How to know the exact date of activation of the Xiaomi phone: official and hidden ways

The date of first activation of a Xiaomi smartphone is often required when buying a used device, for warranty repair or authentication, this information helps determine the real age of the phone, detect fraud with flashing or resetting meters, and confirm the right to service. However, the manufacturer does not always display this data in a prominent place – they have to search for hidden menus, system logs or through third-party services.

In this article, we will discuss all the working methods for obtaining an activation date – from standard (via MIUI settings) to technical (by IMEI or SN), pay special attention to the nuances for different models (Redmi, POCO, Mi), and explain why some methods can show incorrect data. If you plan to buy a phone from hand or have already encountered suspicious inconsistencies in the history of the device – this guide will help to avoid fraud.

1. Verification through MIUI settings (official method)

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which are suitable for most Xiaomi models based on MIUI 12 and later (2020-2026), which are taken from system logs and usually match the information in service centers.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings app (cog icon).
• 🔍 Go to About Phone (or About Device on some models).
• 📅 Find the item First Activation Date or Production Date. On new firmware, it can hide behind the button All specs.
• 📋 If there is no date, tap 5-7 times on the line Version MIUI, to unlock the hidden developer menu (sometimes it helps to display additional information).

Important: On phones with root rights or custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience), this method can show the date of the last flash instead of the actual activation.

Make sure your phone is not unlocked (no Root)

Check the MIUI version (must be at least 12)

Disable VPN (can block access to Xiaomi servers)

- Charge your phone at least 20%-->

2. View through the Engineering Test menu (#4636##)

The hidden engineering menu contains advanced device data, including the date of the first system boot, which works on all Xiaomi models, but requires caution – do not change the settings in this menu without understanding the consequences!

How to open it:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636### (some models may require ##6484###).
3. Select the phone information (or Battery information) tab.
4. Scroll down to the System block, where the First boot time can be displayed.

🔍 What do you do if you don't have a date? Some firmwares have hidden this information:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone and repeat the code entry.
• 📱 Use an alternative code: ##284## (to check packet data, but sometimes displays the activation date).
• 🔧 Install the application MTK Engineering Mode (for phones with MediaTek processors).

3. Check by IMEI through the official service Xiaomi

If the phone is not turned on or the settings are missing, you can find the activation date by IMEI, a unique device identifier that is suitable for all Xiaomi models released after 2018, but requires Internet access.

Steps:

1. Find it. IMEI your phone: 📦 On the device box (barcode sticker). 📄 On a check or a security card. 📱 In settings: About the phone → General information → IMEI. 🔢 *#06# - a window will appear IMEI.

mi.com/global/verify

imei.info

IMEI

Activation Date

First Use Date

⚠️ Note: If, during the inspection, IMEI If you see a date that is significantly newer than the actual age of the phone (e.g. 2026 for the 2020 model release), this could mean that the phone is not a real age: 🔄 The phone was officially repaired with the replacement of the motherboard (and, accordingly, the motherboard, IMEI). 🚨 The device was stolen and reflashed with a substitution of IDs. 📦 Phone – replica (clone) with fake IMEI. In such cases, additional checks are required through the service center.

Xiaomi|imei.info| Apps in Play Market|Never checked-->

4.Use of ADB-Teams for Advanced Users

If standard methods don’t work, you can extract the activation date via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a computer and basic command line skills, but produces the most accurate results – even on phones with custom firmware.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
2. On your phone, activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on the MIUI Version line. Go back to the main settings menu and open Developer Mode. Turn on USB Debugging.

File transfer

Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) and type:

adb shell


su




cat /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db | sqlite3 -"select * from system where name='sys.first_boot_time';"

📌 Transcription of the result:

• If the command returned a number (e.g., 1609459200) it is Unix-time. Convert it to a date via epochconverter.com.
• If the result is empty, try an alternative command:

adb shell dumpsys package | grep firstInstallTime

💡

If ADB Do not recognize the device, update drivers through Xiaomi Developer Tools or try another one USB-cable (preferably original).

5. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all previous methods failed or you suspect that the data was tampered with, the only reliable way is to contact an authorized Xiaomi service center.

• 📱 Phones with damaged firmware or blocked loader.
• 🔧 Devices after repair (replacement board, battery, display).
• 🚨 Suspicious devices (possible theft, clone, grey import).

How to get an official statement:

1. Find the nearest service center at mi.com/global/service.
2. Provide phone and documents (passport, purchase check if available).
3. Write a request for the provision of service history (free for warranty devices).
4. Wait for a response (usually 1-3 business days) The statement will state: Date of first activation, date of last repair (if any), warranty status.

⚠️ Note: Unofficial service centers (not having the status of Xiaomi Authorized Service Partner) may refuse to provide full information or provide inaccurate data. Always check for a certificate on the Xiaomi website before visiting.

💡

The official statement from the service center is the only document that is accepted in case of warranty repair or disputed situations (for example, when returning the phone to the seller).

6. Alternative methods (for specific cases)

If none of the above methods are suitable, you can try less standard, but sometimes effective options:

6.1 Checking through Mi Account

If the phone was linked to a Xiaomi account when you first set up, the activation date can be seen in the device history:

1. Sign in at account.xiaomi.com.
2. Go to the Devices (or Linked Devices) section.
3. Select the phone you want - it may display the date of the first binding.

Stop buying this phone – it can be blocked at any time!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions