How to turn on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 without the button

The situation where the Redmi Note 7 is completely discharged and refuses to start because of a faulty power button puts many owners at a baffle. Xiaomi is famous for reliability, but the mechanical buttons wear out or fail over time after falling.At this point, it seems that the phone has turned into a "brick," but this is not always the case.

There are several proven methods to activate a device or load it into recovery mode, ignoring a damaged physical switch. Some require a connection to a computer, others require certain accessories. It is important to understand that the effectiveness of the method depends on whether the battery is completely drained or the phone simply cannot start due to a software error.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the technical nuances of launching Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 without using the Power button. We will look at options for different states of the smartphone, from deep discharge to the need to log into the Fastboot. Be prepared for the fact that some manipulations will require care and accuracy.

Diagnosis and primary state check

Before you start to make complex manipulations, you need to make sure that the problem lies in the button, not in the deep discharge of the battery. If the phone was off for a long time, the lithium-ion battery could go into protection, in which case the indication may be absent even when the charger is connected.

Try to leave your smartphone on charge for 30-40 minutes without trying to turn it on. Sometimes the power management system (PMIC) takes time to raise the voltage to the minimum threshold necessary to respond to commands. If the screen catches fire or the Mi logo appears, then the button is most likely working and the problem was deep discharge.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone heats up in the battery area or makes extraneous sounds when you connect to charging, turn it off immediately.

You can use a computer to accurately diagnose port status and card response. Connect your phone with a cable to your PC and listen to the system's connection sound. USB-If there's sound but the screen is black, the motherboard is alive and the power controller is working, but the loading cycle is not running.

Using Fastboot Mode to Start Up

One of the most effective ways to wake up the Redmi Note 7 is to force the Fastboot mode to start before the Android operating system boots and often ignores the standard status checks of the power button if the right combination of actions is used.

For this method, you will need a computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and USB-The idea is to signal the bootloader when the power is on, and it's not 100 percent on the devices, but the Redmi Note 7 is pretty successful.

πŸ“Š Can you log into Fastboot without a button?
Yeah, first time.
Yeah, but I had to repeat it.
No, the phone's not responding.
I don't know what a Fastboot is.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

  • πŸ”Œ Connect. USB-cable to your computer, but don’t put it on your phone yet.
  • πŸ“‰ Press the Volume Down button on the switched off smartphone.
  • ⚑ Without releasing the volume button, insert the cable into the phone connector.
  • 🐰 If done correctly, the screen will show an image of a hare repairing an android, and the inscription Fastboot.

Once in this mode, the phone is actually on. You can choose the Start option (if the screen responds to the touch) or use the software commands to reboot. Often after leaving Fastboot, the phone boots in normal mode, even if the Power button doesn't work.

Launching through Recovery Mode and button combinations

If Fastboot doesn’t work, try booting in Recovery Mode, which allows you to perform system operations and can also be an entry point for later system reboots. Unlike Fastboot, it often requires two keys to be pressed simultaneously.

The way you log in to Recovery on Xiaomi is very specific: you need to press the Volume Up button and hold it and plug in the power cable, sometimes you need to plug the cable in when it's already pinched, sometimes you need to hit the volume when you're connected, and you can try and find the timing you want to use trial and error.

β˜‘οΈ Checklist for Recovery Entry

Done: 0 / 4

In the Recovery menu, you can navigate with volume buttons and you can choose with power buttons. Because our button doesn't work, we can use blind or software. Often, the Recovery menu has a Reboot to system option. If the screen is touch-sensitive in this mode (which happens on the Recovery stock), just tap the right item.

If the sensor is not working and the Power button is dead, you can try to exit Recovery by just waiting for a timeout or turning off the power (by taking out the battery if the design allows, but on the Note 7 this is difficult indiscriminately). ADB, which will be discussed below.

Control via ADB and computer

The most powerful tool in the hands of an advanced user is debugging. USB (USB If this function was enabled before the button broke, you can fully control the phone from your computer. Even if the phone is turned off, in cases (depending on the bootloader version) you can try to send a start command.

You'll need Platform-Tools (ADB and Fastboot) to work. Install them on your PC. Connect your phone. If the computer detects a device (even as unknown), try sending a reboot command.

adb reboot

This command is equivalent to pressing the power button for a long time, and if the phone is in Fastboot mode (where we got through Volume Down), you can use the command:

fastboot reboot

This is guaranteed to start the system if the operating system itself and download files are all right. ADB also allows you to take screenshots, install apps and copy files, making the phone fully functional even with a broken button, until it again runs out.

What if the ADB can’t see the device?
If the adb device command doesn't show the serial number, drivers may not be installed. download Universal ADB Driver or drivers from Xiaomi's site. Also check if the lock screen is locked (in some cases, the ADB doesn't work on a locked screen without confirmation).

Software Solutions and Automation

If you’ve managed to turn the phone on somehow (like it turned on after charging or via ADB), your main task is to configure alternative ways to manage. Android provides tools to minimize reliance on physical buttons.

First of all, activate the "Double-touch to turn on/off" feature, which is in the display or lock settings, which will allow you to wake up the screen without the Power button, and you can also set the on and off schedule.

FunctionLocation on the menuEfficiency
Double tap.Settings β†’ Lock screenHigh (for unlocking)
PlannerSettings β†’ Battery and productivityMedium (automatic start)
Connection to PCSettings β†’ About the phone (7 times)High (for management)
Voice controlGoogle Assistant / Mi AILow (requires an active screen)

Install an assistant app that adds a virtual power button to the screen, and these programs create a floating widget that mimics the Power action, which is a temporary solution, but it allows you to reboot the phone software.

Hardware solutions and repairs

If the software isn't working, and the phone is always needed, you'll have to use hardware intervention. On the Redmi Note 7, the power button is part of the side button plume (usually combined with volume or in a separate module), and it's a standard procedure in service centers.

For a temporary solution, you can try to carefully close the contacts on the board corresponding to the switch button, which requires opening the back cover (it is glass and glued) and having thin tools. Tweezing the contacts with tweezers simulates the press of a button and starts the phone.

πŸ’‘

Use conductive varnish or solder a microbutton to the contacts on the board if you want to make a temporary output of the button outside the case for easy inclusion.

Keep in mind that the constant use of a phone with a damaged button carries risks. At any time, the device can go into a deep sleep, from which it will be impossible to get out without a button, so repairing or replacing the button module is the most reliable solution.

πŸ’‘

Software techniques are a temporary solution for saving data or making an emergency call, and a smartphone needs to replace its physical power button to make it work.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I turn on the Redmi Note 7 if the battery is completely zero?
Yes, but only through charging, plug in the original charger and leave the phone on. 15-30 After the charge indication appears, try using a combination of volume buttons to log into Fastboot or Recovery.
Is it safe to use the adb reboot command all the time?
Yes, software reboot through ADB It's completely secure for file system and hardware, and it's similar to the "Reboot" option on the phone menu, but it requires a computer or a computer. OTG-keyboard.
Will wireless charging help turn on your phone without a button?
No, the Redmi Note 7 doesn't support wireless charging. Even if it did, wireless charging only provides current, but doesn't initiate the processor switching on without a signal from a button or a timer.
What to do if the phone is stuck in the Mi logo?
Try to press the volume button and connect the cable to your PC. If you get into Fastboot, select Reboot. If you can't, you'll need to flash it through the Mi Flash Tool, because the reset button doesn't work.
Can I set the phone to turn on by alarm?
Yes, the standard Watch app on Xiaomi has an alarm clock switch off feature, and if it is activated, the phone will turn on itself at a given time, even if the Power button is faulty.