When a physical power button stops responding to clicks, it can take the smartphone owner by surprise at the most inopportune moment. For users of the Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco ecosystem, this becomes a double problem, as many models lack the classic shutdown menu in the notification curtain by default. However, the lack of a mechanical click response does not mean that the device is doomed to work until the battery is completely discharged or the system freezes.
There are several software ways to force the Android operating system to shut down and turn it off, and we'll look at both the standard features available after the hidden settings are activated, and more advanced methods for power users. It's important to understand that hardware failure can be temporary, and software reboots can sometimes help restore the touchscreen or sensor to normal operation.
In this guide, we will take a look at the algorithms for different versions of MIUI and HyperOS firmware, learn how to use built-in accessibility tools, developer menus and third-party utilities, and act consistently and not panic if the usual way does not work the first time.
Using the special options menu
The most reliable and secure way to do this, without any third-party software, is to go deep in the system settings, and in the MIUI and HyperOS shells, there's a special feature called "Special Menu" that displays a floating button with the main commands, and by default, there's a screenshot and lock, but you can add a manual switch off.
To activate this feature, go to Settings β Advanced Settings β Special Features. At the top of the screen, you'll see the Special Opportunity Menu tab. Switch the slider to active position. Then a floating icon will appear on the screen that calls up the toolbar.
- βοΈ Click on the gear in the menu that appears to enter the panel settings.
- π Select βOrder of buttonsβ or βSetting buttonsΒ».
- π Find the βComplete Workβ option in the list and activate it by dragging it to the active zone.
Now, when you need to turn off your smartphone, you just have to click on the floating button and select the appropriate icon. This solution is perfect for situations where the mechanical button completely fails. Note that on some global firmware versions, the path to settings may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same.
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If the floating button interferes with navigation, you can change its transparency or position on the screen in the settings of the special features menu.
Developer menu and debugging by USB
A more technical method involves the use of tools for developers, a method often used by service center specialists for diagnostics, but it is also applicable to the average user, and the essence of the method is to send a command to complete the processes of the system through a debugging interface.
First, activate the developer mode. Go to Settings β About Phone and quickly click on MIUI seven times. Once you have an activation message, go back to the settings menu, find the "Additional" section and select "Developers" and turn on "Debugging by USB" option.
You will need a computer with installed ADB (Android Debug Bridge. Connect your phone to your PC with a cable and type the following command in the command line:
adb shell input keyevent 26This command emulates a short press of the power button. If the system is not locked with a password or you successfully unlocked it, the phone will go to the off menu. For a forced reboot without a menu, the adb reboot command is used. This method is effective when the touch screen is unstable, but the system responds to external signals.
What to do if your computer canβt see your phone?
Scheduled reboot
The automatic on and off feature is a standard tool that is often ignored, but if a button breaks, it becomes a salvation. Xiaomi smartphones allow you to set the exact time when the device should independently complete the work and turn on again.
You can find this setting by Settings β Battery β Scheduled Power (new versions of HyperOS can have Settings β Additional Features β Scheduled Power) and set up to two time slots, such as setting the shutdown at 23:59 and the turn-on at 07:00.
| Parameter | Description | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Time off | Time of completion of the work of the LO | 1-2 minutes from the current time |
| Time of inclusion | System start-up time | 5 minutes after the shutdown |
| Repeat. | Days of the week to be completed | Daily or once |
| Alarm clock | Priority of alarm clock over switching off | Disabled (to guarantee off) |
Use this method if you need to turn off your phone right now. Just set the shutdown time one minute ahead of the current one. The phone will execute the command itself, and you won't have to wait for battery life. This is especially true for models with a fixed battery, where battery recovery is impossible.
Application of third-party applications
If system methods are not available or blocked by the manufacturer in your version of the software, applications from the Google Play store come to the rescue. There are many utilities that add the off button to the notification curtain or to the desktop.
One popular solution is the Power Button to Volume Button app, which reassigns the turn on function to one of the volume buttons. A long press on the volume rocker will trigger the shutdown menu, which is convenient if the power button is physically broken, but the volume buttons are working.
- π± Install a high-ranking app from a trusted source.
- π Provide the necessary permits, including access to special facilities.
- βοΈ Set up the action for single and double pressing of volume buttons.
It is worth remembering that such applications require constant permissions and can consume additional battery power in the background.In addition, after a full reboot of the smartphone (if it does happen), the application may not start automatically before the first login, so keep in reserve other methods.
β οΈ Warning: When installing third-party power management applications, carefully check the permissions you request. Do not give access to contacts or files to programs whose primary function is button emulation.
Emergency shutdown when getting stuck
There are situations where the phone doesn't just require a scheduled shutdown, it freezes and the touch screen stops responding to touch, in which case the classic settings menu is not available. For Xiaomi devices, there is a combination that allows you to perform a hard reset without using the power button.
Try to hold both volume buttons ("Loudness up" and "Loud down") at the same time and hold them for a while. 10-15 In many models, this causes a forced reboot of the system, and if this method doesn't work, you can try connecting the device to the computer through a computer. USB-cable, and then press the volume button.
In some cases, the discharge method helps: leave the phone with the screen on and the maximum brightness level, run a heavy app or a high-resolution video. When the battery drops to a critical level, the system itself initiates an emergency shutdown. It is a long process, but it is guaranteed to stop all processes.
βοΈ Checklist of actions when hanging
Prevention and care of buttons
To extend the life of mechanical controls, it is important to follow simple rules of operation. The power button is one of the most loaded elements of the case, and its wear is inevitable when used actively.
Avoid pressing the button with dirty or wet hands. Moisture and fine debris falling under the key leads to oxidation of the contacts and sticking. Regularly clean the perimeter of the button with a soft brush or compressed air. If you use a protective case, make sure that it does not create excessive pressure on the mechanism.
Also worth mentioning are software glitches that can mimic a breakdown. Sometimes the problem isn't hardware, but driver conflict or an error after an Android update. In such cases, a full factory reset (with pre-data backup) can restore the button sensor to normal operation.
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Timely activation of the special features menu can save the situation when the physical button will stop working at the most inopportune moment.
β οΈ Warning: If the power button has started to "snag" or require more effort to press, do not ignore this.In time, a replaced plume in the service center will cost less than replacing the case or recovering from a short circuit.