How to format Xiaomi Redmi 7: a complete guide to reset factory settings

Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi 7 to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step. Have you noticed that the smartphone has slowed down, applications spontaneously close, and the battery dies in half a day? Or are you planning to sell the device and want to delete all personal information? In any case, a full reset will help to return the phone to a “clean” state. But before you start, it is important to understand: formatting removes all data from internal memory, including photos, contacts and installed applications.

This guide will work for all Redmi 7 versions (including Redmi 7A and global versions), regardless of the MIUI version. We'll look at three official ways: through the phone's settings, Recovery mode, and Fastboot tool. The latter method will require a computer, but it's the only one that will help if the phone is not turned on or locked. Ready to start?

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi 7 is linked to your Mi Account and Find Device is enabled, you may need to enter your login and password after the reset. Make sure you remember the login details or you risk getting a brick".

1.Reset preparation: what to do before formatting

Factory resets are irreversible, and even if you restore the data from the backup, some settings (such as saved Wi-Fi passwords or game data) can be lost forever.

• 📱 Create a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup: Save the file to a memory card or to the Mi Cloud.
• 🔋 Charge the phone to at least 50%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can lead to software failures.
• 📡 Disable all accounts: Google, Mi Account, social networks, it will make it easier to set up your phone after a reset.
• 🔐 Remove memory cards (if installed). Formatting does not affect external drives, but it is better to be safe.

If you drop your phone before selling, check:

• 🔄 Untie the device from Mi Account in your account settings.
• 📍 Turn off the Find Device function (located in Settings) → Mi Account → Find Device).

⚠️ Note: If you are using Redmi 7 with an unlocked bootloader, the phone may automatically lock after being reset via Recovery or Fastboot, in which case you will need to re-unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.

2. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the easiest method)

This method is suitable if the phone turns on and you remember the unlock password. The procedure takes 5-10 minutes and requires no additional tools.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section (or additionally) → About the phone in some versions MIUI).
3. Slip on Reset (may be called Reset and Reset).
4. Select Settings Reset (not to be confused with Network Settings Reset!).
5. Confirm the action by entering PIN-code.
6. Wait until the process is complete (the phone will reboot automatically).

Once you reboot, you'll be asked to set up your phone as new, and if you've backed up, you can restore it at that point.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi 7 firmware may have a "This device is locked" error after a reset, which means that the phone is linked to a Mi Account account, and you will need to enter your username and password to continue. If you forget the data, restore it in advance at account.xiaomi.com.

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

If Redmi 7 is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touch or is locked, resetting through Recovery Mode will help.This method does not require a computer, but you need physical phone buttons.

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume Up button at the same time.
3. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then let them go.
4. With volume buttons, select the language (usually English or ).
5. Go to Wipe Data (or Clear Data in Chinese firmware).
6. Select Wipe All Data and confirm the action.
7. Once completed, go back to the main menu and click Reboot.

If you don't have Wipe Data on the Recovery menu, you have custom firmware installed.

• Choose Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache.
• Then go back and select Factory Reset.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 7 with firmware MIUI 12+ Recovery menu may not support touch control. Use only volume buttons for navigation and power button for confirmation.

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

This method requires a computer and is suitable in extreme cases: if the phone does not respond to buttons, is locked after a failed update or the Recovery menu does not have a reset point.

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or quality).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website of Xiaomi).
• 📄 Redmi 7 firmware (select Fastboot version, not Recovery).

⚠️ Attention: Mistakes in Fastboot can lead to a complete loss of the phone.If you are not sure about your skills, contact the service center.

1. Install Mi USB Driver (company with Mi Flash Tool)
2. Unpack the downloaded firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Redmi7_Fastboot).
3. Turn off your phone and turn it into Fastboot: Press the Power Button + Volume Down Button. Connect the phone to your computer.

Mi Flash Tool

Select

Clean All

Flash

Wait for the process to be completed (usually 5-15 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

Once reset via Fastboot, the phone will be completely cleaned, including the partition with the firmware, the only method that is guaranteed to delete all data, including viruses and corrupted system files.

1. reconnect the cable to another USB-port (preferably 2.0).

2. disable the antivirus during the firmware.

3. Use another computer with Windows 7/10 (Windows 11 There may be problems with drivers).-->

5 Possible Errors After Resetting and How to Correct Them

Even after the Redmi 7 formatting is successful, there may be problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to solve them:

If the phone is slower after reset than before formatting, the reason may be:

• 🔄 An outdated version MIUI — Update the firmware through Settings → Updating the system.
• 🧹 Clogged cache - clean it manually through Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📉 Worn-out battery - check battery health in the engineering menu (#4636## → Battery Information).

💡

If after resetting the phone requires a password from the previous owner (when buying used), the only way out is to contact the Xiaomi service center with a check about the purchase.

6.How to recover data after reset

If you have made a backup through Mi Cloud or locally, you can recover data at the initial setup stage of the phone.

1. When you first turn on, select the language and region.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi.
3. At the Data Recovery stage, select Restore from backup.
4. Specify the backup file (if it is on the memory card) or log in to Mi Account to recover from the cloud.

If there is no backup, try using data recovery software:

• 🖥️ Dr.Fone (restores photos, messages, contacts).
• 🖥️ EaseUS MobiSaver (supports internal memory scanning).
• 📱 DiskDigger (Android app, works without root rights).

⚠️ Attention: Data recovery software only works until the first memory is overwritten. The earlier you start recovering from a reset, the better the chances of recovering lost files. Do not install new applications or copy data to your phone before the process is complete!

If you only need to restore contacts or photos, check:

• 📧 Sync with Google Account (contacts and calendar are automatically restored when you log in to your account).
• ☁️ Cloud services: Google Photos, Yandex.Disk or Mi Cloud (if automatic download was enabled).

7.Alternatives to complete reset: when formatting is not necessary

Sometimes the Redmi 7 problems can be solved without drastic measures.

• 🔄 Cache Cleanup: Go to Settings → Warehouse → Cache data.Click Clear (this won't delete personal data, but will free up space).
• 🛠️ Resetting application settings: In Settings → Annexes → Application management. Select a problem application → Warehouse → Clear the data.
• 📉 Disable animation (accelerates work): Activate Developer Mode (7 times tap the Version) MIUI In About the Phone. In Settings. → Additionally. → For developers, set: The scale of the window animation → No animation. Scale of transition animation. → No animation.
• 🔋 Battery calibration (if it goes down quickly): Discharge the phone to 0% and charge to 100% without interruptions. Repeat the cycle 2-3 times.

If the virus is the problem, try resetting instead:

1. Install an antivirus (such as Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light).
2. Run a full scan.
3. Remove suspicious apps manually through Settings → Apps.

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Before reset, check the available space in memory: if it is less than 10%, it can be the cause of lags. Clear unnecessary files through Settings → Storage → Cleanup or transfer data to a memory card.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the reset of Xiaomi Redmi 7