Update Android on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: all the ways and nuances

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, released in 2019, is still popular among users due to balanced features and support for updates. However, with the release of new versions of MIUI and Android, device owners are faced with questions: how to update the firmware, which versions are still supported, and what to do if the update is not installed? In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to update Redmi Note 7 (codename lavender), including official and alternative methods, as well as solve typical problems.

It’s important to understand that Redmi Note 7 no longer receives major Android updates – the last official version is Android 10 with MIUI 12.5 (for global firmware).However, Xiaomi continues to release security patches and bug fixes. If your device is stuck on the old version or gives out bugs when updating, our instructions will help you understand the reasons and find a solution.

1. Check the current firmware version and available updates

Before you start the update, you need to know the current version of MIUI and Android on your Redmi Note 7, which will help determine what updates are available for your model and region.

To check the software version:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Scroll down to the MIUI version section – here is the current firmware (e.g. MIUI Global 12.5.7 Stable).
3. Click on the MIUI version several times to activate Additional settings (you are a developer now).
4. Go back to Settings → Additional → For developers and find the Android version.

Now compare your version to the latest official releases for the Redmi Note 7:

If your version is older than the one in the table, it means you have an update available, and if the firmware matches the latest official version, further updates via OTA are unlikely, and alternative methods such as manual installation via Recovery or Fastboot can be considered.

Method 1: Air Update (OTA)

The easiest and most secure method is to upgrade through OTA (Over-The-Air), which is suitable for most users and requires no special skills.

• 🔄 Update is available only for official firmware (not customized).
• 📶 Requires a stable connection to Wi-Fi (load volume can exceed 1.5 GB).
• 🔋 The battery charge must be at least 50%.
• 📱 The device must not be rooted or unlocked (otherwise, OTA may not work).

Instructions for updating through OTA:

1. Connect to the Wi-Fi network.
2. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
3. Click Check Updates. If the update is available, a notification will appear prompting you to download it.
4. Click Download and wait until the download is complete (don’t interrupt the process!).
5. After download, click Set and confirm the reboot.

If the Check Update button is inactive or gives an error, try the following:

• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
• 📶 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes corporate networks block access to Xiaomi servers).
• 🕒 Wait 1-2 days – sometimes updates roll out in stages.
• 📱 Reset network settings: Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Resetting network settings.

💡

If the update has downloaded but is not installed, try clearing the cache of the System Update: Settings → Applications → App Management → System Update → Clear the cache.

Method 2: Manual update via Recovery

If OTA-Update is unavailable or it gives you bugs, you can manually install firmware through Recovery, which is suitable for official firmware and does not require unlocking the bootloader.

Step-by-step:

Download the official firmware for Redmi Note 7 (lavender)|Check integrity ZIP-file (MD5)|Copy the file to the root of internal memory|Disable the protection. MIUI (if included)|Charge your phone at least 60%-->

Step 1. Download the firmware.

The official firmware for Redmi Note 7 can be downloaded from the following sites:

• 🌍 Official website of Xiaomi (Global)
• 🇨🇳 Official website of Xiaomi (China)
• 📦 Xiaomi Firmware Updater (alternative source)

Choose a firmware marked Recovery (not Fastboot!) that is relevant to your region, for example, for the global version, it will be a file of the view:

miui_LAVENDERGlobal_V12.5.7.0.QFGMIXM_xxxxxxxxxx_10.0.zip

Step 2. Rename the file

Downloaded ZIP-file should be called update.zip. Rename it without using Cyrillic or spaces.

Step 3. Install firmware through Recovery

1. Copy the update.zip file to the root of internal memory (not to folders!).
2. Turn off the phone.
3. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time to enter Recovery Mode.
4. In the Recovery menu, select the language (if available) then:
5. Select Install update.zip to System (or similar).
6. Confirm the installation and wait until the completion (the process will take 5-10 minutes).
7. After the reboot, the phone will be updated to a new version.

Method 3: Update via Fastboot (for power users)

Fastboot is a method that works for installing official firmware when other methods don't work. It requires an unlocked bootloader and ADB/Fastboot skills. It erases all the data on the phone, so back up first!

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Fastboot firmware for Redmi Note 7 (file with.tgz or.zip extension).
• 🛠️ Utilities. ADB Fastboot (can be downloaded as part of Android) SDK Platform-Tools).

Step 1. Unlock the bootloader

If the bootloader is locked, it must be unlocked through the official Mi Unlock Tool:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and install it on PC.
2. Turn on the developer mode on the phone (click 7 times on the MIUI version in About Phone).
3. Activate USB Debugging and OEM Unlock in Settings → Additional → For Developers.
4. Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Unlock Tool, and follow the instructions (you will need a Xiaomi account tied to your phone).

Step 2. Install firmware via Fastboot

1. Unpack the downloaded Fastboot firmware in a folder on your PC (for example, C:\miui_fastboot).
2. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into Fastboot Mode.
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Open the command line (cmd) in the firmware folder and do:

fastboot flashall

If the command does not work, use it alternately:

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash recovery recovery.img




fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot flash vendor vendor.img




fastboot flash dtbo dtbo.img




fastboot flash vbmeta vbmeta.img




fastboot reboot

💡

Updating through Fastboot completely erases data, including photos, contacts and apps. If you don’t have the bootloader unlocked, this method won’t work — use Recovery or OTA.

5. Solving Common Update Errors

When updating Redmi Note 7 users often encounter errors, and consider the most common and ways to fix them.

If after the update the phone stopped turning on or got stuck on the screensaver:

⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to interrupt the upgrade process during the installation phase (when the progress lane is in progress).If the phone does not respond for more than 20 minutes, perform a forced reboot: pinch the power. + Volume up for 10 to 15 seconds. If that doesn't work, install the firmware again via Fastboot.

For Bootloop (cyclic reboot) related errors, resetting via Recovery will help:

1. Enter Recovery Mode (Nutrition + Volume Up).
2. Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
3. Confirm the reset (all data will be deleted!).
4. Reboot the phone.

6. Alternative firmware: should I install?

If the official updates for Redmi Note 7 No longer out, some users are considering custom firmware (for example, LineageOS, Pixel Experience, HavocOS). 11/12, but they have a number of disadvantages:

The advantages of custom firmware:

• 🆙 Update to current versions of Android.
• 🚀 Improved productivity and optimization.
• 🔓 More opportunities for customization.
• 📱 Lack of advertising and unnecessary Xiaomi apps.

Cons and risks:

• ⚠️ Loss of the official guarantee if it is still valid).
• 🔋 Possible problems with battery and stability.
• 📸 Not all cameras and sensors can work properly.
• 🔒 The risk of “bricking” the phone when installed incorrectly.

If you decide to install custom firmware, follow this algorithm:

1. Unlock the bootloader (see the section about Fastboot).
2. Install custom Recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox)
3. Download firmware and GApps (Google services) from official sources (e.g. XDA Developers).
4. Completely reset (Wipe System, Data, Cache, Dalvik) to Recovery.
5. Install the firmware, then GApps, and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: Castom firmware does not pass official Xiaomi testing.Be sure that the firmware is compatible with the lavender model (Redmi Note 7) Before installing it, using inappropriate versions may cause the communication module, cameras or sensors to fail.

7 How to roll back an update if something goes wrong

If the phone gets worse after the upgrade (e.g., it discharges faster, heats up or makes errors), you can return the previous firmware version.

• 📱 Backup of data (all files will be deleted!).
• 🔌 Firmware of the old version (download it in advance from the official website).
• 🛠️ Access to Recovery or Fastboot.

Recoil through Recovery:

1. Download the correct version of the firmware (Recovery).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and copy it to the root of the memory.
3. Log in to Recovery Mode and select Install update.zip.
4. Confirm the rollback and wait for completion.

Pushback through Fastboot:

1. Download the Fastboot firmware of the desired version.
2. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode.
3. Follow the command:

fastboot flashall --skip-secondary

The flag --skip-secondary will help avoid errors when rolling back to an older version.

If the phone does not turn on after rollback, reset via Recovery (Wipe Data).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note 7 update