Xiaomi: How to restart without the power button

When the physical power button on a Xiaomi smartphone stops responding or crashes, it often takes the user by surprise.At this point, it seems like the device has turned into a useless piece of glass and plastic, especially if the screen is locked or the system is frozen.However, modern Android operating systems provide many hidden control tools that allow you to complete a full reboot cycle without using mechanical keys.

There are several proven software methods to solve the problem, you can use built-in MIUI or HyperOS, third-party utilities from Google Play or even computer debugging tools. It is important to understand that the choice of a particular method depends on the current state of the gadget: whether it is on, whether the touchscreen reacts, and whether there is access to the settings menu.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available action algorithms that will help you reanimate your device, and we will look at both standard options in the interface and more complex technical solutions for advanced users. Even with a completely broken power button, software restart via settings or ADB-The team works 99% of the time.

Use of the built-in menu of special features

The easiest and safest way to reboot a Xiaomi smartphone without a button is to use a system menu designed specifically for people with disabilities, which duplicates the main control buttons on the screen, making them available even when the physical elements of the case break down.

You need to go to the settings section and find the item responsible for advanced management functions. In different versions of MIUI firmware, the path may differ slightly, but the logic remains the same. Once you turn on the corresponding switch, a floating button will appear on the screen, clicking on which will cause a menu with lock options, a screenshot and, most importantly, a reboot.

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If the special features menu is not available quickly, search by settings by entering the request "Special features menu" or "Accessibility".

It only takes a few seconds to activate this feature, but it becomes critical in emergency situations. Once turned on, you get full control of the main actions of the device directly from the display. This solution is standard and does not require the installation of additional software.

• 📱 Open Settings and go to Additional or Advanced Settings.
• 🔍 Find the option “Accessibility” and select the menu menu of special features.
• ✅ Activate the switch Use the menu and confirm permission to display over other windows.
• 🔄 Click the button that appears on the screen and select the Power icon, then tap Reboot.

Reboot through system settings and scheduler

If the touchscreen is working normally but the power button is not responding, you can use the standard shutdown menu, which is triggered by long pressing on the lock screen or through settings. In the new versions of the HyperOS shell and MIUI 14, Xiaomi has introduced a convenient feature of planned on and off, which is ideal if you need to restart the phone at night or at a certain time.

To use this method, you don't have to search for hidden codes or download applications. You just have to go to the battery system settings or schedules. Here you can set a specific time when the device should automatically turn off and on, and this actually functions as a full reboot, clearing RAM and restarting system processes.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure that at the time of the planned shutdown, the smartphone battery is charged at least to the maximum. 10-15%, Otherwise, the device may not automatically turn on after disconnection.

In addition, in some regions and firmware versions, there is a power menu called through Settings → About Phone → All settings → Version of the kernel (although this is more for information) or through the voice assistant. However, the most reliable method is the scheduling method. You can set the time off, for example, 2 minutes from the current moment, and the time on after 3 minutes.

Application of third-party applications for power management

When there's not enough built-in tools or they're not available in your version of the software, specialized apps come to the rescue from the Google Play Store. There are many utilities that create a virtual power button on the screen, and they work by emulating system commands, allowing you to reboot, lock the screen and shut down with a single touch.

One of the most popular and proven solutions is the Assistive Touch app, or specialized utilities like Power Button to Volume Button, which allows you to reassign the turn on function by long pressing one of the volume buttons, which is very convenient if the volume button works properly, which creates an alternative physical path to control the device.

Installing these programs requires access service permissions, without which the application cannot emulate the system button presses, and once set up, you get a floating bar on the screen, similar to the one on iOS, where you have all the necessary control buttons.

• 📥 Download the Assistive Touch app or analogue from a reliable source.
• ⚙️ Provide the application with all the permissions requested, including Overlay and Accessibility.
• 🔘 Set up actions for long pressing or double tap on the virtual button.
• 🚀 Use the created button to execute the command Reboot or Power Off.

Use of the ADB-commands through a computer

For advanced users who have access to a PC, the most powerful tool is USB debugging (ADB), a method that allows you to send commands directly to the Android operating system, bypassing the interface. If the screen is partially broken or the system is frozen, but the phone is determined by the computer, ADB will be the salvation.

First, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on MIUI Version seven times. Then you will see an option on the menu for developers. Inside you need to enable debugging over USB. Connect your smartphone to your computer with a cable.

adb reboot

This short command, entered in the command line on the computer (pre-installing Platform-tools), will instantly send the device to restart. This is the cleanest and most technically correct way that works even when the interface is not fully responsive. It is also useful for entering recovery or fastboot mode.

Enter Recovery and Fastboot mode without a button

Sometimes you don't just need to reboot, you need to log in to either Recovery or Fastboot to flash or reset. The traditional method involves using a combination of buttons, but what if they don't work? In this case, debugging over USB again helps.

If the phone is on and running, you can send a command to switch to the desired mode via ADB. Recovery uses the command adb reboot recovery, and for Fastboot - adb reboot bootloader. This allows you to get into the service menu without a single press of physical keys. If the phone is turned off but supports charging, some Xiaomi models can be turned on when connected to a certain type of charger, although this does not work on all models.

It is important to understand that logging into Fastboot without buttons is only possible by software when the system is running. If the phone is completely turned off and the button is not working, it is extremely difficult to enter these modes without using special software keys (for example, through the Fastboot Reboot application, which requires root) or repairing the hardware.

Automatic reboot when the system freezes

Special attention should be paid to the situation when the phone is dead, the screen is not responding, and the power button is broken, in which case the automatic reboot function for critical errors, if it was pre-activated, or the battery discharge helps.

There's a life hack that involves connecting to a computer. Sometimes it's a cyclical connection. USB-You can also try calling the Google Assistant (if you're setting up to start using "Ok Google") and asking it to "Reset the phone." Voice commands can bypass the locking interface.

⚠️ Warning: Do not try to disassemble your smartphone and close contacts on the board yourself if you do not have experience in electronics repair.This can lead to a complete failure of the device and loss of warranty.

If nothing works, the last software method is waiting, the smartphone can reboot itself if there is a shortage of resources or a critical kernel error. To avoid such situations in the future, set up an automatic reboot on a schedule (as described in the second section) for night time, this will be a prevention of hanging.

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Setting up automatic reboot on schedule is the best freeze prevention for devices with a faulty power button.

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