How to reset Xiaomi Redmi 7A to factory settings: a complete guide with photos

Why do you need to reset Redmi 7A to factory settings?

Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi 7A to factory settings is a radical but effective solution for a number of problems, most often when the smartphone starts to brake after a year of active use, suddenly overheats or emits errors when launching applications, for example, if the MIUI system became β€œglut” after a failed update or virus attack, a complete reset will return the device to its original stability.

Another common reason is that the phone is ready to be sold, because the reset removes all personal data, including accounts, photos and messages, which guarantees privacy, and it's important to understand that the procedure is not equivalent to flashing it. It doesn't change the version of MIUI, it only returns settings to the "out of the box" state, and all system updates installed after purchase will be saved.

But there are pitfalls, too, like if you forget the data from the Mi Account tied to the device, when you reset, the phone can lock, which is part of Xiaomi's protection against theft, and it's also worth remembering that resetting won't help if the problem is in hardware, such as when a battery or memory module is damaged.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before you reset Redmi 7A, take a few critical steps: First, back up all your data, even if you plan to sell your phone, save your contacts, photos, and documents to the cloud or external drive.

  • πŸ“ Go to Settings. β†’ The phone. β†’ Backup and select β€œCreate a backup copyΒ».
  • ☁️ Connect to Wi-Fi and sync your data with Mi Cloud (Xiaomi account required).
  • πŸ’Ύ Copy files to your computer through USB-cable (enable File Transfer mode in notification curtain).

Second, check the battery power. Make sure the charge level is at least 50%. If the reset is interrupted due to discharge, it can lead to a "brick" of the device (completely inoperable), and you need to flash through the Fastboot.

Third, untie the accounts:

  • πŸ”‘ Remove Google Account in Settings β†’ Accounts. β†’ Google.
  • πŸ“± Unplug Mi Account in Settings β†’ Xiaomi account β†’ Get out.

⚠️ Warning: If you don't untie Mi Account before resetting, after rebooting, the phone will require you to enter the username and password from this account!

πŸ“Š Have you ever reset your phone to factory settings?
Yeah, on your own.
Yeah, at the service center.
No, but I'm planning.
No, I'm not.

Method 1: Reset via the MIUI settings menu

This is the easiest and safest method if the phone turns on and reacts to touch, suitable for most users, and the instructions are relevant for the Redmi 7A on MIUI 10-14:

  1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
  2. Scroll down and select About Phone.
  3. Click Reset (in some versions – Reset and Reset).
  4. Tap Reset settings (may require input) PIN-code-key).
  5. Confirm the action by choosing Delete Everything.

The phone will automatically restart and start the cleaning process, which will take 3-7 minutes, and when you complete it, you will see the screen of the initial setup, as after you purchase it.

Battery charge > 50%|Backup created|Mi Account is off.|Google Account Deleted|PIN-lock screen code known-->

⚠️ Note: If the menu does not contain Reset Settings, update MIUI In old firmware, the path may be different: β†’ Additionally. β†’ Recovery and discharge.

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

If the Redmi 7A is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touch or is locked, use Recovery Mode, which works even when the firmware is damaged, but requires care. You will need Power and Volume+ buttons.

Step-by-step:

  1. Turn off the phone (press the power for 10-15 seconds).
  2. Press Power + Volume + and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
  3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery menu (in English or Chinese).
  4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power for selection.
  5. Select Wipe Data β†’ Wipe All Data β†’ Confirm.
  6. Once you have finished, select Reboot β†’ Reboot to System.

If the menu is in Chinese, focus on the icons:

  • 🧹 β€” This is Wipe Data.
  • πŸ”„ β€” It's Reboot.
ItemTranslationAction.
Wipe DataClearing the dataDeletes all user data
Wipe All DataComplete cleaningReset to factory settings
Reboot to SystemReboot.Starting the phone in normal mode
Connect with MiAssistantConnection to PCMode for firmware through Mi Flash Tool
What happens if Recovery does not open?
If after holding Power + Volume + the phone vibrates but does not load Recovery, try: 1. Connect the charger and try again. 2. Use the combination Power + Volume – (in rare cases). 3. Fastboot phone with Mi Flash Tool (requires PC).

Method 3: Reset via Mi Account (remote)

If your phone is lost or stolen, you can reset it remotely via Xiaomi's Find Device service.

  1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
  2. Select your Redmi 7A from the list of devices.
  3. Press Find the device. β†’ Erase the data.
  4. Confirm the action by entering the password from Mi Account.

Note that after a remote reset, your phone will disconnect from your account and you will not be able to track it, and this method only works when you are actively connected to the Internet (via a mobile network or Wi-Fi).

πŸ’‘

If you are selling a phone, reset through the Settings menu first, and then remove the device from the list in the Mi Cloud (Settings β†’ Mi Account β†’ Device Management).

What to do after resetting: initial setup

After a successful reset, the Redmi 7A will start in initial setup mode.

  1. Choose a language (Russian or other).
  2. Connect to the Wi-Fi network.
  3. Sign in to Mi Account (if the phone is not sold) or skip this step.
  4. Set up a lock screen (PIN, pattern lock or fingerprint).
  5. Restore data from a backup (if it was created).

If you sell a phone, don't restore data or log in to your accounts. Just complete the setup by selecting "Miss" at all stages where possible.

Pay attention to system updates: after reset, it is recommended to check for new versions of MIUI in Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ System Update. This will help avoid bugs associated with outdated firmware.

πŸ’‘

Once reset, the phone can run slower for the first 10 to 15 minutes, which is normal, and it optimizes applications in the background.

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even when you follow the instructions, you're going to have problems.

Problem.Reason.Decision
Discharge interrupted by 50%Memory section damaged.Reset via Recovery or re-flash your phone
After reset, requires a Mi AccountThe account was untiedEnter your account details or contact Xiaomi for support
The phone will not turn on after resettingThe process is interrupted or the battery is dischargedCharge your phone for 30 minutes, then reset.
The camera/Wi-Fi does not work after resettingDrivers are down.Update MIUI to the latest version

If the phone gives an error "This device is locked" after the reset, this means that the Mi Cloud Lock protection is activated. You can solve the problem only by entering data from the Mi Account tied or through the official Xiaomi service (a purchase check is required).

⚠️ Note: Do not use software to bypass Mi Account from dubious sites, this can lead to a complete loss of functionality of the communication module (IMEI)!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I reset Redmi 7A without losing data?
No. Factory reset always deletes all user data, including photos, messages and installed apps. The only way to save information is to back up in advance.
How long does it take to dump?
Time depends on the method: through the settings menu: 3-5 minutes; through Recovery: 5-10 minutes; remote reset via Mi Account: up to 15 minutes (depending on Internet speed); if the process took longer than 20 minutes, most likely there was a failure.
Will the reset remove the MIUI updates?
No. Reset only returns the factory settings, but it doesn't roll back the firmware version. All installed MIUI updates will remain.
Can I reset the Redmi 7A with a computer?
Yes, but it's not a reset, it's a reflash, and it uses the Mi Flash Tool and the official.tgz firmware. It's more complicated and requires unlocking the bootloader. Read more in our Xiaomi firmware guide.
Why does the phone ask for an old password after reset?
This happens if data encryption was enabled before reset (in Settings). β†’ Security β†’ Encryption. In this case, you will need to enter the last PIN-lock screen code or password that was used before resetting.