IMEI on Xiaomi: where to find the phone code and why you need it

What is IMEI and why is it important for Xiaomi owners?

Every Xiaomi smartphone — whether it’s the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra or the budget Redmi Note 12 — has a unique IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) identifier, which is assigned to the device during production and serves as its “passport” on mobile networks. Without the correct IMEI, the phone will not be able to connect to the carrier, and in some cases even locks up after updating the firmware.

IMEI is not just used for logging in to the network, but it can be used to:

• 🔍 Track a stolen phone (via operator databases or police).
• 📦 Check the originality of the device before buying (especially relevant for Xiaomi, where counterfeiting is common).
• 🔧 Restore phone access after resetting or firmware if you need to link to your Mi Account.
• 📡 Diagnose network problems (for example, when a smartphone is not catching) 4G/5G).

On Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi sub-brands, POCO, Black Shark) IMEI It can be a single (on devices with one) SIM-It's important to remember that if you buy a phone with your hands, check it out. IMEI Using official services is the only way to make sure that the device is not blacklisted by operators or stolen.

Where is the IMEI physically listed on Xiaomi phones?

The manufacturer duplicates the IMEI in multiple places so that the user can access it even when the screen is dead or the battery is dead.

1. On the device box

The most reliable way is to look at the sticker on the original packaging. IMEI indicated:

• 📦 On a white label with a barcode (near the serial number) S/N).
• 🔖 On a separate sticker under the film (on some models, for example, Xiaomi) 13T Pro).

⚠️ Note: If the label is damaged or IMEI The box does not match what is in the phone, it is a sign of a fake or re-interrupted device (for example, from the Chinese version to the global version).

Under the battery (on the removable back cover)

On older Redmi models (e.g. Redmi 4A, Redmi Note 5), the IMEI was duplicated on a sticker under the battery. These phones are rare today, but if you have a device before 2019, check:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Remove the back cover (if it is removable).
3. Carefully remove the battery – the IMEI will be on the white sticker.

3. On the tray. SIM-map

Most of the modern Xiaomi (for example, Xiaomi) 12T, POCO X5 Pro) IMEI laser-painted on a metal tray SIM-To see him:

• 🔦 Take a magnifier or use your phone’s camera in macro mode.
• 💡 Light the tray with a flashlight - the numbers are barely noticeable.

⚠️ Warning: If not on the tray IMEI, It doesn't always mean fake. Some models, like the Black Shark 5, only use the box.

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If you buy Xiaomi hand-held, ask the seller to show the IMEI on the box and in the phone settings. If the codes don't match, drop the deal: the device could have been recovered after theft or re-interfaced illegally.

How to find out IMEI through the settings of the phone Xiaomi

If the phone is on and running, the quickest way is to look at the IMEI in the settings menu, and the instructions are valid for all MIUI devices (including Redmi, POCO, Black Shark):

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to About Phone (or About Device on some versions of MIUI).

Two-symbol phones will have two IMEIs (e.g. IMEI1 and IMEI2). If there are no codes or zeros are displayed instead (000000000000000000000), this is a sign:

• 🔧 Incorrect firmware (for example, after root access).
• 🚨 Hardware damage of the communication module.
• 📵 Software failure (solved by resetting to factory settings).

USSD-check-in IMEI Xiaomi

The universal way to work on any phone (including Xiaomi) is to use the phone. USSD-For this, for this:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: *#06#
3. Press the call button (green tube).

In 1-2 seconds, the screen will appear a window with IMEI. On dual-symbol phones will be two codes (for example, IMEI1: 861234567890123 and IMEI2: 861234567890456).

⚠️ Note: If you enter *#06# with an error or an empty window, it may mean:

• 📵 Absence SIM-Cards (insert it and try again).
• 🔧 Firmware damage (for example, after unsuccessful unlocking of the bootloader).
• 🚫 Lockdown IMEI Operator (if the phone is blacklisted).

IMEI check through the engineering menu (for power users)

If the standard methods don't work, you can try to get an IMEI through an engineering menu, which is suitable for advanced users, because it requires caution:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636##
3. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information.
4. Scroll down to the IMEI block.

⚠️ Warning: Do not change any parameters in the engineering menu unless you understand their purpose:

• 📵 Loss of net.
• 🔋 Quick battery discharge.
• 🔧 The need for a complete phone reset.

On some Xiaomi models (e.g. POCO F5), the engineering menu may be blocked, in which case use alternative methods or apps from Google Play.

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The engineering menu is a powerful tool, but dangerous for beginners. If you only need to know the IMEI, use standard methods (*#06# or settings).

How to check the IMEI for authenticity and purity

IMEI is half the story, and it's important to make sure that the code isn't blacklisted by operators or stolen phone databases.

1. Verification through the GSMA website

The official IMEI.info service allows:

• 🔍 Find out the phone model by IMEI (It is useful if the seller is lying about the characteristics).
• 📡 Check if the phone is blocked by the operator.
• 📅 See the date of production of the device.

Verification through the operator

In Russia and CIS countries, you can send USSD-request:

⚠️ Note: If the inspection shows that IMEI The phone is locked and cannot work with SIM-Unlocking is possible only through the operator (if there is proof of purchase) or the official service of Xiaomi.

What to do if the IMEI is missing or incorrect

Situations where the IMEI is not displayed or consists of zeros (000000000000000000000000000000) occur after:

• 🔧 Unsuccessful firmware (especially when switching from Chinese) MIUI global).
• 📉 Reset to factory settings without backup.
• 🛠️ Maternity Recovery (if not restored) IMEI).

Decisions:

1. Recovery via Mi Account: If the phone is tied to a Xiaomi account, the IMEI can be restored automatically upon login.
2. Firmware via Mi Flash: Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website and run your phone in Fastboot mode.

⚠️ Note: Do not use software to generate» IMEI This violates the law (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - illegal access to computer information) and can lead to a complete locking of the phone by the operator.

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If the IMEI is missing after the MIUI update, try to roll back to the previous firmware version first, often solving the problem without going to the service.

FAQ: Frequent questions about IMEI on Xiaomi