Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is one of the brand's most popular smartphones, but even its owners sometimes face the problem of a locked screen, PIN-A code or password can permanently incapacitate a device if you donโt know how to do it. In this article, weโll look at all the working ways to reset a password on a Redmi Note 7, from official methods through Mi Account to radical solutions like resetting via Fastboot.
It's important to understand that not all methods are equally secure. Some will lead to complete data loss, others will require prior preparation (for example, a tied Xiaomi account or enabled debugging over USB). We will describe each option in detail, specify its pros and cons, and give checklists for successful execution. If you are not sure of your abilities, you better contact the service center, so as not to turn the smartphone into a brick.
1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)
The most reliable and recommended way Xiaomi uses is to use a tied Mi Account, which works even if you don't remember the lock screen password, but requires pre-associating the account with the device, and if you've never signed in to a Redmi Note 7 account, this method won't work.
To unlock the phone:
- ๐น On the lock screen, click Forgot your password? (or similarly written at the bottom of the screen).
- ๐น Enter the username and password from your Mi Account (the same one used on your phone).
- ๐น Confirm the entrance through SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
- ๐น Follow the instructions on the screen to reset the lock password.
โ Pros of the method: does not require data reset, works without a PC, officially supported by Xiaomi.
โ Cons: if the account is not tied or you forgot the login data, the method is useless. Also, it will not help if the device previously resets via Recovery without detachment of the account - in this case, you will need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool (more about this below).
โ ๏ธ Note: If you bought Redmi Note 7 handheld and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account, unlock the phone using this method will not work).
2. Reset password via Recovery Mode (data loss)
If the Mi Account is not tied or you don't remember the login details, the next option is hard reset via Recovery mode, which will delete all data from the phone, including photos, contacts and apps, but return access to the device. On the Redmi Note 7, the procedure looks like this:
- Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
- Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- Release the buttons โ you will be taken to the Recovery Mode menu (manage by the volume and power buttons).
- Select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset in some firmware versions).
- Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data.
- After the process is complete, select Reboot to reboot.
๐ง Important: Some Redmi Note 7 firmware may require data entry from the Mi Account that was previously tied after resetting via Recovery, FRP). If you donโt remember your account details, your phone will remain locked!
Store battery power at least 50%
Download a backup of the data (if the phone is still unlocked)
Make sure you have a username/password from Mi Account (if your account is tied)
Prepare. SIM-post-reset activation card-->
3. Unlock via Fastboot (for power users)
If the standard reset via Recovery does not work (for example, due to the FRP-Locking, you can try flashing your phone through Fastboot mode, USB-Xiaomi's cable and special tools:
- ๐ง You have access to a Windows PC.
- ๐ง You are ready to download the official firmware for Redmi Note 7 (lavender version).
- ๐ง You understand the risks (mistakes can turn your phone into a brickยป).
Step-by-step:
- Download and install the Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers.
- Download the official firmware for Redmi Note 7 (select the Fastboot version).
- Turn off your phone and press the Power button + Volume down to log into Fastboot Mode.
- Connect your phone to your PC, open the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Flash.
- Wait for the process to complete (5-10 minutes) and restart the device.
Once you've run the Fastboot, all the data will be erased, and the phone will go back to factory settings. FRP-Blocking, but requires strict adherence to instructions.
โ ๏ธ Note: Do not use unofficial firmware or tools to unlock the bootloader unless you are sure of its safety, and this may result in loss of warranty or permanent device breakdown. Xiaomiโs official Mi Unlock Tool requires 7-30 days to unlock the bootloader on new accounts.
What if the Mi Flash Tool can't see the phone?
4.Use of ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)
If the Redmi Note 7 has previously enabled USB debugging (in the developer settings), you can try resetting your password via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which does not erase data, but only works if two conditions are met:
- USB debugging is activated in the settings.
- The phone is connected to a PC that previously confirmed trust in this computer (the window appeared to allow debugging?).
Instructions:
1. Connect the phone to the PC via USB.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux).
3. Enter a command to check the connection:
adb devices
(Serial number of the device must be displayed).
4. Enter commands to delete the password:
adb shell
su
rm /data/system/gesture.key
rm /data/system/password.key
rm /data/system/locksettings.db
rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal
rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
5.Reset the phone:
rebootโ ๏ธ Warning: This method may not work on newer versions MIUI (12 and above), where Xiaomi has tightened protection, and after the reboot, some system settings may need to be reconfigured.
๐ก
If USB debugging is not enabled, but the phone is unlocked, turn it on in advance: go to Settings โ About Phone โ MIUI version (click 7 times to activate developer mode), then to Settings โ Additional โ For Developers โ Debugging over USB.
5. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center
If none of the above methods worked, the last option is to contact the official Xiaomi service center.
- ๐ฑ The phone is locked through the previous ownerโs Mi Account.
- ๐ฑ I canโt flash the device through Fastboot.
- ๐ฑ This device is locked (bootloader blocked).
At the service center you will need to provide:
- ๐ Documents confirming the purchase (check, warranty card, purchase agreement).
- ๐ Passport or other identification document.
- ๐ If the phone was bought from hand โ the data of the previous owner (for detachment Mi Account).
๐ฐ The cost of unlocking in official Xiaomi services varies from 500 to 2000 rubles, depending on the complexity of the case. In informal workshops, the price may be lower, but the risk of running into fraudsters or unqualified specialists is higher.
| Unlocking method | PC required | Loss of data | Difficulty | It works with FRP. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Account | โ No. | โ No. | โญEasy | โ No. |
| Recovery Mode | โ No. | โ Yes. | โญโญMedium | โ No (requires Mi Account) |
| Fastboot (firmware) | โ Yes. | โ Yes. | โญโญโญHard | โ Yes. |
| ADB | โ Yes. | โ No. | โญโญโญHard | โ No. |
| Service centre | โ No. | โ Maybe. | โญEasy | โ Yes. |
๐ก
If the phone has the โFind Deviceโ feature enabled, try unlocking it through the web version of the i.mi.com service. You need to know the username and password from the Mi Account associated with the device.
6. Alternative ways and myths about unlocking
There are many magical ways to unlock the Redmi Note 7 on the Internet, but most of them are either outdated or simply not working.
๐ธ Myth 1: You can reset your password through a callยป.
Previously, some Android smartphones had a bug that allows you to bypass the lock through an emergency call. on MIUI 10/11/12 this method does not work โ Xiaomi closed the vulnerability in 2019.
๐ธ Myth 2: โThere are universal codes for resettingยป.
Codes like ##7780## or *2767*3855# donโt work on the Redmi Note 7, which were old Medatek phones, and the Redmi Note 7 is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset.
๐ธ Alternative: Unlocking through TWRP.
If you have a custom TWRP recap on your phone, you can try to delete your password files manually.
- โ ๏ธ On the Redmi Note 7, install TWRP You need to unlock the bootloader, which erases all data.
- โ ๏ธ Unofficial firmware can disrupt the operation of the module NFC camera.
๐ธ Alternative: Online Unblocking Services.
There are websites online that offer to unlock Mi Account for money, 99% of them are scams, and officially unlock your account only through Xiaomi support with confirmation of purchase.