How to return factory settings to Xiaomi Redmi 7: a complete guide with photos and videos

Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi 7 to factory settings is a forced measure when the smartphone starts to brake, emits errors or needs to be transferred to a new owner.The procedure deletes all user data, including photos, messages and installed applications, returning the device to the “out of the box” state. However, not everyone knows that there are three official ways to reset, and the choice depends on the current state of the phone.

If Redmi 7 is turned on and touch-responsive, resetting through the settings menu is the easiest and safest method, and when the device is locked, hangs on the logo, or doesn't start at all, you'll have to use Recovery mode or connect to your PC via Fastboot, and each of these has nuances, which we'll talk about below.

It's important to understand that resets don't remove system updates, but they will return all settings to default ones, for example, if you disabled system applications through adb, they will reappear after reset, and the procedure does not remove the binding to your Mi Account account, which requires additional actions.

1.Resetting preparation: what to do before the start

Before you reset the Xiaomi Redmi 7, follow the steps to avoid losing important data and problems with your Mi Account.

First, back up. Even if your phone is unstable, try to save contacts, photos and documents.

• 📱 Use Mi Cloud (if sync is enabled) – data is automatically uploaded to the cloud.
• 💻 Connect your smartphone to your PC and copy files manually through MTP-regime.
• 🔄 Use third-party utilities like Titanium Backup (root rights required).

Second, unplug your Google and Mi Account if you plan to sell the device, and this will prevent you from being blocked after being reset by Factory Reset Protection (FRP) to delete your account:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Select Mi Account and click “Delete Account”.
3. Repeat the action for your Google account.

⚠️ Note: If you forget the data from Mi Account, and the phone is tied to it, after reset, you will need to enter a login and password. Without them, it will be impossible to unlock Redmi 7 without contacting Xiaomi in support.

Third, charge the battery to at least 50%. Recovery or Fastboot resets can take up to 10-15 minutes, and if the phone runs out in the process, it will cause permanent firmware damage.

2. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (if the phone is turned on)

This is the easiest method available when a smartphone is in working order, and is suitable if you want to clean the device before selling or fix software glitches.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section.
3. Slip on Reset (in some versions of MIUI - Recover and Reset).
4. Select Reset Settings → Erase all data.
5. Enter the lock password (if installed) and confirm the action.

The phone will automatically restart and start the cleaning process, which will take 3-5 minutes, and when you're done, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like after you've bought it.

Battery charge > 50% | Backup created | Google and Mi accounts deleted | Lock password known-->

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the phone requires data entry from Mi Account, and you do not remember them, try to restore the password through account.xiaomi.com. Otherwise, you will need to contact the service center with proof of purchase.

Method 2: Recovery reset (if the phone is not switched on or locked)

If Redmi 7 doesn’t respond to touch, freezes on the screensaver or is locked with a pattern lock, use Recovery mode, which works even without a PC connection.

Steps to Enter Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the power button + volume button at the same time.
3. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then let them go.
4. In a few seconds, the Recovery menu will open (in English or Chinese).

Next:

• 🔧 Select Wipe Data (or in Chinese version) with volume buttons.
• 📛 Confirm the choice of the power button.
• 🔄 Select Wipe All Data (or ) and confirm again.
• 🔙 Once complete, go back to the main menu and select Reboot. → Reboot to System.

The phone will reboot and start the cleanup process. If you have a No command error after the reset, re-enter Recovery, which is normal behavior for some versions of MIUI.

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

This method requires a connection to a computer and is used if the first two methods do not work (for example, the firmware is damaged or Recovery is not available).

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠 Mi Flash Tool or Fastboot Teams.

Instructions:

1. Turn off Redmi 7.
2. Press the power button + volume down button before the Fastboot logo appears.
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

fastboot devices

If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), execute the reset command:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

These commands will delete user data and cache, after which the phone will restart in its clean state. If you need a full flashing, download the official ROM for Redmi 7 (codename onc) from the MIUI Downloads site and run through the Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️ Note: Using Fastboot without experience can lead to a "bricking" of the phone. If you are not sure about your actions, contact the service center. ADB/Fastboot Xiaomi.

Possible problems after discharge and their solution

Even after a successful reset, Redmi 7 users may encounter some common errors, and consider the most common ones and how to fix them.

If Redmi 7 doesn't turn on at all after reset (black screen, no button response), it could indicate a hardware malfunction.

• 🔋 Try charging your phone with another cable/charging for 30 minutes.
• 🔌 Connect to a PC – if the computer makes a connection sound, the problem is in the screen.
• 🛠 Contact the service center for a diagnosis of the board or battery.

1. Turn off animation in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 5 times according to version, then select Window Animation 0.5x).

2. Remove unnecessary system applications through Settings → Applications (turn off auto-start).

3. Install a lightweight launcher, such as Nova Launcher.

6. How to avoid future data loss

To avoid losing important information in the next reset, set up automatic backup on Redmi 7.

Reservation methods:

• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Enable sync for contacts, notes and photos in Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud. 5GB free of charge.
• 💾 Local Copy: Use the built-in Settings feature → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backups.
• 🖥 Third-party services: Google Photos (for media files), Titanium Backup (for root-rights applications).

We also recommend:

• 📝 Regularly (once a month) copy important files to a PC or external drive.
• 🔐 Store passwords from Mi Account and Google in a secure location (for example, in the Bitwarden password manager).
• 📱 Before experimenting with firmware, create a full backup through TWRP Recovery (requires unlocking the bootloader).

💡

Automatic backup in Mi Cloud does not save SMS, call history, or some application settings. For a full backup, use a combination of cloud and local backup.

7. Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi Redmi 7