How to see the date of the first switch on the Xiaomi phone: from MIUI to the engineering menu

The date of the first switch on Xiaomi smartphone is often required to know when buying a used device, for warranty service or just out of curiosity. This information helps to estimate the real age of the gadget, check the validity of the words of the seller or confirm the warranty period. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not make this date prominently — it has to be searched in hidden parts of the system or through special commands.

In this article, we’ll look at all the available methods, from simple (through standard MIUI settings) to advanced (engineering menu and ADB), which work on modern models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T), and which are only suitable for older devices, and we’ll explain why sometimes the date may not coincide with the actual purchase time and how to check this.

⚠️ Note: Some devices may have their first turn on date reset after they are reset, so if you buy a phone from hand, ask the seller to demonstrate this setting before any manipulation of the system.

1. Method: via MIUI settings (the simplest)

On most Xiaomi smartphones, the first launch date can be viewed directly from the settings menu, which works on devices with MIUI 12 and later, including the latest versions of HyperOS.

1. Open the Settings app** (cog icon).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone (or About Device on some firmware).
3. Stick on the line All characteristics (sometimes called General Information).
4. Find the “Date of first inclusion” section** and the exact date and time of activation will be indicated here.

If this is not the case, try an alternative route:

• 📱 Settings → System system → Advanced settings → Date of first inclusion
• 🔍 In some models (POCO F4, Redmi K50) date hidden in Settings → Memory. → Warehouse → Three dots (menu) → Additionally.

⚠️ Note: On custom firmware devices (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), this setting may be missing or showing incorrect data.

Method: via the engineering menu (#4636##)

The hidden engineering menu contains advanced information about the phone, including the date of first activation.

1. Open the Phone app** and enter the combination: ##4636###.

On some models (Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi Note 11) the date is hidden deeper:

• 🔧 Go to Battery Information → Additionally.
• 📅 First boot time or Initial activation date.

If the engineering menu doesn't open, it's probably blocked by the manufacturer, so try the next way.

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On some firmware, the engineering menu is only available after entering PIN-The standard code for Xiaomi is 1234 or 0000, but it may not be available on new models.

3. Method: using service code ##284###

This method works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices released after 2018.The service code displays warranty information, including the date of first inclusion:

1. Open the Phone app and type in ##284###.

If the code doesn’t work, try alternative combinations:

• 📱 ##44336### - on some HyperOS firmware.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with an unlocked bootloader or custom recavery (for example, TWRP) Service codes may not work or show incorrect data.

4. Method: via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can get the date of the first turn on via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires connecting the phone to the computer and installing it. ADB-driver.

Instructions:

1. Turn on "Debugging by" USB»** on the phone: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times to unlock Developer Settings, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB.

Alternative command for new MIUI versions:

adb shell getprop ro.boot.firstboot

If ADB issues a device unauthorized error, check that a window has appeared on the phone requesting trust in this computer.

Install ADB drivers on PC| Enable debugging over USB on your phone | Connect your phone with the original cable | Allow access on your phone when you first connect-->

5. Method: via Mi Account data (if the phone is tied)

If your Xiaomi is linked to a Mi Account, the date of first activation can be found through the web version of the service, which works even if the phone is dropped or unavailable.

How to check:

1. Go to the Mi Account website and log in.
2. Select the Devices section.
3. Find your phone in the list and click on it.
4. The device information will indicate the date of "First Connection".

Please note:

• 📱 On some models (Xiaomi) 11T, POCO X3 Pro) the date in the account may differ from the actual date on 1-2 due to synchronization with servers.

Important: If the phone was bought with hands and the previous owner did not untie the account, you will not be able to see this information without his login and password.

Comparison of methods: which method is the most reliable?

Not all methods are equally accurate, and in the table below we compare their reliability and limitations:

For maximum accuracy, we recommend using at least two methods, such as checking the date in the settings and through the ADB, and then comparing the results.

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If the dates in different sources do not match, trust the data from the ADB or the engineering menu - they are less susceptible to resetting.

What if the date of the first inclusion does not match the real one?

Sometimes users find that the date on the phone is not true. Let's look at the main reasons and solutions:

If you are buying a phone with your hands and the seller claims that the date is incorrect due to a reset, ask them to show you:

• 📄 Checks or warranty card with date of purchase.
• 📦 Package with serial number (you can check it on the Xiaomi website).
• 🔋 Battery status in ADB (Adb shell dumpsys battery will show real wear).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions