Finding a unique device identifier is often a necessity in a variety of situations, from verifying the authenticity of a gadget before buying it to locking a stolen phone through a carrier. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones may find that standard methods seem unobvious due to the features of the MIUI or HyperOS shell. Understanding exactly where this code is stored will save you time and nerves.
In this article, we will look at all possible ways to obtain IMEI, including methods for cases when the screen is not working or the device is locked, you will learn how to distinguish the original device from a fake using only this digital fingerprint, and what hidden nuances are in the modern models of the Chinese manufacturer.
Whether you have a flagship Mi 13 or a budget Redmi Note, the search principles remain the same across the ecosystem, and we will look at both software and physical methods, as well as the data security issues associated with transferring this number to third parties.
What is IMEI and why does the owner of Xiaomi need it?
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is an international mobile device identifier, which is a unique 15-digit code that is assigned to each communication module during production and serves as a kind of “digital passport” of the device. For Xiaomi owners, this number is the key to managing the security and maintenance of the gadget.
Knowing this code, you can check the phone's repair history, find out the exact date of warranty activation, and make sure the device is not listed in the databases of stolen devices. IMEI Locking lost phones at the network level, making them useless for attackers even after being replaced SIM-map.
It is important to distinguish between IMEI and Serial Number (SN). Although both are unique, they perform different functions: serial is used for warranty service in authorized centers, and aimei is used for work in cellular networks. In some older Xiaomi models, this data may overlap in logic, but in modern devices it is strictly separated identifiers.
⚠️ Warning: Never post pictures of a box or check with a visible one IMEI Fraudsters can clone this number onto a stolen phone, which will result in your legal device being blocked by the operator.
There's a myth that IMEI allows you to track the location of a phone in real time to a regular user, and it's not true: only the security services have access to that number on official request, but with the code, you can check the status of the device on MIUI Verification, which will confirm its origin.
The fastest way: key combination in the call
The most versatile method, running on 99% of Xiaomi phones, regardless of Android version or system status. SIM-The card is not installed or locked, this code should work because it addresses the modem directly.
For information, open the application "Phone" (caller) and enter a special USSD-The screen will instantly display a technical pop-up.
*#06#Once you enter the last grille, the window will open automatically, you don't need to press the call button. If you have a dual-symbol device, you'll see two different IMEI numbers: one for the first SIM card (IMEI 1) and the second for the second one (IMEI 2), and it often displays the MEID code used in CDMA networks and the serial number of the device.
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If the #06# code doesn't work or the window doesn't appear, try typing it without the "grid" symbol at the end by simply typing #06. On some custom firmware, this may work.
In the menu that appears, there is usually a “copy” button or an icon_share_, It allows you to send data to the messenger or save it in notes. 15 And if you have a touch screen that doesn't respond, it's not going to work, and you have to look for other options.
Search through MIUI and HyperOS system settings
If the screen works, but you don't want to use the codes, you can find all the information in the settings menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell, but the logic remains the same. This is the most reliable software method.
Take the following path: open Settings, then find the About Phone section. In some versions of MIUI, you need to click All Specifications or scroll down to General Information, and the full list of identifiers will be listed.
☑️ Verification of data in settings
In the same section, the function “Copy all specifications” is often available, which forms a text file with all hardware and software data, including: IMEI, MAC-This file can be immediately sent to support or saved to the Xiaomi Cloud cloud.
Interestingly, newer versions of HyperOS have made the interface more minimal, and sometimes manufacturers hide a second IMEI behind an extra tap on the status bar. If you only see one number and you have two SIMs, try clicking on the IMEI string multiple times — sometimes it reveals the full information.
Physical methods: box, stickers and tray
When the phone is turned off, broken or unavailable, physical media come to the rescue. The first thing to do is to inspect the original packaging. There is always a barcode sticker on the back of the Xiaomi box that clearly states both IMEIs and the serial number.
The second place to look is the smartphone itself. Many Redmi and POCO models (especially the budget segment) duplicate the information on the factory sticker pasted on the back cover. If you have a model with a removable battery (which is rare now), the sticker can be under the battery.
It is also worth checking the tray for SIM-On modern Xiaomi with a hybrid tray, the code is often laser-engraved on the metal part of the extraction, but the font is microscopic, and without a magnifier or macro shot, it is difficult to read it.
| Searching spot | Availability | Reliability | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen (code *#06#) | Tall. | 100% | Only if the touchscreen is working. |
| Android settings | Tall. | 100% | Requires the phone to be turned on |
| Box | Medium | 90% | It may not be the same when you replace the fee. |
| Sticker on the case | Low. | 80% | Often wears off with time |
⚠️ Note: If you are buying a used phone and IMEI The box doesn't match the phone, it's a red flag, either the motherboard was changed, or the device was assembled from parts ("Frankenstein»).
Using Google Account and ADB for Advanced Users
If the phone is on, connected to the Internet, but the screen is completely broken and does not respond to touch, you can try to find data through your Google account. the Find My Device service sometimes displays basic information about the connected gadget, although the IMEI itself is rarely shown there, often only a model.
A more reliable way for advanced users is to use USB debugging (ADB). If the phone has previously been enabled debugging mode, you can connect it to the PC and through the command line get the full data.
adb shell service call iphonesubinfo 1This command will return the identifier string. You can also use the adb shell dumpsys iphonesubinfo command, which will display a detailed log where to search for the Device ID string. This method requires the installed Xiaomi and ADB drivers on the computer.
What if the ADB can’t see the phone?
Another option is to log in to your Mi Account via the cloud.mi.com web interface. The device section sometimes displays a tied gadget with its serial number, which can be used to identify you at the service center instead of the IMEI.
Authentication and status of the device
Once the code is in place, it’s not superfluous to check it through official services, especially when buying a device from hand or in questionable stores, and the IMEI matching on the box, in the settings and in the Xiaomi database is the main sign of originality.
The official MIUI Verification site allows you to enter the code and find out the model, color and warranty status. If the system says “Not found” or shows another model (for example, you bought a Redmi Note 10, and determined by POCO M3), then the case or board has been replaced.
- 📱 IMEI Info: Global database, showing detailed code specifications.
- 🔒 Blacklist Check: Checking the databases of stolen phones (relevant for the US and Europe).
- 🛡️ Warranty Status: Xiaomi’s official page to check warranty validity.
It's common for a system to type code into a Xiaomi site and say "wrong format," which could mean that the phone is for the Chinese market and you're checking it in a global database, or the code was entered with an error. Always double-check the numbers, especially "8" and "3," "6" and "9."
There are also specialized apps on Google Play, such as Device Info HW or CPU-Z, that read data directly from the system and show the IMEI even if the standard menu is hidden by the operator, but they are not 100% trustworthy, as they take data from the same system that they could modify.
Frequent problems and solutions
One common problem with Xiaomi is when the IMEI is displayed as “Null,” “000000000000000000,” or simply missing, often after a failed firmware reflash, partition reset, or corrupt the modem’s system files.
If you see zeros instead of numbers, it means that the program part responsible for communication cannot read data from the data. NVRAM-In this case, the phone can turn on, but it won't catch the network, it won't run Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
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Loss of IMEI (Null/0000) is a software glitch that is solved 90% of the time by flashing the stock version of MIUI via Fastboot, but requires a skilled approach.
Network settings sometimes help. Go to Settings → Connection & Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, cellular, and Bluetooth. If that doesn’t work, a deeper intervention will be needed, perhaps using engineering cable and software to restore IMEI (which is a tricky procedure).
Also worth mentioning are phones with two IMEIs. In single-sim versions of some Xiaomi models (Chinese versions), the second slot is physically absent, but the system can display a second IMEI.