Every Xiaomi smartphone — whether it’s the flagship Mi 13 Ultra or the budget Redmi Note 12 — has a unique IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) identifier. This 15-digit code isn’t just a set of numbers: it serves as a device’s passport, confirms its originality, helps carriers identify the gadget online, and in the event of a theft, locks it at the operator level. But how do you know your IMEI if it suddenly needs to be checked before selling, unlocking or recovering from a dump?
In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to test IMEI on Xiaomi in 2026, including hidden methods for devices with a damaged screen or a broken system. You’ll learn where the code is physically applied to the case, how to extract it through an engineering menu, and what to do if the IMEI suddenly disappears after firmware. And also why you should never trust an IMEI copied from a box without checking with your phone.
What is IMEI and why does the owner of Xiaomi need it?
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique identifier for your smartphone that is assigned during the manufacturing phase, which consists of 15 digits and includes:
- 🔢 The first 8 digits are the code of the model and origin (TAC, Type Allocation Code: This can be used to identify brand and manufacturer.
- 🔢 The following 6 digits are the serial number of a particular device.
- 🔢 Last digit – Check number for authentication of the code.
What you might need to know about Xiaomi’s IMEI:
- 📱 Originality check before buying (especially relevant for markets such as Avito or AliExpress).
- 🔒 Unlocking after resetting or firmware if the phone requires input IMEI.
- 📡 Operator-based binding (e.g. to activate eSIM or verify network compatibility) 5G).
- 🚨 Blocking in case of theft – the operator can block the device IMEI, rendering it useless to the thief.
⚠️ Note: On smartphones with two SIM-Each of the cards has its own slot. IMEI. Both codes must be checked separately!
Interesting fact: since 2004 IMEI registered GSMA, And you can even tell the country of origin from it. 86xxxxxxxxxxxxx This means that the device is made in China (like all Xiaomi smartphones). 35xxxxxxxxxxxxx — In Finland (previously used for Nokia).
Method 1: Recognize IMEI through the standard settings menu
The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI settings. It works on all models, from the Redmi 9A to the Xiaomi 14 Pro, and does not require an Internet connection.
Instructions:
- Open the Settings app (cog icon).
- Go to About Phone (or Device on new MIUI versions).
- Slip on the item All characteristics (on some firmware it is called General Information).
- Scroll down to the block. IMEI — There will be one or two codes (depending on the number of codes). SIM-map).
If you POCO Black Shark, the path may be slightly different: → System system → The phone. → Status SIM-map.
Number of IMEI (must be SIM-map)
The last digits of the code (they should not be the same)
No sign of “Unknown” or “No IMEI”
Reconciliation with the code on the box (if it is saved)
-->
On some custom firmware (for example, LineageOS) item with IMEI It may be hidden in the settings. → System system → The phone. → Hardware information. If you can't find it, try a method of using it. USSD-code (described below).
Method 2: USSD-quick-check IMEI
A universal method that works on any phone, even an iPhone or a Samsung, and you just need to type a command in the Phone app.
How to do this:
- Open the standard Phone app (green handset).
- Go to the keyboard tab (if the call history has opened).
- Enter the code: *#06#.
- Press the call button (green tube).
After 1-2 seconds, a window with one or two IMEIs (for dual-SIM models) will appear on the screen, which works even if the smartphone is not activated or locked with a pattern lock.
Through phone settings|USSD-code *#06#|Looking at the box.|Through the engineering menu|I don't know what it is. IMEI-->
⚠️ Note: If you enter *#06# and you receive a message that says "Incorrect code" or "Service is not available", this may mean that you are not using the service: 📵 The device doesn't support SIM-maps (for example, Wi-Fi-only tablet Xiaomi Pad 6). 🔧 IMEI was removed or damaged after a failed firmware. 🛡️ The phone is blocked by the operator (for example, when buying under a contract).
On some models (e.g. POCO F5), a menu with additional information, including the serial number (S/N) and firmware version, may appear after you enter the code. This is normal — just scroll down to the IMEI line.
Method 3: Physical inspection – where the IMEI is applied to the body
If the smartphone doesn't turn on or the screen is broken, the IMEI can be found on the device itself. Xiaomi's manufacturers apply the code in several places:
| Location | Xiaomi models | It looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Under the battery. | Redmi 4/5/Note 4/Note 5, old models with removable battery | IMEI sticker and serial number under the cover |
| Nana SIM-lot | Mi 9/10/11, Redmi Note 8/9/10, most modern models | Small laser engraving or sticker |
| On the box. | All models. | Barcode and IMEI sticker (may be 1 or 2 codes) |
| On the back panel. | Mi Mix 2S, Black Shark 2 and other models with metal body | Engraving at the bottom |
Important: IMEIs on the box and on the phone must match, and if they are different, you either have a fake phone or a replacement motherboard phone, so you should check the device through imei.info.
What if the IMEI on the phone and the box don’t match?
New models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T Or the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+) IMEI often laser-laser SIM-You'll need a magnifying glass or good lighting to see it, and the alternative is to take a picture of the tray on another phone and zoom in.
Method 4: IMEI check through the engineering menu (for advanced)
If standard methods don't work (for example, after the firmware IMEI dropped to 000000000000000000), you can try extracting the code through the engineering menu, which is suitable for advanced users, because it requires caution.
Instructions for Xiaomi on Qualcomm processors (most Redmi and POCO models):
- Open the Phone app.
- Enter the code: ##4636###.
- In the menu that opens, select Phone Information.
- Scroll down to the IMEI block.
For MediaTek devices (e.g. Redmi 9C or POCO C31), use the code ##36446337## (EngineerMode menu will open to Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information).
⚠️ Warning: Do not change any settings in the engineering menu unless you understand their purpose! Incorrect actions can lead to loss of network or complete modem inoperability.
If the engineering menu is blocked (not allowed message appears), it means that the manufacturer has disabled access, in which case only a physical check or use of the PC (method 5) remains.
💡
If the engineering menu doesn't open, try typing the code through the Phone app in airplane mode, sometimes bypassing the restrictions.
Method 5: Checking IMEIs through a computer (ADB or Mi Flash)
If the smartphone is not turned on or the screen is not working, but USB-The debugging was included earlier, you can extract IMEI through ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method requires a PC and minimal command line skills.
Step-by-step:
- Download and install Platform Tools (includes ADB and Fastboot).
- Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB (if the screen is working, allow debugging).
- Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
- Enter the command adb shell service call iphonesubinfo 3
- The IMEI will be displayed in the response format Result: Parcel(00000000 '123456789012345').
For devices with a damaged system (MIUI does not load) but running Fastboot:
- Download your phone to Fastboot (press Power + Vol- when the phone is off).
- Connect to the PC and type the command: fastboot getvar imei
If ADB does not recognize the device, install Xiaomi drivers from the official website or through the Mi Flash Tool. On models with a locked bootloader (Bootloader), you may need to unlock.
💡
If the IMEI is not displayed via ADB, it could mean a modem hardware malfunction or a complete lack of firmware.
What to do if the IMEI is missing or dropped
A situation where the IMEI is displayed as 000000000000000000, Null or not at all, is typical after:
- 🔄 Unsuccessful firmware via Fastboot or Recovery.
- 🛠️ Substitution of motherboard (IMEI modem-bound).
- 📱 Reset to factory settings on custom firmware.
Decisions:
- Restore via backup: If you had a MIUI backup before reset (via Settings → Additional → Backup), try recovering data.
- Manual input IMEI: On some models (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro) you can restore the device. IMEI via the engineering menu: ##3646633## → Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information → Phone 1 → enter AT+EGMR=1.7,"Your_IMEI" ⚠️ This method is risky and can block the modem!
- If the IMEI is missing after repair, demand from the master to restore the code (by law, service centers are required to keep the original IMEI).
Important: Independent change of IMEI in Russia is prohibited by law (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - illegal access to computer information). If the phone was bought with hands and the IMEI is not original, it is better to return it to the seller.