The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is an exceptional budget device. It packs a solid set of specs and builds quality, which makes it quite appealing to buyers in its price range.
A friend of mine recently got this device, and he’s very content with it. It easily gets him through the day with the 4000 mAh battery, and it’s also a smooth ride, thanks to 6GB of RAM and the Snapdragon 660.
However, just like any other phone (including much pricier models), the Redmi Note 7 has minor issues. Most of them happen in individual cases, but they’re still issues. So, if you recently encountered a problem with your brand new Redmi Note 7, I hope you’ll find a solution in this article.
Note: All the issues mentioned in this article are individually reported cases, and they might never occur on other devices. If you’re looking to buy this phone, and stumbled upon this article while researching it, DON’T consider these problems.
Table of contents:
- Touch too sensitive
- GPS problem
- Battery drains
- Background apps crashing
- Face recognition not working
- Notifications not showing
1: Touch too sensitive
The first thing you’ll probably notice when using the Note 7 for the first time is that its display is probably more sensitive than what you’re used to. This is not a bug per se, it’s just how the display was made.
So, there’s nothing you can do about it, because there’s no way to adjust the sensitivity with software. You can try a different screen protector, but I’m not sure how much it will help.
2: GPS problem
Reportedly, GPS malfunction is a widespread problem on Note 7. Apps like Google Maps or Waze fail to establish a connection with the GPS service, which renders them unusable.
Luckily, you’re not powerless when it comes to solving this problem. The first solution I have in mind is simply keeping your MIUI version up to date. Xiaomi will eventually release a fix (if it already hasn’t), and the problems should vanish.
But if the problem persists, even with the latest MIUI version installed on your phone, there’s an additional step I found on the MIUI forum you could try. Here’s what you need to do:
- Go to Settings > Dual Apps.
- Turn on Google services.
- Toggle on the apps you have problems with (Uber, Waze, etc.)
- Now, go to the Security app.
- Tap the Battery icon.
- Tap Go to Settings under App Battery Saver.
- Click Google Maps/Waze/etc.
- Choose No restrictions.
- The ‘dual version’ of the select app will appear on your Home Screen. Use this version until Xiaomi fixes the GPS problem with an update.
Keep in mind this method only works with third-party apps like Uber or Waze. Meaning you can’t use Dual Apps to make GPS work in Google apps like Google Maps. For these apps, you’ll have to wait for Xiaomi to release an update.
3: Battery drains
On paper, the Redmi Note 7 boasts a great battery capacity, that’s at the very top of its class. But when it comes to real-life usage, the battery life is, well, also great. For some users. The others, less fortunate ones, have to deal with a strange drain that drastically shortens the battery life.
As it’s usually the case with battery drains on a new phone, the cause is unknown. It could be a software problem caused by a recent update, or the issue might be on your end.
According to the forums, it’s probably not your fault, as your current MIUI version drains more battery than it should. You guessed it, the solution is to wait for an update that will (hopefully) improve the battery life.
While you’re waiting for that rescuing update, here are a few things you can try to improve the battery life:
- Uninstall battery-consuming apps. Check the battery usage per app by going to Settings > Battery & Performance> Power usage.
- Turn off system animations: Settings > Additional settings > Accessibility > Remove animations.
- Restrict background app processes: Settings > Additional settings > Developer options > Background process limit > Reduce the number of background processes.
- Disable automatic brightness: Settings > Display > Brightness level > Disable automatic brightness and adjust it manually.
4: Background apps closing
As much as the previous solutions help extend the battery life on your Note 7, they also require compromises. Because you simply cannot have one thing without sacrificing another. Xiaomi knows this, so the company made some efforts to automatize that “sacrificing process” and make power management easier for users. That’s how a feature called MIUI optimization was introduced.
This feature automatically restricts certain processes on your phone, to extend the battery life while eliminating the need for any tweaks on the users’ end. Sure, MIUI Optimization improves power management, but compromises are sometimes too big for users to bear with.
In Note 7’s case, the MIUI optimization feature seems to automatically close the apps running in the background. Usually, that shouldn’t bother you, but if the apps you regularly use are constantly closed, you’d probably want this to stop happening.
The obvious solution for this is to disable the MIUI Optimization feature. Yes, disabling it will slightly shrink the battery life, but you probably won’t even notice the difference. What makes the case for disabling this feature even stronger are reports of MIUI Optimization interfering with some non-MIUI-based apps, eventually causing even more problems, as mentioned in this forum post.
To disable MIUI Optimization, you need to have Developer options enabled first. To enable Developer options, go to Settings > About Phone > Tap the MIUI version 7 times, until the message saying “You’re now a developer!” appears.
Now that we have access to Developer options, here’s how to disable MIUI Optimization:
- Go to Settings.
- Head over to Additional Settings> Developer options.
- Find MIUI Optimization, and disable it.
5: Face unlock not working
This one is as old as the face-unlocking technology in Xiaomi phones. And the answer to the question “Why can’t I use the Face unlock feature on my brand new Xiaomi phone” is always the same. It’s not available in your region!
Face unlock is restricted in most areas of the world. Some regions will get this feature with future system updates, some won’t. So, if you’re in an unsupported region, but still want to be able to unlock your phone with your face, the only solution is to switch to a supported region.
Your best bet, in this case, is Hong Kong, since the Face Unlock on the Redmi Note 7 is confirmed to work in this region. To change your phone’s region, go to Settings > Additional Settings > Region, and set it to Hong Kong.
6: Notifications not showing
And finally, a problem that’s common to many Xiaomi phones. You probably find it very annoying that notifications only briefly show in the bar next to the clock, and then immediately disappear.
This wouldn’t even make it to the list of problems if Note 7 had a huge notch. There simply wouldn’t be enough space for additional icons. But since the Note 7 features a teardrop notch, there’s plenty of space left for notifications.
The current version of MIUI (10.3.6 at the time of writing) isn’t well-optimized for different notch sizes. So, the pattern stays the same, regardless of whether your phone has a gigantic notch or just a teardrop.
There are rumors MIUI 11 will fix this inconvenience. So, the only thing left for you is to bear with disappearing icons, and hope the next system version (expected in a month or two) will deal with this.
That’s about it. I certainly hope this article helped you resolve (or at least better understand) your problems with the Note 7. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, just write them down in the comments below.
Editor’s note: This article was initially published in July 2019. We made sure to revamp it for freshness and accuracy.
ontvang geen sms en geen telefoontjes meer …. kan wel naar buiten bellen en smsen… wat is er fout?? van alles al geprobeerd.. Staat er een knopje verkeerd??? help !!! is erg vervelend met het inloggen met je digid…..
My redminote7pro phone battery indicator showing wrong percentage. Idont know why
I need id
Or mi code
I am facing the same issue!!! Battery drains real fast. I visited the MI service centre. They detected software issues . But again
… I guess… It’s the same. I charged my phone today morning at 9 am and by 3 in the afternoon it shows 65% battery remaining. Tat too… Hardly any usage since morning!
This is a junk phone never trust Chinese company these mobile are junk and Chinese are cheaters.
I wanted my money u don’t waste .
There is an problem in changing font
Is the SD card in the Redmi Note 7S phone Fat16 or Fat32?
My Redmi Note 7S phone has stopped loading photos and videos to the Gallery – all efforts to solve this has failed including shutting off phone,unmounting and remounting SD card. Please advise corrective measure. The one I found is in Hindi so of no use to me.
Please my redmi note7 hangs a lot even after factory reset is there anything I can do?
Hello why my mobile in the new Instagram update is not video calling and i can’t send posts to story please help me
I have a problem with quick charge and data transfer between PC and phone
It was fine until recently ( 2 weeks ago ) stoped fast charging , doesn’t read as usb only charging very slowly
I have no idea whether it’s hardware or software issue , tried new charger , new cable , reset the phone
Nothing work
Hi there. My phone too has the exact problem. The fast charging was working fine till around a month ago and now the battery drains so fast. I have tried using the fast charger of Note 9 Pro, but it still drains quickly. I’m guessing it’s the problem with the new MIUI update since it worked fine before the latest update(s).
So which MIUI version are you on,?
I’m on 12.0.5 and it is draining battery like a mad horse.
I am having problems with my redmi note 7 storage…. I don’t have so much on it ,yet my storage is full …I was told I have to flash the phone,I am not happy about that….I am seeking for advice towards a solution that won’t lead to flashing the phone.. thanks
My music stops when I open app itself
why my redmi note 7 have a White Colour But Still Can use it..Guys Help me i think its pixel problem help me..
my redmi note 7 shutdown ..didnt not open?? what can i do??
My volume buttons do not respond many times…i have the latest version of miui 11.0.6 .What is the solution?
i have a really huge problem about my Redmi Note 7. I bought it last June 2019 and it starts to have a defect this November. My phone defect is that it often shut down even though its battery percentage is 87% and I can’t turn it on when I want to and after two days it will open and battery percentage is in drain. I dont really know what to do. and I consult it in the Redmi Technician but it always turn back in the same defect. Help me Guys.
same
same as me ..what problem??
Same problem. CAn anyone give any solutions?
Video calling is a disaster. So dark and blurry.
A few weeks ago I updated my RN 7(which I have since August this year) to MIUI 10.3.6, and since then I have issues with battery drain which I didn’t have prior to update to MIUI 10,and today I have updated it to MIUI 11 version 11.0.4.0, I didn’t do the hard reset at all,and the battery still drains a lot,I use just a few apps and turn off wifi when not using my phone because battery drainage is lesser with wifi off. Any suggestions what to do next? And if I do hard reset (if really necessary) will it remove MIUI 11?
Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance ?
Hello, Lena.
Hard reset won’t remove MIUI 11. You can try disabling Auto-brightness and manually setting a brightness level. Alternatively, try with the hard reset, just make sure to back up your data.
My only issue is that I don’t like the display palette. It just seems dull for me as someone stepping down or up from Samsung product.
I don’t know how to set the dynamic color thingy to make it look good enough.
Also, my game app after a while will just turn off and I will be sent to the home screen even though I am currently gaming.
Why?
I had a problem in my phone that is redmi note 7…my phone hang too much sometimes when I try to open app it take too much of time or it stop working for two days… Really my phone is a big problem
Did you try offing animation?
My phone that is redmi note 7 hang too much
After the update my redmi note 7 pro is not working.
Facing dual app problem of WhatsApp, giving msg that could’create dual app, is there any solution for my new redmi note 7 pro
Disappear MIUI 11 Updates noti, and even check manually. It shown me earlier 26 OCT and but now not get updates. Why please?
Meus dados móveis simplesmente não pegam direito, fica só no 2g e cai, fora que não consigo por nada mudar a hora na tela de bloqueio e o dia da semana e o mês ainda tão em inglês
Dude, I’m freaked out! I just bought a redmi note 7 pro 6gb/128gb, I’ve done this procedure, and nothing solved! The phone only signals in open areas when it does! Networking very bad, I’ve tried sim cards from all carriers and nothing !! Very frustrating, because I longed to buy this phone! Already tried everything, nothing solved the problem, unfortunately! I’ve read in many forums that a lot of people have this problem, and xiaomi so far has no pronunciation about the problem! Unfortunate that!
O meu tbm ta assim, comprei agora e os dados móveis não pegam direito fica só no 2g e cai
Comprei#
Same problem
I’m experiencing some minor issues that I’m afraid the could lead to bigger problems in the Future with this device.
Every time I turn On the Wifi of the phone, a sudden lags starts to interfere its performance. Even when I download and screen lock my device, it automatically Shutdown or Rebooting by itself.
Hope that there’s an answer to my case, and I yhink I am not the only one who experiencing this.
I am using redmi note 7 pro …After update phone screen was look like negative
Not showing notifications for more than few seconds kills this phone. Are they assuming we constantly stare at our screens or can have the sound on? In my job I cannot have my phone making any sound, and I can only check it every couple of hours. I am therefore dependent upon visual notifications staying in the notification bar.
I have just download a missed calls app to overcome this so I hope it works (having tried a number) but I have my doubts as blogs around this show little luck with any app to resolve it.
It’s a massive error on behalf of Xiaomi, a company which appears not to understand users needs.
Automatically attending the calls.
After two rings suddenly call get received automatically…why
Go to the call settings and turn off the automatic attending the calls option
I have hid some videos on my Xiaomi Note 7 device but some days,it has gone.How can i recover this?Please tell me.
At starting the phone was going good with every app but as the time going on many app crashing.. Don’t know why even storage is not full?