How to remove the screen lock on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: from Mi Account to reset via Recovery

A forgotten password, a broken fingerprint sensor, or a child’s randomly installed pattern lock can turn a screen lock on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 into a real headache, especially if the phone holds important data, such as photos, correspondence, or work documents. Fortunately, there are several ways to unlock the device, and not all of them involve a complete reset.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from official (via Mi Account) to technical (using ADB or Fastboot). It is important to understand that the effectiveness of each method depends on the firmware version, the state of the Xiaomi account and the availability of debugging over USB. For example, on devices with MIUI 12 and the newer lock via Mi Account only works with a tied phone number, and old security holes (such as bypassing a call) have long been closed.

We warn you in advance: some methods will lead to complete data loss, so before you act, assess the risks.If the phone is synced with Google Account or Mi Cloud, the chances of recovering information after unlocking are higher.

Why Redmi Note 7 is blocked: the main reasons

The screen lock on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 rarely happens by itself, usually as a result of a user action or system failure.

• 🔐 Forgotten password/pattern lock is a classic situation where a user changes the combination and forgets it after a couple of days, especially for those who rarely lock the screen.
• 👶 Children or relatives – toddlers like to “play” with their phone and may accidentally install a new lock key, and adults – do not notice it.
• 📱 Failure after update MIUI — Sometimes the firmware “flyes” and the system requires you to enter a password that never existed (for example, after an unsuccessful update via the Internet). OTA).
• 🔧 Damage to the fingerprint sensor – if the scanner stopped working, the phone may require an alternative way to unlock that the user does not remember.
• 🚨 Viral software – some malware locks the screen and demands a ransom (although this is rare on the Redmi Note 7).

If the lock occurred after a phone drop or moisture, the problem may be hardware — for example, damaged the plume of the display or the touch screen controller, in which case unlocking software methods will not help, and you will have to contact the service center.

⚠️ Warning: If the screen appears, "This device is locked by" FRP" (Factory Reset Protection, which means that the phone was reset without decoupling from your Google Account, requires entering the login and password from the last associated Gmail account.

Method 1: Unlocking with Mi Account (official method)

The safest and most recommended way for Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account, which works if:

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔗 Mi Account was tied to device prior to lockdown.
• 📧 You have access to an email or phone number linked to your account.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap the button "Forgot password?" (or "Forgot password?").
2. Select "Unblock with Mi Account".
3. Enter the username (email or phone number) and password from the Mi Account.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
5. Set a new password or pattern lock.

If you don’t remember the Mi Account, try to restore access through Xiaomi’s official website. note that after 5 failed attempts, the account may be temporarily blocked.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12.5+ Unlocking through Mi Account requires confirmation SMS If the SIM card is not available (for example, the phone is locked with another SIM), this method will not work.

Method 2: Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

If Mi Account is not tied or you don't remember the login details, the radical method is to completely reset your settings through Restore mode, which deletes all data from your phone (photos, apps, contacts), but returns access to the device.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the Redmi Note 7 with a long hold on the power button.
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 be taken to the Recovery Mode menu (may be in Chinese or English).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power buttons for selection. Select: Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → Confirm.
5. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

The phone will reboot and suggest that you configure it as new, and this method works on 100% of devices, but it has a critical disadvantage: the loss of all user data. If the phone has been enabled to sync with Mi Cloud or Google, some information (contacts, notes) can be restored after you log in to your account.

Make sure your phone is at least 30 times charged%|Download the latest drivers for Xiaomi on PC (in case of problems)|Prepare a backup of the data (if the phone has previously unlocked)|Find it in advance. IMEI phone (on a box or under a battery)-->

Method 3: Unlock through ADB (if debugging is enabled)

If the Redmi Note 7 was enabled before the lock USB (USB Debugging, you can try to remove the password through the computer using ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method saves data, but requires preparation.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB (download from Android).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Phone with a charge of at least 50%.

Instructions:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 7 to your computer via USB.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type:

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, do:

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key


adb shell rm /data/system/password.key




adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db




adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal




adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm

Reboot your phone with the command:

adb reboot

Once the reboot is over, the lock should disappear, and if there is a “no devices/emulators found” error, then the USB debugging was not enabled in advance, and this method will not work.

💡

If ADB doesn’t see the device, try reinstalling the drivers manually through Windows Device Manager. Xiaomi often requires a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver.

Method 4: Fastboot Firmware (for power users)

If previous methods didn't work, the last option is to run your phone through Fastboot mode, a complex process that requires:

• 🖥️ Computers with Mi Flash Tool and drivers installed.
• 📥 Redmi Note 7 (version should match the region of the phone).
• 🔧 Knowledge of working with Fastboot and readiness for the risk of “bricking” the device.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware for Redmi Note 7 (codename lavender) from Xiaomi (choose the Fastboot version, not Recovery).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MiFlash\lavender).
3. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: pinch Power + Volume down.
4. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. In the program, select the firmware folder, click Refresh (the device should appear) and click Flash.
6. Wait for the process to end (5-10 minutes) and restart the phone.

Once firmware is in place, the phone will be like new — all data will be deleted and the screen lock will disappear.This method is suitable if other methods have not worked, but requires caution: improper firmware can lead to loss of IMEI or other problems.

⚠️ Note: Firmware through Fastboot resets FRP (Factory Reset Protection), but if the phone was linked to a Google Account, you'll need to enter data from it after you turn on.

Method 5: Contact Xiaomi Service Center

If all independent attempts to unlock failed, you just need to contact an authorized Xiaomi service center.

• 🔒 Phone's locked. FRP (Google Account and you don’t remember the data.
• 📱 The device does not respond to buttons or does not turn on after a failed reset.
• 🛠️ Requires replacement of hardware components (e.g. broken fingerprint sensor).

What you need to unlock in the service:

• 📄 Check or warranty card (if the phone is guaranteed).
• 🆔 Proof of purchase (for example, a box with a IMEI).
• 💳 Payment for the service (unblocking without warranty costs from 1000 to 3000 rubles depending on the complexity of the service).

Xiaomi’s official service centers can unlock the phone even without data loss if the problem is software, but if the lock is related to FRP, proof of ownership (e.g., a check with IMEI) will be required.

💡

Contacting the service is the only legal way to unlock the Redmi Note 7 if you forget the password from Mi Account and Google Account. Self-attempts to bypass FRP can lead to a complete loss of functionality of the device.

How to avoid blocking in the future: 5 tips

To avoid having a locked screen problem again, follow the simple rules:

• ☁️ Enable sync with Mi Cloud or Google to help recover data after reset.

If you often forget passwords, consider using Smart Lock in your Android settings.This feature will automatically unlock your phone in secure places (like at home or when connecting to a trusted Wi-Fi network).

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Redmi Note 7