How to boot your phone without using the power button?
Last updated: 2026-09-21
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A broken power button can feel like a nightmare—your phone is unresponsive, you need to use your phone, but you're left wondering how to turn it back on. Whether the button is stuck, unclickable, or completely detached, don’t panic. There are several ways to boot your phone without relying on the power button, depending on your device's make, model, and operating system.
Smartphones are intentionally designed with multiple input methods, which means that even if one component fails, alternative options often remain available. Whether through clever software solutions or practical hardware workarounds, you can frequently restore your device's functionality without needing immediate repairs. This guide will walk you through the best methods for Android and iOS devices, ensuring you regain access to your phone as quickly as possible.
Before rushing to a repair shop or considering a replacement, try these proven techniques to power on your phone. Some methods require a bit of technical know-how, while others are as simple as plugging in a charger. By the end of this guide, you'll have a clear plan to bypass the broken power button and get your device running again.
For the undetachable-battery smartphone, you can:
Plan A
Preparation materials: Phone charger, charging cable, phone.
1. Plug your phone charger into the socket. Many phones will automatically power on when plugged in if they were turned off.
2. If it doesn't boot immediately, leave it plugged in for 5–10 minutes to see if it turns on by itself.
Plan B
Preparation materials: Phone charger, charging cable, phone.
1. Power prepare: Plug your phone charger into the socket.
2. Long-press the "volume up key" and "volume down key" on your phone at the same time (Some are long-press "volume up key" or "volume down key").
3. Keep pressing the key, and plug the charging cable to your phone and wait about 20s.
4. The device will start to boot.
Plan C
Preparation materials: Computer, data cable, phone.
1. Turn on your computer.
2. Connect the phone to the computer by using a data cable.
3. Few seconds later, if there is a choosing tip looks like 'you use the USB cable for charging only or data transmission', appear in the phone screen, select 'data transmission', then the device will start to boot.
Plan D
Preparation materials: The phone has previously enabled "USB debugging", Computer, USB data cable, phone.
1. Connect your phone to your PC.
2. On your PC, open Command Prompt and type: adb devices (To check connection. If listed, continue.)
3. Then type: adb reboot
4. This will reboot your phone without the power button.
Plan E
Find the professional repair store.
For the detachable-battery smartphone, you can:
Plan A
Preparation materials: Power, charging cable, phone.
1. Power prepare: Plug the charging cable adapter into the socket.
2. Long-press the "volume up key" and "volume down key" on your phone at the same time (Some are long-press "volume up key" or "volume down key").
3. Plug the charging cable to your phone and wait about 20s.
4. The device will start to boot.
Plan B
If plan A doesn't work, try plan B.
Preparation materials: Power, charging cable, phone.
1. Remove the back cover of the phone.
2. Power prepare: Plug the charging cable adapter into the socket.
3. Plug the charging cable to your phone, then quickly remove the battery pack and put it back.
4. Then, long-press the "volume up key" and "volume down key" on your phone at the same time (Some are long-press "volume up key" or "volume down key").
5. After a few seconds, the device will start to boot.
Plan C
Preparation materials: Computer, data cable, phone.
1. Turn on your computer.
2. Connect the phone to the computer by using a data cable.
3. Few seconds later, if there is a choosing tip looks like 'you use the USB cable for charging only or data transmission', appear in the phone screen, select 'data transmission', then the device will start to boot.
Plan D
If these fixing methods do not work, find a phone repair store.
Additional Ways to Turn On a Phone Without the Power Button
If the methods above do not work, there are several other options worth trying. The available methods depend heavily on your phone model, Android version, and whether certain features were enabled before the power button stopped working.
Use Scheduled Power On
Some Android phones support a Scheduled Power On/Off feature. If this feature is available on your device, you can set a specific time for the phone to turn on automatically. This can be particularly useful if the power button is completely unusable. But, it needs to be set up before the power button breaks.
- Open Settings and search for "Scheduled power on/off" or a similar option.
- Set an automatic power-on time and choose the days when you want it to run.
- Keep the battery sufficiently charged before the scheduled time.
Not every Android phone supports scheduled power-on, and the menu location can vary between manufacturers and software versions.
Try Recovery or Bootloader Mode
Some Android phones can enter Recovery Mode or Bootloader/Fastboot Mode using a combination of physical buttons, usually involving one or more volume keys. The exact key combination varies by manufacturer and model.
- Connect the phone to a computer or charger if required by your device.
- Press and hold the appropriate volume key or key combination.
- Wait for the Bootloader or Recovery screen to appear.
- If the device provides a restart or reboot option, select it using the available buttons.
Do not unlock the bootloader or perform a factory reset unless you fully understand the consequences, because some bootloader operations can erase user data.
Try Wireless Charging
If your phone supports wireless charging, try placing it on a compatible wireless charger. In some cases, supplying power through a different charging method may trigger the device to display its charging screen or start its normal boot process.
This method is device-dependent, so it should be considered an additional troubleshooting step rather than a guaranteed way to turn on the phone.
Check Whether the Phone Is Already Running
A broken or unresponsive display can sometimes be mistaken for a phone that is completely powered off. Before attempting more complicated procedures, check whether the device is actually running.
- Call the phone from another device and listen for a ringtone or vibration.
- Connect it to a computer and check whether the computer detects the device.
- Connect a charger and look for vibration, notification sounds, charging indicators, or other signs of activity.
- If the phone responds but the screen remains black, the problem may involve the display rather than the power button.
Set Up Automatic Restart in Advance
If your phone is still working despite a damaged power button, consider enabling an automatic restart or scheduled restart feature if your device supports it. This can reduce the need to manually press the power button to restart the phone in the future.
- Open Settings and search for "Auto restart", "Scheduled restart", or a similar option.
- Choose a suitable time and schedule.
- Make sure the phone has enough battery power and meets any conditions required by the manufacturer.
Because these features vary significantly between manufacturers and Android versions, check your phone manufacturer's documentation for the exact procedure.
Back Up Your Data Before the Situation Gets Worse
If the phone can still be operated, back up important photos, contacts, messages, and other files as soon as possible. A damaged power button may eventually be accompanied by other hardware problems, and some recovery procedures may carry a risk of data loss.
For a phone with a permanently damaged power button, these workarounds should generally be considered temporary solutions. If none of them work, repairing or replacing the power-button assembly is the more reliable long-term solution.
Conclusion
Dealing with a broken power button doesn’t have to mean the end of your smartphone’s usability. Whether you rely on software tricks, or opt for hardware workarounds, there are plenty of ways to keep your device running. With a little creativity and patience, you can bypass the faulty button and avoid costly repairs—at least temporarily. Always back up your data regularly, and if the issue persists, consider consulting a professional for a long-term fix. Technology is full of workarounds; you just need to know where to look!
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