How to open Xiaomi Redmi 7: unlock the bootloader, reset the password and bypass the Mi Account

Xiaomi Redmi 7 (codenamed rosy) is still a popular budget smartphone, but many users face access problems: a locked bootloader, a forgotten pattern lock or binding to a Mi Account. Unlike new models, unlocking this device has nuances – from the lack of official support for Fastboot Unlock in the latest versions of MIUI to the risk of a “brick” if you do not act correctly.

This article covers all the current ways to unlock Redmi 7 in 2026, from legal unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool to bypassing Mi Account without losing data (where possible). We will also break down the unique bug in MIUI 12.5, which allows you to reset the pattern lock through the recovery mode without completely resetting.

1.Preparation for Unlocking: What You Need to Know Before Starting

Before any manipulations with Redmi 7, be sure to check:

• 🔋 Battery charge at least 60 percent, and when discharged during firmware, the phone can turn into a brick".
• 📋 Version MIUI. Press Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. For older versions (below 12.0.3), simplified unlock methods are available.
• 🔑 bootloader status. Turn off the phone, press Volume down. + Food – if a hare appears in a hat-eared, the loader is already unlocked.
• 📡 Access to Wi-Fi/You'll need the Internet to link to Mi Account or download firmware.

Redmi 7 It is a device with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. 632, It's not a good way to unlock, for example, it's not a good way to do it. EDL (Emergency Download Mode) without an authorized Xiaomi account, unlike devices on MediaTek. 2021 Xiaomi tightened its unlock policy – now it requires binding SIM-Cards to account and waiting 7-14 day-to-day.

⚠️ If you bought Redmi 7 from hand, check if it is not tied to someone else’s Mi Account through Settings → Xiaomi account. When resetting such a phone will require entering the username / password of the previous owner!

2 Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (official method)

This is the only legal way to unlock a bootloader on Redmi 7, but it requires a Xiaomi account binding and waiting.The process takes between 7 and 360 hours (15 days) depending on the account activity.

Steps:

1. Create/authenticate to Mi Account on your phone (Settings → Xiaomi Account). Use a real phone number and SMS will come to confirm the unlock.
2. Link the device to your account: Go to Settings → Additionally. → For developers (if there is no item, tap 7 times according to the version) MIUI In the "About the phone" section, activate theEM-unlocking and debugging USB. Connect your phone to your PC, confirm the debugging permission.

Download the Mi Unlock Tool

official website

Redmi 7

Launch the utility.

Mi Account

Connect your phone in Fastboot mode

(a) Turn off the phone


(b) Press <Loudness down + Power> before the Mi Bunny logo appears




(c) Connect to the PC

Press "Unlock"

Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically reset to factory settings. All data will be deleted!

⚠️ Note: If you have a "Couldn't unlock" or "10008" error when unlocking, you will not be able to access your account (check Settings). → Xiaomi account → Devices: The phone hasn't been active for more than 72 hours (wait for a while) Uses the unofficial version of the Mi Unlock Tool (download only from the official website).

3. Reset the pattern lock or password without loss of data

If you have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-code, but remember the data from Mi Account, you can restore access without a complete reset (in some cases:

Method 1: Using the "Mi Cloud"

This method works if:

• 📶 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 You have access to your Mi Account.
• 📱 The "Find device" function has been activated (Settings) → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Find the device).

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select your Redmi 7 from the list of devices.
3. Click "Delete data" → "Erase the device".
4. Confirm action. The phone will reboot and reset to factory settings.

⚠️ The downside is that all the data will be deleted, but it's better than a brick if you don't have firmware.

Method 2: Recovery mode (only for MIUI 12.0.1-12.5.4)

This method exploits a vulnerability in older versions of MIUI that allows you to reset the pattern lock without completely resetting. It does not work on all devices, but for Redmi 7, the probability of success is ~60%.

Steps:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Select the language (English / Chinese), then tap "Wipe Data" → "Wipe All Data".
4. Do not confirm reset! instead, press and hold Volume Up + Power 10 seconds to reset.
5. After the reboot, the pattern lock will be reset, but the data (photos, messages) will remain.

If the method does not work, you will have to do a complete reset via Recovery or Fastboot.

4.Bypassing the Mi Account binding after resetting

If you reset the Redmi 7 to factory settings and the phone requires data entry from the previous Mi Account, there are several ways to get around the lock. note: since 2022, Xiaomi has tightened protections and many older methods (such as through Test Point) have stopped working.

Current methods for 2026:

The most reliable way is to run the Fastboot firmware with the bootloader unlocked, so if the bootloader is locked, you’ll have to use EDL, but you need an authorized Xiaomi account (they’re sold on forums, but the risk of fraud is high).

Instructions for firmware via Fastboot:

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 7 (choose the Fastboot version, not Recovery).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on your PC (e.g., C:\MiFlash\rom).
3. Download the Mi Flash Tool (version 2020.3.14.0 or later).
4. Turn your phone into Fastboot mode (Loudness down + Power).
5. Connect to your PC, run MiFlash.exe from the administrator.
6. In the Select field, specify the path to the firmware folder.
7. Press Refresh – it should appear COM-port.
8. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is stuck on the Redmi logo for more than 10 minutes after the firmware is installed, then the firmware does not fit your version of the device).

💡

Before you run your Fastboot, check the phone version with the fastboot getvar product in the terminal. If rosy is the firmware fits. If onclite is Redmi 7A, you need another firmware!

5. Unlock via EDL (for advanced users)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a “emergency” firmware mode that bypasses bootloader locking, but for Redmi 7, this method requires authorization through an official Xiaomi account, which only service centers have.

If you still decide to try (for example, bought authorization on the forum), follow the instructions:

What you need:

• 🔌 Cable EDL (or-block).
• 💻 Mi Flash Pro (not to be confused with the regular Mi Flash Tool).
• 📄 Authorized account (logins/passwords are sold on the 4PDA or XDA, But the risk of blocking is high).
• 📦 Firmware in.mbn format (for example, rosy_images_*.mbn).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Close the contacts of Test Point (on the Redmi 7 board they are next to the battery, see the diagram below) or use the EDL-cable.
3. Connect your phone to your PC – a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 device should appear in Device Manager.
4. Start Mi Flash Pro, log in.
5. Select the firmware.mbn and press Flash.
6. After completion (100%), turn off the phone, remove the battery for 30 seconds (if possible), then turn it on.

⚠️ Warning: Test Point failure can damage the board! If you're not sure, contact the service. EDL phone may lose IMEI (Recovery will be required QCN).

💡

Firmware via EDL is the last chance to unlock the brick, but requires authorization and risks voiding the warranty. For most users, it is safer to use Fastboot or contact the service.

6.IMEI recovery after firmware

If Redmi 7 stopped catching the network after unlocking or firmware (writes "No Services" or "Valid SIM"), IMEI most likely flew. This is a common problem when running through EDL or informal builds.

How to restore the IMEI:

Method 1: Through the Engineering Menu (if the IMEI just dropped)

1. Open the Phone app and dial ##4636##.
2. Go to Phone Information → Settings (three dots at the top).
3. Select the IMEI and enter the original values (they are listed on the box or under the battery).
4. Reboot the phone.

Method 2: Through QCN-file (if) IMEI damaged)

It will require:

• 📄 Backup copy QCN (if any, or a generator QCN For Snapdragon 632.
• 💻 Programme QPST or QFil.
• 🔌 Phone's on mode. EDL.

Instructions:

1. Download and install QPST.
2. Transfer your phone to EDL (see previous section).
3. V QPST Select Restore and point the way to QCN-file.
4. Wait until the completion (1-2 minutes).
5. Reboot the phone.

If the original QCN isn’t available, you can try generating it from the box using IMEI, but this doesn’t always work.

7. Alternative methods of unlocking (at your own risk)

If the official methods did not help, there are “gray” methods that can work, but are fraught with consequences:

• 🔓 Bypassing Mi Account through DNS: Change. DNS 104.16.16.16 or 104.16.17.17 when connecting to Wi-Fi during the activation stage. MIUI 11-12.5, but Xiaomi regularly blocks such devices DNS.
• 📱 Use of the "hole" in Mi Assistant: on some versions MIUI You can plug your phone into a PC, you can run the Mi Assistant, and you can reset your password through it. USB.
• 🛠️ Custom Recovery firmware (TWRP): If the boot loader is unlocked, you can install TWRP and through it to reset data or delete lock files (/data/system/locksettings.db). But for Redmi. 7 stable-assemblies TWRP few.

⚠️ Warning: These methods may lead to:

• Blocking your Mi Account for suspicious activity.
• Loss of warranty (if the phone is warranty).
• "Brick" in case of incorrect actions with system files.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Redmi 7