How to unlock the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: from password to bootloader

Forgot the pattern lock on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7? Phone requires password from Mi Account after reset? Or need to unlock the bootloader to install custom firmware? In this article, 5 working methods of unlocking with all the nuances of the model. We will look at both software solutions (via Mi Unlock Tool, ADB) and hardware (Fastboot mode, EDL), and explain why standard tips like “reset via Recovery” often do not work on the Redmi Note 7.

The peculiarity of this model is the protection at the iron level: the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor blocks unauthorized actions, and the MIUI firmware is associated with the Xiaomi account. So "universal" instructions from the Internet will not work here. For example, a reset via Recovery on the Redmi Note 7 can lead to a permanent lock of the device (brick), if you do not take into account the binding to Mi Account. We will analyze each scenario in detail so that you do not lose data and turn the phone into a "brick".

1. unlock the screen (pattern lock, PIN, password)

If you forgot the unlock code, but remember the data from the account Mi Account, tied to the phone, use the official method:

• 🔄 Enter the wrong password 5 times in a row until the message “Forgot the password” appears?".
• 📧 Click on it and select Unblock via Mi Account".
• 🔑 Enter the username and password from the Xiaomi account associated with the device.
• 📱 Set a new password or pattern lock.

If this method doesn’t work (for example, there is no Internet or account is not tied), try unlocking through ADB – but only if the phone is debugging over USB and has access to the PC:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 7 to your computer via USB.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the commands in order: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/password.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot
4. After the reboot, the phone will be unlocked.

⚠️ Attention: If debugging is on USB If it wasn't enabled in advance, it wouldn't work, and then the only radical ways that you can do is reset it through Recovery or Fastboot, and they'll cause data loss.

2 Unblocking your Mi Account after a reset

After the Hard Reset, the Redmi Note 7 requires you to enter data from the Mi Account that was tied to the device, which is anti-theft protection, and it is officially impossible to circumvent it.

The best way to use the Mi Unlock Tool is to:

1. Download the utility from the official website.
2. Sign in under the same account that you are linked to the phone.
3. Connect Redmi Note 7 in Fastboot mode (press Power + Volume Down).
4. Press Unlock and wait for the process to be completed.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was purchased from hand, the previous owner could not untie his Mi Account. In this case, unlocking through Mi Unlock is impossible - you will have to contact the proof of purchase in support of the purchase.

3. Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)

To install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) or obtain root rights to the Redmi Note 7, you need to unlock the bootloader. Xiaomi officially allows this, but with restrictions:

• ⏳ Waiting: After linking the account to the device, you need to wait from 3 to 30 days (depending on the activity of the account).
• 📱 Conditions: the phone must be on the original firmware MIUI, rootless.
• 🔌 Tools: Mi Unlock Tool and cable required USB Type-C.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable OEM Unlocking in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode) → Additional → For Developers → Unlock OEM.
2. Link your Mi Account to your device in Settings → Mi Account → Security.
3. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and log in.
4. Transfer your phone to Fastboot (Power + Volume Reduction).
5. Connect to the PC and press Unlock in the utility.

If the utility gives you a "Couldn't unlock" error, check:

• 🔹 Accounts linked to phone for more than 72 hours.
• 🔹 The device has the latest version. MIUI.
• 🔹 Original cable (not all Type-C cables support data transmission).

4. Unlock through EDL mode (emergency firmware)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is the last chance to bring the Redmi Note 7 back to life if other methods have failed, allowing you to flash your phone directly through the Qualcomm port without blocking MIUI.

• ⚠️ It can lead to a hard brick (complete incapacity).
• 🔧 It requires special equipment (EDL testpoint).
• 📄 You need a firmware file.mbn for your model (for example, lavender_global_images...).

Instructions for experienced users:

1. Download the firmware for Redmi Note 7 (codename lavender) from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Install the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivers.
3. Transfer the phone to EDL: 🔧 Method 1: Short circuit testpoints on the board (requires disassembly). 🔌 Method 2: Use of the EDL cable (sold on AliExpress).

MiFlash

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⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL erase IMEI, MAC-eMMC addresses and data. After the procedure, you will need to restore IMEI via the engineering menu (#4636##).

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Before you run through EDL, check the memory chip version (eMMC/UFS) in your phone. Redmi Note 7 with UFS 2.1 requires firmware marked with UFS in the file name.

5.Reset via Recovery (Hard Reset)

If other methods fail, it's hard to reset through recovery mode, but on the Redmi Note 7, it's a nuanced way to do this.

• 🔒 After resetting, the phone will require data input from Mi Account if it was tied.
• 📱 All data (photos, contacts, messages) will be deleted.
• ⚙️ Some firmware blocks access to Recovery without authorization.

How to make a Hard Reset:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume Up for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

If after reset, the phone asks for Mi Account and you don’t remember the data, try:

• 📧 Restore access to your account through the recovery page.
• 📞 Contact Xiaomi with a check of purchase.
• 🔧 Use it. EDL (see previous section).

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Recovery resets on Redmi Note 7 don’t bypass Mi Account binding, and if your account isn’t yours, your phone will remain locked.

6. Alternative methods (for advanced users)

If the standard methods do not work, you can try to bypass the lock through:

6.1.Use of the DirtyCOW exploit (for older versions of MIUI)

This method only works on MIUI firmware prior to version 12.0.3, and it's a vulnerability in the Linux kernel that allows you to get root without unlocking the bootloader.

1. Download the archive with an exploit (for example, with XDA Developers).
2. Connect your phone to a PC with USB debugging enabled.
3. Run the dirtycow script via ADB: adb push dirtycow /data/local/tmp/ adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/tmp/dirtycow /data/local/tmp/dirtycow
4. After receiving root, delete the lock files: rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db

6.2 Fastboot Firmware with Mi Account bypass

It requires a modified firmware without checking your account.

• ⚠️ Possible loss IMEI.
• ⚠️ The phone may stop updating.
• ⚠️ The guarantee will be cancelled.

Instructions:

1. Download Fastboot firmware with a bypass (for example, MIUI EU or China Stable without checking your account).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder with MiFlash.
3. Transfer the phone to Fastboot.
4. In MiFlash, select Clean All and press Flash.

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Before you run your firmware through Fastboot, check the bootloader version (fastboot getvar anti). If the value is anti: 3 or 4, the firmware can lock the phone permanently.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking the Redmi Note 7