The power button on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most vulnerable: it often breaks due to mechanical damage, moisture or wear. If your Redmi, POCO or Mi stopped responding to a physical button, this is not a reason to carry it to the service center. In 80% of cases, the phone can be rebooted software or using hardware tricks without disassembling the case.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to reboot without using the power button, including methods for locked devices, phones with a discharged battery and devices that do not respond to touching the screen. Particular attention will be paid to models with MIUI 12-14 and devices based on Android 11-14, where standard key combinations may not work, and you will learn how to avoid data loss when forced to restart through Recovery, a point that is often missed even in official instructions.
1. Software reboot via menu (if screen is running)
If your Xiaomi is turning on and responding to touch, but the power button is not working, use the built-in system tools. This method is suitable for all models, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5 and Mi 11/12.
The most reliable way is through the switch-off menu:
- 📱 Hold the volume button up. + downsize 3-5 The screen will show a menu with options to Turn off, Reboot and Emergency mode.
- 🔄 Select Reboot and confirm the action. The phone will restart normally, without the risk of data loss.
- ⚡ If the combination doesn’t work, try to press the volume up. + Home button** (on models with a physical button, such as Mi 5 or Redmi) 4X).
On some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global 14.0.5), this menu may be disabled.
- Open the Settings. → The phone.
- Tap 7 times on the line version of MIUI to activate the developer mode.
- Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
- Activate the Off menu (or Power menu in English).
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If you don't have a turn-off menu after you activate the developer mode, try rebooting your phone through Settings → System → Reboot. This option is available on all versions of MIUI, but hidden in the depths of the menu.
2.Reboot via Recovery Mode (for locked phones)
If the screen is not responsive to touch or the phone is locked but at least 10% charged, you can use Recovery Mode, which works even on devices with a damaged display, since the control is carried out by volume buttons.
Instructions for all Xiaomi models (including Redmi 9A, POCO M3, Mi A3):
- 🎵 Press the volume button up. + Volume button down at the same time and hold 10-15 seconds until you feel the vibration.
Turn off the phone from the PC (if connected)|Charge the battery to at least 10%|Use the original Xiaomi cable|Do not interrupt the process until the full reboot is complete.-->
⚠️ Important: On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro), the Recovery menu may be in Chinese, so look for the character (reboot) or the second item on top.
What if Recovery does not start?
3. Forced reboot via charging connection
If the phone is completely discharged or unresponsive, you can take advantage of the hardware feature of Xiaomi smartphones: when connected to charging, some models automatically turn on or reboot. This method works on 60% of devices, including Redmi 7/8/9, POCO F1/F2 and Mi 9/10.
Step-by-step:
- 🔌 Connect your phone to the original charger (or a quality Quick Charge-enabled analogue).
- ⏳ Wait. 5-7 If you see a charging indicator on the screen, move on to the next step.
- 🔄 At the same time, press the volume button upwards. + volume button down and hold 20-30 The phone should vibrate and start rebooting.
- 📴 If the screen remains black, turn off charging, wait 10 seconds and reconnect.
This is because Xiaomi’s power controller, when it detects a charging current, initiates a system check, and if the phone is locked because of a software failure, it can “wake up” and complete the boot.
Yes, always |Yes, but not always |No, never tried |No, not working |My Xiaomi doesn't turn on at all-->
4.Reboot via ADB (for advanced users)
If you have access to a computer and USB debugging enabled, you can reboot your phone via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that is suitable for devices that are on but do not respond to the power button.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 🛠️ Installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools.
Instructions:
- Connect the phone to the PC.
- Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type:
adb devicesIf the device is determined (the serial number will appear), enter the reboot command:
adb rebootFor forced reboot (if the phone is getting stuck):
adb shell reboot -p⚠️ Attention: If debugging is on USB It wasn't turned on in advance, it won't work. USB Debugging without access to settings is impossible.
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ADB is the safest way to reboot, as it doesn’t affect system files or reset settings, but it requires pre-preparedness (onboard debugging over USB).
5. Hardware reset (if nothing helps)
If the phone does not respond to any combination of buttons and is not determined by the computer, then hardware resets through battery extraction, which is only suitable for models with a removable battery (for example, Redmi 4A, Redmi 5A, Mi A1) or devices that can safely remove the back cover.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to disassemble Xiaomi with a non-removable battery (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro or the Removable battery). POCO X3 NFC) The risk of damage to plumes or batteries exceeds 70%.
Instructions for removable batteries:
- 🔧 Carefully remove the back cover (use a plastic shoulder blade or mediator).
- 🔋 Disconnect the battery plume or remove the battery on 10-15 seconds.
- ⚡ Connect the battery back and try to turn the phone on charging.
For non-removable batteries (only for experienced users!):
- 🛠️ Remove the back cover by unscrewing the bolts (usually Torx). T3 or T4).
- 🔌 Turn off the battery plume on 20-30 Seconds (do not touch other components!).
- 🔄 Connect the plume back and try turning the phone on with the volume button.
What is the danger of a hardware reset?
6. Alternative methods (for specific cases)
If standard methods don’t work, try these options:
| Method | Suitable for | Instructions | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reboot via Mi Cloud | Phones with a Mi Account tied and Find Device enabled | 1. Go to i.mi.com.2. Select the device → Reboot. | It works only with active Internet on the phone. |
| Voice assistant | Models with Google Assistant or XiaoAI | Say, “OK Google, reboot my phone” (in English: “Hey Google, reboot my phone”) | Requires pre-configuring of the voice assistant |
| Connecting to another device | Phones with OTG and mouse/keyboard support | 1. Connect. USB-mouse-wise OTG-Adapter 2. Move the cursor to the off button. | It doesn’t work on locked phones. |
| Heating/cooling | Phones that do not respond to charging | Put your phone in a warm place (such as next to the battery) for 5 minutes, then try turning it on. | Risk of battery damage during overheating |
💡 Tip: If the phone is turned on but the power button is not working, install the Button Remapper app from Google Play.It lets you reassign the shutdown function to volume buttons or gestures.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When trying to reboot Xiaomi without a power button, users often make these mistakes:
- ❌ Use non-original cables - cheap wires can not transmit data, because of which the phone is not determined in the Internet. ADB or Fastboot.
- ❌ Interrupt the reboot process – if the phone vibrates but the screen doesn’t catch fire right away, wait 2-3 minute.
- ❌ Trying to disassemble the phone without tools - this leads to scratches on the body or damage to the plumes.
- ❌ Ignore the charge level – with a charge below 5%, most methods will not work.
⚠️ Warning: If after rebooting the phone turns on but the power button still doesn't work, don't delay repair! prolonged use of the phone without a working power button can lead to:
- 🔋 Deep battery discharge (if the phone accidentally turns off and doesn't turn back on).
- 📱 Data loss during forced reboots via Recovery.
- 💥 Damage to the motherboard due to incorrect shutdowns.