Being locked out of your Android phone when the power button is broken can be very frustrating. Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to unlock your Android device without needing the power button.
Use Voice Unlock
One of the easiest ways to unlock your Android phone without the power button is by using voice unlock. Many Android devices have a voice unlock feature built-in that allows you to unlock your device using a spoken passphrase. Here’s how to set up and use voice unlock:
- Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
- Navigate to Security > Smart Lock.
- Tap on “Voice Match”.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to record your voice passphrase. Make sure you choose a passphrase that is easy for you to remember.
- Once voice match setup is complete, you’ll be able to unlock your phone just by saying your chosen passphrase aloud.
The great thing about voice unlock is that it allows you to bypass the power button entirely. Just say your passphrase and your Android device will unlock without needing to press any buttons. Voice match also uses speech recognition, so even if you say your passphrase differently each time, it can still recognize your voice and unlock the device.
Enter Your PIN/Password
If you have a PIN, password, or pattern set up for your Android device, you may be able to unlock it by entering your credentials using the on-screen keyboard.
- Press and hold the Volume Down button for a few seconds to wake the phone.
- On the lock screen, tap on the “Enter PIN” or “Enter Password” icon.
- Use the on-screen number pad to enter your PIN or password and unlock your device.
This method works well if your power button is faulty but the touchscreen still functions properly. Just make sure your PIN or password is something you can easily enter using the on-screen keyboard.
Use Fingerprint Unlock
If your Android device has a fingerprint sensor, you can also use your fingerprint to unlock your phone without the power button.
- Press and hold the Volume Down button for a few seconds to wake your phone.
- Once the lock screen appears, place your finger on the fingerprint sensor.
- Your device will scan your fingerprint and unlock once verified.
The fingerprint unlock method is very convenient since you don’t have to remember a PIN or pattern. However, it only works if your phone has a functioning fingerprint sensor.
Unlock with Trusted Devices
You can also use trusted devices like a smartwatch or Bluetooth headset to unlock your Android phone without the power button.
- Go to Settings > Security > Smart Lock.
- Tap “Trusted devices” and follow the prompts to set up a trusted Bluetooth device.
- With your trusted device nearby, your Android phone will detect it and automatically unlock.
This Smart Lock method is useful if you frequently use Bluetooth accessories with your phone. Just make sure the trusted device stays connected in order to keep your phone unlocked.
Use Emergency Call to Unlock
In an emergency situation where you need to make a call, Android allows you to unlock your phone from the lock screen using the emergency dialer.
- On the lock screen, tap on “Emergency call.”
- Dial the emergency number, such as 911.
- After the call ends, your device will be unlocked and taken to the home screen.
While this method should really only be used in true emergency situations, it’s good to know that you can unlock your Android phone without the power button if you need to call emergency services.
Use Find My Device
Google’s Find My Device service allows you to remotely unlock your Android device without using the power button. Here’s how it works:
- Make sure Find My Device is enabled on your Android phone.
- On another device, visit android.com/find.
- Sign in with your Google Account and select your locked device.
- Select “Unlock” to remotely deactivate your lost phone’s lock screen.
The one catch is that your lost Android device needs to be turned on and connected to the internet in order for the remote unlock to work. But in the right circumstances, Find My Device can be a very useful way to unlock your phone without physical access to the power button.
Use ADB Commands
ADB (Android Debug Bridge) is a command line tool that lets you communicate with your Android device from a computer. It can be used to bypass the lock screen without the power button.
- On your PC, install ADB tools and drivers.
- Enter your device into USB debugging mode.
- Connect your phone to your PC using a USB cable.
- Open command prompt/terminal and enter: adb devices
- Then enter: adb shell
- Finally enter: rm /data/system/locksettings.db
- Disconnect and restart your Android device to unlock.
Using ADB commands to unlock your device requires some technical knowledge. You’ll need to enable USB debugging beforehand and have the proper drivers installed on your computer. But for developers or advanced users, this method can be very useful for unlocking a phone with a broken power button.
Use Android Device Manager
The Android Device Manager is a web-based tool that allows you to control and administer your Android device remotely. It has the ability to unlock your device without the power button.
- Make sure your Android device is signed in to the same Google Account as android.com/devicemanager.
- On a computer, visit android.com/devicemanager.
- Sign in with your Google Account and select your locked device.
- Select “Unlock” to deactivate the lock screen on your Android phone.
Similar to Find My Device, the Android Device Manager method requires that your lost phone be turned on and connected to the internet. But in the right circumstances, it’s a handy way to bypass the power button lock screen remotely.
Use Android Lock Screen Removal Apps
There are some apps available for Android that are designed specifically to help you unlock your device without buttons. Here are some options:
- Lock Screen Removal – Allows you to disable the lock screen completely or bypass it once to access your device.
- Lock Screen Bypass – Lets you create a custom unlock shortcut to quickly unlock your phone.
- Screen Lock Bypass – Alternative lock screen with larger buttons that are easier to tap without the power key.
These apps require you to install them beforehand in order to use their lock screen bypass features. But they can be handy for situations where your power button is broken and you need to unlock your Android phone.
Perform Factory Reset
Performing a factory reset will erase all of your personal data but also completely remove the lock screen from your Android device.
- Turn on your phone using an alternative method like the volume button.
- Open Settings and select System > Advanced > Reset options.
- Tap Erase all data (factory reset) > Reset phone.
- Confirm that you want to erase all data and reset your device.
Once the factory reset completes, your device will reboot without a lock screen enabled. You’ll have to re-configure the device from scratch, so only use this method as a last resort. But it will completely remove the lock screen without needing the power button.
Replace Power Button Component
For some Android phones, the actual power button hardware component can be replaced relatively easily. Opening up the device and swapping in a new power button will restore full functionality.
- Order a replacement power button part that is compatible with your specific Android model.
- Follow disassembly instructions to safely open up your phone.
- Disconnect the faulty power button from the motherboard.
- Securely connect the new power button hardware.
- Reassemble the phone and test that the new power key works.
While the process varies for each Android phone, most models allow you to swap the power button component without having to replace the entire motherboard. This solution restores normal power button functionality.
| Method | Difficulty | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Voice Unlock | Easy | Low |
| Enter PIN/Password | Easy | Low |
| Fingerprint Unlock | Easy | Low |
| Trusted Devices | Medium | Low |
| Emergency Call | Easy | Medium |
| Find My Device | Medium | Low |
| ADB Commands | Hard | High |
| Factory Reset | Medium | High |
| Replace Power Button | Hard | Low |
Conclusion
While a broken power button makes it more difficult to unlock your Android phone, there are still numerous methods you can use to bypass the power lock screen. The easiest options involve leveraging biometric unlocking features like voice match or fingerprint scanning. For advanced users, ADB commands provide the most control to disable lock screen security. And in a worst case scenario, performing a factory reset or replacing the power button hardware will eliminate the issue, albeit at the cost of data loss or physical disassembly. With some clever workarounds, you can regain access to your Android device even without use of the power key.