How to find Xiaomi Device ID: A complete guide to device identification

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to accurately identify their device, such as when running through the Mi Flash Tool, obtaining superuser rights, or linking a gadget to a developer account. Device ID in the Android ecosystem and the MIUI shell can hide various unique identifiers, each of which performs a different function. The confusion between IMEI, serial number and Android ID can lead to errors when working with system software.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods of obtaining identification, we will look at the standard system tools, hidden engineering menus and advanced debugging tools. Understanding the differences between these codes will help you avoid problems when flashing or restoring a device after a failure. The accuracy of data entry is critical when it comes to unlocking the bootloader.

Differences between types of identifiers on Xiaomi

Before you start searching for codes, you need to be clear about what you're looking for. Users often search for "Device ID" meaning IMEI, but for system operations like unlocking a bootloader, it requires Mi Account Binding ID or serial number. IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is the unique number of your communication module assigned by the hardware manufacturer, which is required for registration in cellular carrier networks.

In contrast, Android ID is generated by the operating system on the first boot and can change after a full reset (Factory Reset).For procedures related to Xiaomi servers, most often a Serial Number (S/N) or a special anchor code is required. An error in choosing an identifier type can lead to the fact that the authorization server simply does not accept your request.

Below is a table that helps you quickly navigate the types of identifiers:

⚠️ Warning: Never give yours away IMEI Or your Mi Account information to outsiders, and knowing that, attackers can try to block your device remotely.

Method 1: Use of the engineering menu and USSD-code

The fastest way to find out basic device parameters, such as IMEI and serial number, is to use a hidden engineering menu, which is built into the MIUI shell and is available on most models without installing additional software, and to activate you need to open the standard Phone application and enter a special combination of characters.

Dial the code ##6484## or #06#. The first option will open the full CIT engineering menu where you can test all the components of the smartphone. The second code will immediately display information about IMEI and MEID. If the standard code does not work, try ##4636##*, which is the test menu for phone and battery information.

In the window that opens, you'll see a few lines with numbers, you're interested in the IMEI 1 field (for one SIM card) or both numbers for dual-symbol models, and you'll often see the Serial Number, which you might need to register with Mi Unlock, write it down or take a screenshot.

If the menu doesn't open, your firmware version or device region may block this feature, so you should try the alternative methods described below, and the code may not work on global firmware versions where access to engineering functions is limited by security policies.

Method 2: Finding ID through system settings

If you can't use the codes, you can find all the information you need in the standard settings menu, and the path may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS, but the logic remains the same, and it's the safest method, and it doesn't require any special knowledge.

Go to Settings, then select About Phone. At the top of the screen, you'll see the model name and system version. For more technical information, click on the MIUI Version (or HyperOS Version) multiple times in a row, which often opens the extended menu, but doesn't always show the ID.

To get Serial Number and IMEI, click All Options or General Information. The list that opens will detail all identification codes. Here you can find Android ID if you scroll down to "Device ID" or the like.

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Take a screenshot of the device information page and save it to the cloud, which will help you quickly recover data if the sticker on the case gets damaged or worn out.

In the newer versions of the HyperOS shell, the menu structure may have changed, so if you don't find the right item, search by settings, type the word "status" or "IMEI" into the search bar, and the system will tell you the right section, which saves time and eliminates errors in manual searches.

Method 3: Using ADB to obtain a Device ID

For advanced users engaged in system modification, the most accurate tool is Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method allows you to access system variables that are hidden from the average user, USB-cable and installed Xiaomi drivers.

The first thing you need to do is activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI Version. After the message "You became a developer" appears, go to the menu Additional → For developers. Find and turn on the Debugging by USB.

Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB. Enter a command to check the connection:

adb devices

You'll see a request for debugging permission on your phone screen, confirm it. To find out the exact Android ID, type the following command:

adb shell settings get secure android_id

The system will give you a long string of characters - this is your unique identifier within the OS. To obtain a Serial Number, use the command:

adb shell getprop ro.serialno

⚠️ Be careful when putting commands into ADB. Incorrect actions with system properties can lead to unstable operation of the device. Enter only those commands whose purpose you understand.

This method is especially useful if the smartphone screen is broken but the sensor is partially working, or if the system interface is blocked by an error. ADB gives access to the hardware settings directly, bypassing the graphical shell. It is an indispensable tool for repair professionals.

How to find an ID to unlock the bootloader (Mi Unlock)

Special attention should be paid to the process of unlocking the bootloader, since it requires linking the device to the Mi Account. In this context, "Device ID" is not just a set of numbers, but the binding status in Xiaomi servers.

You need to download the official Mi Unlock Tool to your computer, launch the program and log in to your account, turn your phone into Fastboot mode (pressing the power button and the volume button when the device is turned off) and connect it to your PC.

In the program window, click the "Unlock" button. If the device is not tied, the system will prompt you to add an account and password to your phone settings (Settings → For developers → Mi Unlock status). After adding an account, the anchor status and a waiting timer (usually 168 hours) will appear in this menu.

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Successful account binding in the "Mi Unlock Status" menu is a prerequisite for unlocking the bootloader. Without this step, the utility on the PC will not allow the process to continue.

It's important to understand that once you've linked your account, you can't log out during the waiting period. Resetting or logging out of your Mi Account will reset the timer, and you'll have to start the process again.

Problems with ID definition and their solution

Sometimes users experience a situation where IMEI is displayed as "Null" or "Unknown" This is a serious problem, indicating damage to the NVRAM or Persist partition, most often after a failed flashing of the device from another region or interference with system files.

If you're missing IMEI, The phone stops seeing SIM-The card, the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are not working, because they can also get lost mac addresses, recovery requires a backup of these sections, made in advance, without a backup, recovery is possible only in an authorized service center using paid programmers.

• 📱 Check if the flashing from Global to China or vice versa was performed without proper preparation.
• 💾 Make sure you have a backup copy of the section. EFS Persist before any manipulation.
• 🔧 Try resetting your network settings, although in case of damage NVRAM That's not gonna help.

There may also be problems with custom recavators, some of which are not reading the memory chip correctly, so try to load into the stock recavator and check the data there, and if there is no ID, it's hardware or low-level software.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)