How to completely reset Xiaomi Redmi 7A to factory settings: 3 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi 7A is one of the brand's most popular budget smartphones, but even it eventually starts to "brake," glitches or requires a complete clean before selling. Formatting (a factory reset) solves most software problems, but only if done correctly. In this article, three working reset methods, including hidden nuances for the Redmi 7A, that don't write on the forums.

It's important to understand that formatting a phone is not the same as simply deleting files. It's completely erasing user data, including accounts, settings, installed apps, and even system updates (in some cases). If you're selling a device, a reset is mandatory. If you're trying to fix errors, first check alternative solutions (cleaning the cache, removing heavy apps).

We’ll look at ways from the simplest (via the settings menu) to the most advanced (via Fastboot), and also how to recover IMEI after a failed reset – this is critical for Redmi 7A with Android 9 Pie-based firmware.

Resetting Preparation: What to Do Before Formatting

Before you click Reset, make sure you don't lose the important thing.The Redmi 7A doesn't have a memory card slot on some modifications, so backup is a must.

Here's what you have to do:

• 📱 Keep your contacts: export them to the VCF-File via the Contacts app or sync with Google Account.
• 📷 Move photos and videos: use Mi Cloud, Google Photos or connect your phone to your PC USB.
• 🔑 Remember passwords: reset will delete saved logins in your browser and apps. Use a password manager or write them down manually.
• 📡 Untie accounts: log out of Mi Account, Google, Social Media and Banking Apps.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50% – interruption of the reset process can lead to a “brick” (inoperability) of the device.

If you are resetting your phone due to errors, check in advance:

• 🛠️ Free space in the Settings section → Memory: If it's less than 1 GB, the reset may fail.
• 🔄 Version MIUI: old firmware (below) MIUI 11) may require additional action to unlock the bootloader.

⚠️ Attention: If on Redmi 7A If you have a bootloader installed, resetting through Fastboot without unlocking will result in an anti-rollback error.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest)

This method works if the phone turns on and you remember the unlock password. It doesn't require a computer and saves the MIUI version, but deletes all user data.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone → Additional → Resetting settings.
3. Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
4. Enter your password/pattern lock if you request it.
5. Confirm the action with the Reset button.

The phone will reboot and start cleaning up, and it'll take 5-10 minutes. Don't interrupt it and don't remove the battery!

⚠️ Note: If after reset, the phone requires you to enter Mi Account, whom you do not remember - this is the activation of reset protection (FRP). It is solved only through official account restoration or service center.

Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If Redmi 7A is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touches or is locked with a pattern lock, use Recovery mode, which works even without access to the system.

Steps:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power + Volume increase for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume Up and hold until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery menu (English or Chinese).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power for selection.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (full reset).
6. Confirm the action (Confirm).
7. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the menu is in Chinese, focus on the icons:

• 🧹 Reset - an icon with a broom or basket.
• 🔄 Reboot - round arrow.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method is used if the first two didn’t work or you need to completely reflash the phone (for example, after a failed update).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 7A (select the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\redmi7a_fastboot).
3. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume Down to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
4. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
5. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
6. Press Refresh – the program must detect the device.
7. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.

It takes 5-15 minutes, and when it's done, it automatically restarts with a clean firmware.

1. Reinstall drivers via Mi PC Suite.

2. Use another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

3. Run the program on behalf of the administrator.-->

⚠️ Note: Firmware through Fastboot using unofficial files can lead to loss IMEI Or the Baseband unknown error. Always use firmware from Xiaomi's official website.

IMEI recovery after reset (if network signal is missing)

After a Fastboot reset or a failed update, Redmi 7A may lose its IMEI, the unique identifier of the communication module, and without it, the phone won't catch the network.

You'll need:

• 📱 Phone with unlocked loader.
• 💻 Computer with installed ADB/Fastboot.
• 📝 Original. IMEI (written on a box or under a battery).

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands: adb shell su setprop sys.usb.config rndis,adb echo 'AT +EGMR=1,7,"IMEI_1"' > /dev/ttyUSB2 echo 'AT +EGMR=1,10,"IMEI_2"' > /dev/ttyUSB2 Replace. IMEI_1 and IMEI_2 to your original numbers.
4. Reboot the phone.

If the commands didn’t work, try an alternative method through the engineering menu:

1. Enter the dialer: ##4636##.
2. Go to Phone Information → Settings → Enable the radio module (off/on).
3. Reset the device.

💡

If the IMEI is not restored, check the integrity of the /efs file in the phone's memory. its damage requires flashing through the Fastboot with the Clean All and Lock tick (but it will delete all the data!).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following the instructions, Redmi 7A users face problems, and the most common solutions are:

If the phone doesn’t turn on after the reset (black screen, no button response), try:

• 🔌 Connect to charging for 30 minutes - sometimes helps with the discharge of the power controller.
• 🔄 Clutch power. + Volume up. + Volume reduction by 20 seconds (emergency reboot).
• 💻 Connect to a PC and check if Device Manager defines it as Qualcomm 9008 (requires firmware through the device). EDL-regime).

What to do after resetting: initial setup

After successful formatting, the Redmi 7A will launch as new.

1. Language setting: select Russian (if the firmware is global).
2. Wi-Fi connection: Without the internet, you can’t sign in to Mi Account or Google.
3. Skip logging in to your accounts (if you sell a phone) or log in to your Google to recover data.
4. Turn off automatic updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update if you use custom firmware.
5. Install an antivirus (such as Dr.Web Light) before restoring a backup.

If you are planning to sell your phone:

• 📱 Take a screenshot of the Settings menu → About the phone with information about the model and firmware version.
• 🔋 Check the battery health in #4636## → Battery information.
• 🛡️ Make sure that Mi Account is untied (Settings) → Accounts. → Mi Account → Get out).

1. Enable Developer Mode.

2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.

3. Install Windows Animation, Transition Animation and Duration of Animation on Off.-->

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions