Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: 4 working reset methods to factory settings

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is one of the most popular smartphones of the brand, but over time even it begins to “brake”, glitch or require transfer to a new owner. In such cases, a complete cleanup of the device becomes necessary. However, not all users know that simply deleting files through the Explorer does not delete data permanently, and resetting through settings can leave traces in the system partitions.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to completely clean the Redmi Note 7, from a standard menu reset to deep cleaning through Fastboot and Recovery. We’ll focus on the nuances that are not mentioned in the official instructions: how to avoid the brick, why a Mi Account reset can lock a device, and what to do if the phone does not respond to commands, and how to check if data is deleted irrevocably.

Importantly, the procedures are different for the Redmi Note 7 (codenamed lavender) and Redmi Note 7 Pro (violett) versions, and the article provides instructions for both models, taking into account the features of their firmware.

1.Preparation for complete cleaning: what to do before the discharge

Before you start cleaning, follow the mandatory steps – this will save you from losing important data and activation problems after reset.

• 📱 Create a backup through Settings → The phone. → Backup or by using Mi PC Please note: backup copy MIUI does not save Wi-Fi passwords and data from certain applications (for example, WhatsApp requires a separate backup).
• 🔒 Delete the associated accounts: Mi Account, Google, and accounts in banking applications. After the reset, the device may require the username / password from the previous owner.
• 🔋 Charge the phone to at least 60%. Interrupting the cleaning process due to battery discharge can damage system files.
• 📡 Turn off the screen lock (PIN, Some reset methods require an unlocked device.

If you are selling or transferring a phone, be sure to log out of Mi Account via Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sign out. Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to activate the device without your data.

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If you forget the password from Mi Account, reset it on the official website account.xiaomi.com. After cleaning the phone, it will be more difficult to restore access!

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 7 with firmware MIUI 12.5+ Recovery Reset Protection can be used to protect Factory Reset Protection (FRP). If you did not delete your Google account in advance, after rebooting your phone will require you to enter a login and password from your previous account.

2. Method 1: Standard reset via MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method, which is 90% of the time, is for phones that turn on and respond to touch.

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to Erase All Data (not to be confused with Settings Reset, which does not delete files!).
3. Enter the screen lock password (if installed).
4. Confirm the action by clicking Delete Everything.

It takes 3-7 minutes, and after you restart, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like after you bought it.

⚠️ Warning: If after resetting the phone requires you to enter a password from Mi Account you don't remember, don't try to guess it repeatedly - the device can lock up for 72 hours.Use the official unlock procedure through the Xiaomi website.

3. Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode

This method comes in handy if the phone doesn't turn on, hovers on the logo or doesn't respond to touch. The Redmi Note 7 uses Xiaomi's standard Recovery, but there are nuances:

• 🔧 On the firmware MIUI 11 and below the Recovery menu supports Russian language.
• 🌐 Nana MIUI 12+ menu in English only, but intuitive management.
• 🔒 If the loading is installed PIN, will require input.

Step instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume up and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery menu.
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power for selection.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (also known as Erase Everything in the newer versions).
6. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
7. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

Turned off the phone.|Charged the battery. >50%|Deleted your Google account (if your phone is turned on)|Prepared the booting. PIN (if established)-->

If the phone doesn’t turn on or loops on the logo after reset, it could mean:

• Damage to /system partition (reflashing via Fastboot is required).
• Conflict with custom Recovery (if installed TWRP).
• Hardware failure (for example, memory damage).

4. Method 3: Deep cleaning through Fastboot (for experienced)

This method completely erases all partitions, including system partitions, and returns the phone to a factory state.

• 🛠️ Removing serious failures after failed firmware.
• 🔄 Removal of traces of custom firmware (Custom) ROM).
• 📦 Preparing the phone for sale with a guarantee of “purity».

Requirements:

• 💻 Computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 📁 The official firmware for Redmi Note 7 (lavender) or Note 7 Pro (violett).

Step-by-step:

1. Download Fastboot firmware for your model from Xiaomi Firmware.
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MiFlash\lavender).
3. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: pinch Power + Volume down.
4. Connect your phone to your PC. Android Bootloader Interface should appear in the Device Manager.
5. Open the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and press Refresh.
6. At the bottom, select Clean All (full clean) and click Flash.
7. Wait for the end (5-10 minutes). The phone will reboot automatically.

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The Clean All method in the Mi Flash Tool erases ALL partitions, including /data, /system, and /persist. This is the only way to guarantee that all data is deleted without recovery.

⚠️ Note: If you are using firmware for a different model (for example, the firmware from the Note 7 Pro for the regular Note 7), the phone will turn into a brick and require repair in the service center.

5. Method 4: Reset via MI Unlock Tool (if Mi Account is blocked)

If you bought a used Redmi Note 7 with the previous owner’s Mi Account tied, standard reset methods won’t help – the phone will require login and password input, in which case you will need official unlocking through the MI Unlock Tool.

Conditions for unlocking:

• ⏳ More than 72 hours have passed since the last account was linked.
• 📱 The phone is not on the Xiaomi blacklist (checked by the phone). IMEI).
• 🔑 You have access to an email or phone number linked to your Mi Account.

Instructions:

1. Download the MI Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Sign in to the tool under the same account as on the phone.
3. Put your phone in Fastboot mode (see Method 3).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and press Unlock in the program.
5. Wait until it is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).

Once unlocked, reset via Recovery or Fastboot as described above.

6.Result verification: how to make sure that data is deleted

Even after the reset, some of the data may remain in the phone's memory, and to check if the information is actually erased, follow the following steps:

• 🔍 PC Verification: Connect your phone to your computer and use programs like DiskDigger or Recuva to scan your internal memory. If you find deleted files (photos, messages), the reset was incomplete.
• 📊 Partition Check: In Fastboot, type the command: fastboot getvar all Make sure that the userdata and cache sections are empty.
• 🔒 Account Check: After reset, go to Settings → Accounts. There should be no Mi Account or Google Accounts linked.

If you find residual data, repeat the reset via Fastboot (Method 3) or use specialized utilities to tidy up memory, such as SD Maid (requires root rights).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when cleaning the Redmi Note 7, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

If you encounter an error not described in the table, don’t try to solve it at random – contact the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums with the following information:

• Phone models (lavender or violett)
• Firmware versions (MIUI and Android).
• The exact text of the error (if any).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions