Turning off Xiaomi’s smartphone seems like a simple task — until you encounter a system freeze, a broken screen or a forgotten password. Even a standard power menu shutdown has nuances depending on the version of MIUI and the device model. For example, on the Redmi Note 12, the algorithm is different from the POCO F5, and owners of older devices like the Mi A2 face the features of pure Android.
In this article, we’ll look at all possible scenarios, from a basic shutdown to a forced reboot in critical crashes, focusing on situations where the phone doesn’t respond to buttons, is discharged to 0% or locked after a failed upgrade, and learn how to properly turn off the device to prevent damage to the eMMC file system – a common problem with abrupt power outages on Xiaomi budget models.
Standard disconnection via the power menu
The safest way is to use a software menu, which is suitable for all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones running MIUI 12-14 or HyperOS. The algorithm works even if the touch screen is partially unresponsive (for example, if the display module is damaged).
To turn off the phone:
- 📱 Press the power button (usually located on the right end) for 2-3 seconds.
- 🔘 In the menu that appears, select the option "Switch off" (in English firmware - Power off).
- ⏳ Confirm the tap action by OK and wait for a complete shutdown (charging indicator will go out).
On some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or POCO X6 Pro), the power menu may contain additional options like Fastboot Reboot or Emergency Mode. Don't confuse them with a normal shutdown!
⚠️ Note: If the power menu does not have a Turn Off button, and instead only Reboot and Emergency mode, your device is in factory lock mode (for example, after resetting via Mi Account.
Forced shutdown when getting stuck
When Xiaomi's smartphone freezes completely (no touch response, no buttons work), a hard reset is required. This method simulates battery extraction, but on modern devices with a fixed battery, it is performed with a combination of keys. Importantly, a forced shutdown can lead to the loss of unsaved data in open applications.
Instructions for most models:
- Press the power button + increase the volume at the same time.
- Hold them for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out and the Mi logo (or vibration) appears.
- Release the buttons and the phone will turn off.
Some devices (such as the Redmi 9A or POCO M3) may require a different combination: power + volume reduction. If the phone does not respond to the first combination, try the second.
| Xiaomi model | Combination for forced shutdown | Retention time |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 14 / 13 series | Power + Volume Increase | 10-12 sec. |
| Redmi Note 12 / 11 | Power + Volume reduction | 15 seconds |
| POCO F5 / X5 | Power + both volume buttons | 8-10 sec. |
| Mi 11 Lite / 10T | Power + Volume Increase | 12 seconds |
⚠️ Warning: On devices with an unlocked bootloader, a hard reset can cause the Fastboot to start instead of shutting down. In this case, wait for the image of the robot labeled Fastboot mode to appear, then hold the power button for 20 seconds to force the shutdown to occur.
Try the standard shutdown through the menu|Check battery power (less than 5% can block power on)|Make sure there are no important unsaved data|Prepare for a possible reset (if the phone was in the process of updating)-->
Disconnection with discharged battery
If Xiaomi is down to 0% and doesn’t turn on, but when you connect the charge starts immediately, it must be turned off for proper charging, otherwise the system may misidentify the charge level, which will lead to a quick discharge in the future.
Algorithm of action:
- 🔌 Connect your phone to the charger (preferably the original one with Quick Charge support).
- 🔄 As soon as the charge indicator appears on the screen (usually after 5-10 minutes), immediately press the power button for 20-30 seconds.
- 📴 The phone will turn off, but it will continue to charge. Leave it in this state for 30 to 60 minutes before turning on.
In the models with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro or POCO F4 GT) The charge indicator may not be displayed due to energy saving, in which case, hold the phone to your ear - after 5-7 minutes, a faint sound of the charging connection should appear.
Why can’t you turn on Xiaomi immediately after a full discharge?
Turning off via Recovery Mode
When Xiaomi’s phone is stuck on the Mi logo or rebooted cyclically, standard methods don’t work, and Recovery Mode will help, allowing you not only to turn off the device, but also to reset or clear the cache.
How to get to Recovery and turn off your phone:
- Turn off the device by force (see section above).
- Press the power + volume up and hold until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
- Use volume buttons for navigation and select Power Off (or Turn Off on Russian firmware).
- Confirm the choice of the power button.
In Recovery Mode, options are also available:
- 🔄 Reboot - reboot (useful when hanging out).
- 🧹 Wipe Data – reset to factory settings (deletes all data!).
- 📁 Wipe Cache – Cache Clearance (Secure for Data).
⚠️ Note: On custom firmware devices (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the Recovery menu may look different. In some cases, you will need to select Advanced to turn off → Power Off.
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If the phone is cyclically restarting, try using Recovery Mode to run Wipe Cache before turning it off. This often solves the problem without losing data.
Disconnecting via ADB (for advanced users)
If you have access to the debugging USB (USB Debugging, you can turn off Xiaomi using the command ADB. This method is useful when the touch screen is not working, but the phone is recognized by the computer.
Step-by-step:
- Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
- Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
- Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should display the name of your device.
- Execute the shutdown command: adb shell reboot -p
If the command doesn’t work, try an alternative:
adb shell input keyevent 26(26 is the event code of the power button in Android.)
For devices with unlocked bootloader, you can use the command:
fastboot oem off-mode-charge 0It turns off the phone even if it is in Fastboot mode.
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ADB-Teams only work if previously debugging was included USB On locked phones (e.g., after reset), this method is not available.
Features of switching off on old Xiaomi models
Devices before 2018 (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 5, Redmi 4X, Mi Max 2) have removable batteries or unique button combinations, and standard methods may not work for them.
Specifics of the old models:
- 🔋 Mi 4i, Redmi 2: Removable battery – you can physically remove the battery to turn off.
- 🔄 Mi 6, Mi Note 3: Power combination + Both volume buttons for 20 seconds.
- 📴 Mi A1, Mi A2 (Android One: The power menu opens with a long hold of the power button (5 seconds).
On removable battery devices (Redmi 3S, Redmi Note 3 Pro), the forced shutdown is done by removing the battery. However, frequent battery manipulation can damage the power plume - it is better to use software methods.
| Model | Year of release | Features of shutdown |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 4X | 2017 | Power combination + volume up (15 seconds) Some firmware requires confirmation in Recovery. |
| Mi Mix 2 | 2017 | Sensitive power button – 3 seconds of storage is enough for the menu. |
| Redmi 5A | 2017 | When the discharge is below 3%, it automatically turns off without the possibility of turning on before recharging. |
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Misallowing Xiaomi can lead to serious problems, from data loss to firmware corruption. Consider typical errors and their consequences.
Error 1: Interrupting firmware updates
If you turn off the phone during installation OTA-Updates (for example, through Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system, there is a risk:
- 🚨 Damage to section /system (phone won't turn on).
- 🔄 Cyclical reboot (bootloop).
- 📵 Loss. IMEI (on models with MediaTek).
Solution: If the update is hanging, wait 30 to 60 minutes, and if the progress indicator doesn't change, do a forced reboot and repeat the update.
Error 2: Shutdown at low charge (less than 5%)
On devices with a battery capacity of less than 4000 mAh (for example, Xiaomi Mi 10 or POCO X3 NFC), a shutdown at a critical charge level can lead to:
- 🔋 Incorrect battery calibration (0% display at actual 10-15%).
- 🔌 Lock charging (the phone does not turn on even when connecting to the network).
Solution: connect the charger and wait at least 10% before turning off.
Mistake 3: Frequent forced shutdown
Regular use of hard reset (especially on devices with eMMC memory, such as the Redmi 9C or POCO C31) accelerates the wear of flash memory.
- 🐢 Slowing down after 1-2 years of use.
- 💥 Accidental reboots when writing files.
- 🚫 Application installation errors (INSTALL_FAILED_INSUFFICIENT_STORAGE).
Solution: Use forced shutdown only in extreme cases. Adb reboot is preferred for freeze reboot.
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On devices with UFS-memory (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or POCO F4) The risk of data damage when forced to shut down is lower, but still present. The optimal is to wait for the discharge to 0% or use the system. ADB.