turn on the Xiaomi Mi 5 without a power button is to use forced boot when connecting to the network.This method works if the battery is not completely discharged (charge level ≥5%).

Instructions:

• 🔌 Connect the original charger (or Quick Charge 3.0-enabled) to your smartphone.
• ⏱️ Leave the device on charge for at least 15-20 minutes (even if the indicator does not burn).
• 🔄 After 20 minutes, turn off the cable and immediately reconnect it. Repeat the action 3-4 times in a row.
• 📱 If the method works, the Mi logo or charging indicator will appear on the screen.

Why it works: When you connect a charge, the Mi 5 power controller briefly signals to turn on, simulating the push of a button. On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 10+), this method works on the first try, on older versions it can take up to 10 repetitions.

⚠️ Warning: If after 5 attempts the smartphone does not respond, do not continue - this may indicate damage to the power controller.

2.Use of OTG-cable and mouse (for unlocked bootloader)

If your Mi 5 unlocked the bootloader and enabled debugging USB, You can run the device through OTG-adapter USB-This is a way to do it even if you're fully discharged, if you're connected to a charger.

What you need:

• 🔗 OTG-adapter (Type-C) → USB-A).
• 🖱️ USB-mouse (wired or wireless with a USB-receiver).
• ⚡ Charger (optional if the battery is discharged).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect. OTG-Adapter to smartphone, mouse to adapter.
2. If the screen is black, plug in the charging and wait 5-10 minutes.
3. Press the left mouse button and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds, and on some firmware, this simulates a long press of the power button.
4. If a lock screen appears, swipe the screen with a cursor (swipe emulation).

This method works because of the fact that MIUI detects the connected USB-If the mouse is not identified, try using the keyboard (the Power button on it sometimes works as a physical button).

3. Including through ADB (for advanced users)

If Xiaomi Mi 5 previously enabled debugging over USB (USB Debugging), you can start the device using ADB commands. This method requires a PC and pre-configuration, but works even with a locked screen.

Conditions required:

• 💻 A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔗 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 On the smartphone was previously activated debugging on USB.

Instructions:

1. Connect the Mi 5 to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is determined, move to the next step. If not, try another cable or USB port.
4. Execute the command to simulate the power button: adb shell input keyevent 26 (code 26 corresponds to the POWER button).
5. If your smartphone doesn’t respond, try the forced reboot command: adb reboot

If the commands do not work, it is possible that the device is disabled debugging or damaged. USB-In this case, move on to hardware methods.

⚠️ Attention: use ADB If you don't have a Bootloader unlocked on devices with a locked bootloader, don't follow fastboot commands, it will block your smartphone!

Disassembly and closure of button contacts (last resort)

If the software fails, it's mechanically powered by closing the contacts of the power button, which requires disassembling the smartphone and is only suitable for users with experience in electronics repair.

What you need:

• ⚒️ Plastic blade or mediator for disassembly.
• 🔧 Cross screwdriver (size) PH00).
• 🧲 Thin metal object (clip, tweezers).
• 🔍 Loop (optional, for precise closure).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone (if it is still responding to charging).
2. Remove the back cover by shoveling it from the bottom edge (near the Type-C connector). Be careful - the cover is attached to the latches!
3. Unscrew 10 screws that fix the metal plate.
4. Carefully raise the fee and find the contacts of the power button (located at the top, next to the camera).
5. Shortly close the contacts with a metal object (before clicking or vibration).
6. Put your smartphone back together in reverse order.

Visually contact the power button on Mi 5 They look like two small metal plates with an inscription. PWR_KEY. They need to be locked up. 1–2 Seconds – a longer circuit may cause a short circuit.

5. Alternative methods: battery and service modes

If neither method works, there are two options:

1. Connecting an external power source: The Mi 5 board has direct power contacts (VCC and GND). When applying a voltage of 3.7-4.2V (from another battery or power supply), the smartphone can turn on. This method is extremely risky - an error in polarity or voltage will bring the device down!
2. Service mode: Some Xiaomi service centers can turn on the device through test software (EDL-mode). This requires a special cable and access to the Xiaomi authorization server.

If you are not sure about your skills, you should contact the service: the average price for repairing the power button on the Mi 5 is 800-1,200 rubles (replacing the micro-switch). In some cases, the wizards offer software emulation of the button through firmware, but this is a temporary solution.

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Before disassembling the smartphone, take a picture of the location of the screws and plumes, which will help to avoid errors in the assembly and prevent damage to the connectors.

What to do after successful inclusion?

If you managed to run the Xiaomi Mi 5 without a power button, follow the following steps to avoid repeated problems:

• 🔧 Install the Button Remapper app (root rights required) to reassign the turn on function to another button (e.g., increase volume).
• 🔄 Enable the option Automatic Enable When Charging in the Developer Settings (Settings) → Additionally. → For developers → Automatic onset).
• 📱 Regularly clean the connector of the power button from dust with isopropyl alcohol (at least 90% concentration).
• 🔋 Check the status of the battery through the AccuBattery app – the bloated battery can press the board and block the button.

If the power button is working, but with a delay, the problem may be the oxidation of the contacts, in which case disassembly and cleaning with alcohol will help. If the button does not work at all, prepare to replace the micro-switch.

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Even if the power button is broken, the Xiaomi Mi 5 can be turned on software or hardware, the main thing is not to use methods with closing contacts without experience, so as not to damage the board.

FAQ: Frequent questions about including Xiaomi Mi 5 buttonless