If your Realme phone's power button is broken or unresponsive, you can restart it without using the hardware button by enabling the built-in Accessibility Menu. This guide covers the best software-based methods to restart Realme phone without power button, from the on-screen accessibility shortcut to scheduled automatic reboots.
How to restart Realme phone without power button using the accessibility menu
The Accessibility Menu provides an on-screen menu with large buttons for common functions, including the power menu, which allows for restarting the device. This is the most reliable method because it creates a virtual power button that works regardless of physical button damage. You want this method because it is the closest replacement for a broken power button, giving you an on-screen tap to access the restart option.
To enable this feature, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your Realme phone.
- Navigate to Additional Settings (for Realme UI 2.0) or System settings (for Realme UI 3.0 through 7.0). In some versions, you may find it under Accessibility & convenience.
- Select Accessibility from the menu.
- Locate and tap Accessibility Menu.
- Toggle on the Accessibility Menu shortcut.
Once enabled, a floating icon appears on your screen. Tap it to open the on-screen menu, then select the Power button to access restart, shutdown, or screenshot options. Choose Restart to reboot the device without touching the physical power button.
Scheduling an automatic restart to avoid using the button
Realme UI includes a "Schedule power on/off" feature that allows the phone to automatically shut down and power on at set times, useful for routine restarts without manual interaction. You want this method because it eliminates the need to interact with the phone at all, the device restarts itself on a schedule, perfect for users who need a daily reboot but cannot use the power button.
To set this up:
- Go to Settings > System settings (or Additional Settings/Accessibility & convenience).
- Select Schedule power on/off (or Auto power on/off).
- Toggle on Auto power on and/or Auto power off.
- Set the desired times and repeat days for the automatic restart cycle.
For scheduled power on/off to work, the phone needs hardware support, specifically a real-time clock (RTC) in the processor, and sufficient battery charge. If your phone meets these requirements, it will shut down and restart at the specified times without any manual button press.
Using ADB commands as a last resort
If the touchscreen is also unresponsive and you cannot enable the Accessibility Menu or schedule a restart, ADB commands offer a way to reboot from a computer. You want this method because it works even when the screen is completely frozen or black, as long as USB debugging was previously enabled on the phone.
This is an advanced method strictly for users who already have USB debugging enabled. Connect your Realme phone to a computer via USB, open a command prompt or terminal, and run the command adb reboot. The device will restart immediately. If USB debugging was not enabled before the screen became unresponsive, this method will not work.
What to do when software solutions fail
If your power button is physically damaged, dented, or has liquid ingress, software solutions may not work, and professional repair at a Realme customer service center is recommended. You want this method because it addresses the root cause when all software workarounds prove ineffective, ensuring the phone is properly repaired rather than temporarily patched.
Signs of physical damage include a button that feels stuck, rattles, or shows no tactile feedback. Liquid ingress may cause intermittent button behavior or corrosion. In these cases, attempting software fixes is futile. A Realme service center can replace the power button flex cable or repair the motherboard connection, restoring full hardware functionality.
