How to restart Android without volume button?
Android devices generally use the power button or volume buttons to restart the device. However, there are situations where the volume buttons may not be functioning properly or are inaccessible. Users may need to restart their Android for troubleshooting purposes, installing updates, or other reasons.
Since the volume buttons are one of the most common ways to restart an Android, not having access to them poses a challenge. This article will provide Android users multiple methods to restart their device even if the volume buttons are unresponsive or broken.
Use On-Screen Buttons
Many Android devices have on-screen or virtual buttons that can be used in place of physical buttons. The power button is often included as one of these on-screen buttons.
To restart your Android device using the on-screen power button:
- Locate the on-screen power button on your device’s screen. This is usually along the bottom or side edge.
- Press and hold the on-screen power button for a few seconds until you get the power menu.
- Tap the “Restart” option to restart your Android device.
On-screen buttons provide an easy way to restart your device even if the physical power button is broken or unresponsive. Just tap the on-screen power icon to bring up the restart option.
Some devices like the Samsung Galaxy S8 have an “Always On Display” mode that shows the power button at all times (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alwayspowerbutton&hl=en_US&gl=US). This makes it even easier to restart your Android without a working power key.
Use Accessibility Settings
Android provides specialized accessibility settings that allow users to add an on-screen power button if needed. This can be useful if the physical power button on your device is broken or unresponsive. To enable the accessibility power button:
1. Open the Settings app on your Android device.
2. Tap “Accessibility” and then tap “Accessibility Menu.”
3. Under “Accessibility Shortcut,” tap “Accessibility button.”
4. Toggle the switch next to “Use service” to the “On” position.
This will add a floating on-screen power button that can be used to turn off the screen or restart the device. Tap the new accessibility button anytime you need to power down or reboot your Android (source).
The accessibility power button provides an easy alternative if your hardware power key stops working for any reason. Just a few quick settings adjustments in Android’s accessibility menu can give you back full control over powering your device off and on.
Use Assistive Touch
One way to restart your Android device without using the physical power button is to enable Assistive Touch. Assistive Touch adds an on-screen menu with a virtual power button that can be used to restart your device (https://www.howtogeek.com/799575/how-to-restart-a-phone-without-the-power-button/).
To enable Assistive Touch, go to Settings > Accessibility > Assistive Touch and toggle it on. This will add a movable button on your screen that you can tap to access a menu with options like Home, Lock Screen, Recent Apps, Power Off, and more (https://www.91mobiles.com/hub/restart-my-phone-without-power-button-how-to/).
From the Assistive Touch menu, you can tap Power Off and then Restart to restart your Android device without needing to use the physical power or volume buttons. You can also customize the Assistive Touch menu if needed by tapping Customize in the menu.
Use Voice Commands
Many Android devices support built-in voice commands through Google Assistant. By saying a wake word or phrase like “Hey Google,” you can activate voice control on your phone and issue commands hands-free (1).
Once Google Assistant is listening, you can say “restart” or “reboot” to restart your Android device. On some phones, like Samsung, you may need to enable permissions for Google Assistant to be able to restart the device (2).
Voice commands provide a convenient hands-free way to restart your Android phone or tablet, which can be helpful if the power or volume buttons are broken. Just remember to speak clearly and ensure voice control is enabled and has the necessary permissions (3).
Sources:
(1) https://support.google.com/accessibility/android/answer/6151854?hl=en
(2) https://www.androidpolice.com/2021/05/23/soon-youll-be-able-to-turn-off-your-phone-with-your-voice/
(3) https://support.google.com/assistant/thread/1314532/restart-phone-with-ok-google?hl=en
Use Tasker App
The Tasker app allows you to automate various actions and tasks on your Android device without needing physical buttons. With Tasker, you can create a task to restart your device using touch gestures, connecting to power, connecting headphones, or any other trigger you want.
To create a restart task in Tasker:
- Install and open the Tasker app.
- Tap the plus icon to create a new task.
- Give the task a name like “Restart Device”.
- Tap the plus icon to add an action to the task.
- Under “System”, select the “Reboot” action.
- Back out and tap the checkmark to save the task.
Now you can attach this task to a gesture, event, or condition using Tasker’s profiles. For example, you could restart by swiping up on the home screen. Tasker requires patience to learn, but gives you tons of automation power without needing root.
Use ADB Commands
One way to restart an Android phone without the power or volume buttons is by using the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) to send commands from a connected computer.1 ADB allows you to control your Android device by connecting it to a computer and sending commands through the ADB interface.
To use ADB to restart your phone, you’ll first need to enable developer options on your device. Next, connect your phone to your computer using a USB cable. Open a command prompt or terminal window on your computer and use the adb devices command to verify that your phone is connected.
Once connected, you can type the command “adb reboot” to restart your Android phone. If you have multiple devices connected, you can also specify the device ID to target a specific phone, e.g. “adb -s
The key advantage of using ADB is that it provides a way to restart your phone even if the physical buttons are broken. As long as you can connect to the device over USB and ADB is enabled, you can reboot it from your computer.
Use Hardware Keys
Some Android devices have hidden hardware keys that can be used to restart the device if the normal methods like using the power button stop working.
These hardware keys are usually activated by pressing and holding them in combination with the volume up or down buttons. The exact combination varies by device model and manufacturer. Locating these hidden hardware keys on your specific Android device can often be done through an online search of your device make and model.
For example, many Samsung Galaxy models contain a hidden home button that can be pressed by pressing and holding the power and volume down buttons simultaneously for 10+ seconds to force restart the device [1]. Other devices like the LG V10 contain a hidden reset button accessed by removing the back cover and using a pin to press the button next to the SIM card slot.
Using these hardware methods to restart your Android can be useful when the touchscreen becomes unresponsive or standard software-based restart methods fail. Just be cautious when trying to locate hidden buttons on your device to avoid any damage.
Remove and Replace Battery
If the battery is accessible on your Android device, removing and replacing it can restart the phone when standard reboot methods are not working (1). This is because it completely cuts power to the device before restoring it. However, this method is not possible on all Android phones and tablets, as some newer models have batteries that are not intended to be user-replaceable (2).
If you do attempt to remove and replace the battery to restart your Android, care should be taken not to damage connectors or ribbon cables inside the device. Prying open the phone case and accessing internal components has risks, so only attempt battery removal if you are comfortable doing so. Check online teardown guides for your specific model first.
Overall, removing and replacing the battery can force a reboot on devices where it is possible. Just be aware it is not an option on all phones, and internal damage is possible if you are not careful.
Contact Manufacturer
If none of the previous methods for restarting your Android device are working, the next step is to contact your device manufacturer for further troubleshooting and support.
Most major device manufacturers such as Samsung, LG, Motorola, etc. have dedicated customer support teams that can provide customized assistance for your specific model of Android phone or tablet. The manufacturer is most familiar with the hardware and any quirks that may prevent the standard restart procedures from working.
To find your device manufacturer’s contact information, go to Settings > System > About phone. Tap “Model & hardware” to see the manufacturer name. You can then search online for their customer support phone number or contact form.
When you contact the manufacturer, explain the issues you are facing with restarting your device. Provide details on which options you’ve already tried unsuccessfully. The support team can then walk you through any special key combinations or hardware resets that may force a restart on your model.
As the creator of your device, the manufacturer has the deepest knowledge of how to troubleshoot unique problems like being unable to restart. Make use of their technical experts to finally get your Android device powered back on.