The situation when the physical power button stops responding to presses or sticks inside the case is critical for any smartphone owner. Especially acute is the question of how to turn off Xiaomi if the device is in a state of getting stuck or requires a reboot to install updates. Owners of budget and mid-budget models of Redmi and POCO face this problem more often because of the design of mechanical switches.
Ignoring a malfunction can cause a quick battery drain or overheating of the processor if the background processes are not stopped correctly. Modern MIUI and HyperOS shells provide software alternatives to hardware management, allowing you to complete the system without the use of physical keys.
In this article, we will look at all available methods of forced and regular disconnection of a smartphone, from standard settings to the use of engineering menus. You will learn what tools the system can replace a broken button and how to protect your data in the process.
Use of built-in on and off timer
The easiest and most secure way, often overlooked, is through the standard Android system functionality. The MIUI shell has a built-in task scheduler that allows you to automatically turn off and turn on the device on schedule. To activate the function, go to the Settings menu → Battery and Performance → Battery → On and off timer.
After you go to the menu, you need to activate the Repeat Daily switch and set a time that is a few minutes ahead of the current one. For example, if it is 14:00, set the shutdown time to 14:05. The system will independently initiate the shutdown procedure, simulating a long press of the power button.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure that the Power Timer is also activated if you plan to use your phone again, otherwise the device will remain off until manual activation.
This is ideal for situations where the screen responds to touch, but the button doesn't physically work, and it allows you to close all applications correctly and save data.
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If the timer didn’t work the first time, try setting a shutdown time of 10-15 minutes from the current moment so that the system can process the request.
Forced reboot through the developer menu
If the standard menu is not available or the system is unstable, you can use USB debugging. This method requires pre-activation of the developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the version of MIUI or HyperOS seven times.
After the notification of activation of the developer mode appears, go to the advanced settings and find the item "Debugging by" USB". Turn it on. Next, you'll need a computer with a tool installed. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. Connect your smartphone with a cable to your PC.
- 🔌 Open the command line on the computer in the folder with ADB.
- 📱 Allow debugging on the smartphone screen if a request appears.
- 💻 Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices.
- 🛑 Use the command to turn off: adb shell reboot -p Adb shell svc power shutdown.
The adb shell reboot -p command sends the power signal to shut down, which is equivalent to selecting the "Stop" item in the menu. If the system is completely got stuck and does not respond to touch commands, this method may not work without a working interface.
☑️ Preparation for use ADB
Screen menu and special features
Some versions of Xiaomi firmware include a feature called Special Features Menu, which displays a virtual control button that duplicates the physical keys, including the power button, and can be activated via the Settings path → Advanced Settings → Special Features → Special Features menu.
When you turn on, you'll see a floating button, and when you click on it, you'll see a virtual on-button analogue, and a short press usually locks the screen, and a long press causes the off and reboot menu, and this software solution completely replaces the physical mechanism.
Using a virtual button is especially relevant if the power button is working, but with interruptions, and you are afraid to permanently damage the plume.
Why can't the menu be there?
Resetting settings via Recovery Mode
If the smartphone is dead, the screen is unresponsive, and the power button is broken, you have the option to enter Recovery mode. Usually this requires a combination of buttons, but if the power button is not working, you can try trik with a connection to the PC.
Connect the phone (or phone) to your computer via USB-Simultaneously press the Volume Up button (or Down, depending on the model) and try to press the screen often or use a stylus to simulate touches in the area where the confirmation button might be if it were on the screen. However, without a power button, logging into Recovery is often impossible with standard methods.
There is an alternative way through the team. ADB, If you've debugged it before, adb reboot recovery. Once you've got it on the Recovery menu, you're going to be controlled by volume buttons, and you're going to be able to select from the power button. If the power button doesn't work at all, you're going to be unable to navigate the menu without an external one. USB-(via mice) OTG), press-emulating.
| Entry method | Conditions required | Effectiveness with a broken button |
|---|---|---|
| Button combination | Power button working | 0% (won't work) |
| ADB Team Team | USB debugging enabled | 100% (high) |
| Annex "Testing" | Working touchscreen | 50% (depending on version) |
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Recovery Mode without a power button is only available through ADB program commands or when you connect an external keyboard/mouse via OTG.
Use of engineering menus and codes
Xiaomi’s engineering menu contains hidden hardware tests, including button tests and reboots, and can be logged in via a standard call by typing code ##6484#. However, newer versions of HyperOS often restrict access to this menu or require special permission.
If you're able to log in, look for Version Information or Power Key, and some builds have a Reboot or Shutdown option that forcibly shuts down the system, which is a deep system layer, so you have to be careful about using those features.
Some users use third-party apps from Google Play that create a desktop shutdown widget, which often require root rights to work properly, as standard Android resolutions do not allow apps to directly manage power without the system.
- ⚙️ Try entering the #7780### code (caution, it may reset the settings).
- 📲 Use button emulator apps from the store.
- 🔋 Monitor the temperature when using engineering tests.
What to do if the power button is physically stuck
If the problem is mechanical — the button is broken or is constantly pinched — the phone may be constantly rebooting or not responding to the screen, in which case software methods may not help, since the “Power” signal is continuously running.
You need to carefully, without undue effort, try to design a button with your fingers slightly pressing it from different sides. If the phone is in the case, remove it - often the cases press the button, simulating a press. Constantly pressing the power button for more than 30 seconds can lead to cyclical restart and damage to the battery.
In the event of physical damage, the only solution is to go to a service center to replace the plume or the mechanism of the button, and a temporary solution may be to use the "Alarm Signal" function to turn the phone on in the morning while you are looking for a way to turn it off.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t try to disassemble your smartphone yourself if you don’t have experience – you could damage the display plume or battery, leading to expensive repairs.