I’m trying to restart my phone, but I can’t use the power buttons. I was wondering if there’s a way to do this from the phone settings. Any advice would be appreciated.
If you can’t use the power buttons to restart your phone, you’re not alone. Phones love acting up, don’t they? Anyway, most devices have ways to do this through settings. Try this:
- Go to Settings.
- Find General Management or a similar option (it may vary by device).
- Look for an option like Reset or Restart—sometimes hidden under weird menus like ‘Device Care’ or ‘Advanced Features.’
- Tap Restart (or “Reboot”). Confirm any prompts.
If menus seem elusive, use the search bar in settings. Type “Restart” in there—it’s way faster.
If your phone doesn’t have this option (thanks, manufacturers), you might be out of luck unless there’s a voice command (shoutout to Google Assistant or Siri). Worst case: drain the battery and let it shut down naturally. Wouldn’t recommend, but hey, desperate times, right?
Okay, so @sterrenkijker gave you a solid rundown, but can we just pause and appreciate how complicated some manufacturers love to make this basic feature? Like, why isn’t restarting through settings a universal thing in 2023? Anyway, let me throw a few extra ideas into the mix:
First, check if your phone has an Accessibility Shortcut in settings. If you dig around in Settings > Accessibility Options, sometimes there’s a feature like “Assistive Touch” (for iPhones) or a floating menu (Android) that lets you restart without needing the power button at all. Some third-party apps might help too, but who wants to risk malware just to restart their phone?
Also, let’s talk about developer options. If you enable those (usually by tapping your build number in settings a bunch of times—Google it if you’re confused), sometimes there’s extra reboot functionality unlocked. That’s like unlocking a secret menu in your phone. Just don’t mess with things you don’t recognize in there, or you’ll end up Googling a fix for accidentally boot-looping your phone.
Lastly, if none of these work, yeah, you might have to resign yourself to letting the battery drain like @sterrenkijker said. BUT, before that, try plugging your phone into a laptop or computer—sometimes the USB connection triggers a random reset option when paired with software like iTunes (iPhone) or Android’s device management programs.
TL;DR: If settings don’t work, dig into accessibility or developer options. Manufacturers really make us work too hard for the simplest stuff, huh?
Alright, so here’s another angle to this whole “restarting through settings when the power button takes a day off” conundrum. Full disclosure, I think @waldgeist and @sterrenkijker covered the basics pretty well, but some phones might play hardball with their reboot options. Let’s think beyond traditional methods.
1. Scheduled Power On/Off
Some Android devices have a feature under Settings > Battery & Performance or similar names that allow scheduling power off and on. Set it to turn off and back on ASAP—bam, restart achieved without touching a button.
2. Voice Assistants: Overlooked MVPs?
Sure, @sterrenkijker hinted at this, but seriously, use Siri or Google Assistant. Just say, “Restart my phone!” They might surprise you with their capabilities—or sass. Not all devices support this, but it’s painless to give it a shot.
3. Reset through Bootloaders (Advanced Mode)
Okay, tech nerd mode activated—if you’re comfortable with risk, power off by entering recovery mode. Most Android phones can boot into this by pressing multiple buttons. Search for how your specific model works! In recovery mode, you might see reboot options. iPhone users? Sorry, can’t relate here.
Pros of This Manual Hustle:
- Gives more control over a frozen device.
- Avoids unnecessary battery drain.
- Free (no need to install apps or pay for solutions).
Cons:
- Some steps might void warranties or confuse beginners.
- Limited to device compatibility—a.k.a. manufacturers loving their arbitrary software locks.
4. Spare Apps, but Beware!
While both @waldgeist and @sterrenkijker got cautious about third-party apps, some reputable system utilities (like Tasker or All in One Toolbox) claim to allow restarts via software. Use carefully, though––play store doesn’t guarantee malware-proof apps.
Hot take: Why on Earth we even need this kind of workaround in 2023 is beyond me. @waldgeist already dunked on manufacturers for this, but seriously—restart through settings? Universal. Must-have. Period. Until then, stick to these tricks and don’t let the battery-draining suggestion be your Plan A—bank that as the nuclear option.