Why Redmi Note 7 Needs a Special Root Approach
Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (codenamed lavender) is still one of the most popular devices for firmware experiments โ despite its release in 2019. Its hardware (Snapdragon 660, 3/4/6 GB of RAM) pulls custom builds perfectly, but the process of getting root here is complicated by two key points: a blocked bootloader by default and anti-rollback protection (anti-rollback), which can turn the phone into a โbrickโ if you do wrong.
Unlike the newer Xiaomi models, where unlocking the bootloader takes 7-14 days, Redmi Note 7 can do this process in 24-72 hours โ if you know the nuances of working with Mi Unlock servers. In addition, the device supports the installation of TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project), but only certain versions compatible with MIUI 12/13/14 and Android 9/10/11. Error in the selection of recovery is fraught with loss of data or inability to boot the system.
This is the same as all Redmi Note 7 versions:
- ๐ฑ Redmi Note 7 (lavender) โ standard version with Snapdragon 660;
- ๐ฑ Redmi Note 7 Pro (violet) โ with 48 MP camera and the same processor;
- ๐ฑ Redmi Note 7S (Lavender โ Budget option for India.
Before you start, answer the main question: why do you root? If the goal is simply to remove embedded applications or disable ads in MIUI, it is enough to unlock the bootloader and install Magisk without completely flashing. If you plan to install custom cores or LineageOS, you will need full access to the system partition.
Preparation of the device: 5 mandatory steps before unlocking
Incorrect preparation is the cause of 80% of the โbrickedโ Redmi Note 7. To avoid problems, follow all the paragraphs from this section in the specified order:
- Check out MIUI and Android. Go to Settings โ About Phone. A successful root requires firmware that is not newer than MIUI 14 (Android 11). If you have MIUI 15 or Android 12+, roll back through the Mi Flash Tool first.
- Activate debugging on USB. Go to Settings. โ The phone. โ Version. MIUI and tap 7 times on the line to turn on Developer Mode. โ Additionally. โ For developers, turn on: ๐ง Debugging by USB; ๐ง Unlocking OEM (point-of-point!); ๐ง Factory Unblocking (if any).
- Link your Mi Account. Without a Xiaomi account, you canโt unlock the bootloader. Make sure your device has added and confirmed your Mi Account (not to be confused with Google!).
- Back up. Use Mi Cloud or Titanium Backup (if you already have root: ๐ Photo and video (folder) DCIM); ๐ฑ Contact and SMS (export to.vcf and.xml); ๐ Wi-Fi Passwords (WiFi Password Viewer).
Charge the battery.
original USB-cable
โ๏ธ Checklist before unlocking
โ ๏ธ Note: If you are updating the Redmi Note 7 OTA (by air) with MIUI 10. MIUI 12+, Anti-rollback protection can lock the bootloader permanently, in which case you will need a complete reset via Fastboot with loss of data.
Unlock the bootloader: bypass the limitations of Xiaomi
Xiaomi artificially complicates the unlocking process to protect users from accidental errors. The Redmi Note 7 has a rule that the minimum wait time is 72 hours from the moment an account is attached.
Download the official Mi Unlock Tool from en.miui.com/unlock (version no lower than 5.5.224.24) and install it on Windows 10/11 PCs (no guaranteed work on macOS/Linux).
Step-by-step:
- Sign in to Mi Unlock Tool under the same account as your phone.
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode: Turn off the device. Press Volume down + Power until the Fastboot logo appears.
Unlock
"Couldnโt unlock. Wait for 72 hours"
How to speed up the unlocking up to 24 hours
full-dump
| Message in Mi Unlock | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Couldnโt unlock. Wait for 72 hours | The account is not tied to the device or little time has passed | Repeat the attempt after 24 hours or use the spoiler above |
| Current account is different from the account info on the device | Different accounts on the phone and in the utility | Reconnect your account on your phone and log in again to Mi Unlock |
| Device is locked. Unable to unlock | Anti-recoil protection or unofficial firmware | Return to the stock firmware via Mi Flash |
โ ๏ธ After unlocking the bootloader Redmi Note 7 loses support for Google Pay, Netflix in the future HD This is due to a violation of SafetyNet.Solution - Magisk installation with Universal SafetyNet Fix module.
TWRP Installation: Which Recovery to Choose for Redmi Note 7
The official TWRP for lavender has not been updated for a long time, but the development community supports informal builds. Importantly, not all versions of TWRP are anti-rollback compatible. For example, installing TWRP 3.6.0 on firmware with anti-rollback 4 will lead to brick.
Download the current version TWRP XDA-Developers Forum (Recommended) twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lavender-mauronofrio.img). You will also need Fastboot (part of Googleโs Platform Tools).
Installation instructions:
- Move the downloaded.img file to the folder with Platform Tools (e.g., C:\platform-tools).
- Open the Command Prompt in this folder (Shift + PCM โ Open the PowerShell window here).
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (as in the previous section).
- Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices Must appear serial number of the device.
- Install. TWRP: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lavender-mauronofrio.img
- Immediately after installation, do not restart to the system! twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lavender-mauronofrio.img This will load the phone right into TWRP, Bypassing stock recovery, which can overwrite your custom.
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If after installing the TWRP, the phone is stuck on the Redmi logo, press Volume Up + Power for 10 seconds to force it to turn off. Then reboot to TWRP via the fastboot boot command.
Testing the health of TWRP
The TWRP menu should be available:
- ๐ Backup - Creating a Backup;
- ๐ Restore - Restore;
- ๐ฆ Install - installation ZIP-Files (for Magisk);
- ๐ง Wipe โ Cleaning Partitions.
If you see Chinese characters instead of English, you downloaded the wrong version. Don't try to press anything! TWRP.
Magisk Installation: Getting Root Without Risk to the System
Magisk is not just a root tool, but a complete ecosystem that allows you to hide the status of the root from applications (for example, banking) and install modules for deep customization. Magisk v26.1+ is suitable for the Redmi Note 7.
Download the latest version of Magisk from GitHub (Magisk-v26.1.zip file).Do not use versions below 24.3 - they are not compatible with Android 10/11.
Installation process:
- Copy. Magisk-v26.1.zip on the phone (internal memory or SD-map).
- Boot to TWRP (via fastboot boot recovery.img or Volume up + Power combination).
- In TWRP, click Install โ select Magisk-v26.1.zip โ swipe for confirmation.
- After installation, press Reboot System.
The first download after installing Magisk can take up to 10 minutes, and if the phone has been stuck on the logo for longer than 15 minutes, it means that there has been an error.
- ๐ Boot in. TWRP;
- ๐ฆ Install. Magisk-uninstaller.zip (Download it in advance from the same GitHub);
- ๐ง Try another version of Magisk (e.g. 25.2).
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Magisk installation does NOT erase user data, but if you plan to encrypt /data partition, do so before installing root, otherwise you will lose access to files.
Root Check and Magisk Setup
After the system is loaded:
- Install the Magisk app from Magisk-v26.1.apk (company with ZIP).
- Open the app and check the status: โ Magisk: Installed - root is installed; โ Magisk: Not Installed โ Repeat the process; โ ๏ธ SafetyNet: Fail โ Universal SafetyNet Fix Module.
- To hide root from banking applications: Go to Magisk โ MagiskHide Settings; Turn on the option and select the applications that need to โhideโ root (for example, Sberbank Online).
Problem Solving: What to Do When Something Goes Wrong
Even with the right instructions, you can fail, and here are the most common problems and solutions.
| Problem. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The phone will not turn on after installing TWRP | Incompatible Recovery or Anti-Rollback | Switch to Fastboot Flash Recovery stock_recovery.img |
| Magisk is not installed (error 1) | Damaged. ZIP-file or lack of space in /system | Download the file again or clear the cache in TWRP |
| After the root does not work camera or Wi-Fi | Magisk module conflict or vendor damage | Remove all modules in Magisk or reflash vendor.img |
| Not coming through SafetyNet | Universal SafetyNet Fix is not available. | Install the module through Magisk โ Modules |
If the phone has become a hard brick, and even the Fastboot is not defined, the only option is to run the firmware through EDL (Emergency Download Mode).
- ๐ง Authorized Xiaomi Account (to access the EDL-firmware);
- ๐ง Box solution (e.g. UFi Box or EasyJTAG);
- ๐ง Testpoints (you need to close on the board for transfer to the EDL).
โ ๏ธ Attention: Firmware through EDL If you're not sure about your skills, contact the service center.The cost of recovering the Redmi Note 7 through EDL โ 1500 to 3000 rubles.
What to do after getting root: useful modules and tweaks
Now that you have root, you can unlock the full potential of the Redmi Note 7. Here are the top modules for Magisk that you should install first:
- ๐ ViPER4Android FX โ Best audio processor for headphones and speakers, installed with the Audio Modification Library driver.
- ๐ฎ Game Turbo Mod - Overclocking GPU Optimization for games (increased) FPS into PUBG Call of Duty Mobile at 15-20%).
- ๐ AccA (Accumulate Charge) โ Limits battery life to 80%, extending battery life.
- ๐ก๏ธ LSposed + XPrivacyLua โ blocking app surveillance and deep permissions.
- ๐ฑ QuickSwitch โ porting Pixel features to the MIUI (For example, navigation gestures from Google).
For the installation of modules:
- Download the file with the.zip extension;
- Open Magisk โ Modules โ Install from storage
- Select a file and restart the phone.
Do not install more than 5-7 modules at once, which can lead to a bootloop ( looped reboot).If the phone starts to slow down, remove the extra modules through TWRP (folder /magisk/modules).
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Before installing any module, read reviews on XDA-Developers. Some modules (for example, to change the DPI) can break the MIUI interface.