How to reset your settings on Xiaomi Mi 7: 3 working ways

Resetting the Xiaomi Mi 7 is a procedure that can be required in a variety of situations, from the banal slowdown of the system to preparing the device for sale. But not all users know that there are three fundamentally different types of reset, each of which solves its own problems: some methods save user files, others erase everything to a factory state, and still others help even when the phone is not turned on.

In this article, we will discuss all the current reset methods for the Mi 7 (codename dipper), including hidden nuances that the manufacturer does not specify in the official documentation. You will learn how to properly prepare the device, what data can be stored, and what to do if the reset is frozen or ended in error.

Important: Xiaomi Mi 7 was released in 2018, and during this time several versions of MIUI have been released. The instructions in this article are relevant for MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese firmware).If your device is running on an older version (for example, MIUI 10), some menu items may differ - we will warn you about this separately.

Before you go to the instructions, answer one question:

1.Resetting preparation: what to do beforehand

Many users miss this stage, and it is a waste. Incorrect preparation can lead to the loss of important data (photos, contacts, messages) or even to “brickle” the phone if the reset is interrupted.

Make a backup through Settings → Additional → Backup

Take a photo or write down the usernames/passwords from your accounts (Mi Account, Google, social networks)

Check the battery power – must be at least 50%

Make sure you know the details from your Mi Account (required to unlock after reset)

Turn off device protection in Settings → Blocking and protection (if enabled)-->

Pay special attention to backup. The Mi 7 has a built-in backup feature, but it doesn't save:

• 📸 Photos and videos in the gallery (you need to copy them manually to a PC or cloud)
• 💬 Messages in messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp – export chats separately)
• 🎮 Game saving (unless linked to a Google Play account)
• 📥 Downloads and files in the Download folder

A critical mistake many users make is forgetting to untie the device from the Mi Account before resetting. If you sell a phone, be sure to remove it from the list of trusted devices in your Xiaomi profile, otherwise the new owner may face an activation lock (FRP), which is difficult to get around without your help.

⚠️ Note: If you are resetting your phone because of a forgotten pattern lock or PIN-If you don't connect it to the Internet right after you reset, the system can automatically restore the lock through Mi Cloud, and you'll be locked back.

2. Method 1: Soft reset via settings (without data loss)

This method is suitable if the phone is stable, but you want to return the factory settings of system applications and settings. User data (photos, videos, documents) will remain intact, but will be deleted:

• 📱 Settings Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile network
• 🔑 Saved passwords and accounts (except for the main Mi Account)
• 🎨 Theme and wallpaper
• ⚙️ App settings (such as screen brightness on YouTube)

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode (if not already activated).
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Reset.
4. Click Reset all settings (not to be confused with Reset to factory!).
5. Confirm the action by entering a password / pattern lock.

The process will take 2-5 minutes. The phone will restart, after which you will need to reconfigure the basic parameters (language, date, network connection), your files and installed applications will remain in place.

💡

If your phone is slowing down after a soft reset, check the list of auto-run apps in Settings → Apps → Auto-Run. Often the cause of lags is the background processes of messengers or games.

Method 2: Hard reset via menu (full cleaning)

This is the most radical method of getting the phone back to the box-like state, and all the data will be erased, including:

• 📂 Photos, videos, music and downloads
• 📱 Installed applications and their data
• 📞 Contacts and messages (if not synchronized with the Google/Mi Cloud)
• ⚙️ All system settings

How to make a hard reset:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Resetting settings.
2. Select Reset to factory settings.
3. Check Clear everything (important! otherwise some data may be saved).
4. Enter the password from Mi Account (if requested) and confirm the action.

The phone will restart and start the cleaning process, which can take up to 10-15 minutes, and the screen will display the progress bar, do not interrupt the process and do not remove the battery, this can damage the system files.

⚠️ Note: Some Mi 7 firmwares will have a bug with Android.phone after a hard reset.If this happens, make an additional cache reset via Recovery (instructions in the next section).

Method 3: Reset via Recovery (if the phone is not turned on)

If the Xiaomi Mi 7 is stuck on the logo, does not respond to buttons or is locked with a pattern lock, the only way out is to reset via Recovery Mode.

• 🔄 The phone is rebooted cyclically (bootloop)
• 🚫 Mi Account blocked after failed password entry
• 🔧 We need to remove custom firmware.

Instructions for entering Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume up at the same time and hold until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the power button, but keep Volume up until you see the Recovery menu.

In the Recovery menu, use volume buttons for navigation and power button for confirmation.

1. Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (complete cleaning)
2. Confirm the action by choosing Confirm.
3. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

Important nuance: Some versions of the Mi 7 may miss the IMEI after reset via Recovery.This is due to the /nvram folder damage. If there is no network after the reboot, follow the following steps:

1. Go back to Recovery.
2. Select Advanced → Repair NVRAM (if you have one).
3. Reboot the phone.

💡

Recovery is the only way to get around Mi Account locking without officially unlocking, but only if the Find Device feature is not activated on the phone.

Possible errors and their solutions

Even if you do the reset properly, you can have problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If neither method worked, the problem may be the hardware (damaged eMMC memory or controller), which can only be done by flashing through the Fastboot or replacing the motherboard.

💡

Before contacting the service, check if the warranty on your Mi 7 has expired. Even if the phone was purchased a long time ago, some Xiaomi service centers can go to meet you if you have a check or a box.

6.How to recover data after reset

If you have not made a backup, the chances of returning deleted data depend on the type of reset that was performed:

• 🔄 Soft reset: Data is not deleted – nothing needs to be restored.
• 🧹 Hard discharge/Recovery: Files are erased, but you can try to restore them with special utilities.

To recover photos, videos and documents:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (in File Transfer mode).
2. Use the programs: 🖥️ DiskDigger (for Windows) scans internal memory for file residues. 📱 EaseUS MobiSaver (for Android) – works directly from your device.

Deep Scan

Important: Don't write new data to your phone after a reset! Every new file reduces the likelihood of recovering old data.

To restore contacts and messages:

• 📞 Contacts: If they have been synced with a Google Account, just add it again in your phone settings.
• 💬 Messages: You can only recover if you have enabled a backup in the Mi Cloud or through third-party applications like SMS Backup & Restore.

⚠️ Note: Data recovery software often requires root rights. On the Mi 7, you can get them through unlocking the bootloader and installing Magisk, but this voids the warranty and may result in the Mi Account being blocked.

7. Alternative methods: when the discharge does not help

If the reset didn’t solve your problem (the phone still brakes, doesn’t turn on or gives out errors), consider the following options:

• 🔄 Fastboot Reflash: Complete Reinstallation MIUI It's a PC, it requires an unlocked bootloader.
• 🛠️ Replacing firmware with custom: LineageOS or Pixel Experience, for example.
• 🔋 Battery replacement: On the Mi 7, after 3-4 years of operation, the battery loses capacity, leading to sudden shutdowns and brakes.
• 🔧 Diagnostics in the service center: If the problem is hardware (damaged memory, motherboard).

To reflash through Fastboot you will need:

1. A computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed.
2. Official firmware for Mi 7 (you can download on the official website of Xiaomi).
3. Unlocked bootloader (instructions at en.miui.com/unlock).

Firmware commands (executed in the command line):

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot flash vendor vendor.img




fastboot flash userdata userdata.img




fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

Warning: The wrong firmware can turn a phone into a brick. If you're not sure about your abilities, you should consult a specialist.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi Mi 7