Reset Xiaomi Redmi 7 to factory settings: a complete guide with photos

Xiaomi Redmi 7 is one of the brand's most popular budget smartphones, but even it eventually starts to "brake," glitch or require a complete clean before selling.The hard reset solves most software problems, but it's important to do it right so you don't lose important data or lock the device permanently.

In this article, you will find three proven reset methods (via settings, Recovery Mode and Mi Account), as well as instructions for unlocking if you forget the pattern lock or the key. PIN-We will discuss in detail what data will be deleted, how to prepare for the procedure and what to do if the smartphone does not respond to commands, and we will discuss the common errors (for example, “This device is locked”) and how to fix them.

When you need to reset to factory settings

Resetting Redmi 7 to factory parameters is a radical solution, which is resorted to in several cases:

• 📱 Smartphone slows down, applications constantly fly out, and cleaning the cache does not help.
• 🔒 You have forgotten your password, pattern lock, or PIN-code and other ways of unlocking do not work.
• 📦 Before selling or transferring the device to another person – to delete all personal data.
• 🐛 After a failed update MIUI The phone stopped turning on or was not working properly.
• 🦠 Suspicion of viruses or malware that is not removed by antivirus.

However, reset is not always a panacea, for example, if the problem is related to physical damage (fall, moisture, discharged battery), then a hard reset will not restore the smartphone to work – repair will be required.

⚠️ Note: If you reset Redmi 7 due to a forgotten password, but previously linked the device to your Mi Account, after resetting the phone may require you to enter the username and password from this account!

Ready to Reset: What to Save and How to Avoid Data Loss

The factory reset completely removes all data from Redmi 7’s internal memory, including:

• 📸 Photos and videos (including screenshots and downloads from messengers).
• 📱 Contacts, messages SMS/MMS, call-up.
• 🎵 Music, documents, uploaded files.
• 🎮 Save games and customize applications.
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords, social media accounts (unless you use Mi Cloud).

The only thing that will remain intact is the files on the microSD card (if installed), but here’s the caveat: if you used the card as internal memory (Adoptable Storage feature in Android), the data from it will also be erased.

How to save data before resetting

If you don’t have time to copy the entire file, at least export the contacts to the VCF file:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press. ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
3. Select a save location (such as a memory card) and confirm.

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If you're using Mi Cloud, check if you're automatically syncing: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Data Sync. But remember, once you reset, you'll have to reconfirm your account.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (if the phone is on)

This is the easiest and safest method, but it only works if:

• 🔓 You know the screen unlock password.
• 📱 The phone is on and running stably.
• 🔋 At least 50% battery charge (to avoid switching off during the process).

Step instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone (or Additional → Recovery and Reset in older versions of MIUI).
3. Select Reset (may be called Factory Reset).
4. Click to erase all data (or delete all).
5. If necessary, enter PIN-lock-screen code.
6. Confirm the action by pressing Ready or Reset.

The phone will reboot and start the cleaning process, which will take 3-10 minutes, and when you're done, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like after you've bought it.

Charge your phone to at least 50%|Make a backup copy of important data|Remember the username/password from Mi Account (if tied)|Make sure that SIM-card and memory card removed (optional)-->

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the phone requires you to enter the Mi Account data, but you do not remember them, do not try to guess the password - after 5 unsuccessful attempts, the device will be locked for 24 hours.

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

If Redmi 7 doesn’t respond to touch, hangs on the MI logo, or you forget your password, you’ll have to use Recovery Mode, which works even on a phone that’s turned off, but requires you to follow the instructions exactly.

To enter Recovery Mode on Redmi 7:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the buttons at the same time: Volume up (+) + Power (hold 8-10 seconds until the MI logo appears).

Recovery

In the Recovery menu, the volume buttons (up/down for navigation) and the power button (to select) are controlled.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data)
2. Confirm your choice by selecting Wipe All Data (or Confirm).
3. Wait until the process is complete (the screen will display the inscription Data wipe complete).
4. Go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the phone reboots and starts setting up from scratch, if the error “This device is locked” appears after the reset, then the device was tied to the Mi Account and you need to enter data from it.

Method 3: Reset via Mi Account (if you forgot the screen password, but remember Mi Account)

If you have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-code, but the phone is tied to the Mi Account, you can reset the screen lock through the Xiaomi site, and this method only works if you meet three conditions:

• 📧 You have access to an email or phone number linked to your Mi Account.
• 🔗 The phone is connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔒 Find Device has been activated in the settings.

Instructions:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in.
2. Select the Find Device (or Device Management) tab.
3. Find your Redmi 7 and click Unlock.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.
5. Wait for a notification of successful unlocking (can take up to 5 minutes).

After that, the phone will unlock and you can go to the settings to make a full reset (see Method 1).

⚠️ Note: If the Find Device function has been disabled or the phone is not connected to the Internet, this method will not work, in which case only a reset via Recovery Mode (see Method 2), but after this you may need to enter Mi Account data.

Typical Resetting Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Even with the exact instructions, Redmi 7 users sometimes face problems.

If the phone doesn’t turn on after reset or hangs on the MI logo, try:

1. Press the power button for 20-30 seconds to force reboot.
2. Repeat the reset via Recovery Mode (see Method 2).
3. If nothing helps, flash the device through Fastboot (requires a PC and a USB cable).

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If after reset Redmi 7 requires a password from Mi Account, but you do not remember it, do not try to bypass the lock through third-party programs - this can permanently lock the device.

What to do after resetting: initial setup

After a successful reset, Redmi 7 will be activated in initial setup mode.

1. Choose a language (Russian or English is recommended).
2. Connect to a Wi-Fi network (or use mobile internet).
3. Sign in to Google account (required, otherwise you will not be able to download applications from the Play Market).
4. Link a Mi Account (if required) or create a new one.
5. Restore data from the backup (if it was made).
6. Set up the lock screen (recommended to use) PIN-code or password, not a pattern lock).

During the data recovery phase, you can:

• 📱 Recover contacts, photos and apps from Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
• 🔄 Transfer data from your old phone via Mi Mover (application from Xiaomi for migration).
• 🖥️ Copy files from PC via cable USB (file transfer).

After setting up, don't forget:

1. Update MIUI to the latest version (Settings → About Phone → System Update).
2. Install an antivirus (such as Avast or Dr.Web) and check the system.
3. Disable unnecessary background processes to improve performance (Settings → Battery → Optimization).

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If the phone is slower than before after reset, try turning off the interface animation. To do this, activate the developer mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in the settings) and in the For Developers section, set Windows Animation = Off.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the reset of Xiaomi Redmi 7