Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a situation where access to the device is limited due to a forgotten password or a system failure. The Redmi Note 7 model, released in 2019, is still popular, and unlocking it remains relevant. There are several proven methods of restoring access, each of which has its own characteristics and requirements.
Before you start taking action, you need to understand the reason for the lock, which can be a standard security mechanism after many failed attempts to enter code or a software failure that caused a cyclical reboot on the input screen. It is important to assess the risks in advance, since some methods involve the complete deletion of user data.
In this article, we will discuss all the legitimate ways to remove restrictions in detail: we will look at remote management through Mi Account, use of Recovery mode and specialized utilities for PC. Carefully study each method to choose the most suitable for your case.
Use the “Find Device” function via Mi Cloud
The most civilized and secure way to save data is to use the manufacturer’s cloud service, so your Redmi Note 7 should be connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network), and the device search function should be activated in the settings. If these conditions are met, you can remotely control the lock.
Go to the official i.mi.com website from any other device, such as a computer or tablet. Sign in using the same Mi Account that you entered on the locked smartphone. In the service interface, select your device from the list of available devices.
- 📱 Click on the “Find Device” icon in the control menu.
- 🔓 Select the “Unlock” option to remove the current lock screen.
- 🔄 The system will request confirmation of action, after which the lock will be removed.
It is worth noting that this method does not work in all regions due to differences in data protection legislation, and if the unlock button is missing or inactive, then this feature is disabled in your region and you will have to resort to more radical measures, such as Hard Reset.
⚠️ Warning: After successful unlocking through the cloud, the system may require re-entering the Mi Account password the next time you boot your phone for security reasons.
Resetting with Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
If cloud services are not available, the only option is to completely reset your settings to factory status, which completely erases all user data, including photos, contacts and apps, returning the system to its original state.
Turn off the smartphone completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, while continuing to hold the volume, and you will be taken to the Recovery menu, where the navigation is done with the volume buttons and the choice is with the power button.
☑️ Preparation for discharge
From the menu, select a language (usually English), then go to Wipe Data, and you will be prompted to select Wipe All Data and confirm the action by selecting Confirm, a process that will take a few minutes, after which the device will restart.
Once the phone is rebooted, it will look like new, but if the device has been enabled with Google FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection, the system will require you to enter a login and password from a Google account that was synced earlier, which is a standard measure of protection against theft.
| Action. | The result | Data retention |
|---|---|---|
| Unlocking through Mi Cloud | Screen password removal | Yes. |
| Hard Reset (Recovery) | Complete system reset | No. |
| Recovery (Wipe All Data) | Removing Data and Cache Partitions | No. |
Unlocking through computer and ADB
For advanced users, there is a method of deleting lock files via USB debugging, which only works if the USB Debugging feature was pre-installed in the Developer Menu and the computer was previously authorized by that smartphone.
You'll need to install Xiaomi drivers and Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC. Connect your phone with a cable to your computer. Open the command line in the ADB tool folder.
adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key
adb shell rm /data/system/password.keyExecuting these commands will delete files that store the hashes of the pattern lock or password. After that, you need to restart the device. On some versions of MIUI, you may need to delete the locksettings.db file. If debugging was not enabled in advance, this method, alas, will not work.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
Use of Google’s “Find Device” service
The alternative to the Mi cloud is Google’s standard service, which is similar: the device must be online and the Google account is active, a method that often allows not only Locate or Ring to be found, but also Erase to be erased.
Go to android.com/find and log in to your Google account. Select Redmi Note 7 from the list. Unlike Mi Cloud, Google more often offers a cleanup feature, which is essentially a Hard Reset analogue but runs remotely.
Once you have the deletion command, the phone will restart and begin the cleanup process, which is an effective way to do this if you forget your password, but remember your account details, but like Recovery, all your personal files will be permanently lost.
- 🌍 It works with any browser in the world.
- 🔒 Requires accurate data entry of Google account.
- 🗑️ Deletes all data from internal memory.
⚠️ Note: If the phone is installed SIM-balance card, make sure that when you remotely reset, paid services or subscriptions are not activated if they were set up for autopayment.
Mi Account and activation issues
Once you reset your settings, Redmi Note 7 owners often encounter the Mi Account activation screen, which is a theft protection that locks the device unless you enter the password from the account that was tied before the reset. If you remember the login but you forgot the password, you can restore it through i.mi.com.
If the device is hand-built and the previous owner has not untied the account, it is almost impossible to legally unlock the phone. You will need to contact the seller for data or a purchase check for support. Bypassing this protection with third-party methods often requires flashing the device.
The process of restoring access to your account can take time, as the service sends confirmation codes to the linked number or email.
If the phone belongs to you but is tied to an old number, the recovery procedure becomes more complicated and requires contacting Xiaomi support with a box and a check.
Prevention of blocking and useful tips
To avoid such situations in the future, it is recommended to set up biometric unlock. Redmi Note 7 is equipped with a fingerprint scanner at the back, which works quickly and reliably.
It's also useful to write your password to a secure location or use a password manager, back up your sensitive data regularly to the cloud or to your computer, and that will save your information even if you completely reset your system.
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Write it down. PIN-Unlock code in notes on a cloud service (e.g. Google Keep) to be accessed from any device in case of forgetfulness.
Do not install questionable screen locking apps from unknown sources, as they can conflict with MIUI system security settings and lead to cyclical locks.
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Regular backup and write passwords to a secure location is the only guarantee that locking the screen will not become a data loss disaster.