Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones often face the need to know a unique device identification number, which is required when registering a warranty, locking a lost gadget or verifying the authenticity of the device before buying. IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is an international mobile device identifier that is assigned to each device operating in cellular networks.
There are many ways to access this information, and most of them don't require a deep technical knowledge. You can find the code right in the system interface, use special key combinations, look at the device case or even check documents. In this article, we will discuss each method in detail so that you can choose the most convenient for your situation.
Knowing where to look for this data can save you at a critical moment, such as if your smartphone screen stopped responding to touch. IMEI It consists of 15 digits and is unique to each slot. SIM-So, let's go from theory to practice and look at step-by-step algorithms for action.
Use of the engineering menu and USSD-code
The fastest and most versatile method that works on all phone models, including older versions of MIUI and the latest HyperOS shells. You don't have to search for items on the menu or connect to the Internet. Just open the Phone app, through which you make regular calls.
In the dialing field, enter a special combination *#06#. Once you enter the last character (grid), a pop-up will automatically appear on the screen, and one or two numbers will be displayed here. IMEI, and the serial number of the device (S/N) and MAC-address.
This method is good because it works even when blocked. SIM-But if the screen is broken and the touch screen is not responding, this method, unfortunately, will not help.
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Take a screenshot of the codes as soon as they appear, save the image in the cloud or send it to your messenger so you can quickly access the data at any time.
Sometimes users enter the code incorrectly or the system does not respond. Make sure you use an asterisk and a grille rather than other characters. On some custom firmware or Chinese versions of shells, the behavior of the system may differ, but the standard code *#06# remains the industry standard.
Search for information in system settings
If the screen is working fine but you need to copy the number or look at additional technical information, the best way to go is to go to system settings.The path may vary slightly depending on the Android version and the MIUI shell, but the logic remains the same.
You need to go to Settings, then select About Phone, and the menu that opens will show you the list of features: CPU, Android version, memory capacity, find the "General Information" line, or immediately scroll down to IMEI.
On modern versions of the shell, to see the full data, you often need to click on the line with the MIUI version number or make several quick taps on a specific field. In some cases, the system hides the detail by showing only the general status, so you may need to disclose the drop-down list.
The advantage of this method is that the data is readable here, and can often be copied with a long press, which is convenient if you need to send a number to a service center or enter it on a site to check the warranty, and it often displays the bootloader lock status, which is important for advanced users.
Physical marking on the SIM case and tray
When the phone is turned off, discharged or completely defective, the software methods become useless. In such situations, physical labeling comes to the rescue. Xiaomi manufacturers put identifiers in multiple places so that the user can always find the information they need.
Pay attention to the tray for SIM-On many models, especially compact ones, IMEI It's laser-engraved right on the metal frame of the tray, and to see it, you have to take the tray out with a paper clip, and it's a unique identifier that matches what's in the system.
Also check the back cover of the device. On some models, especially those released for certain markets or with a non-removable battery, the data sticker may be located on the bottom of the case. However, in modern smartphones with a single design, this information is often duplicated only on the box.
☑️ Checking physical markings
If you've swapped the tray for a compatible one, there may not be any data at all, so always save the documents to the device.
Information on packaging and warranty card
The most reliable source of data, which is recommended to be kept separate from the phone itself, is the original cardboard box. On one side of the box Xiaomi or Redmi always sticks a white sticker with barcodes.
This sticker contains all the key information: device model, color, memory, as well as IMEI 1 and IMEI 2 (for dual-symbol versions). The numbers on the box should be completely the same as those displayed in the Settings → About Phone menu.
In addition, the data is duplicated in the warranty card or check, if the seller correctly filled out the documents when buying, and in service centers, when accepting a device for repair, it is often required to present a box specifically to verify these numbers.
| Source of data | Availability | Reliability | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| USSD-code | Tall. | Tall. | Working screen |
| Settings | Tall. | Tall. | Phone on. |
| Box | Medium | Maximum | Preserved packaging |
| SIM tray | Medium | Medium | The original tray |
If you are buying a used phone, be sure to check the number on the box (if the seller has one) with the number on the menu. The discrepancy may indicate that the device was assembled from different parts or it has a modified firmware.
Checking through the Mi Account and the manufacturer’s website
For users who are actively using the Xiaomi ecosystem, it is possible to link devices through the cloud service. If the phone is signed in to Mi Account, the device automatically appears in the list of trusted ones.
Go to the official Mi Cloud website and log in under your account. The Find Device section will list your smartphone. When you click on it, you often see detailed information, including IMEI, which allows you to remotely identify the gadget.
This method is especially useful if the phone is lost, but you want to make sure it is still listed on your account, and you can also check the warranty status through the site by entering a serial number or IMEI in the special support section on the official portal.
What to do if IMEI is not readable?
However, it is worth considering that data on the site can be updated with a delay. If you just reset or changed your account, information in the cloud may not be relevant.
Decoding the structure of the IMEI number
The fifteen-digit IMEI code is not just a random set of digits, it has a clear structure that tells the origin of the device, and understanding this structure helps in authenticating a smartphone.
The first 8 digits are called TAC (Type Allocation Code), which indicate the device model and the manufacturer country or region of the brand registration, and these numbers can tell exactly which Xiaomi or Redmi is in front of you, even if the name of the model is hidden.
The next 6 digits is the serial number of a particular device in the factory, and the last 15 digit is the reference digit, which is calculated using the Moon algorithm, and it serves to verify the correctness of the entire sequence, and a single digit error will make the number invalid.
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The IMEI match on the box, in the settings and on the case is the main sign of originality and that the phone has not been restored by artisanal means.
There are online services that allow you to type in TAC and find out the exact model of the phone, which is useful when buying devices from Chinese sites, where the model names may differ from the global versions, you can understand which region of the firmware is the default.
Security and protection against fraud
Knowing your own. IMEI If you steal a phone, you can ask the carrier to lock the phone on that number, and once you lock it, it becomes useless for calls, even if you replace it. SIM-map.
But there’s a flip side: Never post a photo of a box or screenshot of a full IMEI in public, and attackers can use that data to clone the ID onto stolen phones, which can cause legal problems for the rightful owner.
⚠️ Note: Never give the full data IMEI to unauthorized people when selling the phone before the transaction, the buyer just needs to see the number in person or through a screenshot with partially hidden numbers.
Also be careful with "unlock" or "change IMEI" programs. In most countries, changing this code is illegal and can cause the phone to stop working on carrier networks.
Regular IMEI checks through official databases help to identify stolen devices. Before buying a used phone, be sure to run the number through the wanted databases. This will take a minute, but it will save your money.