The unique IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) identifier is a digital “passport” of your Xiaomi smartphone, which is required to activate the device, unlock the operator, verify originality or recover from theft. Without this 15-digit code, it is impossible to confirm the legality of the gadget in service centers, and its loss can lead to the locking of the device by the operator.
Xiaomi owners (including Redmi, POCO, and Black Shark) often face the challenge of finding IMEIs in unusual situations: when the phone doesn’t turn on, there’s no box, or the code is “erased” after the firmware. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways, from basic (through settings) to advanced (using an engineering menu), and explain why some devices display two IMEIs and what to do about it.
1. How to find out IMEI through phone settings (the easiest way)
This method works on all Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI (including versions 12-14) and does not require an Internet connection or additional applications, it is suitable even for devices with a dead battery, if the phone is even slightly powered up.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
- 🔍 Scroll down and select About Phone (or About Device on New Versions) MIUI).
- 📋 Tap on item All characteristics (on some models - General information).
- 🔢 Find a line. IMEI or IMEI1/IMEI2 (dual-SIM devices).
☑️ Verification IMEI via settings
On the Xiaomi 12/13/14 series and Redmi Note 11/12 models, the path may be slightly different: instead of All specs, look for Status Information → IMEI. If the section is missing, update MIUI to the latest version.
⚠️ Note: Some embroidered devices may display incorrect IMEI (This is a sign of a software failure - you need to restore using the Mi Flash Tool.
2. We'll find out. IMEI assisted USSD-code (*#06#)
The universal method, which works on all phones – from Xiaomi Mi A1 (2017) to Xiaomi 14 Ultra (2026) – does not require Internet access or a Mi Account, but the phone should at least turn on and accept input from the screen.
How to check:
- Open the phone (calling) application.
- Enter the combination: *#06#.
- Press the call button (green tube).
After 1-2 seconds, a window with one or two will appear on the screen. IMEI (depending on the quantity SIM-This code can be copied with a long tap from the numbers or photographed.
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If the *#06# code does not work, try entering it in dial mode without a SIM card - some operators block it. USSD-request.
On dual-SIM devices (such as Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X5 Pro), both identifiers will be displayed: IMEI1 (first slot) and IMEI2 (second slot).
3.Where to see the IMEI on the box or under the battery
If the phone is not switched on or locked, the IMEI can be found on physical media, and the manufacturer duplicates the code in three places:
- 📦 On the box: usually on a barcode sticker (near the serial number) S/N). Look for the line. IMEI1/IMEI2.
- 🔋 Under the battery: on models with removable battery (for example, Redmi) 4A, Mi A2) — lid-stick.
- 📄 Warranty card: if saved, the code is listed next to the date of sale.
On new devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T or POCO F5) battery-free IMEI may be placed on the tray for SIM-To see it, remove the tray with a paper clip.
| Xiaomi model | Where to find IMEI | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi 9/9A/9C | Box, SIM tray | There is no sticker under the battery |
| Mi 11/11 Lite | Box, *#06# | IMEI2 may not be displayed if there is no second SIM |
| POCO X3/X3 Pro | Box, settings, tray | IMEI duplicated on a sticker under the back cover |
| Black Shark 5 | Box, Settings → About the phone | IMEI may be different from box after manual change |
⚠️ Note: If the code on the box doesn’t match what is displayed in the settings or via *#06#, the device may have been recovered after theft or has a fake IMEI. Check it out via imei.info.
4. How to find IMEI through the Engineering Menu (for advanced users)
The hidden engineering menu (Engineer Mode) allows you to get advanced information about communication modules, including IMEI, even if it does not appear in standard settings.The method works on most Xiaomi devices, but requires caution - wrong actions can disrupt the network.
Instructions:
- Open the Phone app.
- Enter the code: ##4636###.
- In the menu that opens, select Phone Information.
- Scroll down to the IMEI or IMEI SV block.
On some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 10T or Redmi K40) the path may be different:
##2846579## → ProjectMenu → Background Setting → RF Band ModeIf the engineering menu is blocked (this function is disabled), then the manufacturer has disabled access, in which case use alternative methods or special applications (for these, see the next section).
What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
5. IMEI validation applications (if standard methods do not work)
If IMEI is not displayed through settings or USSD-code (for example, after a failed firmware) will help third-party software. Applications read the code directly from the system, which is useful for devices with damaged firmware or modified software. MIUI.
Top.-3 tested:
- 📱 IMEI Info (by Simone Dev) shows both IMEI, serial number and data SIM-Download to the Play Market.
- 🔍 Device Info HW: It provides complete information about the iron, including IMEI, MEID and ESN. Xiaomi supports Qualcomm and Mediatek.
- 🛠️ MTK Engineering Mode (Meditek processor only): gives access to low-level settings of the communication module. Careful - incorrect changes can bring the phone down!
Before installing, check reviews — some apps in the Play Market contain ads or collect data. Alternatively, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to read IMEI without root rights:
adb shell service call iphonesubinfo 3The result will be in the form of hexadecimal code – it must be converted to decimal format using an online calculator.
6.What to do if the IMEI is missing or incorrect (000000000000000000000000)
A situation where the normal code is displayed instead of 000000000000000000, Null or empty field, indicates a software failure.
- ⚡ Unsuccessful firmware via Fastboot or Recovery.
- 🔄 Reset to factory settings with errors.
- 🛠️ Manual modification IMEI (For example, to unlock the operator).
Decisions:
- Recovery via Mi Flash Tool: Download the official firmware for your model from Xiaomi’s website and flash your phone in Fastboot mode with the Clean All tick.
- Manual IMEI (power users only!): requires root rights and an engineering menu. Use utilities like Chamelephon or IMEI Changer, but remember: incorrectly entering IMEI can lead to operator locking or warranty loss.
- Contact the service center: if the phone is warranty, do not try to restore the IMEI yourself - this will void the warranty obligations.
⚠️ Attention: Change IMEI This is illegal in most countries (including Russia, the EU and the United States) and can be considered fraud if the device is wanted!
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If the IMEI is worn out after the firmware, the first thing you should do is try to reflash the device with the official version of MIUI via the Mi Flash Tool, which solves the problem 80% of the time without manual intervention.
7 Why Xiaomi has two IMEIs and what does it mean?
Xiaomi devices with support for two SIM-Dual-SIM cards have two communication modules, each of which is assigned a different IMEI. It's normal and it's not a malfunction:
- Xiaomi 12 Pro: IMEI1 is the main slot, IMEI2 is an optional slot.
- Redmi Note 11S: Both IMEIs are active regardless of the number of SIMs installed.
- POCO F4 GT: The second IMEI may not be displayed if the second slot is empty.
Important: both codes must be unique. If IMEI1 and IMEI2 match, it's a sign:
- 🔄 Cloning (forgery) of devices.
- 🛠️ Firmware errors (for example, after manual change).
- 📦 Marriage in production (rarely, but occurs in devices from "gray" deliveries).
To check the originality, compare both IMEIs with data on the box or via imei.info. If the codes do not match, the device could be:
- Recovered after the theft (with modified IMEI).
- It is made of spare parts (called Frankenstein).
- It's made with unofficial error software.