The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (codenamed lavender) remains a popular device among Android modding enthusiasts years after its release. Installing a custom recavator is the first step to extending capabilities from root rights to unofficial firmware. But the process requires care: an error in unlocking a bootloader or recavator firmware can turn a smartphone into a brick.
In this guide, we will discuss three key steps: preparing the device, unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool, and installing the Recovery directly.TWRP Special attention will be paid to the typical errors encountered by Redmi Note users. 7From driver problems to hanging on the Mi logo after firmware. MIUI 12/13/14 Android 9-12.
Why you should install custom recavators on Redmi Note 7
Xiaomi's stock reclaimer limits the user to basic functions: factory reset, official OTA updates, and system integrity checks. Custom solutions like TWRP or OrangeFox offer access to:
- 📦 Install unofficial firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, Havoc-OS).
- 🔧 Getting root rights through Magisk (without the SafetyNet trigger in newer versions).
- 🗃️ Create and recover complete NANDroid backups.
- 🛠️ Removal of embedded applications (bloatver) and modification of system files.
- 🔄 Data recovery after failed firmware or soft bricks.
Important: Castom Recovery does not replace unlocking the bootloader. Without this step, any attempt to flash TWRP will automatically restore the stock recovery when rebooted. On the Redmi Note 7, the bootloader is blocked by default, and its unlocking requires official permission from Xiaomi through the Mi Account binding.
Another nuance: since MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi has tightened its security policy, requiring a 72-hour wait to unlock a bootloader after linking an account to the device, a rule that applies to the Redmi Note 7, despite its age.
Preparation of the device: what to do before installation
Unprepared device is the main cause of firmware errors.
Battery charge ≥ 70% | Important data backup created | ADB/Fastboot drivers installed | OEM lock disabled in settings | Mi Account linked to device-->
1. USB debugging resolution and OEM unlocking
Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version and tap 7 times on the line to activate Developer Mode. Then go back to Settings → Additional → Developer Version and turn on:
- 🔌 Debugging by USB
- 🔓 Unlock OEM (important! without this, unlocking the bootloader is impossible).
Installation of drivers and tools
To work with Redmi Note 7 you will need:
- 🖥️ Android SDK Platform-Tools (for fastboot and adb commands)
- 🔌 Xiaomi drivers for Fastboot (download from the official website).
- 📥 Mi Unlock Tool (last version to unlock bootloader).
3. Linking the Mi Account
Without a linked account, the Mi Unlock Tool will not allow unlocking. Go to Settings → Mi Account and log in. Make sure the device is displayed in the linked list on account.xiaomi.com.
⚠️ Warning: If you previously unlocked the bootloader on this device but then updated MIUI via OTA, the bootloader could automatically lock again. Check status with the fastboot oem device-info command - Device unlocked: false means that unlocking is required again.
Unlock the bootloader on Redmi Note 7
This is the most critical stage. Xiaomi has made the unlocking process for the Redmi Note 7 more difficult after MIUI 12, so follow the instructions carefully.
Step 1: Launch the Mi Unlock Tool
Download the latest version of the Mi Unlock Tool from the official website (avoid third-party sources!). Unpack the archive and launch miflash_unlock.exe on behalf of the administrator. Sign in with the same Mi Account as your phone.
Step 2: Connect your phone in Fastboot mode
Turn off the Redmi Note 7, then press Power + Volume Down to log into the Fastboot. Connect the device to the PC via the original cable (importantly, cheap cables can cause connection errors).
In Mi Unlock Tool, click Unlock. If you see the message "Couldn't unlock. Wait 72 hours" is normal. Untie your account from your device (Settings → Mi Account → Sign out), reboot your phone, log in again and try again in 3 days.
Step 3: Waiting and Trying Again
Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically reset to factory settings. Don't interrupt the process! The first boot after unlocking can take up to 10 minutes.
⚠️ Warning: On some versions of MIUI 13/14 for Redmi Note 7 Mi Unlock Tool may show an error "Current account is different from the account info on the device." Solution: Before unlocking, disable two-factor authentication in your Mi Account and use a password, not a SMS- code.
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Unlocking the bootloader erases all data on the device.
Recovery pick: TWRP vs OrangeFox for Redmi Note 7
On the Redmi Note 7 (lavender) two popular versions of the recovery are stable:
| Parameter | TWRP | OrangeFox |
|---|---|---|
| Support for MIUI 14 | Partial (possible encryption bugs) | Complete (optimized for new versions) |
| Interface. | Classic (textual) | Modern (themes, gestures) |
| Support Magisk | Yeah (requires hand firmware) | Yeah (installation installer) |
| Backup/recovery | Standard functionality | Extended Options (Selective Recovery) |
| Updates | Rare (community) | Regular (official) assemblies |
Selection recommendations:
- 🛠️ If you want maximum compatibility with MIUI 13/14, choose OrangeFox (version R11.1_5 or later).
For the Redmi Note 7 with a Snapdragon 660 processor, only use the lavender version of the recovery. Installing the Redmi Note 7 Pro (violet) recover will cause a broken fingerprint sensor and camera problems.
Installation of custom recavery on Redmi Note 7
Once you unlock the bootloader, you can start running the backpack firmware, and using fastboot, it's more reliable than installing it through apps like Flashify.
Step 1: Downloading the Recaveri
For TWRP:
https://eu.dl.twrp.me/lavender/twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lavender.imgFor OrangeFox:
https://orangefox.download/device/lavenderCheck the checksum (MD5) of the downloaded file – this will protect against corrupted images.
Step 2: Firmware through fastboot
Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (as when unlocking) and execute in the command line:
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lavender.img
fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lavender.imgThe second command loads the phone directly into the installed Recovery to prevent it from being replaced by a stock one on the first reboot.
Step 3: Fixing the Recaveri
In TWRP/OrangeFox, go to Advanced → Flash Current TWRP (or similar in OrangeFox) and prevent stock firmware from overwriting the Recovery when updating.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone is stuck on the Mi logo for longer than 15 minutes after the recovery firmware is installed, the stock firmware is trying to restore the original recovery. Solution: force the device to turn off (Power + Volume Down for 10 seconds), then reboot the Fastboot and resweet the recovery, then load the fastboot command recovery.img into it immediately.
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If the touch screen fails after installation, plug in the OTG-M. This is a temporary bug in some versions of the TWRP for lavender.
Solving typical problems after installing a recavator
Even if you follow the instructions accurately, Redmi Note 7 users are faced with errors.
1. Invalid partition error in firmware
The reason is a damaged partition table or an incompatible version of the recaveri.
- 🔄 Sweat the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (select clean all).
- 📥 Download another version of the recovery (for example, instead of TWRP 3.7.0 try OrangeFox R11.1).
2.Hanging on the MI screensaver after installing the Recovery
This happens if:
- 🔐 Data encryption (FBE) in MIUI is not disabled.
- 🔄 Recaveri is stitched over the damaged firmware.
Solution: boot into the recavator, run Wipe → Format Data (this will delete all data but unlock the download), then restart.
3 The sensor in TWRP is not working.
The bug is known for the Redmi Note 7 on some versions of TWRP.
- 🖱️ Use OTG- mouse to navigate.
- 🔄 Sweep through OrangeFox, and it's got a stable sensor.
- 🔧 In the settings of the recavator (Settings), enable the option Use RM touch driver (if available).
What if the Recavator is not installed at all?
Next Next post: What to do after installing the Recavator
Successful installation of a recaveri is only half the battle.
1. Install Magisk to obtain root rights
Download the latest version of Magisk (Magisk-v26.4.zip) and run it through the Recovery:
- Download Magisk-v26.4.zip from GitHub.
- Move the file to the phone's memory.
- In Recovery, select Install → Select file → Swipe to confirm.
- Reboot.
After the reboot, install Magisk Manager (now called simply Magisk) from the official source.
2. Build a full backup (NANDroid)
In Recovery, go to Backup and select the backup sections:
- 📁 Boot (required for recovery)
- 📁 System (firmware)
- 📁 Data (applications and settings)
- 📁 Vendor (drivers and modules)
Save the backup to the SD- card or PC – this will save data in case of unsuccessful experiments.
3. Install custom firmware
The following are the Redmi Note 7 firmware:
- 🌍 Pixel Experience (Pure Android with Pixel features)
- 🔄 LineageOS (stable and fast)
- 🎨 Havoc-OS (maximum customization).
- 📱 MIUI EU (official firmware without a bloatwer).
Before installing firmware, be sure to read the instructions on the XDA-Developers forum – some firmware requires additional steps (for example, vendor firmware or firmware).
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Once you install custom firmware, you should first run Magisk if you want root. Some firmware (like LineageOS) blocks Magisk installation after you first download it.