Searching for a unique device ID is often a necessity when filling out warranty passes, registering on official forums or verifying the authenticity of a smartphone. Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi equipment may face a situation when you urgently need to find out the serial number, but there is no box or check at hand. Fortunately, MIUI provides several built-in ways to obtain this information without installing third-party software.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods, from the standard settings menu to hidden engineering codes. You will learn how S/N differs from IMEI, why this data is critical for security and how to avoid fraud when buying a used device.
Search through system settings
The easiest and most affordable way to find out a serial number is to use the standard MIUI shell interface, which does not require an Internet connection or memorization of complex combinations, which makes it ideal for most users.
The path to information may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same: you need to open the Settings app and scroll down to the bottom, and there you will see the About phone item, which contains all the basic technical information about your gadget.
Inside the About Phone section, you can see the processor, Android version, and storage capacity. To see the serial number, you often need to make a few extra taps on the MIUI version field, or just look carefully at the list of options where S/N can be explicitly specified. In some versions of the interface, the number is hidden under the Full Info button.
- 📱 Open the “Settings” menu on the desktop.
- ℹ️ Scroll down and select “About the phone».
- 🔍 Find the line "Serial Number" or «S/N».
- 🖱️ If there's no number, press. 5-7 once MIUI», to activate the extended menu.
It is worth noting that on some global firmware versions, direct access to S/N via the menu may be restricted for privacy purposes, in which case the system will prompt you to copy the data or show it after additional authorization through the Mi Account.
Use of engineering code
For those who prefer speed and accuracy, there is a universal method using the USSD-Android's engineering menu allows you to access hidden hardware settings without the GUI, which works even if the touch screen is latent.
To use this method, open the Phone app and enter dial mode. Enter *#06#. Immediately after entering the last grille, a pop-up with technical information will automatically appear on the screen, and all identifiers associated with the communication modules will be displayed here.
⚠️ Attention: In the code window IMEI The serial number may be denoted by an abbreviation S/N Or be hidden in the "Advanced" tab. Don't try to call those codes -- these aren't phone numbers, they're system commands.
If the standard code doesn’t show the right string, try more Xiaomi-specific commands like ##6484##, which open the full engineering menu (CIT) and select Version Information or Summary, which lists all the device’s factory settings, including S/N and production date.
What if the code doesn't work?
Check on the case and packaging
Physical storage media remains the most reliable source of data, especially if the smartphone is not turned on, and factory labeling is applied to the device and packaging during the manufacturing phase and cannot be modified by software, making it a reference for verification.
On modern smartphones Redmi and Xiaomi sticker with information is most often located on the back cover of the case. However, given the trend for glass and plastic panels without factory films, the manufacturer often duplicates data on the tray for the product. SIM-Look for a barcode that says, S/N.
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Take a picture of the sticker from the box immediately after purchase and save it to the cloud, which will help you quickly recover data if the original packaging is lost or broken.
Note the quality of the print. The original box has barcodes that are clear and the font doesn't float. If the sticker on the case looks suspicious (curved, the box and phone are not matched), it may indicate a restored device or a replacement case in artisanal conditions.
- 📦 Check the back cover of the smartphone for the presence of a factory sticker.
- 🗑️ Check the tray for SIM-maps (some models have micro-engravings).
- 🏷️ Find a white label on the end or bottom of a cardboard box.
- 🔍 Compare the numbers on the device and the packaging – they should coincide literally.
Comparison of IMEI and Serial Number
Many users confuse IMEI and serial number as synonymous, and while both serve to identify, they serve different roles in the mobile and manufacturing ecosystem, understanding the difference will help avoid document error.
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique number assigned to a communications module, which operators need to identify a device on the network. If a phone is stolen, it is blocked by IMEI. Dual-symbol smartphones always have two IMEI numbers, one for each slot.
Serial number (S/N) — This is the ID of a particular physical instance of a device, issued by the manufacturer, and it's unique to each phone, even if they have the same phone. IMEI (It is theoretically possible to cloning, but S/N It makes the device unique in the brand base. S/N used for warranty service.
| Parameter | IMEI | Serial number (S/N) |
|---|---|---|
| Appointment | Identification in the operator's network | Manufacturer's identification of the device |
| Number of | 1 or 2 (on 2 SIM) | Always 1. |
| Wherever used | Lockdown at operator, police | Guarantee, Service Center, Mi Account |
| Format | 15 numbers | Alphabetical-digital string |
When contacting Xiaomi, you will be asked to give a serial number because it tracks the history of repairs and warranty status, and IMEI is more often required by the police or telecom operator in the event of theft.
Use of Mi Account and Website
If you have a phone in your hand, but the screen is broken and doesn't respond to touch, you can find out the serial number through your Mi Account, which is a cloud service that synchronizes data about connected devices, allowing you to control them remotely.
To do this, visit the official i.mi.com website from a computer or other smartphone, log in using the same login and password as on the lost device, and the Devices section will display a list of all equipment associated with your profile, showing their models and serial numbers.
This method is also useful for checking whether the device is linked to someone else's account (protection against theft). If you bought a used phone and you try to log in and see someone else's device or lock, then the previous owner did not untie the gadget. The list will indicate an S/N, which can be checked with a sticker on the case.
Why do they hide the serial number?
In recent versions of Android and shells, including MIUI 12/13/14, Google and manufacturers have tightened their privacy policies, saying apps are no longer allowed to access the serial number and IMEI without special permission that regular programs cannot obtain.
This is done to protect users from surveillance, and in the past, advertising SDKs could use a unique S/N to create a digital fingerprint of a user and track their actions even after resetting, and now only system and administrator applications can access this data.
⚠️ Note: If a regular app from the Play Market (such as a flashlight or photo editor) requests access to the phone and IMEI, You can deny access to keep your data confidential.
Restricting access also reduces the risk of fraudsters cloning devices, and knowing the IMEI and S/N of someone else's phone, you can theoretically reflash your device under a white copy, which will create problems for the rightful owner when blocking, so the system tries not to show this data again.
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Restricting your apps from S/N and IMEI is a privacy protection measure implemented by Google on Android 10 and higher.
Number authentication
Having a serial number is the first step to verifying the authenticity of the device. There are many replicas in the electronics market that are externally copied by Xiaomi, but have cheap hardware inside.
Go to the authentication page (usually available through the search “Xiaomi warranty check”). Enter the serial number and captcha. The system will give information about the activation date, warranty balance and the region for which the device was intended (Global, China, EEA).
If the system says "Incorrect serial number" or "Device not found", it is an alarm: either the phone is counterfeit, or it was collected from different parts, or the data in the database has not yet been updated (relevant for new products), in the latter case, it is worth waiting 2-3 weeks after purchase.