A broken power button is one of the most common Android hardware failures - and one of the most frustrating. The phone works perfectly otherwise, but you can no longer lock the screen. Apps drain your battery, notifications light up the screen in meetings, and the basic act of putting the phone in your pocket becomes a problem.
The good news: you do not need a working power button to lock your Android screen. Here are five methods, from best to worst, that work right now.
Method 1: Screen Lock App (Best Fix)
The most reliable and permanent solution is a dedicated screen lock app. Turn Off Screen is the most popular option on Android, trusted by over 5 million users, with a track record of working across every major Android manufacturer.
It gives you three locking methods in one app:
- A floating button that sits on top of every app, always accessible
- A notification panel shortcut you can tap from the shade
- A home screen widget for locking from the launcher
Why this is the best fix: It is permanent. Once configured, locking your screen is as fast as it was with the power button - often faster, because the floating button is always visible rather than hidden on the side of the device.
Setup (5 minutes):
- Install Turn Off Screen from the Play Store (free)
- On Android 9+, grant the Accessibility permission when prompted
- Add the home screen widget for quick access: long-press the home screen → Widgets → Turn Off Screen
- In Battery settings, set Turn Off Screen to Unrestricted / Not optimized so the system does not kill it
After this, you have a fully functional screen lock that works with your fingerprint sensor and Smart Lock.
Method 2: Scheduled Screen Timeout
If your screen stays on for too long after you set the phone down, you can reduce the screen timeout to the minimum - typically 15 or 30 seconds.
Go to Settings → Display → Sleep (or Screen timeout) and set it to the shortest available value.
Limitation: This only helps when you set the phone down and wait. It does not let you lock on demand. It is a workaround, not a fix, and is best combined with Method 1.
Method 3: Android's Accessibility Shortcut
Android has a built-in Accessibility Menu that can be enabled to show a floating button with system shortcuts, including screen lock.
Settings → Accessibility → Accessibility Menu → enable it.
A small floating button appears. Tapping it opens a large overlay with options including "Lock screen."
Limitation: The Accessibility Menu button is large and not customizable. The lock action requires two taps (open the menu, then tap Lock screen), whereas Method 1 requires one. It also does not blend well visually. Use this if you need something without installing any app.
Method 4: Google Assistant Voice Command
You can say "Hey Google, lock my screen" and Assistant will lock it on Android 8+.
This requires:
- Google Assistant set up and active
- Always-on microphone (increases battery usage)
- A voice command to trigger (not ideal in silent environments)
Limitation: Requires voice, does not work when the phone is silenced, and is slow compared to a tap.
Method 5: ADB Command (Technical)
If your power button is broken and you have not set up any software fix yet, you can connect the phone to a computer and use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) to turn the screen off:
adb shell input keyevent 26
Keyevent 26 is the power button. You would need to enable USB debugging first (Settings → Developer Options → USB Debugging).
Limitation: This requires a computer, a cable, and technical setup. It is only useful as a one-time emergency fix to get you to a state where you can install a proper solution.
Can You Get the Power Button Repaired?
Yes, power button repair is a common service at phone repair shops. The cost varies by device:
- Budget Android phones: $30–60
- Mid-range phones (Samsung A-series, Xiaomi): $50–90
- Flagship phones (Samsung S-series, Pixel): $80–150+
For many users, the repair cost exceeds the value of the phone. In that case, a software fix like Turn Off Screen is the practical long-term answer - and it will keep working even after a repair, since you may want to avoid using the power button again to extend its lifespan.
What About the Wake-Up Function?
The power button does two things: it locks (puts the screen to sleep) and it wakes the screen. The methods above replace the lock function.
For waking the screen, most modern Android phones have alternatives:
- Double-tap to wake (available on most Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and many other devices - check Settings → Display)
- Lift to wake (picks up the phone = screen turns on)
- Fingerprint sensor (touching the fingerprint reader can wake the screen on many devices)
With double-tap to wake enabled and Turn Off Screen for locking, a broken power button becomes essentially irrelevant to your daily use.
Recommendation
If your power button is broken:
- Install Turn Off Screen for the lock function
- Enable double-tap to wake in your display settings for the wake function
- Set battery optimization to Unrestricted for Turn Off Screen
- Add the widget to your home screen
This combination replaces both functions of the power button with software that works reliably on every Android device.
No sign-up. Works on Android.