How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 on MIUI 11: bypass Mi Account through TWRP and bootloader firmware

Forgot the password from Mi Account or bought Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 with a tied account of the previous owner? MIUI 11 blocks access to the smartphone after resetting, requiring you to enter the username and password of the original account. Even hard reset through Recovery does not help - FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection and binding to the Mi Cloud make the device useless "brick".

The only working way to regain control of the Redmi Note 7 is to unlock the bootloader, install custom recovery TWRP and manually flash clean firmware without being tied to the Mi Account. This technique requires technical skills, but when executed correctly is guaranteed to bypass lockdown. In the article, current instructions for MIUI 11 (including versions 11.0.2.0–11.0.6.0), lists of verified files and commands for ADB/Fastboot.

⚠️ Warning: This procedure will reset all data on your device, including photos, contacts and apps. If your phone is stolen, unlocking it can be considered a violation of the law – use the method only for legally purchased devices.

1.Preparation: What will be needed to unlock

Before starting the procedure, collect all the necessary tools. Without them, you can not bypass Mi Account on MIUI 11.

• 📱 Smartphone: Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (codename lavender) with Mi Account lock and version MIUI 11.
• 💻 Computer: Windows 7/10/11 (64-bit) or Linux/macOS Virtual machines are not suitable for administrators!
• 🔌 Cable USB: Original or certified Type-C (cheap cables can cause fastboot errors).
• 🛠️ Software and drivers: Platform Tools (ADB/Fastboot) Google: Mi Unlock Tool (Not Lower Version) 5.5.224.24); Xiaomi drivers USB for Fastboot.
• 📁 Firmware files: TWRP for Lavender: official assembly (version) 3.7.0 or newer); firmware MIUI Unlinked to account: File patch to bypass unlock waiting (if Mi Unlock Tool requires) 72/168 hours).

Download all files to one folder (e.g., C:\MiUnlock) and unpack the archives. Make sure that the paths to the files do not contain Cyrillic characters, which causes errors in ADB.

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If the Mi Unlock Tool doesn’t recognize the device, try connecting the phone to the back. USB-port of the computer (front ports are often unstable) or use USB-feed-in.

2 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool

The official way to unlock a bootloader on Xiaomi is the Mi Unlock Tool, but even it can require up to 7 days (168 hours) of waiting for new accounts.

Step 1: Enable the Developer Mode and OEM-unlock

On a locked phone:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version until the notification “You became a developer!” appears.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate: 🔓 OEM-unlock; 🔌 Debugging by USB; 🔄 Unlock the loader (if any).

Step 2: Link your device to your Mi Account

If the phone requires a password from Mi Account when enabled OEM-Unlock, use this workaround:

1. Connect your phone to Wi-Fi.
2. Enter any email in the Mi Account login field (e.g. test@test.com).
3. Click Forgot Password? → Another way → Skip (if it appears).
4. Back to Settings → Mi Account and Try to Enable Again OEM-unlock.

Step 3: Unlocking with Mi Unlock Tool

On the computer:

1. Run MiUnlock.exe on behalf of the administrator.
2. Sign in with the same Mi Account as you do on your phone.
3. Connect Redmi Note 7 in Fastboot mode (turn off phone → pinch Power + Volume down).
4. In the utility, press Unlock.

If you see a "Couldn't unlock. Wait for 168 hours" error, use the patch to bypass the wait:

1 Download the file mi_unlock_patch.zip.


2 Unpack it in a folder with MiUnlock.exe.




3. Replace the original MiUnlock.exe file with a patched one.




4. Repeat the attempt to unlock.

3. Install TWRP Recovery on Redmi Note 7

Once you unlock the bootloader, you can flash TWRP, a custom recovery that will bypass Mi Account and install clean firmware. Use only official builds for lavender to avoid sensor or encryption issues.

Step 1: Checking the unlocking of the bootloader

Turn off your phone and press Power + Volume Down to log into the Fastboot. Connect to your computer and type in the command:

fastboot oem device-info

If you see Device unlocked: true, you can continue.

Step 2: TWRP firmware

Download the current version TWRP For the Redmi Note 7 (for example, twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lavender.img) and do it:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lavender.img


fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lavender.img

⚠️ Note: If after the firmware TWRP The phone is loaded into a standard MI Recovery, so there's been a recovery from stock recovery, so to avoid that, right after you entered the reentry. TWRP Go to Mount. → Enable MTP and copy the firmware file to the phone (about it in the next section).

Step 3: Disabling Forced Encryption

MIUI 11 encrypts the /data partition by default, which interferes with TWRP.

1. In TWRP, go to Wipe → Format Data.
2. Enter yes and confirm the formatting.
3. Reboot back to TWRP (not in the system!).

4.Firmware clean MIUI without Mi Account

Now you need to install the firmware that has disassociated the Mi Account binding.

• 🛠️ Base-based casting firmware MIUI with a deleted Mi Account (for example, MIUI Mix or Xiaomi.eu);

Step 1: Selecting a firmware

For maximum compatibility, we recommend using the official global firmware with a patch to bypass Mi Account.

• MIUI 11.0.4.0 Global (size ~1.8 GB);
• Patch to delete Mi Account (file) remove_mi_account.zip).

Step 2: Install firmware through TWRP

TWRP:

1. Go to Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark: Dalvik / ART Cache; System; Data; Cache.

Swipe for confirmation.

Install

miui_LAVENDERGlobal_...zip

remove_mi_account.zip

Reboot → System

Critical detail: If the phone needs to enter Mi Account again after the reboot, then the patch didn't work. Reset by formatting the /data partition again.

5. Alternative methods of bypassing Mi Account

If unlocking the bootloader is not possible (for example, due to the error "This device is locked"), try these methods:

⚠️ Attention: Method EDL Requires an auth file for the Mi Flash Tool, which Xiaomi only gives to authorized service centers. IMEI (The phone will lose its connection forever).

Bypassing ADB (for experienced users)

If you have access to TWRP but the patch didn’t work, try manually removing the anchor files:

adb shell


rm -rf /data/system/miui/




rm -rf /data/system/users/0/miui/




rm -rf /data/data/com.xiaomi.account/




reboot

After the reboot, the phone may require customization as new, but without being tied to the Mi Account.

Possible errors and their solutions

When unlocking the Redmi Note 7, you often experience typical problems. Here's how to fix them:

• 🔴 Error "This device is locked" in Mi Unlock Tool: Check that OEM-Unlocking is enabled in the developer settings: Wait 72 hours (if the account is new) or use the patched version of the utility. Try another Mi Account (sometimes an account created before 2019 helps).
• 🔴 TWRP Not touching the screen: Set up a special assembly TWRP It's lavender-enabled. OTG-mouse.
• 🔴 Once the firmware is in place, the phone vibrates and turns off: Probably the wrong firmware version. Set it exactly for lavender. Check the hash of the downloaded firmware file (should match the official firmware version).
• 🔴 The "Invalid" error IMEI" after the firmware: Restore IMEI via Engineer Mode (#4636## → Information → Run PCT → Restore IMEI). Use it. QCN-file.

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If after all the manipulations the phone does not turn on (black screen, flashing indicator), most likely damaged partition boot or modem. the solution is to flash a full fastboot-ROM through the Mi Flash Tool in clean all mode.

7.How to avoid blocking Mi Account in the future

To avoid the problem again, follow these rules:

• 📵 Untie your account before selling: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Delete the device from the list in the personal account Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware: In new versions MIUI (12+) Mi Account bypass is harder due to improved security.Use Xiaomi Firmware Updater to download official updates.
• 🔐 Create a backup copy of the section EFS: V TWRP Go backup. → EFS And save it to the computer, and it'll help you recover it. IMEI and serial number in case of failure.
• 📱 Use alternative accounts: Get a second Mi Account and link it to your phone as a backup. Set up Google Find My Device for remote reset.

If you frequently reflash Xiaomi, consider buying an authorized account for the EDL (cost ~1000₽). This will eliminate the need to wait for the bootloader to unlock.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking the Redmi Note 7