Owners of Xiaomi smartphones and its sub-brands Redmi and Poco often face the need to identify their device, which may be required when registering a warranty, activating Google Play services, unlocking a bootloader or linking a device to a Mi Account account to protect against theft. Unlike simple model names, a unique ID is the digital passport of your gadget on the network.
There are several types of identifiers that confuse users: IMEI (SIM card identifier), serial number (S/N) and unique ID of Mi Account. Each of them performs its function in the Android ecosystem. In this article, we will discuss all available methods for obtaining this data without using third-party software.
Understanding the differences between these codes will help avoid errors when filling out warranty cards. Most often, users mean IMEI or serial number by asking for “phone ID”, but in some cases, it is a digital ID of the Mi Account, which is associated with “hardware”.
The main types of identifiers on Xiaomi
Before you start searching for codes, it is important to understand the terminology. Xiaomi smartphone has several levels of identification. IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit number assigned to a communication module, which is needed by cellular operators to lock lost devices and track equipment on the network.
Serial number (S/N) — This is the code assigned to a particular instance of a device in a factory, and it's often used to determine the warranty start date and the region of origin of the device. MAC-The address is used for identification in local networks Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and ID Mi Account is a digital user key in a company’s cloud services.
⚠️ Note: Never give full screenshots IMEI and MAC-Attackers can use this information to clone a device or bypass locks.
For most procedures, such as unlocking a bootloader or obtaining root rights, you will need a bundle of IMEI and serial number, which is stored in a secure partition of memory and does not change when you flash it, unless you use special engineering tools.
The fastest way through engineering code
The most versatile method, running on 99% of Android smartphones, including all Redmi and Poco models, is to use the same method. USSD-The good thing about this is that it works even without the insertion. SIM-maps and without internet connection.
You need to open the standard Phone app and go to the dial tab. Enter *#06#. The system will instantly respond to the last grille input and open the system window with technical information.
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If *#06# doesn't work, your firmware may be restricting access to the engineering menu. Try entering the code through the Engineering Mode app if installed.
In the window that opens, you'll see a few lines, and we're interested in the IMEI 1 and IMEI 2 fields (for dual-sim devices), and also S/N (Serial Number), and you can't copy the text from here, so you'll have to rewrite the data manually or take a screenshot.
☑️ Data verification IMEI
Note that dual-symbol smartphones will have two IMEI numbers. These are the last digit. The first number (IMEI 1) is usually required to register with services, but it is better to have both at hand.
Search for ID through system settings
If the phone screen is broken or code entry is not working, you can find information in the settings menu.The path may vary slightly depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, but the logic remains the same for the entire Xiaomi line.
Follow the path: Settings → Phone → General information. In some versions of the firmware, you need to click on “All settings” or tap on MIUI several times to activate the extended menu.
This displays the Serial Number and status of the device. Often, next to the phone model (like the Redmi Note 12), the model's internal code is indicated, which is useful when searching for firmware. Sometimes you need to click on the "kernel version" or "internal version" line 7-10 times in a row to get a full list of identifiers.
| Parameter | Wherever used | Format |
|---|---|---|
| IMEI | Cellular networks, warranty | 15 numbers |
| S/N | Service centers, Mi Account | Alphabetical digital |
| MAC | Wi-Fi routers, filtering | XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX |
| Mi ID | Cloud, device search | Digital ID |
This section also often hides your account's Mi ID. To see it, you go to Settings → Mi Account. Click on your avatar or profile name. The menu that opens will show your unique digital ID, which is 8-12 digits long, and that's the ID you need to link your device to your account.
Use of status in the menu "About the phone"
Another reliable source of information is the Status section, which contains a detailed technical summary. Go to Settings → About Phone → All Options → Status (the path may vary).
You can find more than just here. IMEI, but IMEI SV (software version IMEI), and Wi-Fi. MAC-address and Bluetooth address: this data is often required when setting up corporate networks or routers with filtered by MAC.
It is important to note that in modern versions of Android 10+ and-shell MIUI 12/13/14 Google has introduced a randomization function MAC-Therefore, the real physical address of the Wi-Fi module can be hidden or replaced by a temporary address.
For the purpose of obtaining a physical (factory) MAC-addresses sometimes have to turn on Wi-Fi and watch connected devices in the router, or use special ADB-Teams, if you have access to a computer.
Information on the body and packaging
The easiest way to find out ID, If the phone turns on but the screen doesn't work, or vice versa, if the phone is completely dead, it's a back-up inspection. On many Redmi and Poco models, the basic information sticker is pasted directly onto the body.
If there is no sticker on the case (it has been erased or removed), refer to the original box. On one side facet there is always a white sticker with barcodes, which shows: model, color, memory capacity, IMEI 1, IMEI 2 and S/N.
⚠️ Warning: Don't throw away the smartphone box immediately after you buy.Storing the sticker box makes it much easier to warranty and sell the device.
The data can also be duplicated in the warranty card that the seller fills out when buying, but you should not rely on the handwritten input of the seller - it is better to double-check the data using the code *#06#, if the phone responds at all.
Checking through the official Mi Account website
If your phone is linked to a Mi Account, you can find its IDs through a web interface, which is especially useful if you need to remotely lock your device or erase data in the event of a theft.
Visit i.mi.com from a computer or other phone, log in with your login and password, and the Find Device section will show you a list of all the gadgets associated with that account.
Clicking on your Redmi or Xiaomi icon will show your Redmi’s current location (if GPS is enabled) and technical information, including model and sometimes serial number, confirming that the device has been successfully synchronized with the company’s servers.
What if the ID doesn’t match the box?
You can also use the site to find out the ID Mi of your account in your profile, which is a numerical ID that is unique to each person, unlike the IMEI, which is unique to each device.
Using ADB for Advanced Users
For computer-friendly people, the most accurate way to get all the technical information is to use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that allows you to pull even hidden system variables.
You'll need to enable "USB Debugging" in the Developer menu on your phone and connect it to your PC. After installing drivers and platform tools in the command line, type:
adb shell service call iphonesubinfo 1This command will return the string from IMEI. To obtain the serial number and other parameters, you can use the command:
adb shell getprop | grep -E "ro.serialno|ro.bootmode"This method is indispensable when standard menus are blocked or corrupted, and it gives access to raw data that the operating system reads directly from memory chips.
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ADB is the most powerful diagnostic tool, but requires installing drivers on your PC and enabling debugging on your phone.