IMEI Xiaomi Where to Find: A Complete Search and Verification Guide

Finding a unique device identifier is often a necessity at the most inopportune times, such as when locking a lost gadget or verifying its authenticity before buying it from hand. For owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, knowing exactly where IMEI is stored is a basic digital hygiene skill. This 15-digit code serves as a kind of digital passport, without which it is impossible to perform many service operations or prove ownership of the device in controversial situations.

There are many ways to get this information, and the choice of the specific method depends on whether you have the phone in your hands, whether it is turned on, or whether you need to know the data remotely. In this article, we will examine all the options available, from standard key combinations to hidden system files, you will learn how to quickly find the right numbers, even if the screen of the device is broken or it is completely turned off, which can be a decisive factor in the return of stolen equipment.

It's important to understand that IMEI is assigned to a communication module, so there will be two of them in dual-symbol smartphones. When you register a device in databases or when you contact customer service, you may be asked to specify the first slot, so check carefully which number you copy. Let's analyze all the available methods in detail so that you never have any difficulty identifying your gadget.

Use of the engineering menu and USSD-team

The fastest and most time-tested way to find out IMEI On any phone, including Xiaomi models, it's the use of a dedicated service command that works at the core operating system level and is active even if the device is not installed. SIM-card or no Internet connection. You just need to open the standard "Phone" application through which you make calls and go to the dialing screen.

Enter the universal combination *#06#. Once you enter the last character, a technical pop-up will automatically appear on the screen. This will display all available identifiers: IMEI 1, IMEI 2 (for dual-sim models), as well as SN (serial number) and sometimes MEID. This is the most reliable method, since it reads data directly from the communication module firmware, and it is almost impossible to forge it in software without deep interference with the system.

If for some reason the standard command didn't work or the output screen didn't appear, you can try an alternative way through the settings. Go to the Settings menu. → The phone. → General information. This is a text-based dataset, and often there's a copy button next to the number, which is convenient for saving to the clipboard. However, remember that the settings menu can sometimes display cached data, whereas the Cached data can be displayed in the Clipboard. USSD-The code requests the current state of the module.

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If *#06# does not work, check if the set of service codes is blocked by installed call-blocker apps or parental controls.

Search on body, battery and packaging

Physical storage devices are indispensable in situations where the phone is turned off, discharged or its screen is completely broken and does not respond to touch. Xiaomi traditionally places an IMEI and SN sticker on the back of the box in which the smartphone was sold. This is the easiest option if you have kept the package, which is always recommended for warranty and resale.

If the box is lost, check out the smartphone itself. Many modern Redmi and POCO models have the information printed directly on the back of the case, often at the bottom, in fine print. In devices with a removable back cover or removable battery (which is typical of older Redmi models), the sticker may be under the battery, in which case you need to carefully remove the lid and remove the power source to see the factory sticker.

⚠️ Warning: Never use sharp objects to squirt the lid unless it is designed to be easily removed.In modern monolithic cases, trying to open the back panel without heating and suction cups can cause plumes to rupture or damage to the battery.

It is also worth paying attention to the tray for SIM-Some premium Xiaomi and Mi models have microscopic IMEI It's engraved on a metal tray frame, and you'll need a magnifying glass or a smartphone camera with a good macro mode to read, and the good thing about this is that the tray is part of the hardware and it matches the firmware, unless the device has undergone a complicated motherboard replacement repair.

Viewing data in Android and MIUI

The Android operating system that runs the MIUI shell or HyperOS, stores the full technical information about the device in its depths. If the phone screen is functional but the touchscreen is partially broken or you prefer navigation through the menu, this will be the most convenient way.

To find information, follow the following steps: open the Settings app, scroll down the list and select About. In the menu that opens, you will see a brief summary, but for full data click on General Information or quickly tap the version of the processor several times (depending on the version of the shell), and you will see a detailed menu that lists all the identifiers.

In the same section, you can often copy all technical information in one click, which is convenient for sending to the service center. In addition, in some versions of MIUI, the data is duplicated in the Status section of the Status menu. It is important to note that if you have reflashed the phone to the global version from Chinese, the data in the menu may differ from the data on the box, which is normal, but may cause questions when checking.

• 📱 Main path: Settings → The phone. → General information.
• 📑 Alternative: Settings → The phone. → All parameters (tap according to the kernel version).
• 💾 Copying: Long pressing of the number allows you to copy it to the buffer.

Checking through Mi Account and Find Device

If a phone is lost or stolen and there is no physical access to it, the only way to know IMEI is through the Mi Cloud cloud service, which only works if the device has logged in to Mi Account and activated Find Device, a powerful tool not only for identification, but also for remote control of the gadget.

To get data, go to the official i.mi.com website from any other device (computer or phone friend). Log in using your username and password from the Xiaomi account, which was active on the missing smartphone. Once logged in, the Find Device interface often displays a model of the connected gadget, and its unique identifier can be specified in the details of the device.

You should also check the security section of your Google account. When you go to your Google account settings through your browser, select the Security tab and scroll to your devices. It can display recent activity information, and although IMEI is rarely written there, you can sometimes see a serial number or model, which will help in the dialogue with the carrier to block.

Analysis of system files and log files

For advanced users who have superuser (Root) rights or are used to working with system logs, it is possible to extract IMEI directly from Android configuration files.This method requires connecting the phone to a computer and using USB debugging (ADB).

Identifiers are stored in secure system partitions. You can request output of radio module information using command line and ADB. It's a technically complex method, but it allows you to get the "clean" data that the network itself sees. This may seem redundant to the average user, but it's the only way to work when the software shell is not working properly.

To get the data in this way, connect the phone to the PC, make sure that the drivers are installed, and type the following command in the terminal:

adb shell service call iphonesubinfo 1

You'll get a long line of code that you'll need to find a 15-digit sequence of numbers, and you can use the adb shell getprop | grep imei command, which can output ID-related properties if they're readable without elevated permissions, which confirms that IMEI is a fundamental piece of firmware that's embedded deep in the system.

⚠️ Attention: Working with ADB Care must be taken with the system files, and misconduct can lead to system failure or loss of data, so use this method only if you are confident in your actions.

Table of compliance of Xiaomi identifiers

Understanding the difference between different types of identifiers helps avoid confusion when filling out warranty forms or contacting the police. IMEI, serial number and MAC-The address, although each one performs its unique function in the Xiaomi ecosystem.

The table below compares the main identifiers you may encounter on your device:

As you can see from the table, IMEI This is the key to locking a device by a carrier, and if you lose your phone, you need to give the police and the operator that 15-digit code. MAC-address – to configure the home network and filter devices by the router.

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The IMEI is the only identifier that allows carriers to lock the phone at the network level, making it useless for a thief.

Frequent questions and problems with IMEI definition

Even with the theoretical foundations, users often face practical problems: code is not readable, zeros are displayed or numbers do not match the box. Below we will break down typical scenarios and answer the questions that most often arise from Xiaomi owners.

One of the most common problems is when instead of IMEI It shows zeros or the "Unknown" line, which often indicates a software failure in the partition. EFS It's a modem firmware damage, and in such cases, the phone can see. SIM-The solution usually requires flashing the device with the calibration data saved or contacting a service center.

There is also a frequent discrepancy between the number on the box and the system, and if you buy a phone from hand and notice a discrepancy, it's an alarm bell. It may have been assembled from multiple parts ("Frankenstein") or changed the motherboard. For original devices that have undergone official repairs, this discrepancy is only permissible if there are replacement documents.

Don't forget that dual IMEI (when both slots display the same number) is a sign of poor-quality flashing or cloning of the device, which is typical of some cheap Chinese replicas.The original Xiaomi smartphones always have unique numbers for each SIM slot, even if they differ only in the last digit.