Searching for a unique mobile device ID is often a necessity at the most inopportune time: when registering with a Mi Account, unlocking a carrier or verifying the authenticity of a gadget in the secondary market. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones face this task regularly, since the MIUI system (HyperOS) has many layers of protection that require IMEI. Unfortunately, manufacturers are increasingly removing stickers from the box or making them barely readable, and information on the smartphone itself may be absent.
There are several proven methods to find out these numbers even if your phone is locked or the screen is broken. We'll look at both the software methods through interface settings and the hardware options available on different models. It's important to understand that the IMEI is not just a set of numbers, but a unique serial number of your model that is sewn in the factory and ideally should not match any other device in the world.
In some situations, standard methods may not work due to software failures or specific firmware versions, and then deeper system utilities and engineering menus come to the rescue. Below we will discuss in detail each option available so that you can choose the most suitable for your situation and the Smartphone model.
Search code through system settings and the About Phone menu
The most obvious and safe way to find out the ID is to look at the system menu of the device, which works on all current versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shell, regardless of the regional reference, you need to go to Settings, flip through the bottom and select About phone, which is where all the basic technical information about your gadget is contained.
In the menu that opens, you'll see the operating system logo, the Android version, and most importantly, the General Information bar, and clicking on it will take you to a detailed list that will list the codes for each of them. SIM-If you have two slots in your device, you can also IMEI two: IMEI 1 for the first card and IMEI 2 for the second. This is critical to the operator's registration of the device.
Sometimes users can't find the right line because of localization or interface version, so you should look at the top of the screen in the About Phone section, which often displays the MIUI and IMEI version number immediately without having to go to additional tabs. If the phone screen is broken but the touchscreen is partially working, this method remains the most reliable.
- 📱 Open “Settings” through the gear in the notification curtain.
- ℹ️ Scroll down the list to the bottom of the “About the phone” item».
- 🔍 Click on the “General Information” line for detail.
- 📝 Copy the 15-digit code, highlighting it in a long tap.
It's worth noting that in new firmware versions, Xiaomi has added the ability to quickly copy, just press and hold your finger on the line with numbers, and the system automatically copies the value to the clipboard, which eliminates the risk of making a mistake when manually entering a long sequence of numbers.
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If you have a dual-sim phone, be sure to check which IMEI you are copying – for SIM 1 or SIM 2, as they differ in the last digit.
Use of engineering USSD-quick-check
If your smartphone screen is functioning normally, but you don't want to wander through the settings menu, you can use the good old-fashioned engineering code. GSM-devices including Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO. You just need to open the application "Phone" (caller) and dial the combination *#06#.
Once the last character (#) is entered, the screen will automatically pop up an information window, which will display all available identifiers: IMEI for each slot, the serial number of the device (S/N) and, in some cases, MAC-The main advantage of this method is that it works even without the installed address. SIM-maps and without internet connection.
⚠️ Note: Enter the code carefully. While *#06# is secure, a random set of other engineering combinations (e.g., resetting settings) can cause data loss.
On some custom firmware or in Chinese versions of MIUI, the pop-up window may look different or contain additional technical data. If the code didn't work and nothing happened, it may be that the Phone app has been removed or replaced with a third-party counterpart that doesn't support this feature, in which case, go back to the method through the settings.
Physical inspection: body, SIM tray and box
When the phone is turned off, broken, or not turned on at all, physical media come to the rescue. IMEI It's actually on the back of the device, but with the trend of solid glass and metal cases, this is a thing of the past. SIM-map.
Remove the tray with a special paper clip and inspect it carefully. On many Xiaomi models (especially the budget Redmi series), the code is printed in fine print directly on the plastic or metal frame of the tray. Be careful: the numbers can be very small and easily erase over time, so use another phone's magnifier or macro camera to read.
The most reliable physical source is the original packaging. There is always a barcode sticker on the back or side of the box with a full set of identifiers. Here are IMEI 1, IMEI 2, S/N (serial number) and P/N (part number), keeping the box is especially important for warranty service, as service centers often require it to confirm eligibility for repairs.
| Searching spot | Availability | Reliability | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Settings menu | Tall. | 100% | Requires a screen on |
| USSD code code | Tall. | 100% | It works without. SIM-map |
| SIM tray | Medium | 80% | Maybe she'll get away with it. |
| Packaging | Low. | 100% | Only if you keep the box. |
If you buy a used phone, IMEI reconciliation on the box, menu and SIM tray is a must. The number mismatch may indicate that the device was assembled from multiple parts ("Frankenstein") or has undergone major repairs with a replacement motherboard.
Verification through Mi Account and Cloud Services
For users who are deeply integrated into the Xiaomi ecosystem, there is a convenient way to browse devices through the cloud service. If the phone is signed in to a Mi Account and synced, the device automatically displays in your personal account on the official website, which is useful if the phone itself is not available right now.
Go to i.mi.com from a computer or other device and log in to your login. Go to Find Device or Device. The list of attached gadgets will display the model and click on it will show you detailed information including IMEI and activation status. This method also allows you to see the location of the phone if it is online.
However, privacy restrictions should be considered: For security reasons, full data can be hidden if two-factor authentication is not performed or if the device has not been online for a long time.
- 🌐 Go to the official website of the Mi Cloud.
- 🔑 Enter the login and password from your Mi Account.
- 📱 Select the “Search for Device” section in the menu.
- ℹ️ Find your model in the list and find details.
What if your phone is not displayed in the Mi Cloud?
Using ADB for Advanced Users
For technically trained users who have access to a computer and have USB debugging enabled, there is a method of getting information through the Android debugging bridge (ADB), which allows you to pull the IMEI even if the screen is partially not working, but the system is booting. You will need a platform-tools installed on your PC.
Connect your smartphone to your computer with a cable and open the command line or terminal in the ADB folder. Enter the command to get the ID property. Android stores this data in system variables that can be read through debugging. This is one of the most reliable diagnostic methods.
adb shell service call iphonesubinfo 1The result of executing the command is a line of code, in which you need to find a sequence of numbers. HEX-It's formatted or grouped, so it may take care to collect the full 15-digit number, which is especially valuable when you're repairing a touchscreen that's completely dead, but the image is still there.
⚠️ Attention: To work this method on the phone must be pre-enabled mode "Debugging by" USB» If the mode is disabled, the computer will not be able to access the system commands.
☑️ Preparation for work with ADB
Frequent problems and nuances of IMEI definition
When searching, users often encounter unusual situations, such as zeros or bars burning in an IMEI graph, which is an alarm signal indicating damage to the NVRAM partition in the phone's memory, where the modem calibration data is stored, which happens after a failed flash or bump.
Another problem is the IMEI mismatch on the case and in the system, and if you bought a new phone and the numbers don't match, it could be a sign that you've been sold a refurbished device or outright fake. There are entire factories in China that are used to paste the plumes and change the software IDs.
It is also worth remembering the difference between IMEI and MEID. For networks CDMA (Identity used for some operators in the US and Asia MEID, Modern Xiaomi smartphones of global versions support both standards, but the menu can only display one of them depending on the inserted version. SIM-map.
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IMEI mismatch on the box and menu is the main sign that the phone has been opened or changed motherboard.