How to reset Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 to factory settings: 3 working ways

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 remains a popular smartphone even years after its release, but over time, any gadget begins to β€œbrake”, glitch or require a complete clean before selling. Resetting to factory settings is a radical but effective way to return the device to β€œsecond life”, but the wrong actions can turn the phone into a β€œbrick” or lead to the loss of important data.

In this article, you will find three proven reset methods (via settings, Recovery and Fastboot), unique warnings for the Redmi Note 7 model (including the nuances of unlocking the bootloader), and answers to questions that do not even cover official instructions, such as why IMEI can disappear after a reset or how to avoid the No command error in Recovery.

When do I need to reset to factory settings?

Reset Redmi Note 7 to factory state is worth in several cases:

  • πŸ“± The phone slows down, apps shut down spontaneously, or the system issues errors like β€œcom.android.phone stoppedΒ».
  • πŸ”’ You sell or transfer your device to another person and want to delete all personal data (photos, messages, accounts).
  • πŸ”„ After a failed update MIUI The phone is getting stuck on the Xiaomi logo or cyclically rebooting.
  • πŸ›‘οΈ Suspicion of a virus or malware that is not removed by antiviruses.
  • πŸ”§ You need to roll back changes after a failed rooting or modification of system files.

But resetting doesn't always solve the problem, for example, if the Redmi Note 7 doesn't turn on because of a damaged battery or a physical failure of the board, software flashing won't help, and in such cases, a diagnosis is required at a service center.

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 7 With an unlocked bootloader, a reset via Recovery can result in data loss in the partition /data, It will not affect the custom recovery (for example, TWRP). If you installed unofficial firmware, after resetting the device may not boot!

πŸ“Š Why do you want to reset the Redmi Note 7?
Eliminate lags and glitches
Prepare for sale
Remove viruses
Recovery after a failed update
Other

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before resetting the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, follow the mandatory steps to avoid data loss or device lockdown:

  1. Backup. Use the built-in Backup app (Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Backup and Reset) or third-party services like Google Drive, Mi Cloud. Please note: MIUI backup does not store data from some applications (such as WhatsApp or Viber – they need to be backed separately).
  2. Make sure the battery is over 50%. interruption of the reset process due to discharge can cause the device to "brick up."
  3. Untie your Mi Account. If you sell a phone, delete your Xiaomi account in Settings β†’ Mi Account. Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to activate the device (Mi Account Lock protection).
  4. Remember the login details for Google. After the reset, you will need to enter the login and password from the last Google account that was on the phone (FRP protection).

If you plan to drop your phone via Fastboot, additionally:

  • πŸ–₯️ Install Xiaomi drivers and Mi Flash Tool (required for firmware if something goes wrong) on PC).
  • πŸ”Œ Prepare the original. USB-cable (cheap cables may not transmit data in Fastboot mode).

β˜‘οΈ Checklist before resetting Redmi Note 7

Done: 0 / 5

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest)

This is a method that works if the phone turns on and you can log in, and it's the simplest and doesn't require any additional tools.

  1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
  2. Go to About Phone β†’ System Update β†’ Click on MIUI three times to activate Developer Mode (if not already activated).
  3. Return to the main Settings menu and select Additional β†’ Backup and Reset.
  4. Reset your settings β†’ Delete all data.
  5. Enter the screen lock password (if installed) and confirm the action.

The phone will reboot and start the reset process, which will take 5-10 minutes, and when you're done, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like after you've bought it.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi Note 7 firmware (especially custom ones) may not have Reset option. In this case, use Method 2 (Recovery).

πŸ’‘

If after resetting the phone asks you to enter a password from your old Google account, but you do not remember it, use the password recovery service accounts.google.com. Make sure you have access to a backup email or phone number associated with the account.

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

If the Redmi Note 7 is stuck on the logo, reboots cyclically or doesn’t respond to touch, use Recovery Mode.This method is also suitable if you have forgotten your pattern lock or password.

  1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
  2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
  3. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery menu (in English or Chinese).
  4. Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to select the item. Select Wipe Data β†’ Wipe All Data.
  5. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm (usually you need to enter an unlock code if it has been installed).
  6. Once you have finished, select Reboot β†’ Reboot to System.

If instead of the Recovery menu, you see the words β€œNo command” with the Android robot lying down:

  • πŸ”„ Press the power button. + Volume up 10 seconds to reboot the phone.
  • πŸ”§ Try re-entering Recovery, but hold the buttons longer (up to 10-12 seconds).
  • πŸ“₯ If the problem repeats, the Recovery partition may be damaged, and only Method 3 (Fastboot) will help).
The problem is Recovery.Reason.Decision
Chinese menuGlobal firmware for China installedLook for icons: = Wipe Data
"No command" with the robotRecovery partition or incorrect button combination is damagedRepeat the login or use the Fastboot
Requires a password after choosing WipeMi Account Protection ActivatedEnter the password from your Xiaomi account
After resetting, the phone does not turn on.The firmware or partition /system is damagedSwipe your phone through Fastboot (Method 3)
What if Recovery asks for a password but you don’t remember it?
If you forget the Mi Account password and the phone requires it when resetting, the only way out is to contact Xiaomi support with proof of ownership of the device (check, box, etc.).

Method 3: Hard reset via Fastboot (for power users)

This is a method that is used when the first two fail or you need to flash the device completely, and it involves connecting the phone to the computer and using the command line.

Required:

  • πŸ–₯️ Computer with Windows/Linux and installed Xiaomi drivers.
  • πŸ”Œ Original. USB-cable (better from the set).
  • πŸ“¦ Firmware archive for Redmi Note 7 (download from official website) MIUI Downloads).
  • πŸ› οΈ Mi Flash Tool (for Windows) or fastboot in Android SDK.
  1. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: press the Power button + Volume down for 5-7 seconds. The screen will appear a hare in a hat-eared (Fastboot logo).
  2. Connect your phone to your PC. Make sure the drivers are installed (Android Bootloader Interface should be displayed in Device Manager).
  3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Linux/Mac) and execute the command: fastboot devices If the phone is determined (its serial number will appear), continue. If not, check the cable or drivers.
  4. For a full reset, run fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache.
  5. If you want to reflash your phone, use the Mi Flash Tool: Unpack the downloaded firmware (.tgz format) into the folder. In the Mi Flash Tool, click Select and specify the path to the firmware folder. Select Clean all mode and press Flash.
  6. Once completed, type: fastboot reboot Phone will reboot.

⚠️ Note: On the Redmi Note 7 with the locked bootloader, fastboot erase commands may not work. In this case, you will need official unlocking via the Mi Unlock Tool (the process takes up to 720 hours of latency!).

πŸ’‘

Fastboot reset is the most radical method that deletes ALL data, including firmware, and only use it if other methods have failed or you are confident in your actions.

What to do after resetting: initial setup

After a successful reset, the Redmi Note 7 will turn on in initial settings. Follow the instructions on the screen, but pay attention to the key points:

  1. Language and region choice: Please indicate Russia or your country to avoid problems with Google services.
  2. Wi-Fi connection: Without the internet, you won’t be able to log into a Google or Mi Account.
  3. Log in to your Google account. Enter the last account you had on your phone (FRP protection). If you forgot your password, restore it through accounts.google.com.
  4. Set up the lock screen. It is recommended to install PIN-code or pattern lock for security.
  5. Data recovery: If you have backed up through Mi Cloud or Google Drive, select the appropriate item and wait for the recovery to be completed.

If there are problems after the discharge:

  • πŸ“΅ No Network: Go to Settings β†’ SIM-Maps and mobile networks and check if it is determined SIM-If. IMEI Not available (check in Settings) β†’ The phone. β†’ General information), you will need to restore it through the engineering menu (#4636##) or firmware.
  • πŸ”‹ Battery goes down quickly: Once reset, the system can index files and update applications, which increases charge consumption. Give the phone 1-2 days to stabilize.
  • πŸ”Š Missing sound: Check if Do Not Disturb mode is activated or turn off Bluetooth headphones if they were connected before reset.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When resetting the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, users often face typical problems. Here's how to prevent them:

Mistake.Reason.Decision
The phone will not turn on after resettingFirmware damaged or process interruptedFastboot phone through official firmware
Requires a password from Mi Account after resetXiaomi account was not detachedEnter data from your linked account or contact for support
The error "Can't mount /data" in RecoveryDamaged data partition or incompatible firmwareRun fastboot format userdata via Fastboot
No IMEI after resetDeleted /efs or /nvram filesRestore the IMEI through an engineering menu or firmware
Cyclical reboot (bootloop)Conflict of firmware or Magisk modulesSweat your phone with clean firmware without modifications

If you encounter an error not described in the table, check:

  • πŸ” Does the firmware version of your phone match the model (Redmi Note 7 has modifications: lavender - global, violet - for India).
  • πŸ”§ Have you installed custom cores or Magisk before resetting (they may conflict with the system).
  • πŸ“‘ Is the Internet stable during recovery (connection breaks can interrupt data downloading).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I reset the Redmi Note 7 without losing data?
No. Any factory reset deletes all user data (photos, messages, apps). The only way to save information is to back up in advance through Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Backup or manually copy files to your PC.
Why does the phone ask for a password from an old Google account after a reset?
This is FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection. If a Google account was linked to a phone, you'll need to reset it. If you don't remember the password, restore it through accounts.google.com. It's impossible to circumvent FRP without your account data legally.
How to reset Redmi Note 7 if you forget the pattern lock?
Use Method 2 (Recovery Reset) If your phone requests a Mi Account password in Recovery and you don't remember it, contact Xiaomi for proof of ownership of the device (check, box).
Can I reset my phone through a computer without recovery?
Yes, using Method 3 (Fastboot) to connect your phone to your PC, put it into Fastboot mode, and execute the commands fastboot erase userdata and fastboot erase cache, but this method requires drivers installed and minimal command line knowledge.
After the dump, the IMEI's gone. How do you recover it?
IMEI could have been erased due to damage to the /efs partition. Restore it: Through the engineering menu: type ##4636##, go to Phone Information and select Restore IMEI (does not work on all firmware). Through firmware: download the official firmware for your model and swipe the phone through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean all tick. Through the service center: if self-restore did not work, contact the authorized Xiaomi service. Attention: Using third-party recovery software to restore IMEI may violate the law (IMEI am tied to the official device).