Xiaomi Mi 5 launches without power button: full guide

The power button is one of the most stressful situations for a smartphone owner, especially for the Xiaomi Mi 5, which, despite its age, is still used by many users as a reliable device. If the screen is gone and the phone goes to sleep, the standard activation method becomes unavailable, creating the illusion of complete inoperability of the gadget.

However, it is not necessary to panic prematurely, as there are several proven ways to get around this problem. Android engineers and the developers of the MIUI shell have provided alternative scenarios for booting the system. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to start the device using only a charger, computer or special software commands, and also discuss options for physical repair.

It is important to understand that the success of the procedure depends on the current battery status and hardware integrity. If the phone has been completely discharged, then the first priority will be to supply power to the power controller. We will look at each step in as much detail as possible so that you can reanimate your Xiaomi Mi 5 without visiting the service center.

Using the charger and PC to activate

The easiest and most affordable way to start a smartphone with a broken button is to connect to a power source. USB-cable-wire-USB, The charge controller sends a signal to the motherboard. In most cases, if the battery is not completely dead, the screen will light up and show charging animations even if the device has been turned off.

To implement this method, you'll need an original or quality certified cable. Cheap wires can only transmit current for charging without providing the necessary contact with data lines, which is critical for some wake-up methods. Connect your phone to a computer or a powerful network adapter and wait a few seconds.

If you have a battery icon or Mi logo on the screen, but it doesn’t go any further than loading, try the following combination: press one of the volume buttons (usually Volume Down) and hold it, connect the power cable. This can put the smartphone in Fastboot mode, from where you can already select the Reboot option through the menu controlled by the volume buttons.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone heats up when connected to charging, but the screen remains black, it may be a deep battery discharge or a malfunction of the display plume.

There is also a state-of-the-art nuance: If the phone has been turned off programmatically (via a menu), the connection to the PC often wakes it up and puts it into debugging or file transfer mode, bypassing the need to press the on button. This works thanks to the USB Debugging feature, if it was activated previously.

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Use a USB 2.0 port on your computer rather than USB 3.0, as older devices like the Mi 5 sometimes don’t respond properly to the increased voltage of modern ports when trying to turn on the primary.

Switch to Recovery Mode via Volume buttons

If a standard network connection does not produce the desired result, you should try to log into the Recovery Mode recovery menu, which is loaded separately from the main operating system and allows you to manage the basic functions of the device, logging in with a key combination at the time of power supply.

The algorithm for the Xiaomi Mi 5 is this: first make sure the phone is off-charging. Then press and hold the Volume Up button. Without releasing the button, plug in a USB cable connected to your computer or charger. Hold the button until the Mi logo or Recovery menu appears.

In the Recovery menu, the volume buttons (up/down) navigate, and the power button selects the item. But what if the power button doesn't work? Xiaomi's stock Recovery often automatically selects the first item if you don't press anything during a timeout, or you can try using ADB commands from your computer if the drivers are installed.

Once you're on the menu, you'll see a list of options. If the power button doesn't respond at all, try pressing the volume button quickly as soon as the logo appears -- this switches focus or confirms the choice on some firmware versions. It's also worth knowing that in Recovery mode, the touch screen usually doesn't work, so you can only control mechanical buttons.

Using ADB commands to turn on a smartphone

The most professional method to enable Xiaomi Mi 5 without a physical button is to use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) debugging system, which requires a computer running Windows, macOS or Linux, as well as an installed driver for the device, and the essence of the method is to send a software signal to turn on.

The precondition is that the phone previously had to be enabled the option “Debugging by” USB» (USB If the phone is completely off, this method may not work immediately, but if the device is in deep sleep or is frozen, the team will help. Connect the phone to the PC and open the command prompt in the folder with the device. ADB.

Enter the following command to check the connection:

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, try sending a command to reboot:

adb reboot

In some cases, when the phone is turned off, the command is:

adb reboot bootloader

This command will force the boot boot process, which is equivalent to turning on the phone. Once you hit the Bootloader menu (Fastboot mode), you can use the volume buttons to select the Reboot item and try to press the power button. If the button is not working physically, but the contact is there, sometimes light but strong pressure is in the center of the button.

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB If the power controller is burned or the battery is dead, the software methods are powerless.

There is also the ADB AppControl utility or ADB graphics shells that allow you to send these commands in one click, which is convenient for inexperienced users. However, a basic understanding of console commands gives you more control over the situation. Remember that Qualcomm drivers (since the Mi 5 has a Snapdragon processor) must be installed correctly on the system.

Hardware methods and contact closure

When software is exhausted, you have to resort to physical intervention, which requires precision and minimal electronics skills, and the essence of the method is to simulate the pressing of the power button by closing the corresponding contacts on the board. For the Xiaomi Mi 5, this is often the only way to turn on the phone if the button is torn off or oxidized.

You'll need a thin tweezer or needle. First, remove the back cover (it's glass, so be careful, use a suction cup and warm the edges). Find the plume that goes from the side button to the board. Carefully disconnect the plume. On the board itself, you'll see the contact pads that the plume approached. Close the two main pins responsible for switching on (usually these are the extreme contacts, but better check the multimeter for "call").

When the contacts are closed, the phone should vibrate and show the logo. Once it appears, the tweezers can be removed. This method is risky, because there is a possibility of short circuit of other elements, so act quickly and accurately. You can also try to squeeze the remnants of the button from the inside carefully if it is stuck in the pressed state.

• 🔧 Tools: Thin tweezers, sucker, mediator for opening.
• ⚡ Safety: Make sure your hands are dry and have no static charge.
• 📱 Carefulness: The glass of the back cover Xiaomi Mi 5 is very fragile and easily cracks when heated.

If you're not confident, you don't have to risk it, because a faulty circuit could cause the motherboard to fail, making it economically inefficient, and then you might want to hire someone to replace the button plume or the plug.

Setting up automatic switching on and alarm clock

If you've managed to turn your phone on with one of the methods described above, it's critical to prevent it from happening again. There's a useful feature in the MIUI shell called "Switch on the alarm" or "Planned on," and if you activate it, you can start your phone at a given time without the power button.

To set up, go to Settings → Battery → Scheduled on/off. Set a time, for example, 5 minutes earlier than you normally wake up. The phone will turn on itself, and you only have to unlock it. This is a temporary solution that will allow you to use the device until you replace the button.

You can also turn off the automatic screen shutdown or increase the timer to a maximum so that the phone less often goes to sleep, where the button is required. You can install alarm apps with advanced functionality that can wake the phone from the off state, although this depends on the depth of sleep of the device.

Another life hack is using Double Tap to Wake, if your firmware version or launcher supports it, which will allow you to activate the display without a mechanical button, although this method will not work for the first turn on after full discharge.

Prevention and replacement of the power button

Sooner or later, the problem will have to be solved radically. The power button on the Xiaomi Mi 5 is a consumable. Over time, the contact group oxidizes or erases. The best solution is to replace the plume with the buttons. It is an inexpensive procedure that can be performed by yourself by ordering parts from profile sites.

When choosing a part, pay attention to quality. Original plumes are clearly labeled and tight connectors; cheap ones can work unstable or stop functioning after a month; before replacing, be sure to completely discharge the battery or disconnect its plume from the board to avoid short circuit.

The replacement process takes about 15-20 minutes. After removing the back cover, unscrew the safety plate covering the main plumes, disable the battery and replace the button module. After assembly, check the clarity of the new button. Regular cleaning of the speaker and the dust buttons also prolongs their life.

⚠️ Warning: If you replace the button yourself, the warranty on the device (if it is still valid) will be canceled.Be prepared for the fact that the glue under the back cover will lose its properties, and the phone will become less protected from moisture.

Don’t ignore the first signs of a malfunction: if the button starts to start or require more effort, it is a harbinger of complete failure. By mastering the methods of switching on without a button, you will protect yourself from unpleasant surprises at the most inopportune moment.

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Timely replacement of the power button plume is cheaper than recovering data from a dead phone or buying a new device.

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