How to turn on the Xiaomi smartphone if the power button broke: all ways

The broken power button on Xiaomi’s smartphone is one of the most frustrating breakdowns that can completely paralyze a device. Without the ability to physically press the power button, many users find themselves in a deadlock: the phone does not respond to charging, the screen does not turn on, and access to data seems lost. However, there are both software and hardware methods to get around this problem, from simple charging manipulation to using hidden engineering modes.

In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to turn Xiaomi on without a power button running, including methods for devices with a discharged battery, locked screens and even “bricks” after a failed firmware. It is important to understand that the effectiveness of each method depends on the phone model (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3, Mi 11, etc.), the MIUI version and the current state of the device. Some solutions will require additional equipment (USB-OTG cable, computer), others will work only under certain conditions.

Before you start the instructions, make sure that the problem is in the button, not in the device itself. Signs of a power button malfunction: the phone does not respond to presses, but can vibrate when you connect the charge or emit notification sounds. If the device is completely dead (no vibration, charging indication, reaction to connect to the PC), the problem may be in the battery, motherboard or firmware.

Activation via charger (hot reset method)

The simplest method, which works on 60-70% of Xiaomi devices with a proper battery and an intact motherboard, is based on the peculiarities of the power scheme of smartphones: under certain conditions, the battery controller can initiate the turn on without pressing a button.

Instructions:

• 🔌 Connect your phone to the original charger (preferably Quick Charge-enabled). Using uncertified chargers may cause a crash.
• ⏳ Leave the device on charge for a minimum of 15-20 minutes (even if the indicator is not on).This is necessary to accumulate a minimum charge sufficient to start.
• 🔄 After 20 minutes, turn off and re-connect the charge (you can repeat 2-3 times at intervals of 5 seconds). On some models (Redmi 9, POCO M3), this triggers the on circuit.
• 📱 If the MI logo or charging indicator appears on the screen, connect the phone to your PC immediately (see the next section about ADB).

⚠️ Warning: Do not use wireless charging for this method, as it does not generate the necessary current pulses in the power supply chain. Also avoid chargers with an output current greater than 2.4A if the battery is severely drained: this may cause the controller to overheat.

If the method didn’t work, try the volume button-holding combination:

1. Get the charger on.
2. Press both volume buttons for 10-15 seconds.
3. Without releasing the buttons, turn off and reconnect the charging.

2.Use of ADB (Android Debug Bridge) for software inclusion

The method is suitable for devices on which the debugging mode was previously enabled USB (USB If you've never connected your phone to your computer to debug, it won't work, but if debugging is activated, the chances of success are high — ADB Allows you to send commands directly to the system, including emulation of the power button press.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers (you can download on the official website).
• 🔌 USB-TypeC Cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ The ADB utility (part of the Android SDK Platform-Tools, download here).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the computer, wait for the sound of the device connection (even if the screen is not responding).
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\platform-tools
3. If you have a string with a serial number in the answer, you can continue. If you don't, try another cable or USB port.
4. Send the power button emulation command: adb shell input keyevent 26 (26 code corresponds to KEYCODE_POWER).
5. If the phone doesn’t respond, try an alternative command: adb shell reboot.

⚠️ Warning: On some models (Xiaomi Mi A1, Mi A2) with pure Android, the keyevent 26 command may not work due to firmware features. In this case, try the combination: adb shell inputevent 26 & key& adb shell inputevent 3 (where 3 is the button code HOME).

If ADB does not recognize the device, but the phone is identified as a Qualcomm 9008 or MTK Preloader, then the device is in emergency mode, in which case you will need to flash through the EDL (see section 5).

3. Enable via Mi Account (remote activation)

The Find Device feature in Xiaomi’s ecosystem allows not only the location of the phone to be tracked, but also commands to be sent to it, including a reboot.

1. The phone has mobile internet or Wi-Fi enabled (even when switched off, some models retain a background connection).
2. The device is linked to the Mi (Mi Account) account.
3. The battery has a charge of at least 15%.

How to turn on your phone via Mi Account:

• 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in.
• 📍 Under "Find your device," select your phone from the list.
• ⚙️ Click on the Reboot Device icon (if the option is active).
• ⏳ Wait 1-2 minutes. The phone should turn on and connect to the network.

If the reboot option is not available, try:

• 🔔 Send an audible signal (sometimes this "wakes up" the device).
• 📍 Update location – this may initiate a short-term switch on of the GPS module and, as a result, start the system.

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If the phone doesn't respond to commands with Mi Account, try plugging it into the socket and sending a "Find the device" signal at the same time, sometimes a combination of external power and network activity triggers the system.

Hardware method: closing the contacts of the power button

If the software didn't work, and the phone responds to charging (vibrates, the light goes on), you can try mechanically closing the power button contacts. This method requires accuracy and is only suitable for users who are ready to disassemble the device. Do not use it on phones under warranty, this will cancel it.

What you need:

• ⚒️ Plastic blade or mediator for opening the body.
• 🔧 Thin screwdriver (usually Phillips #00).
• 🧲 Magnetic screwdriver or tweezers (to avoid losing small details).
• 📸 Camera (to capture the location of the plumes).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone (if it is in a “perpetual reboot” state).
2. Remove the back cover by shoveling it from the bottom edge (near the USB-C connector). Be careful - on many Xiaomi models, the cover is glue.
3. Unscrew the screws that fix the metal plate over the battery.
4. Find a flexible power button plume (usually located to the right of the battery, under a metal plate) on the board, which is signed as POWER_KEY or PWR_BTN.
5. Carefully tuck the plume and close the contacts (two metal "tongues") with a thin screwdriver or tweezers for 1-2 seconds, this simulates the press of a button.

⚠️ Warning: Keep your contacts out for longer than 3 seconds, which can short circuit and damage the power controller. If the phone doesn't turn on after the circuit, but there's a vibration, try again at 10 seconds intervals.

If the method worked but the button still doesn’t work, use the power button (for example, via the Button Mapper app) temporarily until you replace the plume.

5. Enable via EDL and Fastboot modes (for power users)

If the phone does not fully respond to charging and is not determined by the computer, but you are sure that the problem is in the button (and not in the battery or board), you can try to start it in emergency modes:

• Fastboot is a firmware mode available on most Xiaomi devices.
• EDL (Emergency Download Mode) - emergency download mode for recovery of "bricks".

For Fastboot:

1. Connect the phone to the PC.
2. Press the volume button down + power for 10 seconds (even if the power button does not work, sometimes the volume combination works).
3. If the device is defined as Fastboot, use the command: fastboot reboot.

For EDL (requires an authorized Mi Account):

1. Download the Mi Flash utility and firmware for your model.
2. Close the test points on the board (for each model they are different, see XDA Developers).
3. Connect the phone to a PC – it should be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
4. Switch the device through Mi Flash (select clean all).

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EDL mode is the last chance to bring the phone back to life, but it resets all the data. Use it only if other methods have failed and you have a backup.

On models with a MediaTek processor (Redmi 9A, POCO C3), BROM mode is used instead of EDL. It will require the SP Flash Tool utility and an authorization file.

6. Alternative methods: USB-OTG and wireless charging

If the power button is not working, but the phone is responding to the connection to the PC (for example, it makes a connection sound), you can try the following methods:

Method 1: USB-OTG + keyboard

• Connect a USB-OTG adapter and USB keyboard to your phone.
• Press the Power key on the keyboard (sometimes it emulates the power button).
• If the phone is turned on, use the keyboard to navigate the menu.

Method 2: Wireless charging + magnet (for Qi-enabled models):

• Put your phone on wireless charging.
• Apply a neodymium magnet to the back cover in the area of the Hall sensor (usually next to the camera).
• On some models (Xiaomi Mi Mix 3, Mi 11 Ultra) this simulates the closure of the case and can wake the screen.

Method 3: Voice Assistant (if Google Assistant is enabled):

• Hold the phone to your ear and say “OK Google” or “Hi Siri” (on some firmware).
• If the assistant is activated, say “turn on the screen” or “unlock the phone”.

⚠️ Warning: The magnet method can only work on phones with a proximity sensor in a case. Don't use magnets that are too strong - they can damage speakers or the camera.

7.When to contact the service center: signs of serious breakdown

If none of these methods helped, perhaps the problem lies not in the power button, but in:

• 🔋 Battery (swelling, deep discharge).
• 🔌 Power controller (circuit PMIC on the motherboard).
• 🖥️ Firmware (bootloader damaged).
• 💧 Short circuit after moisture is ingested.

Signs that you need a professional diagnosis:

At Xiaomi, the power button (along with a flexible plume) will be replaced for 1,000–2,500 ₽, depending on the model. If the phone is warranted, repairs will be free – but only if the breakdown is not caused by mechanical stress (fall, moisture).

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Before visiting the service, back up your data via ADB pull (if the phone has ever turned on), and after repair, all data may be lost.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi powering up without power button