Introduction: Why Xiaomiβs power button may fail
The on/off button on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most vulnerable elements. According to service centers, up to 12% of calls are related to mechanical failure of this particular key. The reasons range from the banal dust hitting under the membrane to the wear of the micro-off switch after 50,000+ presses (average resource of quality buttons).
To make matters worse, the Redmi, POCO, and Xiaomi flagships (like the 13 Pro or 14 Ultra) donβt have removable batteries β you canβt just take out the battery like the old Meizu or Samsung. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several software and hardware workarounds. In this article, weβll look at all the current ways to turn off, including those that work even with a completely broken button or a hung screen.
It is important to understand that some methods require pre-configuration (for example, enabling debugging over USB), so if your Xiaomi is still working, prepare it for possible malfunctions. 5 minutes and our instructions are enough for this.
Method 1: Turn off via the settings menu (if the screen is running)
The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI features, which is suitable if the touch screen of the phone is responsive to touch, and the system is not getting stuck.
- Unlock the phone (enter the phone). PIN-code, pattern lock or fingerprint).
- Open the Settings app (cog icon).
- Scroll down and select the About Phone section.
- Slip on the item "Switch off" or "Reboot" (depending on the version of MIUI).
- Confirm the action by selecting Turn off.
On some models (such as the POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12), the path may be slightly different:
- πΉ Settings β Additionally. β Shutdown
- πΉ Settings β System system β Reboot and shutdown
Make sure your phone is not connected to charging |Close all apps (double press home) |Save important data (photos, messages) |Switch off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to speed up the process
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If you don't have a Custom Firmware or an outdated version of MIUI (below 12.5), try an alternative route:
- Hold your finger to the free area on the main screen.
- Select Widgets β Find the Off widget (if installed).
- Drag it to the desktop and use it to turn it off.
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On models with MIUI 14+ (such as Xiaomi 13T), you can add a turn off button to the notification bar. To do this, go to Settings β Notification Panel β Quick settings and activate the Turn off switch.
Method 2: Using Google's Voice Assistant
If your Xiaomi has Google Assistant installed (it is the default on all Google models), you can turn off the phone with a voice command, which works even if the sensor is partially defective, but the microphone is functioning.
Instructions:
- Activate the voice assistant: π£οΈ Say OK, Google (if the feature is enabled), π£οΈ Hold the Home button (on models with a physical button), π£οΈ Or swipe your finger from the bottom corner of the screen diagonally (on frameless models).
Say, Turn off your phone or Power off the phone (in English, it works better sometimes).
Confirm the action by voice or on the screen (if you receive a request).
Important nuances:
- π The phone must be connected to the Internet (mobile data or Wi-Fi).
- π Voice control must be activated in Google settings (Settings) β Google β Services on the device β Voice search).
- π± On some models (e.g. Redmi) 10A) Voice assistant may not have the right to turn off β in this case, the method will not work.
Through the settings menu|Voice assistant.|Through ADB|Resetting to factory settings|Never tried.|Another way.
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If the voice assistant refuses to turn off the phone saying, "This feature is disabled by the administrator," then the device has a working account profile (for example, via Microsoft Intune or Knox), in which case you will have to use other methods.
Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)
The method using Android Debug Bridge (ADB) β The most reliable is when the power button is completely broken, but USB-The port is working. It requires pre-configuration, so it's suitable for those who have prepared for possible malfunctions in advance.
What you need:
- π₯οΈ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux;
- π USB-cable (preferably original);
- π± Included debugging by USB phone-on;
- π οΈ Installed drivers ADB and platform-tool utility.
Step-by-step:
- Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive in any folder.
- Connect Xiaomi to your computer and allow debugging over USB (if the request appears on your phone screen).
- Open the command line (Win + R β enter cmd) and go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\platform-tools
- Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the phone is determined (the serial number will appear), go further.
- Execute the shutdown command: adb shell reboot -p
If the team doesnβt work, try an alternative:
adb shell input keyevent 26(This simulates the pressing of the power button).
What if the ADB canβt see the phone?
β οΈ Note: If you have never turned on the debugging USB before the button breaks, this method won't work.
Method 4: Forced reset (if the phone is getting stuck)
When Xiaomi freezes completely (no touch response, black or frozen screen) and the power button doesnβt work, itβs forced to reboot, a method that doesnβt require any pre-tuning, but has risks:
- π₯ Possible loss of unsaved data;
- π Some models may work protection against accidental discharges;
- π If the battery is discharged below 5%, the method may not work.
How to perform a forced discharge:
- If the screen is responding, the phone is getting stuck: π Hold the volume button. + volume reduction button simultaneously for 10-15 seconds. π In some models (POCO X3, Redmi Note 9 works with a combination of Volume up + power button (even if the power button is broken, sometimes triggered by mechanical action).
If the screen is black and does not respond:
- π Connect your phone to charge and wait 5-10 minutes (sometimes enough for an automatic reboot).
- π If the charging indicator is on, but the screen is not turned on β keep Volume down. + power-button+ seconds.
| Xiaomi model | Combination for forced reboot | Retention time |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11/12 | Volume up + Volume down | 10-15 sec. |
| POCO F3/F4/F5 | Volume up + power button | 15-20 sec. |
| Xiaomi 11/12/13 | Loudness down + power button | 20+ seconds |
| Redmi 9A/9C | Hold the power button 30+ sec | vibrate |
β οΈ Attention: On models with MIUI 13+ and anti-Rollback protection (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Pro) frequent forced reboots can lead to locking the bootloader.
Method 5: Removing the battery (extreme case)
If all software methods are exhausted and the phone still doesn't turn off, there's a physical power outage, and today's Xiaomi batteries are fixed, but they can be turned off by disassembling the case, and this is a precautionary approach that only works for those who are willing to risk warranty.
What you need:
- π§ Plastic blade or mediator;
- π¨ Cross screwdriver (usually) PH00);
- π§² Screen suction cup (optional);
- π₯ Fryer (for softening glue).
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the phone (if possible) and remove it. SIM-memory-card.
- Heat the back cover around the perimeter (temperature ~60 Β° C) for 1-2 minutes.
- Insert a plastic blade into the gap between the case and the screen (start at the bottom corner).
- Carefully lid the lid as you move around. Be careful - there may be plumes inside!
- After removing the lid, find the battery (usually a black rectangle labeled Battery).
- Unplug the battery plume (it is attached with a small connector) and then put it in a spatula.
Video instructions for disassembling Redmi Note 11 (similar to most models):
(This would be a YouTube video insert, but it is not available under the terms of the task)
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Disabling the battery resets all temporary data in RAM, but does not delete files from the internal drive. However, if built incorrectly, you can damage the plumes of the screen or camera!
β οΈ Note: On Xiaomi models with LiquidCool (e.g. Black Shark 5 or LiquidCool) POCO F4 GT) When disassembling, a heat conductive fluid may leak out, in which case, immediately interrupt the process and contact the service.
What to do after turning off: How to turn on Xiaomi without the power button
Turning off the phone is half the battle, and now you need to turn it on without using a broken button. Here are 3 proven ways to do this.
- π Charging Connection: Most Xiaomi models automatically turn on the screen when connected to the charger (even if the phone is off.
- π± Use of the OTG-cable: If you have any OTG-Adapter, connect your mouse or keyboard to your phone, press the Power key on your keyboard or the mouse button, and that simulates the power button being pressed.
- π Automatic alarm: If you set your alarm before the button breaks, the phone will turn on itself at the appointed time.
To permanently resolve the problem (if the power button is broken permanently), consider the following options:
- π οΈ Replace the button in the service center Xiaomi will replace the button in 1-3 days (cost) ~1 500β3 000 β½ model-wise).
- π² Gesture settings: B MIUI 14 you can turn off double tap on the screen (Settings) β Additionally. β Gestures β Double touch for locking).
- π§ Custom firmware installation: Some firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) lets you turn off your phone through the notification panel.