Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, released in 2019 based on the Snapdragon 660 processor, is still a popular device due to its excellent price-performance ratio. However, over time, the standard MIUI shell may not satisfy the user’s needs: banner ads appear, software debris accumulates or you just want to try fresh Android from the latest versions.
The flashing process requires care, because any interference with system files carries certain risks. You need to follow a clear algorithm of actions to avoid turning the phone into a brick. In this article, we will discuss all the steps from unlocking the bootloader to installing a custom recovery and final installation of the operating system.
Before you start taking action, make sure you understand the difference between official and custom firmware. The official versions of Global or China are stable and verified by the manufacturer, while custom builds like LineageOS or Xiaomi.eu offer more customization, but may contain bugs.
The first and most important step is to unlock the bootloader. Without this procedure, no utility will allow you to change the system partition of the device. Xiaomi has implemented this security measure, so you can't simply flash the phone. You will need a Mi Account account associated with the device and the official Mi Unlock Tool utility.
The process of obtaining permission to unlock can take from 7 to 360 days, depending on the current policy of the company and the region. After submitting an application in the Settings app -> About phone, you must wait for a SMS notification or change of status in the Mi Unlock application. Do not try to use third-party services for instant unlocking, this often leads to locking the device over IMEI.
When the waiting period has expired, follow the following steps to unlock:
- 📱 Download and install drivers ADB and Fastboot on the computer.
- 🔓 Turn on the developer mode by clicking 7 times on the build number in the About Phone menu».
- 🔗 In the menu "For developers" activate the item "Factory unlocking».
- 💻 Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clamping the volume button when the screen is off) and start Mi Unlock.
It is important to understand that unlocking the bootloader automatically performs a full data reset (Wipe Data).All your photos, contacts and applications will be deleted without the possibility of recovery, so back up important information in the cloud or on an external medium in advance.
Once successfully unlocked, you have to choose between installing the official firmware or customized. Official images are divided into Recovery (for updating via the phone menu) and Fastboot (for clean installation via PC). Castom firmware such as Xiaomi.eu are adapted versions of Chinese ROM with built-in Russian and no advertising.
Custom solutions or even clean drain often require third-party recavators, such as TWRP. This menu allows you to make full system backups, install zip archives of modifications and clean cache sections more efficiently than the standard tool. The.img image file must be selected strictly for your model, since Redmi Note 7 is codenamed lavender.
Compare the main types of firmware available for this model:
| Type of firmware | Stability | Availability of Google Services | Complexity of installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Stable | Tall. | There is. | Low. |
| China ROM | Tall. | No (manual installation required) | Medium |
| Xiaomi.eu | Medium/High | There is. | Medium |
| LineageOS (AOSP) | Medium | Aye (GApps separately) | Tall. |
⚠️ Note: When installing Global firmware on the Chinese version of the device (or vice versa), there may be a “Mismatched product” error. EDL regime.
The choice of software version depends on your goals. If you want maximum stability for everyday tasks, it is better to stay in the MIUI ecosystem. If you are an enthusiast and want to get a clean Android without unnecessary software, you should look at projects based on AOSP.
To install firmware in Fastboot mode, you will need a computer with Windows OS, USB-A good quality cable and a downloaded system image, the firmware file must be unpacked, and the Mi Flash Tool installed and configured, this method allows you to completely clear the phone of any previous failures or viruses.
Connect the smartphone turned off by holding down the volume button to get into Fastboot mode (image of a hare repairing an android). In Windows Device Manager, the device should be identified as Android Bootloader Interface. If you see an unknown device instead, you need to manually update the drivers.
The firmware algorithm through Mi Flash is as follows:
- 📂 Unpack the firmware archive in the root of the C disk so that the path does not contain Cyrillic.
- 🔌 Launch the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator and click the Refresh button».
- 📍 Click "Select" and specify the folder with the unpacked firmware.
- ⚙️ At the bottom, select “Clean All” for full cleaning or “Clean All and Lock” for locking the bootloader.
Pressing the Flash button will start a process that takes 200 to 500 seconds to record, and interrupting the process or disconnecting the cable at this point is guaranteed to cause the device to fail, and wait for the word "Success" to appear in the status of the device.
☑️ Preparation for firmware through Fastboot
Installing TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) provides access to advanced system management features, allowing you to install firmware directly from the memory card, make full partition backups and get Root rights. Redmi Note 7 is relevant to the TWRP 3.x version, specially assembled for the Snapdragon 660 processor.
The hardcover firmware is run through the command line or installers, and if you already have a bootloader unlocked, just put the twrp.img file in the ADB folder and execute a command in the terminal, which replaces the standard recovery menu with a modified one.
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x.x-lavender.imgAfter a successful recording, it is important to immediately go to the recovery mode, preventing the system from booting into normal mode, otherwise standard Android can overwrite TWRP back, usually by pressing the volume button immediately after the screen is turned off.
⚠️ Attention: After installation TWRP Data formatting may require re-installation of firmware, as the old system may not start due to a change in the encryption structure.
The most critical thing is the first boot after the firmware. It can last from 5 to 15 minutes, which is normal behavior for a system that configures the file system and optimizes applications. If the phone is stuck on the logo for more than 20 minutes, a bootloop may have occurred.
The causes of startup problems can be different: an incompatible firmware version, a corrupted image file, or a mod conflict. Most of the time, it helps to return to TWRP and re-install clean firmware with mandatory cleaning of the Dalvik, Cache, System, and Data partitions.
The main symptoms of successful installation:
- ✅ The phone is turned on and shows the logo MI Android.
- ✅ The greeting screen responds to touch.
- ✅ Basic functions (sound, network, Wi-Fi).
- ✅ There is no constant reboot.
Don’t panic if something goes wrong.The Redmi Note 7 has good community support, and solutions have already been found for most bugs in profile forums like 4PDA or XDA Developers.