Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones require identification to activate warranty, account binding or device authentication. Owners often face the need to quickly find a unique identifier, but do not know where it is hidden in the MIUI or HyperOS system. This may be required when filling out a warranty card, registering at a service center or buying insurance against theft.
There are several proven ways to get this data, and they don't require Internet access or sophisticated software. We'll look at all the options available, from a simple inspection of the box to using an engineering menu, and the method depends on whether your gadget is turned on and whether you have physical access to the package.
It is important to understand the difference between IMEI and serial number. Although both are unique, the serial number (SN) is the code used by a manufacturer to track a particular unit of a product at a factory. A single digit error can lead to a warranty denial, so copying the data needs to be carefully approached.
Using engineering code for quick checks
The fastest way to find out the identifiers of your device is to use a special device. USSD-It works without a SIM card, so you don't have to look for a menu item, you just open a standard caller and type in a specific combination of characters, and it instantly displays a pop-up with technical information.
Enter *#06# on the dial keyboard. A table will appear on the screen that will indicate IMEI 1, IMEI 2 (for dual-symbol models) and Serial Number. Note that on some global firmware versions, this code can only display IMEI, hiding the serial number.
⚠️ Warning: Don't try to enter other random codes from the Internet into the engineering menu.Some hidden commands can change the settings of the radio module or recalibrate the screen, which will require flashing.
If the code works, you'll see the data right away, and if the screen blinks and nothing happens, your version of the MIUI shell restricts access to that information through dialing, which is common on devices purchased from authorized dealers in certain regions.
Why can't the code work?
Search for data in the system settings of the smartphone
The most reliable method, which works 100% of the time on a device that is turned on, is to search for information in the About Phone menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the version of the operating system, but the logic remains the same. You need to go to Settings → About the phone.
In the list that opens, look for General Information or All Features. This is where Serial Number is stored. In newer versions of HyperOS, the path can look like Settings. → About me. → All the parameters. Don't confuse this number with IMEI or MAC-wifi address.
- 📱 Open the Settings app on the main screen.
- 🔍 Scroll down to the About Phone section (sometimes hidden in the submenu).
- 📄 Find the line "Serial Number" or «S/N».
- 📋 Press and hold your finger on the number to copy it to the clipboard.
☑️ Checking the data in the menu
The interface can look different on different models. For example, on Redmi Note series, the menus are often compact, and on Xiaomi Mi or Xiaomi 13/14 series flagships, the information can be broken into additional tabs. If you don't see the number right away, try clicking on the kernel version or MIUI logo several times - sometimes this opens an extended menu, although more often it's just a developer joke.
Checking information on the box and stickers
If the phone is turned off, broken or not turned on, the only way to know the serial number is to look at the package. Every original box from Xiaomi has a special barcode sticker on it, which is the data used in the initial sale and activation of the warranty in the store.
Find a white label on the end or bottom of the box, and it'll print a few lines. S/N or Serial No. The barcode is usually located next to the barcode and QR-The numbers under the barcode are the number you want. Be careful not to confuse it with the model code or the article.
| Designation | Wherever | Format | What do you need? |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMEI | Sticker, SIM tray | 15 numbers | Identification on the network |
| S/N | Sticker, settings. | Alphabetical digital | Guarantee and service |
| MAC | Settings, box. | XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX | Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Identification |
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Save a picture of the box right after you buy it, take a clear snapshot of the spec sticker and save it in the cloud, which will save you if the box gets lost and the warranty is still in place.
And the information is duplicated on a plastic tray that has the smartphone inserted into it, and if you haven't thrown away the shipping film or the cardboard liner, check it out, but the sticker on the box itself is a priority, because the tray could theoretically be confused in the warehouse.
Use of Mi Account and Cloud Services
For owners who are actively using the Xiaomi ecosystem, you can view the serial number remotely. If the phone was enabled Mi Cloud and signed in, the device automatically registers in the user profile, which is convenient if the phone is lost, but you need to confirm its identity.
Go to the official cloud service website via a browser on your computer or other phone, log in to your login, and the Devices section will display a list of all the equipment associated with your account, usually showing the model, status and often serial number.
However, it is worth noting that displaying the full Serial Number in the web interface depends on the region’s privacy policy and the date of registration of the device. In some cases, you will only see partial information or a model.
⚠️ Warning: Never give your Mi Account to outsiders under the pretext of "serial number check"; fraudsters can use this to lock your device (Activation Lock).
Diagnostic applications and third-party software
If standard methods fail to find a number, you can use specialized applications from the Google Play Store. There are many diagnostic tools that collect detailed information about hardware and software, and they show data hidden from the average user.
Popular programs like CPU-Z, AIDA64, or Device Info HW instantly read all the identifiers. Once installed, launch the app and go to the "Device" or "System" tab, which will have a Serial bar, and these applications are useful not only for finding numbers, but also for verifying (authenticity) components.
Using third-party software is safe if you download it from an official app store, which doesn't require a superuser's permission to read basic identifiers, but it's a quick way to get accurate data without any extra movement.
- 📥 Download the app AIDA64 or CPU-Z Play Market.
- 🚀 Run the program and wait for the scan.
- 📂 Go to the "About System" or "Device" section».
- 👀 Find the “Serial Number” field in the list of characteristics.
What to do if the serial number is not read or erased
When you display “Unknown”, “00000000” or no number at all, it can indicate serious problems, most often it indicates that the phone has undergone unqualified repairs, flashing with violation of technology or is rebuilt in an artisanal way.
In some cases, especially on older Xiaomi models, a crash can occur after a failed update. If you see zeros instead of numbers, it is recommended to make a full reset to factory settings.Be sure to save important data before doing so, as it will be deleted.
Settings → About the phone → Reset settings → Erase all dataIf the reset didn't work, and the number didn't show up, and the box has it and matches the sticker under the battery (if it's removable), maybe the memory chip or the bootloader's firmware is damaged, and then you can't do without visiting the service center, and the specialists can read the number directly from the board through the programmer.
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The absence of a serial number in the software part, if it is on the box, is a sure sign of interference with the software of the device.