Installation of TWRP on Xiaomi Redmi 7: detailed instructions

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 7 (codenamed oncelite) often face the limitations of standard Android, which prevents you from making deep changes to the system. Installing the custom TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) recovery allows you to fully manage the file system of the device, which allows you to make full backups, install modified firmware and obtain root rights.

The installation process requires care, as any incorrect actions can lead to the inoperability of the gadget. However, following a clear algorithm, even a beginner is able to perform all the necessary operations. For the Redmi 7 model, it is critical to use a version of the TWRP adapted to the Snapdragon 632 processor and 720p screen resolution.

Before you start technical manipulation, you need to be aware of the risks. Modifying the boot system partition and bootloader is an intervention in the program code of the device. In this guide, we will discuss all the steps from preparing tools to the first download to the new recovery menu.

Preparation of the device and necessary tools

You should start with a thorough preparation of the workplace and software. You will need a computer running Windows, Linux or macOS, and also a working computer. USB-A cable, preferably an original or high-quality analogue with thick wires, and a poor contact can interrupt the transmission of data at the most inopportune time.

On your smartphone, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on the MIUI Version. After the notification “You became a developer” appears, go to Advanced Settings → For developers and turn on the Debugging by USB and Factory Unlock.

⚠️ Warning: Before all work begins, make a full backup of your personal data to an external medium or to the cloud.

You'll need a set of ADB and Fastboot drivers to interact with your phone. Download the current version of Platform Tools from Google's official website and unpack the archive to the root of the C drive so that the path is short, such as C:\platform-tools. This will make it easier to enter commands in the command line.

Also make sure the battery charge is at least 60%.The firmware process can take time and a sudden power outage will result in serious memory write errors.

Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader

Without an unlocked bootloader, installing third-party software is impossible. Xiaomi has implemented strict firmware authentication. To remove the restrictions, you will need the official Mi Unlock Tool utility. Download it from miui.com/unlock and install it on your computer.

An important nuance is to link your account. From the Developer menu, click on Mi Unlock Status and add an account. The system will issue a wait alert, which is typically 168 hours (7 days) during which you cannot log out on your device.

After the waiting time has expired, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Transfer the smartphone to Fastboot mode, clamping the power buttons and volume reduction at the same time.
• 💻 Connect your phone to your PC and run the Mi Unlock Tool under administrator rights.
• 🔓 Press the Unlock button and wait for the process to complete, which will reset the data and restart the device.

If the utility gives an error or requires re-binding, don’t panic. Sometimes Xiaomi servers are overloaded and the process may take longer. The main thing is not to try to use third-party scripts for instant unlocking, as they often contain malicious code.

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, security features such as Mi Pay or Google Pay (in some banks) may stop working due to a security integrity breach. TEE.

Download and install ADB and Fastboot drivers

For a PC and smartphone to communicate successfully, drivers must be installed correctly. In Windows 10 and 11, they are often automatically installed, but Fastboot mode may require manual installation. Check Device Manager when the phone is connected in fast boot mode.

If the list of devices shows “Android” with an exclamation mark, you need to update the driver manually» → «Search for drivers on this computer» → «Select a driver from the list of available drivers. Search the Android Bootloader Interface list and confirm the installation.

You can check the connection via the command line. Go to the platform-tools folder, press Shift and right-click by selecting "Open PowerShell window here" or "Open in terminal."

fastboot devices

If you see the serial number of the device, you've got the connection, and if the line is empty, check the cable, the USB port, or reinstall the drivers, and without that step, you can't do anything.

The process of installing TWRP via Fastboot

Now, we move on to the direct installation of the recovery. You will need a twrp.img image file specially assembled for the Redmi 7. Don't use generic builds or files for other models like the Redmi 6 or Note 7, this will lead to a "brick" of the device.

Place the downloaded file in the folder with the platform-tools tools for convenience. Rename it to twrp.img to make sure you don't miss the name when you type commands. Reset the phone to Fastboot mode (down volume + power buttons) and connect it to your computer.

Enter the command to temporarily load the recaveri:

fastboot boot twrp.img

This command doesn't install TWRP forever, it just runs it for testing. If the recovery menu is loaded and the touch screen is working, you can go to the permanent installation. In the TWRP menu, go to the "Install" section, select "Install Image" and specify the twrp.img file by selecting the Recovery section.

⚠️ Note: When installed via menu TWRP Make sure to select the Recovery partition. If you select System or another partition by mistake, the device will stop booting.

After successful partition firmware, press the Reboot System button. However, to prevent TWRP from being replaced by a standard receiver on the first boot, you need to immediately press the power and volume buttons up, holding them until the MI logo or TWRP menu appears.

Primary setup and backup creation

Once installed successfully, you will be taken to the main TWRP menu. The first thing to do is to accept the warnings about system modification (if any) and swipe your finger across the screen as instructed on the display.

Next, you need to clean the partitions to make the new environment work properly. Go to the Wipe → Advanced Wipe menu. Select the Dalvik / ART Cache, Cache and Data sections. Don't touch the Internal Storage and System sections unless you plan to completely reflash right now.

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If after installing TWRP you plan to install custom firmware, formatting the Data (Format Data) partition is mandatory for decrypting.

Now, we'll back up the system completely, and this is a lifeline for failures, go to Backup, make sure that Boot, System, Data, and Vendor are marked.

Press the backup button and wait until the process is over. The backup files will be stored in the internal memory in the TWRP/BACKUPS folder. It is recommended to copy this folder to your computer immediately after creation.

Decision and possible errors

During installation, Redmi 7 users may encounter a number of specific problems, one of which is a broken touch screen in TWRP. This happens if you use a recovery version for another display revision, and then you need to find an alternative TWRP build labeled compatible with your display.

Another common mistake is cyclic bootloop after installation, often solved by cleaning the Cache and Dalvik partitions through the Wipe menu. If the problem persists, try restoring the system from a previously created backup.

You may also experience a situation where the computer does not see the phone in Fastboot mode. USB-cable or switch the device to another USB-port, preferably USB 2.0, as 3.0 ports sometimes cause driver conflicts on older devices.

Remember, once you have a customized Recovery, the system can beg for integrity when you boot, which is normal for a modified device, and you can ignore the message, "Your device is corrupt," or something like that, if you're confident in what you're doing.

⚠️ Warning: If the device is in deep recovery mode and cannot see TWRP, So the firmware didn't get up properly. Repeat the procedure, focusing on the file and partition selection when you install it.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)

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Installing TWRP is the first step to fully customize your Xiaomi Redmi 7, giving you full control of the device, but requiring responsibility for every action.