Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 remains one of the most popular budget smartphones even years after its release. However, over time, standard MIUI firmware begins to slow down and updates from the manufacturer stop coming out. Flashing the phone can solve performance problems, add new features or even install clean Android without excess software. But the process requires accuracy: a bug at any stage can turn the device into a “brick”.
In this guide, we’ll look at all the ways to reflash, from the official Updater update to custom firmware installations via TWRP and Fastboot. You’ll learn how to unlock the bootloader, where to download the verified firmware files for Redmi Note 7 (codename lavender), and how to avoid errors. And if you’ve never flashed a smartphone before, don’t worry: the instructions are tailored for beginners.
Preparation for Flashing: What to Do Before Starting
Flashing is not just a couple of buttons, but doing the wrong thing can cause data to be lost, a system crash, or even a physical device to crash, so the first step is to have a full backup of all the important data, and even if you plan to upgrade without resetting, the risk of file loss remains.
Here’s what you should do before you start:
- 📱 Save your contacts, photos and documents to the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) or computer. Use Mi Mover to back up your applications.
- 🔋 Charge the phone to at least 60%. When discharged during firmware, the device may turn off and stop turning on.
- 🔗 Download the correct firmware for your model. For the Redmi Note 7, these are lavender-marked files (not to be confused with the Redmi Note 7 Pro - violett!).
- 🔐 Find out the version. MIUI In Settings → This will help you choose the latest firmware (stable or developer).
Also check if the bootloader is unlocked, and if it isn't, you'll have to unlock it through the official Mi Unlock tool, which you'll find out in the next section.
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If you’re flashing your phone for the first time, practice on an old model or use an Android-x86 virtual machine to understand the process.
Unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7
The bootloader on all Xiaomi smartphones is locked by default, a security measure, but it also makes it harder to install custom firmware. Unlocking takes 3 to 30 days, depending on Xiaomi policy and your Mi Account.
Here's a step-by-step process:
- Link your Mi Account to your phone: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Sync and make sure the device is tied.
- Activate USB debugging: In Settings → About the phone tap 7 times on the MIUI version, then go back to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable debugging via USB.
- Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
- Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website and start the program.
- Log in to your Mi Account and follow the instructions. The program will check if you can unlock the bootloader.
If you see a message called Couldn't unlock. Wait 168 hours is fine. Xiaomi requires you to wait 7 days (sometimes longer) before unlocking.
- ❌ Untie the Mi Account from the phone.
- ❌ Do a resetting.
- ❌ Switching the device through Fastboot.
Re-flashing methods: which one to choose?
There are three main methods of firmware Redmi Note 7:
| Method | Difficulty | Unlocking required | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through Updater (OTA) | ⭐ | ❌ No. | Official updates to MIUI |
| Through Recovery (MIUI or TWRP) | ⭐⭐ | ❌ No, for MIUI)✅ Yes. TWRP) | Official and some custom firmware |
| Through Fastboot (MiFlash) | ⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Yes. | Any firmware, recovery after failure |
The choice of method depends on your goals:
- 🔄 Update MIUI last-minute → Use Updater or Recovery.
- 🛠️ Install custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) → need TWRP + Fastboot.
- 🚨 Restore the phone after a failure → Fastboot only.
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For beginners, the safest way is to upgrade through Updater. The risk of bricking is minimal, but the functionality is limited to official firmware.
Firmware through Fastboot: step-by-step instructions
This method is suitable for installing any firmware, including custom, but requires an unlocked bootloader and computer. We will use the official MiFlash tool.
What you need:
- 💻 Windows computer (for MiFlash).
- 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
- 📁 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format for lavender.
- 🛠️ Utilities: MiFlash, ADB & Fastboot tools.
Instructions:
- Run MiFlash, select the firmware folder and press Refresh.The device should appear in the list.
☑️ Preparation for firmware through Fastboot
⚠️ Note: If after firmware the phone is stuck on the logo MI For more than 15 minutes, don't panic. Try to go to Recovery. + Power) and make Wipe Data. If that doesn't work, repeat the firmware with Clean all.
Installation of custom firmware through TWRP
If you want to install informal firmware (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience or HaventOS), you’ll need custom TWRP recavators. This method offers more freedom, but also risks.
What needs to be done:
- Install. TWRP: Download the latest version TWRP For lavender from the official website and browse through Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lavender.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lavender.img
- Backup in TWRP: In the main menu, select Backup and save the Boot, System, Data sections.
- Download the firmware.zip file and GApps (if you need Google services), transfer them to your phone and install them via Install to TWRP.
- Clean the cache: Once installed, run Wipe → Dalvik / ART Cache + Cache.
- Reboot to the system.
The first launch of custom firmware can take up to 15 minutes. If the phone freezes, don't force it to turn it off, wait.
What if TWRP doesn’t see internal memory?
⚠️ Note: Some custom firmware does not support Widevine L1, This will make Netflix and other services work in low resolution. XDA.
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
Even with the correct instructions, there can be problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to correct them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Fastboot: unknown command | Not installed ADB/Fastboot or the wrong path | Install Platform Tools and check for environment variables |
| This package is for"lavender" devices; this is a"" | The wrong firmware for the model | Download the firmware specifically for lavender (not violett!) |
| The phone does not turn on after the firmware | Incompatible firmware or interrupted process | Repeat the firmware through Fastboot with the choice of Clean all |
| Anti-rollback check fail | Trying to revert to the old version of MIUI | Try a newer version or the same one you had before. |
If your phone has turned into a brick (it doesn't turn on, it doesn't respond to buttons), don't panic. In 90% of cases, it can be restored:
- Try going to Fastboot (Loudness Down + Nutrition).
- If you don’t, plug your phone into charging for 30 minutes, then try again.
- Sweep through the official firmware through MiFlash in Clean All mode.
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If MiFlash is running an error 0x80070002, try running the program on behalf of the administrator or using another version of the utility (for example, MiFlash 2018).
Where to download firmware for Redmi Note 7
Where to get firmware files is one of the most important questions: unofficial sources may contain viruses or modified versions with malware.
- 🌍 Official firmware MIUI: - MIUI Downloads (select Redmi Note 7) → lavender). - MIUI ROM (archer).
- 🛠️ Custom firmware: - XDA Developers (section for Redmi Note 7) - SourceForge (Pixel Experience firmware, LineageOS).
- 🔄 The latest updates are MiFlash: Android Developers.
When downloading, pay attention to:
- 📅 Release date – fresh firmware is usually more stable.
- 🔢 Version. MIUI — Redmi Note 7 is relevant firmware based on Android 9-11.
- 🌐 Region – Choose Global, EEA Russia to avoid problems with Google language and services.