Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 remains a popular device even a few years after its release, thanks in large part to the active development community. One of the first tasks for enthusiasts is often to replace the standard recovery menu with a custom one, such as TWRP. This allows you to obtain full superuser rights, create backups, remove system debris and install modified versions of Android.
Recovery requires careful and accurate follow-up. Any interference with the system partition carries potential risks, so before starting the procedure, you need to carefully prepare the software and make sure the hardware is healthy. In this article, we will discuss all the steps from unlocking the bootloader to the first boot in a modified environment.
It is important to understand that standard methods of updating “over the air” after installing a custom recavator will stop working or can lead to conflicts. Installing TWRP automatically resets the status of encrypted data unless you take additional encryption measures after you have firmware. Your task is not just to copy files, but to understand the logic of the Bootloader bootloader and the Fastboot protocol.
Preparation of software and drivers
The first step is to organize the desktop on your personal computer. You will need an up-to-date version of the Android SDK Platform Tools, which contains adb and fastboot utilities. Without these components, interaction with low-level partitions of memory of the smartphone is impossible.
It is also critical to install the right drivers for the device. Windows often requires manual search and installation of Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader drivers or standard Android Bootloader Interface drivers. If the Device Manager does not see the phone in Fastboot mode, further manipulation is pointless.
- 📥 Download the Platform Tools archive from the official Google repository.
- 💻 Install or update drivers ADB and Fastboot via Device Manager.
- 🔌 Use the original. USB-cable to eliminate data transmission problems.
- 📱 Upload the current image twrp.img, Specially assembled for the Lavender model (codename Redmi Note) 7).
⚠️ Attention: Use of images TWRP, For other models (such as the Redmi Note 7 Pro or S), the device will be “bricked” and make sure that the file name contains the lavender code.
After downloading all components, unpack the archive with platform tools into the root of the C disk or any folder with a short path, for example, C:\adb\. This will simplify the input of commands in the command line and reduce the risk of syntax errors when working with paths to files.
Unlocking the Bootloader bootloader
Xiaomi has implemented strict restrictions on software modifications, so installing the software TWRP This is impossible without first unlocking the bootloader. You need to link your Mi Account to the device in the “For Developers” menu and apply through the official utility. mi_unlock.
The waiting process can take from 7 to 15 days, during which the security system checks the device for theft. SIM-With a card and account, you can unlock Bootloader successfully, and it's worth remembering that this procedure completely cleanses the internal memory of the phone.
There is a common misconception that unlocking can be bypassed through engineering menus or special patches. On modern versions of MIUI, these methods do not work and can lead to locking the device over IMEI. The only legal and safe way is to wait for a timer in the official application.
After successful unlocking, when you turn on your smartphone, the download screen will display an open lock icon or the inscription Unlocked. This is the standard state of the device for further work with custom software. If the icon is missing, repeat the procedure for linking the account and submitting an application.
Enter Fastboot mode and check the connection
To firmware recovery smartphone should be in a special diagnostic mode Fastboot. Translate Redmi Note 7 in this mode can be a combination of hardware buttons: press simultaneously the volume reduction key and power button before the image of the hare repairing the android.
Connect the device to your computer and open the command line in the tool folder. Enter fastboot devices, and if you see the serial number of the device, the connection is correct and the drivers are working correctly.
fastboot devices
0123456789abcdef fastbootIf you see an empty line or error message instead of a serial number, check the cable and USB port. It is recommended to use USB 2.0 ports located on the back of the motherboard, as they provide a more stable connection for low-level operations.
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If the computer makes a device connection sound, but the fastboot device command does not give an answer, try reinstalling the driver manually through Device Manager by selecting Android Bootloader Interface from the list.
The installation of the TWRP image
The moment you write an image to a recovery section requires concentration. The firmware command looks standard on Snapdragon-based devices, but has its own execution nuances. The image file must be in the same directory where the commands are run.
Enter fastboot flash recovery twrp-lavender.img (file name may vary depending on version). Once successful, the terminal will have Finished. Total time: X.XXXs. At this point, many users make the mistake of immediately restarting the phone to the system.
- 📂 Make sure that the image file is renamed to twrp.img simple-to-use.
- ⌨️ Enter the firmware command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img.
- ⚡ Do not disconnect the cable until the recording process is complete.
- ✅ Wait for a message about a successful installation in the terminal window.
The critical moment comes right after the firmware is installed: the MIUI rod loader, when you start running Android, will try to replace the custom recavator back with the stock one, and to prevent that, you need to immediately boot into recovery mode.
⚠️ Note: If you reboot your phone with the regular “Reboot system now” button in the Fastboot menu, you will lose your phone. TWRP. You need to use a button combination to log in to Recovery immediately after turning off the screen.
First Start and Save Changes
Once the recording process is complete, unplug the cable and press the Volume Up + Power button combination. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, continuing to hold the volume until the TWRP menu appears.
When you first start, the recovery can request a screen unlock password. If you don't know the password or it's not accepted, you can format the data (the Format Data button), but this will delete all the files. First, try just swiping to allow changes (Allow Modifications).
☑️ Checklist of first launch TWRP
If you have successfully entered the main menu TWRP And you see the Install, Wipe, Backup buttons, which means the installation was successful, but in order for Android to run with superuser rights or just work with the custom kernel, you often need to have an additional patch firmware. Disable_Dm-Verity magisk.
In some cases, after installing TWRP, the phone can be cyclically restarted (bootloop). This is often due to the incompatibility of the Android version and the recovery version. For Redmi Note 7, Android 9, 10 and 11 are relevant, and each has its own TWRP build.
Backup creation and basic setup
Before making changes to the system, experienced users create a full backup. From the TWRP menu, select the Backup section and select the Boot, System, Data and Vendor sections. Swipe to start the process.
The backup copy will be stored in the internal memory or on the SD-The backup allows you to roll back to the working state in a few minutes through the Restore menu in case of an unsuccessful modification.
| Section | Description | Definitely for the backup. |
|---|---|---|
| Boot | Contains the core of the system | Yes. |
| System | Operating system files | Yes. |
| Data | User data and applications | Yes (if there's room) |
| Vendor | Drivers and proprietary files | Recommended |
What if TWRP doesn’t see internal memory?
Once you have created the backup, you can move on to installing superuser rights. To do this, download the Magisk.apk archive, rename it to Magisk.zip and install it through the Install menu in the TWRP environment. This will allow you to modify system files and run demanding applications.
Possible errors and methods of their solution
During the process of modifying the Redmi Note 7, users can face various problems. One of the common mistakes is the “Status 7” when running the firmware. ZIP-It indicates that the version TWRP does not match the Android version or the installation script checks the device model and does not find matches.
Another common problem is inability to mount partitions, which is often solved by going to the Wipe -> Advanced Wipe menu and formatting specific partitions (Data, Cache, Dalvik).
- 🔍 Failed to boot bootloader error solved by flashing stock image via Mi Flash Tool.
- 📉 If TWRP If it crashes, try the version for another version of Android (for example, Android 10 instead of 9).
- 🔋 Battery discharge below 40% can interrupt the process, always watch the charge.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone stopped responding to the buttons and only the indicator is on, don't panic. 15-20 Seconds to Force Reboot or use a button combination to log in to Emergency Download Mode (EDL), If an authorized service center account is available.
Don’t ignore the error logs that the TWRP console gives. By writing the error text to the search engine, you can find a specific solution to your situation. The Xiaomi community is large, and solutions have already been found for most problems in profile forums.
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The main key to success is the use of current versions of files and the exact follow-up of the sequence of actions when switching the phone modes.