Xiaomi Mi phone IMEI: how to decrypt and what it will tell about your smartphone

The International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI) is a unique 15-digit code that is assigned to each Xiaomi Mi smartphone during production. It works like a device passport, which can track the history of the gadget, verify authenticity and even restore access if the phone is lost. But what exactly is behind these numbers? How can a normal user extract useful information from them?

In this article, we will take a look at how to check the IMEI on the Xiaomi Mi, what data it contains (from model and year of release to information about the lock by the operator), and how this knowledge will help when buying a used phone, repairing or unlocking, and learn why some services show different data on the same IMEI – and how to distinguish reliable information from fake.

Where to find IMEI on the phone Xiaomi Mi: 5 proven ways

Before decrypting IMEI, you need to get it. Xiaomi Mi smartphones (including Mi 11, Mi 10T, Mi 9 and others) have several ways to extract this code, from standard to hidden.

The fastest method is to type *#06# in the phone keyboard. After dialing, a window with one or two will appear. IMEI (If the phone supports two SIM-The second way is to look at the sticker under the battery (relevant for removable battery models, such as the Redmi Note). 4X). For modern Xiaomi Mi with a non-removable battery IMEI duplicated on the box and in the settings:

• 📱 In Settings: Go to Settings → The phone. → General information → Status SIM-map.
• 📄 Box: usually listed on a sticker next to the barcode (look for the inscription) IMEI1 and IMEI2).
• 🔧 Through ADB: Connect your phone to your PC and enter the command adb shell getprop ro.gsm.imei (requires debugging enabled on the device). USB).
• 📎 In Mi Account: if the phone is tied to a Xiaomi account, IMEI You can find Devices in account.xiaomi.com.

⚠️ Attention: If IMEI The box and the settings of the phone do not match - this is a sign of a fake or replacement of the motherboard. In this case, check the device through official services (we will talk about them further).

What IMEI will tell you about your Xiaomi Mi: code decryption

IMEI is not a random set of digits, but is structured by the 3GPP standard and contains encrypted information about the manufacturer, model, and even the country of assembly, taking the example of code 863549041234567 (the real IMEI consists of 15 digits):

The first 8 digits (TAC) can be used to determine:

• 🏭 Manufacturer: For Xiaomi, the first two digits are usually 86 (China) or 35 (international models).
• 📱 Phone model: for example, 86354904 corresponds to Mi 11 Lite, and 86952404 corresponds to Redmi Note 10 Pro.
• 📅 Year of release: some databases (e.g. IMEI.info) show approximate production date.

⚠️ Attention: If during the inspection IMEI You get different data about the model through several services, which may mean that the phone has been reflashed (for example, the Chinese version of the Mi 11 is stitched under the global one.

Checking the originality of Xiaomi Mi by IMEI: how not to run into a fake

One of the main questions when buying a used Xiaomi Mi phone is whether it is original. IMEI detectable:

• 🔍 Clone or replica: if IMEI Does not pass checksum or belong to another brand (e.g. Samsung) and is 100% fake.
• 🔄 Replacement of the motherboard: if IMEI The settings and the box do not match, the fee was replaced (possibly after repair).
• 🚫 Operator-Blocked: Some phones (especially from the US or Europe) may be tied to the operator and locked to others SIM-map.

Use official services to check:

1. IMEI.info – shows the model, year of production and country of production.
2. Xiaomi Verify – checks the originality of the database Xiaomi.
3. Swappa IMEI Check – determines the lock operator (relevant for phones from the United States).

⚠️ Note: If the seller refuses to provide IMEI Xiaomi's official databases are updated daily, and discrepancies are extremely rare.

IMEI and phone lock: what to do if Xiaomi Mi is blocked

IMEI If your Xiaomi Mi was stolen or lost, the original owner could have blocked it through a phone lock system:

• 🔒 Mi Account: Xiaomi account binding blocks phone after resetting settings.
• 📡 Operator: If the phone is purchased on credit or under contract, the operator can block it by IMEI forfeit.
• 🚔 Database of stolen phones: in some countries (for example, in Russia) operators block IMEI at the request of the police.

To check if your Xiaomi Mi is blocked, enter the IMEI on the IMEI Blacklist Check website. If the phone is blacklisted, you can only unlock it:

• 📄 Referring to the previous owner (if the lock is via Mi Account).
• 💳 Paying the debt to the operator (if the blocking for non-payment).
• 🛠️ Refurbishing the fee with a replacement IMEI (illegally in most countries!).

⚠️ Attention: Flashing IMEI (IMEI repair violates the laws of many countries, including Russia (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), in addition, after such interference, the phone may lose access to updates and service centers Xiaomi.

💡

If you buy a Xiaomi Mi with your hands, ask the seller to temporarily untie the phone from your Mi Account.This will take 72 hours, but protect you from locking up after you buy.

IMEI and repair Xiaomi Mi: what you need to know before repairing

When repairing the Xiaomi Mi (especially after replacing the motherboard), the IMEI can fly off or duplicate.

• 📵 No network: the phone does not catch cellular communication, although SIM-card.
• 🔄 Conflict IMEI: if there's an old board IMEI, The new one may not be registered on the network.
• ⚠️ Validation error: the settings are displayed IMEI: null or 000000000000000000000.

To restore the IMEI after repair:

1. Make sure the wizard used the original Xiaomi board (it must have the same IMEI sticker as the one on the box).
2. If the IMEI is reset, it can be restored through an engineering menu (you need root access and special software like Maui META or SN Write Tool).
3. Contact the authorized Xiaomi service center – they can rewrite the IMEI on the official basis.

⚠️ Attention: Self-recovery IMEI If you don't have the skills, you can lose your network completely or even your phone gets "bricked up.

💡

After replacing the motherboard with Xiaomi Mi, always check the IMEI via *#06#. If it differs from the original, ask the master to flash or refund.

IMEI and firmware updates: why the phone doesn't get OTA

Sometimes Xiaomi Mi users find that the phone stops receiving over-the-air updates (OTAs), one of the reasons is that the IMEI and firmware mismatch occurs when:

• 🔄 The phone was reflashed from the Chinese version (China) ROM) Global (Global) ROM) vice versa.
• 📱 IMEI It was changed manually (for example, after repair).
• 🚫 The device is blacklisted by Xiaomi (for example, due to violation of the rules of unlocking the bootloader).

To solve the problem:

1. Check the current firmware in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If it does not match the region (for example, there is Chinese firmware on the global phone), reflash the device through the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Make sure that the IMEI is not blocked (check through IMEI.info).
3. If updates still do not come, try to manually download the firmware from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater site and install it through System Update → Three dots → Select a firmware file.

⚠️ Note: If after flashing the phone stopped catching the network, probably flew IMEI. In this case, return the original firmware or contact the service.

IMEI and Xiaomi warranty: what you need to know before contacting the service

When contacting the official service center Xiaomi on guarantee, the first thing to check the IMEI.

• 🔄 Does not match the data in the database - the warranty is canceled (it is believed that the phone was repaired informally).
• 📱 Owns another model - this is a sign of a replacement fee, which also deprives of guarantees.
• 🚫 It is on the black list – the phone will not be accepted even for paid repairs.

To avoid problems:

• 📋 Always keep the box and check – they can confirm the originality. IMEI.
• 🛠️ If the phone was repaired, ask the master for documents indicating the replaced parts.
• 🔍 Check before visiting the service IMEI Using Xiaomi Verify will save you time.

⚠️ Note: In Russia and the EAEU countries, the warranty on Xiaomi Mi is valid only when purchased from official dealers. If the phone is bought on AliExpress or brought from abroad by the gray way, warranty service can be denied.

FAQ: Frequent questions about IMEI on Xiaomi Mi