How to reset Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 to factory settings: full instructions with photos

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 remains a popular smartphone even years after the release — thanks to reliable hardware and flexible firmware MIUI. But over time, any gadget begins to slow down: temporary files accumulate, updates conflict, and viruses or unsuccessful experiments with root rights can completely bring the system down, in such cases, resetting to factory settings is the most effective way to return the device to its previous speed.

But the procedure has nuances, from data loss to the risk of “bricking” when you do something wrong. In this article, three proven resets (via settings, Recovery and Fastboot) are relevant to all versions of MIUI on Redmi Note 7, including global and Chinese firmware, and how to prepare for the procedure so that you don’t lose important files, and what to do if the smartphone doesn’t turn on or hangs on the logo.

When you need to reset to factory settings

Reset is not a panacea, but it solves 80 percent of software problems, and these are typical situations where the procedure is justified.

• 🐢 Smartphone strongly slows down, applications spontaneously close and Settings → Memory shows the system's 90 occupancy rate%+.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI There are glitches: sensors do not work, sound disappears, or the phone reboots at random moments.
• 🔒 You forgot your pattern lock or password, and unlocking through Mi Account doesn’t help (or your account isn’t tied).
• 🦠 A virus has been picked up that blocks access to settings or shows annoying ads.
• 📦 Selling or transferring your phone to another person – reset will delete all personal data.

But there are also cases where resetting will not help:

• ⚡ Problems with the battery (fast discharge, bloating) - here you need repairs.
• 📱 Physical damage to the screen, camera or speakers.
• 🔌 The smartphone does not turn on at all (no reaction to the charging or power button) - it can be a malfunction of the motherboard.

⚠️ Note: If the Redmi Note 7 was unlocked via Fastboot to install custom firmware, resetting through the standard menu will return the bootloader lock. TWRP Recovery (if installed).

Preparing for resetting: how to save data

Reset to factory settings completely removes:

• 📱 Contacts, SMS, Call log (unless synced with Google or Mi Cloud).
• 📷 Photos and videos in the gallery (including screenshots and downloads from messengers).
• 🎵 Music, documents and other files in internal memory.
• 🎮 Game and application data (progress, logins, settings).

What is not removed:

• 💾 Files on SD-card (if it is installed and not used as internal memory).
• 🌐 Data in cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud, Yandex.Disk).
• 📧 Emails in Gmail or other email clients (if synchronized).

Methods of backup:

If the phone is still working, the easiest way is to use the built-in backup feature in MIUI:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select data for saving (contacts, SMS, applications, system settings).
3. Click Create Backup and wait until it is completed (the file will be saved in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder).

⚠️ Note: Do not copy the backup on SD-If it's formatted as an internal memory, it'll be cleaned when it's reset! Use an external storage device or cloud.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (soft reset)

This is the safest method if the phone turns on and responds to touch, and is suitable for eliminating software glitches without losing data on the phone. SD-(if not used as internal memory).

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section (bottom of the list).
3. Select Backup and Reset → Resetting.
4. Click Delete all data (a password or pattern lock may be required).
5. Confirm the action by selecting Reset the phone. The process will take 3-5 minutes.

Once you reboot, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, like after you buy it. If the phone requests data from the Mi Account, enter it -- this is the Mi Cloud Lock.

Method 2: Recovery Mode (hard reset)

This method is needed if:

• 🔐 Forgot your password and can’t log in.
• 📵 The phone hangs on the Redmi logo or reboots cyclically.
• 🖥️ You need to reset the device without access to the settings menu.

Instructions for stock Recovery (without TWRP):

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery Mode menu (English or Chinese).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → Confirm.
6. After cleaning, go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the menu is in Chinese:

• 🔹 First paragraph - (Reboot).
• 🔹 The second one is (Wipe Data).
• 🔹 MIAssistant (Connect with MIAssistant) (Not required).

⚠️ Note: Some firmware may have a "This device is locked" error after reset via Recovery, which means that the phone is tied to Mi Account and you will need to enter the account information that was on the device before the reset to unlock it.

💡

If after reset, the phone asks for the old password from Mi Account and you do not remember it, try to restore access through account.xiaomi.com. At the very least, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method is used if:

• 🔧 Recovery Mode is unavailable or damaged.
• 📥 You need to reflash your phone after a failed update.
• 🔓 Requires to unlock the bootloader before installing custom firmware.

The work will require:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux and installed Xiaomi drivers.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool and firmware for Redmi Note 7 (download from the official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: press the Power button + Volume down for 10 seconds.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC. A hare in a hat will appear on the screen.
3. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool, then unpack the archive with the firmware (file with the.tgz extension).
4. In Mi Flash, click Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
5. Press Refresh – your Redmi Note 7 should appear in the list of devices.
6. Select Clean All mode and press Flash. The process will take 5-10 minutes.

Once completed, the phone will automatically restart. The first launch can take up to 15 minutes — that's normal.

💡

Resetting via Fastboot removes everything, including firmware, and sets a clean MIUI. This method also resets the bootloader settings, so you may need to re-unblock (if you have done it before).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems, and let's look at the typical situations and how to fix them:

If the IMEI is missing after the reset, the NVRAM section is likely damaged.

1. Download the original firmware for your model.
2. Unpacking the nvram.img file from the archive.
3. Fastboot commands fastboot flash nvram nvram.img

What to do after a reset

After a successful reset, the Redmi Note 7 will return to the out-of-the-box state.

• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔒 Set up protection: set a password/PIN or a pattern lock, link Mi Account (this will help in case of theft).
• ☁️ Restore data from the backup (if you made a backup copy).
• 📱 Reconfigure notifications, app permissions, and energy saving.
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (such as Malwarebytes or Bitdefender) to protect against malware.

If you are planning to sell your phone, you will also:

• Unplug all accounts (Google, Mi, social networks).
• Delete. SD-map SIM-map.
• Do the reset again without your accounts (double reset will exclude data recovery).

💡

To speed up the phone after reset, turn off the interface animation. To do this, activate Developer Mode (7 taps by build number in Settings → About Phone), then in Settings → Additional → For developers, set Windows Animation and Transition Animation to 0.5x or turn off completely.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions