Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 firmware via computer: a complete guide with unlocking the bootloader

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, released in 2019, is still a popular smartphone due to its balanced characteristics and the ability to install custom firmware. MIUI This model has long been discontinued, and users are faced with slowdowns, errors or the desire to upgrade to a more recent version of Android. MIUI Or install alternative builds like Pixel Experience or LineageOS.

In this article, you will find a step-by-step instruction for running the Redmi Note 7 firmware (codename lavender) through a PC using official and informal tools.

• 🔓 How to Unlock a Bootloader Without the Risk of Blocking a Mi Account
• 💻 Choosing between Fastboot and Recovery Firmware Methods
• ⚠️ Common errors and ways to avoid them (e.g., anti-rollback or anti-rollback) EDL mode)
• 🔄 Recovery of the device after a failed firmware

The process requires attention to detail, but with the right approach takes no more than 30-40 minutes. Importantly, firmware through EDL (emergency mode) on the Redmi Note 7 is only possible with an authorized Xiaomi account - self-attempts will lead to a "brick".

If you're a beginner, start with the official firmware through MiFlash - this is the safest option.Savvy users may consider custom firmware, but they require an unlocked bootloader and a TWRP installation.

1. Firmware Preparation: What to Do Before Starting

Incorrect preparation is the main reason for the "bricking" Redmi Note 7. Before firmware, be sure to follow the following steps:

• 🔋 Charge the phone to at least 60%. When discharged during firmware, the device may stop turning on.
• 📱 Make a backup of the data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup or by using Mi PC Suite.The firmware erases all user files!
• 🖥️ Install Mi drivers on PC USB Driver (download from the official Xiaomi website) without them, the computer will not recognize the phone in Fastboot mode.
• 🔗 Download the firmware strictly for the Redmi Note 7 (lavender) model. To check the model, type in the code ##4636## and look at the Model number line.

For official firmware, download files with the.tgz or.zip extension from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater site. Look for custom firmware on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums, but pay attention to user reviews - some builds may contain bugs.

Download firmware for the Lavender model|Install Mi. USB Driver|Charge the phone. >60%|Make a data backup|Connect the original USB-cable-->

MIUI Version Warning: Redmi Note 7 has Anti-Rollback protection. This means you can't roll back to an older version of MIUI after upgrading. For example, if your phone is running MIUI 12.5, you can't flash MIUI 11 - the device locks. Check the current version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version.

2 Unlock bootloader on Redmi Note 7

Without unlocking the bootloader, you can only flash official versions of MIUI through MiFlash. For custom firmware or TWRP, unlocking is mandatory. Xiaomi made it harder in 2023, but you can still get around the restrictions.

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
2. Activate the OEM Unlock option in Settings → Additional → For developers (if there is no item, tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode).
3. Download the Mi Unlock Tool utility from the official website and run it on PC.
4. Connect the phone in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Power + Volume down until the bunny appears in the hat).
5. In the utility, press Unlock and wait until it is completed (usually takes 3-5 minutes).

Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically reset to factory settings. Don't cancel this process! If unlocking fails, check:

• 🔌 Do you use the original Xiaomi cable (non-original ones may not transfer data to Fastboot).
• 🔄 Is the Mi Unlock Tool Updated to the Latest Version.
• 📱 Was the phone purchased in China (for such devices, unlocking is often blocked at the server level of Xiaomi).

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If unlocking fails, try using a proxy server with China's IP, which some users report helps bypass regional restrictions.

3.Selection of firmware method: Fastboot vs Recovery

There are two main ways to flash the Redmi Note 7 through your computer, and the difference is in the setup mechanism and the device requirements:

For most users, the Fastboot method is optimal through MiFlash.

• 🔄 Updates to the latest official version MIUI.
• 🛠️ Recovery of the phone after a crash (such as stuck on the logo).
• 📱 Transition from global to Chinese firmware (or vice versa).

Recovery method (via TWRP) is selected for installation:

• 🎭 The Pixel Experience (LineageOS).
• 🔓 Root right (Magisk).
• 📦 Mods and patches (e.g, ViPER4Android sound-wise).

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If you're a beginner, start with the official firmware through Fastboot.Castom firmware requires expertise and may contain bugs incompatible with the Redmi Note 7's hardware.

4. Firmware via Fastboot (MiFlash Tool)

This method is suitable for installing official firmware from Xiaomi.

• 💻 Windows computer (MiFlash does not work) macOS/Linux).
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz format (unpack it into a folder without Cyrillic characters).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and turn it into Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume Down).
2. Connect the device to a PC. The device should appear in Device Manager Android Bootloader Interface.
3. Download and unpack the MiFlash Tool (the latest version can be found at xiaomiflash.com).
4. In the program, click Select and specify the path to the folder with unpacked firmware.
5. Select firmware mode: Clean all – clean (recommended); Clean all and lock – clean + lock bootloader (only for official firmware!); Save user data – data storage (not always stable).

Flash

Attention. ⚠️ If the process is stuck on waiting for a device, check it out:

• Is the cable connected to a USB 2.0 port (USB 3.0 may not work)
• Are there any signs (there should be no signs of a snare).
• Does the antivirus block access to MiFlash?

5. Install custom firmware through TWRP

Unofficial firmware installations (such as Pixel Experience or LineageOS) require custom recovery (TWRP).

Instructions:

1. Download the latest version of TWRP for Redmi Note 7 (lavender) from the official website.
2. Transfer the phone to Fastboot and connect to the PC.
3. Open the command line in the folder with the platform-tools (download Android) SDK Google and run the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lavender.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lavender.img
4. The phone will load into TWRP. Go to Wipe → Format Data, type yes and confirm (this will delete all data!).
5. Copy the firmware (for example, PixelExperience_lavender-13.0-20231010.zip) phone-in MTP into TWRP.
6. Return to the main menu, select Install, specify the firmware file and confirm the installation.
7. After completion, press Reboot System.

Attention. ⚠️ When installing custom firmware:

• Use only builds designed for lavender. firmware for Redmi Note 7 Pro (violett) is not compatible!
• After installing the first custom firmware, a re-routing of TWRP may be required, as some builds replace recovery with stock.
• If your phone doesn’t boot, try flashing Magisk to make Google Services work properly.

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Before installing custom firmware, check reviews on the 4PDA or XDA forum.Some builds may not support camera, NFC or gestures.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems.

If the phone stops turning on (the “brick”), try the following steps:

1. Press Power + Volume Up for 10-15 seconds for forced reboot.
2. If it doesn’t work, connect your phone to your PC and check if it’s identified in Device Manager as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (EDL mode).
3. To restore in EDL mode, you will need an authorized Xiaomi account or contact the service center.

7.IMEI recovery after firmware

After custom builds or unofficial MIUIs are firmwareed, IMEIs can disappear (the phone stops catching the network), due to the deletion of /nvram or /persist files.

To restore the IMEI:

1. Download the archive with the backup of nvram for Redmi Note 7 (look for 4PDA in the device theme).
2. Unpack the archive and copy the files MDDB and APDB on SD-map.
3. Install. TWRP And through it, copy the files to /data/nvram/md/NVRAM/NVD_IMEI/.
4. Set the rights 755 for files (in TWRP: highlight files → Change Permissions).
5. Reboot the phone.

Attention. ⚠️ Incorrect recovery IMEI If you're not sure what you're doing, you can contact a service center. IMEI illegally in some countries.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Redmi Note firmware 7