How to reflash Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 through your computer: a complete guide to unlock the bootloader

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is still one of the most popular budget smartphones thanks to its iron-filling and flexible customization through custom firmware. However, the standard air-to-air update (OTA) is not always available — especially if you want to install a global version of MIUI, custom software (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) or restore your phone after a crash, in which case flashing through your computer becomes the only reliable way.

This guide will explain how to play Redmi Note 7 (lavender) over PCs using official and informal tools, and we will look at all the steps from preparing the device and unlocking the bootloader to selecting the firmware and installing it via MiFlash or Fastboot.

Preparing a smartphone for firmware

Before you start firmware, you need to follow a few critical steps, neglecting them can lead to a “brick” (complete failure) of the device or data loss.

One is to back up all your important data. PC firmware usually wipes your internal memory (userdata). Use Mi Cloud, Google Photos, or physical copying to your computer. Note: App backups (e.g., through Titanium Backup) may not recover on the new firmware due to changes in the Android structure.

Second, check the current firmware version and the status of the bootloader.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI Write down the current version (for example, MIUI 12.5.3 Stable).
• 🔧 Enable Developer Mode: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times).
• 🔓 Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and check the Unblock status OEM and debugging. USB.

⚠️ Note: If the developer menu does not have the Unblock item OEM or it's inactive, which means that the bootloader is already unlocked or the device is tied to the Mi Account.

Third, make sure your smartphone has enough charge (at least 60%), and it can take up to 30 minutes to run out of battery in the process.

Selection of firmware: official vs custom

The type of firmware depends not only on the functionality of the smartphone, but also on the method of installation.

For Redmi Note 7 (lavender), official firmware can be downloaded from MIUI Download. Pay attention to the device code (lavender) and Android version (for example, Android 10/11). Installing firmware with an older version of Android than the current one can lead to an anti-rollback error.

Castom firmware is searched for on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums. Popular options for the Redmi Note 7:

• 📱 Pixel Experience – Pure Android with Pixel features.
• 🔄 LineageOS - stable firmware with minimalist interface.
• ⚡ Havoc-OS - customizable firmware with many settings.

⚠️ Note: Castom firmware requires installation TWRP Recovery and unlocked bootloader: Using informal builds can lead to loss of warranty and hardware problems (e.g., processor overheating).

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Before downloading the firmware, check its hash amount (MD5) using the HashMyFiles utility. This will help avoid installing a corrupted file.

Unlock the bootloader on Redmi Note 7

The bootloader on all Xiaomi devices is locked by default. To install any firmware through Fastboot, it must be unlocked.This process requires binding to a Mi Account and waiting for permission from Xiaomi (usually 72-168 hours).

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Download and install Mi Unlock Tool on your computer.
2. Sign in to Mi Account on your smartphone and in the unlock tool.
3. Turn the phone into Fastboot mode: turn off the device, then press Power + Volume Down.
4. Connect your smartphone to your PC and launch the Mi Unlock Tool. Follow the instructions of the program.

After successful unlocking, the bootloader will remain unlocked even after firmware is installed, unless an official MIUI with lock is installed.

Install firmware through MiFlash (Fastboot)

This method is suitable for installing official firmware (in.tgz or.zip format) and recovering the smartphone after a failure.

• 🖥️ Windows computer (7/10/11).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (preferably from the set).
• 📦 Firmware for your model (lavender).
• 🛠️ MiFlash utility.

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\lavender_global_images_...).
2. Install Xiaomi drivers (if MiFlash can’t see the device, use Mi Driver Installer).
3. Turn your phone into Fastboot mode (Power + Volume Down).
4. Connect your smartphone to your PC and start MiFlash.
5. In the program, click Select and specify the folder with the unpacked firmware.
6. Select firmware mode: clean all - complete cleaning (recommended when changing the version of MIUI). clean all and lock - cleaning + lock bootloader (only for official firmware!), save user data - data storage (not always stable).

Flash

If MiFlash gives you a “flash not done” or “invalid image” error, check the firmware version (should be no older than the current one) and repeat the process with the “clean all” mode.

Installation of custom firmware through TWRP

Unofficial firmware (like LineageOS) requires TWRP Recovery, a custom recovery process that is more complex than MiFlash, but provides more features.

Steps:

1. Download TWRP for Redmi Note 7 (.img file).
2. Install ADB and Fastboot on your PC (for example, via Android SDK).
3. Transfer the phone to Fastboot and connect to the PC.
4. Open the command line in the folder with fastboot and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lavender.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lavender.img
5. After downloading to TWRP, copy the firmware (e.g. lineage-18.1-20230512-nightly-lavender-signed.zip) to your smartphone via MTP or ADB Sideload.
6. In TWRP, select Wipe → Advanced Wipe and select Dalvik, Cache, System, Data (for clean installation).
7. Return to the main menu and select Install, then specify the firmware file.
8. After installation, restart (the first start can take up to 15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Installing custom firmware without first formatting the data partition can result in a cyclical restart (bootloop). Always do Wipe Data when you change the firmware type (for example, with a different type of firmware). MIUI LineageOS).

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Using TWRP allows you to install not only firmware, but also modifications (Magisk for root, kernel, patches), but this increases the risk of unstable system operation.

Typical errors and their solutions

Firmware through the PC is often accompanied by errors, especially for beginners.

If the smartphone is loaded into EDL mode after firmware is installed (a black screen labeled Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008), this means a critical bootloader error. You will need an authorized EDL account and a special cable to restore it. At home, it is almost impossible to solve the problem - contact the service center.

Data recovery after firmware

If you haven't backed up, you can only partially return the data after firmware. Here's what you can try:

• 📁 Photo and video: Use programs like DiskDigger or Recuva to scan internal memory (root rights required).
• 📞 Contacts: If they were synced with Google Account or Mi Cloud, restore them through your account settings.
• 💬 Messages: Applications like SMS Backup & Restore may be restored SMS, If the backup is saved to the cloud.

For future firmware, we recommend:

• 🔄 Use Titanium Backup (requires root) to create full app backups.
• ☁️ Enable automatic sync with Google Drive or Mi Cloud.
• 📂 Regularly copy folders DCIM, Downloads and WhatsApp on your computer.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note firmware 7