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

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is one of the most popular smartphones of the brand, but even it eventually begins to slow down, give out errors or require resale. In such cases, resetting to factory settings becomes a necessary procedure. However, the wrong actions can turn the phone into a brick or lead to data loss. This article will help avoid mistakes: here are all the ways of reset (including hidden MIUI functions), nuances for locked devices and recovery after a failed reset.

It's important to understand that resetting isn't just about deleting files; it's about system partitions, Mi Account settings, network settings, even IMEI data. For example, after a Fastboot reset, you may need to re-activate your device through your official Xiaomi account, and we'll go through each method in detail to make sure you choose the best one for your situation.

When you need to reset to factory settings

Resetting is not a panacea, but in some cases it is really necessary:

  • 🐒 Phone slows down, apps constantly fly out, and cleaning the cache does not help.
  • πŸ”’ You have forgotten your pattern lock or password and Mi Account unlock is not available.
  • πŸ“± Before selling or transferring a device to another person (even after manually deleting files, traces of accounts remain).
  • πŸ€– After a failed update MIUI The phone is stuck on the logo or is not working properly.
  • πŸ“‘ Network problems: not catching 4G, Not connected to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

But there are situations where resetting won't help or even make the problem worse, like if the phone doesn't turn on because of a damaged battery or a physical breakdown in the motherboard, and it's also pointless to reset the settings for hardware defects in the screen or speaker, which requires repairs, not software intervention.

⚠️ Note: If you reset Redmi Note 7 with a Mi Account tied and a forgotten password, after the procedure, the phone may require you to enter your account information. Without them, unlocking is possible only through the official Xiaomi service (proof of purchase is mandatory!).

πŸ“Š Why you want to reset your settings on Redmi Note 7?
Remove the lags and brakes
Prepare for sale
Delete the forgotten password
Correct errors after updating
Other

Method 1: Reset via phone settings (the safest)

This is a good method if the phone is turned on and you remember the unlock password, it preserves the integrity of system files and minimizes risks. MIUI 10–14:

  1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
  2. Go to About Phone β†’ General settings β†’ Reset settings.
  3. Choose Delete all data (not to be confused with Network Resetting!).
  4. Enter the screen unlock password (if installed).
  5. Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings.

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.

β˜‘οΈ What to check before resetting through settings

Done: 0 / 5

⚠️ Note: If the phone has Find Device enabled (in Mi Cloud), you may need to confirm via the reset. SMS Without it, the phone will remain locked!

Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (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, resetting through Restore mode will help.This method doesn't require a password, but deletes all data without the possibility of recovery.

Instructions:

  1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
  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 - you will be taken to the Recovery menu (navigation is carried out by volume buttons, the choice is by the power button).
  4. Select Wipe Data β†’ Wipe All Data (on some versions of MIUI, the option may be called Factory Reset).
  5. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
  6. Once you have finished, select Reboot β†’ Reboot to System.

If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, use this tip:

  • β†’ β€” This is Wipe Data.
  • - this is Confirm.
  • β†’ β€” This is Reboot to System.
What happens if the Recovery Mode does not open?
If the phone vibrates after holding the buttons but does not load the Recovery menu, the firmware may be damaged, in which case only the firmware through Fastboot (Method 3) will help.

On the Redmi Note 7 with firmware below MIUI 12, the Recovery menu may not have Wipe All Data. Select Wipe & Reset β†’ Factory Reset instead.

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

This method is used if:

  • πŸ”§ The phone doesn’t even load in Recovery.
  • πŸ“¦ You need to reflash the device from scratch (for example, after a failed update).
  • πŸ”’ You need to bypass the Mi Account lock (but this violates Xiaomi’s rules and can lead to a block) IMEI).

The work will require:

  • πŸ’» Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers (official website).
  • πŸ“‹ The Mi Flash Tool (you can download it here).
  • πŸ”— Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
  • πŸ“ Redmi Note 7 (codename lavender) firmware in.tgz format.

Step-by-step:

  1. Download and unpack the firmware into a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\lavender).
  2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and drivers.
  3. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: press the Power button + Volume down for 5-10 seconds.
  4. Connect your phone to your PC. The Android Bootloader Interface should appear in the Device Manager.
  5. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
  6. At the bottom, select Clean All and press Flash.
  7. Wait for the end (10-15 minutes) and the phone will automatically restart.
Type of firmwareDownload linkFeatures
Global Stable (MIUI)Official websiteIt's good for most users, without Chinese apps.
Developer (MIUI Developer)Xiaomi.EUWeekly updates, but possible bugs, requires an unlocked bootloader.
Castomium (e.g. Pixel Experience)XDA DevelopersRequires Bootloader unlocking and ADB experience.

⚠️ Note: Firmware through Fastboot resets IMEI, If you use unofficial firmware, it will make your phone unusable for calls! IMEI You can only use the engineering menu (#4636##) or the service center.

πŸ’‘

Before you run your firmware through Fastboot, disable the antivirus on your PC – it can block Xiaomi drivers as suspicious.

What to do after resetting: initial setup

After a successful reset, the Redmi Note 7 will offer to go through the initial setup.

  • 🌐 Select a region: Specify Russia or Europe to avoid problems with Google Play and Xiaomi services.
  • πŸ”‘ Mi Account: If the phone was linked to an account, enter the same data. SMS.
  • πŸ“± Data recovery: If you were backing up through Mi Cloud, select it at this point.
  • πŸ”’ Security: Set up unlock (fingerprint, PIN or graphic keys immediately – this will protect the data in the next reset.

If after reset, the phone requires a password from Mi Account, but you do not remember it:

  1. Go to account.xiaomi.com.
  2. Click Forgot Password? and follow the instructions (requires access to an email or phone linked to your account).
  3. If access is lost, contact the service center with a check for purchase.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems.

Mistake.Reason.Decision
phone is stuck on startup Mi Logo after resetFirmware or incompatible version of MIUI damagedSwitch through Fastboot (Method 3)
Recovery does not have Wipe Data.Custom Recovery (e.g. TWRP) installedUse TWRP to reset: Wipe β†’ Format Data
Mi Flash Tool is a critical partition errorIncorrectly selected firmware or damaged cableDownload the firmware again, check the cable, try another USB-port
After reset, there is no network (No Service)Dropped. IMEI or SIM-mapRestore the IMEI through the Engineering Menu or reboot the phone

If neither method worked, there might be a hardware problem, such as a damaged memory chip (eMMC) that can simulate software failures, in which case only a diagnostics service center would help.

πŸ’‘

Resetting through your phone's settings is the safest method, but it requires a desktop screen and a known password. If the phone doesn't turn on, use Recovery Mode. Fastboot is the extreme option that requires experience.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can data be recovered after resetting?
No, factory reset completely removes data from internal memory. The only way to get files back up is if you backed up through Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or manually on a PC. Recovery programs (like Dr.Fone) are mostly useless because of the data encryption in MIUI.
The phone asks for the old password after the reset.
This means that the device was enabled with Google's Factory Reset Protection (FRP) feature. To unlock: Connect to Wi-Fi. Enter the email and password from the Google account that was tied to the phone before the reset. If you don't remember the data, try to restore access via accounts.google.com. If the Google account is also forgotten, you can only unlock the phone through the service center (proof of purchase will be required).
How to Reset Redmi Note 7 if the Sensor is Not Working
If the screen responds to touch but is incorrect (such as spontaneous taps), plug the mouse through the USB OTG-If the sensor is completely dead: Use Recovery Mode (Method 2), the control is done with volume buttons. If Recovery is not available, then run the phone through Fastboot (Method 3). In extreme cases, contact the service - you may need to replace the touch glass.
Will the phone work after the reset if it was root-righted?
Yes, the phone will work, but: SuperSU, Magisk will reset. If you installed custom firmware, it will remain after resetting through Recovery, but all settings and data will be deleted. If you flashed the phone through Fastboot, it will go back to the stock firmware without root rights. To get the root back, you will have to re-unblock the bootloader and install Magisk.
Can I reset my settings without losing data?
No, a full reset always deletes the user's data, but you can: Back up through Settings. β†’ System system β†’ Backup (saves contacts, SMS, copy files (photos, videos) to a PC or SD-You can use Mi Mover to transfer data to another Xiaomi phone, but system settings, Wi-Fi passwords, and application data (such as game progress) will still be lost.