Xiaomi Redmi 7, released in 2019, is still a popular device due to its reliability and availability. However, over time, a regular operating system may stop receiving official updates, start operating unstable or simply stop satisfying the owner with its functionality. MIUI Or even custom firmware based on Android.
The process of flashing it may seem complicated only at first glance, but with a clear adherence to the algorithm of actions, it turns into a standard technical procedure. You do not need to be a software engineer to update your gadget's software. The main thing is attention to detail and having all the necessary tools at hand before you start working.
In this guide, we will go through all the steps from file preparation to the final launch of the system, and we will look at both the standard methods of updating through the menu, and more advanced ways through the Fastboot mode using the computer, which will allow you not only to bring the device back to life after a crash, but also to access the latest security features.
Preparation for firmware and choice of software version
The first and most critical step is to choose the right firmware file. Redmi 7 (codenamed onc) has many modifications: global version (Global), European version (European (EEA), Installing an inappropriate region can lead to notifications, banking applications, or even locking the device on the Internet. IMEI.
You need to determine the current type of bootloader. If you plan to just upgrade to a newer official version, you will be able to install a file with the.zip extension through Recovery. If you want to clean up or roll back to an older version, you will need a.tgz image to run through Fastboot. Always check the checksum of the downloaded file to ensure the integrity of the data.
⚠️ Note: Install firmware from another model (for example, Redmi) 7A or Redmi 8) is guaranteed to turn your device into a brick. Make sure the file is strictly for the codename onc.
Also, take care of backups in advance. The firmware process often involves cleaning up internal memory completely, using Xiaomi Cloud or Google Drive cloud services, and creating a local copy of important photos and documents on your computer.
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Save screenshots of important settings (APN access points, email options) before resetting so you don’t waste time restoring them manually.
Required tools and drivers
To succeed, you will need not only the smartphone itself, but also a properly configured workplace. A Windows computer is the most preferred option, as drivers and utilities for Xiaomi are best optimized for this platform. Using macOS or Linux is possible, but requires additional manipulation of the terminal.
Quality. USB-Cheap cables that come with a power bank often only support charging and are unable to transmit data at the desired speed. Use the original cable or certified thick wire counterpart to avoid connection breakdown at a critical point in the memory sectors recording.
☑️ Firmware readiness check
Don’t forget to install the necessary drivers. To work in bootloader mode, you need a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (for emergency mode) and standard Android Bootloader Interface. Without them, the computer will not see the device in the desired mode, and the flasher program will give a connection error.
Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)
Xiaomi’s official policy is to unlock the bootloader to install global firmware on Chinese versions or to use custom Recovery.This process is not instantaneous: after applying in the Mi Unlock app, you will have to wait from 7 to 168 hours, a security measure designed to protect user data.
To start unlocking, you need to link your Mi Account to your device via the Developer Menu, and then you need to switch the smartphone to Fastboot mode, holding down the volume and power buttons at the same time, and connect it to your PC. In the Mi Unlock Status app, you will see the anchor status.
What to do if the timer is not going?
Once the waiting period has expired, repeat the login procedure to Fastboot and start the Mi Unlock Tool program on your computer. Pressing the Unlock button will start a process that will completely clear the data on the phone.
Firmware through Recovery (without PC)
If the bootloader is unlocked, or you are updating within the same region (for example, from MIUI 10 to MIUI 11 Global), you can do without a computer. This method is called firmware through Recovery and is the most secure for beginners. The update.zip firmware file should be renamed to update.zip (if the name is different) and placed at the root of internal memory.
Then go to the recovery menu. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and click on the MIUI version several times to activate the additional menu. Click on three dots in the corner and select "Select firmware file." The system will check the file and suggest rebooting for installation.
If the standard menu doesn’t see the file or the version is too different, use Recovery mode. Switch Volume Up and Power when the phone is off. In the menu that appears, select the language (English/Chinese) and click on “Wipe Data” and then “Install Update Zip.”
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The Recovery method allows you to update the system, saving user data if you do not complete the Wipe All Data cleanup.
Install firmware via Fastboot (from PC)
Fastboot is the “heavy artillery” of Xiaomi’s world of software, allowing you to install any version of the software, change the region, and restore the system after a major failure, requiring an archiver (like 7-Zip) to unpack the firmware file and the MiFlash utility itself.
Unpack the firmware archive to the root of the C disk so that the path to the folder is short and does not contain Cyrillic. Launch MiFlash on behalf of the administrator. Transfer the smartphone to Fastboot mode (pressing Volume Down + Power) and connect to the PC. The program should display a line with the serial number of the device.
The most important step is to choose the firmware type in the lower right corner of the MiFlash window. The clean all option will delete all data completely. The save user data option will try to save files, but can cause errors when changing the Android version. The clean all and lock option will sew the device and re-lock the bootloader, which is useful when returning the device to factory state before selling.
| Firmware mode | A PC is needed. | Data retention | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| OTA (over the air) | No. | Yes. | Low. |
| Recovery (locally) | No. | Depends on the version. | Medium |
| Fastboot (MiFlash) | Yes. | No (usually) | Tall. |
| EDL (9008) | Yes. | No. | Expert |
After selecting the file and mode, press the Flash button, which takes 200 to 600 seconds, do not touch the cable, or turn off the computer, and successfully complete the process with a green bar and a success status.
Possible errors and their solution
Even with careful preparation, there can be unexpected situations, and one of the most common mistakes is MissMatching image and device, which means that you are trying to install firmware that is not intended for this device, or the bootloader version does not match the firmware version, and the solution is one: double-check the model and download the current file.
The Can not flash legacy image error in MiFlash often occurs if you are trying to roll back on a very old version of Android with a new one, in which case you need to pre-clean through Recovery or use an older version of the firmware utility.
⚠️ Warning: If after firmware the phone goes into an endless restart (bootloop), try to press the power button on the phone. 10-15 If that doesn't work, repeat the firmware procedure with "Clean All».
Problems with drivers may appear as an unknown device in the task manager, in which case you need to manually update the driver, specifying the path to the x86 or x64 folder in the directory of installed Xiaomi USB Driver drivers.