Forgot the password from the phone: how to unlock Android on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7

A forgotten password on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is a situation that even power users face. The smartphone is blocked after several failed attempts to enter, and access to photos, messages and applications is closed. Unlike the iPhone, where unlocking requires a mandatory connection to iTunes, Android devices offer several alternative ways to solve the problem.

The main difficulty is that the manufacturer deliberately limits the ability to bypass protection, a measure against data theft. However, there are legal methods that do not require a hack. In this article, we will look at all the current ways to unlock the Redmi Note 7, from official (via Mi Account) to technical (Fastboot and Recovery mode).

If you've never set up a backup, the chances of saving files are minimal, in which case the priority is to restore access to the device, not save information, then step-by-step instructions for each scenario, including nuances that are not written in the standard manuals.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The safest way to do this is to use a linked Mi Account, which works if:

• 🔗 The phone was synced to your Xiaomi account (even if you don’t remember the password).
• 📶 The device is connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔄 There is a button on the lock screen: Forgot your password? (appears after 5 failed attempts to enter).

If these conditions are met, follow the instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap on the link Forgot password? (or Forgot password).
2. Enter the email address or phone number associated with the Mi Account.
3. Confirm your identity via SMS or code letter.
4. Create a new password to unlock the screen.

An important nuance: if your phone has two-factor authentication enabled, you will need to enter code from the Mi Security app on another device, and if you do not have access to it, restore your account through the official Xiaomi website.

⚠️ Note: This method will not work if the phone was purchased from hand and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account.In this case, you will need proof of purchase (check or contract) to contact in support of Xiaomi.

2. Recovery Mode reset (data loss)

If the Mi Account is not tied or you don't remember the login details, the only reliable way is hard reset, which will remove all data from the phone, including photos, contacts and installed apps. On the Redmi Note 7, the reset is done via Recovery Mode.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
2. Press Volume Up + Power Button at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English by default).
4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data and confirm the action.
5. Once completed, select Reboot to reboot.

It takes 2-5 minutes. After the reboot, the phone will be like new — you will need to reconfigure the language, connect to Wi-Fi and log into Mi Account (if it was previously tied).

Turn off the phone from charging.

Make sure that the battery is >30%

Prepare a backup. SIM-card if necessary)

Remember the data from Mi Account (if tied)

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⚠️ Note: Some Redmi Note 7 firmware may require you to enter your Mi Account password after reset, even if you don't remember it. This is anti-theft protection. In this case, use Method 5 (unlock via Fastboot).

3. Use of ADB (for power users)

If the phone has previously been debugged USB (USB Debugging, you can try unlocking it through ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method requires a computer and basic command line skills.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot Tools on PC.
2. Connect the Redmi Note 7 to your computer USB-cable.
3. Open the command prompt (cmd) and type: adb devices If your phone is determined, move to the next step. If not, check the drivers or cable.
4. Enter the command to delete the file with the password: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key or PIN-code: adb shell rm /data/system/password.key
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

After the reboot, the lock screen should disappear. Importantly, this method does not work on all Android versions and MIUI firmware. If the command does not work, try an alternative option:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.ChooseLockGeneric

4 Unlocking through Find My Device (Google)

If a Google account has been added to the Redmi Note 7, you can try resetting your password through Find My Device, which works even if your phone is not currently connected to the Internet (the command will be executed the first time you connect).

Instructions:

1. Go to Find My Device from a computer or other phone.
2. Log in to the same Google account used on the Redmi Note 7.
3. Select the locked device from the list.
4. Click to Lock the Device (Secure Device).
5. Enter a new password and confirm the action.

After that, the old password will be reset and the phone unlocked the next time you connect to the Internet.Clinicity: The method will not work if the device has disabled the Find Device feature or it has not synced with Google for more than 30 days.

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If Find My Device doesn't see your device, check if geolocation and sync are enabled in Google's settings. On some MIUI firmware, these features are disabled by default.

5. Unlock via Fastboot (for tech-savvy)

If the previous methods didn't work, the most radical way is to unlock it through Fastboot, USB-This method removes all data, including the binding to the Mi Account, but can lock the phone if executed incorrectly.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer (recommended) 64-bit).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (not cheap charging!).
• 📥 Mi Flash Tool Programming.
• 📄 Firmware for Redmi Note 7 (Fastboot version).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press Volume Down + Power button.
2. Connect the device to your computer. Android Bootloader Interface should appear in the Device Manager.
3. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
5. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
6. Wait for the process to complete (5-10 minutes) and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: After Fastboot, the phone may require authorization to the Mi Account if previously tied. To avoid this, use the official bootloader unlock tool from Xiaomi (requires a wait of 7-30 days).

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all the self-unblocking attempts fail, you have to contact the official service center, which is the only legal way to get back access to the phone without the risk of damaging it.

• 📄 Document confirming the purchase (check, contract, warranty card).
• 🆔 Passport of the holder (to confirm the identity).
• 📱 The phone itself with a battery charge >50%.

The cost of the service varies from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on the region and the complexity of the case, and some services offer a “Mi Account bypass” for a fee, but this is illegal and can lead to locking the device at the IMEI level.

Advantages of using the service:

• ✅ Guarantee of maintaining the efficiency of the phone.
• ✅ Data recovery (in some cases).
• ✅ Official guarantee for the work performed.

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If the phone was bought by hand and the previous owner did not untie the Mi Account, the service center can not help without proof of purchase, in which case only the firmware through Fastboot remains with the risk of blocking.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)