How to change IMEI to Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

The procedure for changing the unique identifier of a mobile device is often of interest to advanced users who are faced with technical problems or need specific network settings. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones sometimes look for ways to modify system data, but this process has serious consequences for the stability of the gadget.

Changing IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is not just a change in numbers in contacts, but a deep flashing of system partitions. Android operating system based on the shell MIUI or HyperOS, has built-in mechanisms to protect against unauthorized changes. Any error in execution of commands can turn a modern smartphone into a useless piece of plastic that can not be restored by standard methods.

Before proceeding with any actions related to modification of system identifiers, you should weigh the pros and cons. In most cases, users do not need to change the number, but to restore the lost one, which is a legal procedure when documents are available. Below we will discuss in detail the technical aspects, available tools and potential threats that can be faced.

⚠️ Attention: Change IMEI This can lead to a complete locking of the device by the operators and the loss of the official manufacturer's warranty.

What is IMEI and why is it changed?

The IMEI is a 15-digit number that is assigned to each mobile device during manufacturing, stored in a dedicated memory section and used by network operators to identify equipment on a cellular network. Without the correct IMEI, the phone will not be able to log in, make calls or access the Internet via mobile data.

The main reason users are looking for information about changing this setting is because the operator locks the device, if the phone is lost or stolen, it can be blacklisted, after which the SIM card will stop working, the only way to restore access to the network is through an official carrier when you provide a check and a box, but there are other scenarios, such as cloning the device for testing or using specific software.

It is worth noting that modern Xiaomi smartphones have several layers of protection, in particular, on devices with MediaTek processors, the procedure may differ from models based on Snapdragon. In addition, the presence of an unlocked bootloader is often a prerequisite for accessing the necessary system functions.

• 📱 Device identification in networks GSM, CDMA and LTE.
• 🔒 Blocking lost or stolen smartphones by operators.
• 🛠️ Necessity for testing of network equipment by engineers.
• 🔄 Attempt to bypass blacklist blockings (not recommended).

Legal aspects and risks of the procedure

It is important to understand the legal side of the issue: In many countries, including the Russian Federation, changing the factory IMEI code is illegal if it is done to circumvent blocking or fraud. The law strictly regulates the use of communication means, and interference with their work can entail administrative or even criminal liability.

Beyond the legal consequences, there are serious technical risks: Incorrectly written code can cause the communication module to cease to function correctly; a smartphone can start constantly searching for the network, quickly discharge or completely lose the ability to receive a signal; restoring the initial state in such cases requires professional equipment and skills to work with programmers.

Also worth mentioning is the security of personal data: Using third-party software to change IMEIs often requires giving an application deep system rights (root access), which gives attackers access to your passwords, banking applications and personal correspondence, and trusting unverified utilities can cost you account and cash losses.

⚠️ Attention: Use of clones IMEI (Duplication of a number from another phone may result in both devices being locked by the operator at the same time.

Preparation of the device and necessary tools

If you do decide to do a procedure (e.g., to recover a number after a crash), you will need careful preparation. The first step is always to create a full backup of all important data. The process of modifying system partitions often leads to complete deletion of information from the internal drive.

To work, you will need a computer with the Windows operating system, since most tools for working with Xiaomi are designed for this platform. USB-cable, preferably original, to ensure a stable connection during data transmission, interruption of communication at a critical moment can fatally affect the device.

On the smartphone itself, you need to activate USB debugging mode. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and click on the build number seven times to unlock the developer menu. Then, in the Advanced Settings menu that appears → For developers, turn on “Debugging by USB.”

Remember to find out your original number. It's on a sticker under the back cover (if it's removable), on a box from under the device, or on the case itself. You can see it on the system by dialing *#06# in the Phone app.

IMEI Change Methods on Xiaomi Devices

There are several ways to make changes to your device identifier, each with its own specifications and requirements: The choice of method depends on your smartphone model, the version of the operating system and the type of processor installed. There is no one-stop solution that works on all Xiaomi devices.

One of the most common methods is to use an engineering menu, but on modern versions of MIUI, this menu is often closed by the manufacturer, and activation may require special switching apps or entering hidden codes that change with each security update.

A more complex but effective method involves the use of PCs and specialized software, such as QPST (for Qualcomm; or SP Flash Tool (for MediaTek) These tools allow you to work with the phone's memory at a low level. EDL (Emergency Download Mode), which also requires an unlocked bootloader or special manipulation of contacts.

There are also root-right applications that attempt to modify IMEI software, modifying the system files that run the network module, and the effectiveness of these programs on new Xiaomi devices with updated security patches tends to zero, as the system checks the integrity of these partitions when they are booted.

Engineering menus and special codes

The engineering menu is a hidden interface designed to test equipment by factory engineers, and this is where you can theoretically change the modem settings. On older Xiaomi devices with MediaTek processors, you log in via code ##3646633#. However, on modern models, this code often doesn't work or leads to a stripped-down menu without the ability to write.

To activate the full engineering menu on new firmware, users often use third-party utilities from Google Play, such as MTK Engineering Mode. Once the application is installed and granted permissions, it tries to open the hidden system partition. If access is obtained, you need to go to the Connectivity or Telephony tab, then find the CDS Information partition.

Within the CDS Information section, Radio Information is selected. Here in the AT+ field, you need to enter a command to change the IMEI. For dual-symbol devices, the commands will differ for the first and second SIM cards. For example: AT+EGMR=1.7, "YASH IMEI" for the first slot. After you enter the command, you need to press the Send AT Command button.

In addition, on many global versions of MIUI firmware, entry to this section is blocked at the driver level, and the command is simply ignored by the system, despite successful execution.

Use of PC and specialized software

When mobile methods don't work, it's "heavy artillery" -- computer programs. For Qualcomm-based devices (most of Xiaomi's flagships), the QPST package and QPST Configuration utility are used. The process requires the installation of Qualcomm USB Driver drivers. The phone is put into boot mode, and the program reads the EFS/NVM configuration file.

For MediaTek processors (budget and mid-range Redmi models), the SN Write Tool or Maui Meta Tool is used. These programs allow you to download the IMEI database and write new values directly to the NVRAM. It is critical to choose the correct version of the tool that corresponds to the version of the chipset of your device.

The process is as follows:

1. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot or EDL mode.

2. Run the program and select the COM port where the device is defined.

3. Download the configuration file or enter the data manually.

4. Press the Start/Write button to start the recording process.

After the procedure is completed, you need to restart the device and check the result by dialing *#06#. If the number has changed but the network has not appeared, you may need to reset the network settings or flash the modem. In case of failure, you may need to completely reflash the device through the Mi Flash Tool.

💡

Save the original IMEI in the cloud or write it down on paper before any manipulations.This is the only way to bring the phone back to life if something goes wrong.

Restoring the factory IMEI

If you've been experimented with your IMEI at 000000000000000 or null, the device will stop seeing the SIM card, and you'll have to return the factory values, and the only legal and reliable source of the original number is a sticker on a box or a check from the store, and without that data, recovery may not be possible.

To recover, you can try resetting your network settings through the Settings menu → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need to flash the device to clean all the data. In some cases, a reset via the Recovery (Wipe Data) helps, but this will delete all personal information.

In the most difficult cases, when software methods are powerless, only hardware repair helps. Service center specialists can read backup of the EFS partition from another device of the same model (which does not guarantee operation), or use programmers to write directly to the memory chip, an expensive procedure that requires a high skill of a master.

⚠️ Note: If after the re-flashing IMEI drops to zero, which means the partition is damaged. EFS/NVRAM. Self-treatment at home is almost impossible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The only guaranteed safe way to get a working IMEI is to use the original number specified by the manufacturer. Any other manipulation is a temporary solution with a high risk of loss of functionality.