A broken power button on a Xiaomi smartphone is a problem that many users face, especially when the phone needs to be turned off urgently and the physical button does not respond to pressing, in which case it is important to know alternative ways to turn off the device to avoid battery drain at the wrong time or overheating.
Depending on the Xiaomi model (whether it’s the Redmi Note 11, POCO X5 or Xiaomi’s flagship 13 series), there are different methods available, from software solutions through settings to hardware manipulation of the battery. We will consider all working options, including those that do not require root rights or special knowledge.
If your smartphone is stuck and doesn't respond to the touch of the screen, some techniques may not work, and then you'll have to force it to restart or remove the battery (if possible for your model), but everything in order.
1. Turn off via the settings menu (for a running screen)
The easiest way to turn off Xiaomi without a power button is to use the built-in system functions, which will work if the touch screen is working and the phone responds to touch.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the settings menu (cog icon on the home screen or in the notification bar).
- 🔍 Scroll down and select About Phone (or System) → About the phone on new versions MIUI).
- ⚙️ Click on Shutdown or Reboot (depending on the firmware version).
- ⏻ Confirm the action by selecting Turn off in the window that appears.
On some models (e.g. Redmi 9 or POCO M3), the path may be slightly different. If the About section is not in the main menu, try:
- Open the settings → Additional → Shutdown.
- Or use the search by settings (the magnifying glass icon at the top) and enter the “turn off” request.
☑️ Preparing to turn off through the menu
⚠️ Warning: If the phone is connected to charging, some Xiaomi models block the shutdown option.
2. Use of gestures and volume buttons
Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12 and later have a hidden function of forced shutdown through a combination of volume buttons, which works even if the screen does not respond to touch, but the phone is turned on.
How to do this:
- 🔊 Press Volume Up and Volume Down at the same time.
- 🕒 Hold them for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out or the reboot menu appears.
- ⏻ If you have a menu, select Power off (or Turn Off) with volume buttons and confirm the choice with a long press on Volume Up.
This method works on most models, including the Xiaomi Mi 10, Redmi Note 10 Pro and POCO F3. However, on some devices (such as the Xiaomi 12T) only a forced reboot can work, not a complete shutdown.
If the button combination doesn’t work, try an alternative:
- Press Volume Up + Power (even if the power button is broken, sometimes the contacts are triggered by a strong press).
- Hold on for 20 seconds – this can force the device to restart.
3.Switch off via ADB (for advanced users)
If you have access to your computer and USB debugging is enabled, you can turn off Xiaomi using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that requires pre-configuration, but is reliable in critical situations.
Step-by-step:
- 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (use the original cable for a stable connection).
- 📂 Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux) file ADB.
- 🔍 Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device appears in the list, proceed to the next step.
- ⏻ Execute the shutdown command: adb shell reboot -p The phone should shut down immediately.
If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:
adb shell input keyevent 26This command simulates pressing the power button, which can trigger the shutdown menu.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It requires pre-activation of debugging, and if you didn't turn this option on beforehand, it won't work. ADB on untrusted PCs to avoid data leakage.
4. Forced battery discharge
If the screen is not working, the volume buttons are not responding, and the ADB is not configured, the only "mechanical" way is to wait for the battery to drain completely.
How to speed up the process:
- 🔋 Turn on the maximum brightness of the screen (if the screen reacts even slightly).
- 🎵 Start playing music or video at maximum volume.
- 📡 Activate mobile internet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS simultaneously.
- 🔥 Run resource-intensive applications (such as games or performance tests).
On most Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi 9A or POCO M4 Pro), the battery will run out in 4-8 hours when used actively. If the screen is completely black, but the phone is on (for example, after a fall), it can take up to 24 hours to discharge.
| Xiaomi model | Battery capacity (mAh) | Discharge time (when used actively) | Discharge time (standby) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 11 | 5000 | 5-7 hours | 18-24 hours |
| Xiaomi 12 Pro | 4600 | 4-6 hours | 14-20 hours |
| POCO X3 Pro | 5160 | 6-8 hours | 20–26 hours |
| Redmi 10C | 5000 | 5-7 hours | 22-30 hours |
⚠️ Warning: Complete discharge of lithium-ion batteries to 0% negatively affects their life. Use this method only as a last resort and after turning off immediately connect the phone to charge.
Removal of the battery (for collapsible models)
On older Xiaomi models (like the Redmi 4X, Redmi 5A or Mi A1), the battery is removable and can be removed manually.
How to do this safely:
- 🛠️ Turn off the phone (if possible) before disassembly to avoid short circuit.
- 🔧 Carefully tuck the back cover with a plastic spatula or mediator (start with the corners).
- 🔋 Disconnect the battery plume (if it’s connected to the motherboard) or simply remove the battery.
- ⏱️ Wait 30 seconds before reassembling.
On models with a non-removable battery (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11 or Redmi Note 12) to try to remove it yourself is dangerous - it can damage the plumes or display.
💡
If you often experience power button issues, consider installing a virtual button through apps like Button Mapper or Power Button to Volume Button, which allow you to assign a switch to other keys (such as a long press to reduce volume).
6. Alternative methods and temporary solutions
If none of the above methods are suitable, there are several other options:
- 🔌 Button charger: Some charges have a physical on/off button. Connect your phone and press the button on charging - this can interrupt the power supply.
- 📱 Remote management applications: If you have software on your phone like TeamViewer QuickSupport or AirDroid, you can try turning it off via another device.
- 🔄 Recovery Mode: On some models, download to Recovery (via Volume Up) + Power: Allows you to select the Power Off option.
For a temporary solution (if the power button is broken, but the phone needs to be used):
- Set up a gesture to turn off the screen in Settings → Lock screen → Gestures (such as double touch).
- Use Google’s voice assistant with the “Switch off phone” command (requires settings and an internet connection).
💡
If the power button is broken, but the phone is still under warranty, do not try to disassemble it yourself. Contact an authorized Xiaomi service center - repair warranty may include replacing the button or the entire module.