How to turn on Xiaomi smartphone without a power button: all the ways from charging to disassembling

A broken power button on a Xiaomi smartphone is one of the most frustrating breakdowns that can completely paralyze a device. Without physically pressing the power button, many users think the phone has become a brick and can only be carried to a service center. However, this is not the case: there are at least 5 proven ways to turn on Redmi, POCO or Mi without a working power button — from simple charging manipulation to using service modes and a soldering iron.

In this article, we’ll look at all the methods, from the safest (even for beginners) to the extreme (requires a phone to be disassembled), how to make the phone respond to charging, how to use ADB for software inclusion, where the test points are on the Xiaomi board, and what to do if none of the methods worked. Importantly, some methods can lead to data loss or exacerbate the breakdown, we honestly warn about the risks in each section.

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

The easiest and safest way to do this is to use Xiaomi’s power circuitry, which many models (especially Qualcomm Snapdragon processors) support forced power on when connected to a power source with specific parameters, which works even on fully discharged phones as long as the battery is not damaged.

You'll need:

• 🔌 Original or quality charger (better with Quick Charge support) 3.0/4.0).
• ⚡ USB-Type-C cable (for new models) or Micro-USB (for older models).
• ⏳ 10-15 minutes of time (sometimes longer).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the charger to the socket, but do not connect the cable to the phone.
2. Insert the cable into the phone port and hold it pressed for 30 to 40 seconds (sometimes swaying to the sides helps).
3. If the screen is black, leave the phone on charge for 10-15 minutes – some models turn on automatically when the minimum charge level is reached.
4. Try pressing and holding the volume button (+) for 20-30 seconds, which may trigger a forced boot.

Connect another charger (power from 18W)

Try charging from a computer or power bank

Cool your phone (sometimes overheating blocks the switch on)

Check the cable for damage (bend at the base)

-->

⚠️ Warning: If the phone shows a charging icon but doesn't turn on any further, the problem may be the firmware or the connector's damage.

2.Using Fastboot and ADB mode (for advanced users)

If the phone somehow reacts to the connection to the PC (vibrates, lights up the indicator), you can try to turn it on via Fastboot or ADB. This method requires installed drivers and minimal knowledge of working with the command line, but it does not require disassembling the phone.

What needs to be done:

1. Install Google’s Platform Tools on your computer (includes fastboot and adb).
2. Connect your phone to the PC via USB-cable.
3. Press the volume button (-) and hold it for 10-15 seconds – this can trigger Fastboot mode.
4. Open the command line in the folder with Platform Tools and type:

fastboot devices

If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), enter:

fastboot reboot

If the phone doesn’t respond to Fastboot, try EDL (emergency boot) mode by shorting the testpoints (see the next section for more on this).

💡

If the fastboot device command doesn’t show your phone, try reinstalling drivers manually through Windows Device Manager (select “Android Bootloader Interface”).

⚠️ Warning: Continuous attempts to reboot via Fastboot can result in a reset if the phone has been locked (for example, after a failed update).Always do a data backup in advance!

3. short circuit testpoints (for power users)

If the software methods don't work, the hardware way is to close the test points on the motherboard, and this simulates pressing the power button at the circuit level, which works on 90 percent of Xiaomi models, but requires precision: one wrong move, and you can damage the board.

Where to look for test points:

• 📱 Most of the Redmi Note models (5/6/7/8/9/10) and POCO Testpoints are located next to the battery connector (two small metal pads with the inscription). CLK and DAT plainly TP).
• 🔧 On flagships (Mi 9, Mi 10, Mi 11), testpoints can be under the screen or next to the processor (complete disassembly is required).
• ⚠️ On some models (e.g. Redmi) 4X) Testpoints are hidden under a metal screen - they must be cleaned carefully with alcohol before closing.

How to close the test points:

1. Turn off the battery (or at least disconnect the plume if the battery is not removable).
2. Take a thin metal object (needle, tweezers, paperclip) and close the two platforms for 5-10 seconds.
3. Connect the battery back and try to turn the phone on.

On models with a non-removable battery (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO F4), before closing the test points, be sure to turn off the battery through the connector on the board. Otherwise, the risk of short circuit increases by 3 times.

4. Connection to USB-hub with keyboard (method for old models)

Little-known life hack: Some Xiaomi models (especially on Android 8-10) support USB OTG activation with a connected keyboard. This works because the system recognizes keystrokes as a wake-up command.

What you need:

• 🔌 USB OTG-adapter (or hub with a port for the keyboard).
• ⌨️ USB-Keyboard (can be the cheapest one).
• 🔋 Charger (to power the hub).

Instructions:

1. Connect. OTG-hub to the phone, and to the hub - keyboard and charger.
2. Press the Power button on the keyboard (usually located in the upper right corner).
3. If the phone doesn’t respond, try the Ctrl + Alt + Del combination (sometimes it works on MIUI 11-12 firmware).
4. If the screen catches fire but the phone doesn’t load any further, hold the volume button to log in to Recovery.

This method does not work on all models, but it is tested for:

• 📱 Redmi 3S/4/4X (firmware MIUI 9–10).
• 📱 Mi A1/A2 (Because of the pure Android One).
• 📱 POCO F1 (stock-only).

⚠️ Note: New models (Redmi Note 11, POCO X5) This method does not work due to changes in the Android 12 kernel+. Don’t waste time if your phone is released after 2021.

5. Including through the service menu (for phones with a collapsible case)

If you're ready to disassemble the phone but don't want to close the test points, you can try to initiate the turn on via the service menu, which works on models where the power button is connected to the board via a plume (for example, Redmi 6/7/8, Mi 8 Lite).

Algorithm of action:

1. Remove the back cover of the phone (a plastic shoulder blade and a hair dryer will be needed to soften the glue).
2. Disconnect the power button plume from the motherboard (usually it is located at the top of the board, next to the speaker connector).
3. Connect the phone to charge and wait for the charging indicator to appear.
4. Carefully close the contacts on the board, which was connected to the button plume, for 2-3 seconds (you can use tweezers).

If the phone vibrates or the screen lights up, the contacts are correct. Now you can put the phone back together, but don't plug the button plume, otherwise the problem will come back. Instead, use software-based on-line methods (e.g., ADB).

💡

If the phone turns on after disassembly, but the power button still doesn't work, the problem is precisely the mechanical part (the plume or the micro-switch), in which case it's cheaper to change the button than to disassemble the phone every time.

6. What to do if none of the methods worked?

If all of these methods have not yielded results, there are three options:

1. Carry in the service - masters can solder the power button or replace the plume (cost: 1000-3 000). ₽ model-wise).
2. Use your phone without a power button – set up automatic turn on on schedule or via ADB (instructions below).
3. Sell for parts – if the phone is old, it is sometimes more profitable to buy a new one than to repair it.

How to use your phone without a power button:

• 🔄 Set up an automatic reboot through ADB: adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.REBOOT (you can add this command to Tasker or other automated service).
• ⏰ Use apps like Button Mapper to reassign other buttons (like increasing volume) to enable.
• 🔌 Buy wireless charging with automatic on function (works on Xiaomi Mi) 11/12, Redmi K40).

⚠️ Note: If the phone does not turn on even after connecting to charging and is not determined by the computer, most likely, the problem is not in the power button, but in the power controller or firmware. In this case, self-repair can aggravate the breakdown - it is better to consult specialists.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi powering up without power button