How to reflash Xiaomi Redmi 7: official and custom methods

Why do you want to re-watch Redmi 7 and what are the risks?

Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 7 (codename onc) was released in 2019 with MIUI 10 based on Android 9 Pie. For 5 years of support, the device has received several major updates, but the official updates have long been discontinued.

✅ Return the “life” to the old device with a modern version of Android (to Android 12 through custom firmware). ✅ Remove built-in Bloatware (pre-installed Chinese apps). ✅ Improve performance with optimized builds like Pixel Experience or LineageOS. ✅ Fix critical bugs if official software is unstable.

However, the process has risks ranging from a brick (an inoperable device) to a loss of warranty (if it was still in effect). Redmi 7’s main problem is the blocked bootloader by default, which requires official unlock through the Mi Account. Without this, most firmware methods simply won’t work.

In this guide, we will analyze all the current methods: from secure updates through MIUI Updater to install custom firmware through TWRP. Each method is accompanied by warnings about possible errors and ways to solve them.

Preparation for firmware: what to do before the beginning

Regardless of the method chosen, the preparation is the same, and skipping at least one item can lead to data loss or firmware failure.

• 🔋 Battery charge at least 60 percent, and when discharged during the process, the phone may shut down, causing a failure.
• 📱 Backup of all data (photos, contacts, SMS). Use Mi Mover or Google Account Sync.
• 🔐 Unlock the bootloader (if you plan to custom firmware). TWRP They won't be able to write files.
• 💻 Installation of drivers: Mi Flash Tool (for Windows) or adb/fastboot (for Linux/macOS).
• 📡 Stable Internet connection (if you download the firmware directly from your phone).

Xiaomi requires you to link the device to your Mi Account and wait 7-15 days (2026) if you haven’t done this before, start the process in advance:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode).
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable OEM Unlock.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, open the command line and type: adb reboot bootloader Then: fastboot oem unlock

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, the phone will perform a full reset (wipe). All data will be deleted, even if you backup the memory card.

Method 1: Update via MIUI Updater (official method)

The safest option is if you need to update the official firmware without risking data loss, suitable for switching from MIUI 10/11 to MIUI 12/13 (maximum possible for Redmi 7).

Steps:

1. Open the Update app on your phone.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Select the service pack.
3. Specify the path to the downloaded firmware file (the.zip format, the name should contain onc – the code name of the model).
4. Confirm installation. The phone will reboot and update automatically.

Where to get official firmware? Only download from Xiaomi's official website (choose Global or EEA for Europe). China versions may not support Google Services.

⚠️ Note: If you update via Updater with a "Can't verify update" error, check the integrity of the downloaded file (MD5-The amount must match the amount listed on the site, and make sure that the file name does not contain Cyrillic or spaces.

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Update via MIUI Updater does not require unlocking the bootloader and saves all data, but is limited to official versions of MIUI.

Method 2: Fastboot (Mi Flash Tool)

This method is suitable for recovering your phone after a crash or installing a clean official firmware. It requires an unlocked bootloader and a Windows PC.

Instructions:

1. Download the Mi Flash Tool from the official website and install it.
2. Unpack the downloaded firmware (.tgz format) into a folder without spaces in the path (for example, C:\MIUI\onc_global_images...).
3. Turn off the phone, press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
4. Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Flash Tool, and press Refresh.
5. Select the firmware folder, select Clean all (full clean) or Clean all and lock (if you want to lock the bootloader back).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).

If the process is 99% frozen or there is an anti rollback error, it means:

• 🔄 You are trying to install an older version. MIUI, What is already there (forbidden by Xiaomi policy).
• 🔧 You need to download a new firmware or reset your phone via Fastboot with the command: fastboot erase userdata

Download the Mi Flash Tool|Unpack the firmware into the root of the disk|Check the drivers (Mi Phone Manager)|Disable the antivirus (can block the process)|Charge the phone to 100%-->

Method 3: Install custom firmware (TWRP + Custom ROM)

For enthusiasts who want Android 11/12 or pure Android without a MIUI shell.

• 🔓 Unlocked loader.
• 📱 Established custom recovery TWRP.
• 📦 Onc-compatible firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience, LineageOS 19).

Steps:

1. Download TWRP for Redmi 7 from the official website (version must be at least 3.6.0).
2. Go to Fastboot and run recovery: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.0-onc.img fastboot boot twrp-3.6.0-onc.img
3. In TWRP, make a backup of the persist partition (important for IMEI!).
4. Sweat the custom firmware (for example, PixelExperience_onc-12.0-20230510.zip) GApps (if you need Google services).
5. Clear the cache (Wipe → Format Data) and restart.

The following are the Redmi 7 Firmware:

⚠️ Note: After installing custom firmware does not work: 📷 Wide-angle camera (no drivers in the AOSP-firmware). 🔋 Fast charging (may be limited) 10W instead 18W). 📡 VoLTE/VoWiFi (It depends on operator and build. Check the forum reviews before installing. 4PDA or XDA firmware.

Solving common errors in firmware

Even with the correct following of the instructions, problems can arise, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

• 🚫 Anti-Rollback Error: The Reason: Trying to roll back to an older version MIUI. The solution is to flash a new firmware or reset the counter through Fastboot: fastboot erase anti
• 🔄 Hanging on the logo MI: Probably incompatible firmware or not cleared cache. TWRP And do the Wipe. → Format Data.
• 🔌 Phone is not defined in Fastboot: Check the drivers (install Mi Phone Manager), change USB-Linux can be used by a command: sudo fastboot devices
• 📱 Touch doesn't work after firmware: Typical problem for custom firmware on Redmi 7.The solution is to flash the kernel from another build or return it MIUI.

If your phone has turned into a brick (it doesn’t turn on, doesn’t respond to buttons), try:

1. Press Volume up + Power for 20-30 seconds (forced reboot).
2. Connect to your PC and check if Fastboot or EDL (Emergency Firmware Mode) is defined.
3. If nothing helps, contact the service center (for Redmi 7 recovery through the service center). EDL worth ~1500–2000 ₽).

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Before you run custom ROM, check on the forum if it supports 4K video decoding. On some Redmi 7 builds, hardware acceleration only works at 1080p.

How to check the success of the firmware?

After flashing it, it's important to make sure everything works correctly.

• 📞 Calls and mobile internet: call another number, check your speed 4G.
• 📷 Cameras: Take a photo on the main and front camera.
• 🔊 Sound: Test the speaker, microphone and 3.5mm connector.
• 🔋 Charging: Connect the charger and make sure that charging is underway.
• 🌐 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: connect to the network and pair headphones.
• 📱 IMEI: Enter *#06# and yours should be displayed. IMEI (If you are missing, recover from the backup persist).

If something doesn’t work, go back to the previous firmware or ask for help on thematic forums:

• 4PDA: The Redmi 7 Theme
• XDA Developers — Redmi 7

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi firmware 7