How to find out IMEI on Xiaomi: full ways to check

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to find a unique identification number for their device, a code known as IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity), a 15-digit digital combination that is assigned to a gadget in a factory, which serves as a kind of passport of the phone in the world of cellular communication and is necessary for registration in carrier networks.

Knowing this number is critical in several situations, such as if your smartphone is lost or stolen, it is the code that operators can use to lock the device, making it useless for an attacker, and IMEI is often required for warranty service, insurance or resale of a gadget to prove its legality.

There are many ways to get this information, and they don't require any technical skills. MIUI and HyperOS provide some built-in tools to display this data, and there are physical verification methods. In this article, we'll go through each one in detail so you can choose the most convenient one.

Use of universality USSD-code

The fastest and most time-tested method that works on any mobile phone, regardless of the operating system or model version, is so-called engineering code that triggers the system response of the device without having to open the settings menu.

To get information, you need to open the standard Phone app. In the dial box, you need to enter the combination *#06#. Once you enter the last character, the dialog box closes and the data pop-up automatically appears on the screen.

In this window, you will see not only the 15-digit number, but also other important identifiers:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ IMEI 1 - the main number for the first SIM-maps (relevant to two-symbol models).
  • ๐Ÿ“ฒ IMEI 2 - Number two SIM-Cards (if the device supports Dual) SIM).
  • ๐Ÿ”— MEID โ€” Unique Identifier for Network Equipment CDMA (It is used less frequently, mainly in the US and China).
  • ๐Ÿ†” SN โ€” Serial number of your particular smartphone instance.

The good thing about this is that it works even if the screen is locked (on some firmware versions) or if the sensor is not responding partially, the main thing is to have the dialing panel work, but if the phone is not fully turned on, this method will not help.

๐Ÿ“Š What kind of search is it? IMEI You use it most often?
Through USSD-code *#06#
On the About Phone menu
On the box from the device.
Through a Google/Mi Account

Search through the smartphone settings menu

If the on-screen keyboard is not available or you prefer a graphical interface, you can find the code in the system menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, but the logic remains the same.

You have to open the Settings app and scroll down to the bottom, and there's the About Phone section, and in modern firmware versions, the basic information is displayed right on the first screen of that section.

Pay attention to the following interface details:

  • ๐Ÿ” The number can be hidden by default โ€“ click on the line โ€œAll settingsโ€ or โ€œVersionโ€. MIUIยป, to reveal the full list.
  • ๐Ÿ“‹ To copy the number, it is usually enough to click on the digital string itself - it is copied to the clipboard.
  • ๐Ÿ“œ In older versions of Android, you had to go to the General Settings sectionยป โ†’ ยซThe phoneยป โ†’ ยซStatusยป.

This is a convenient method, because you can copy the number and send it to, for example, messenger or save it in notes. SIM-maps and Android version.

โš ๏ธ Warning: If the settings menu displays a number other than what is on the box or punched out on the case, this is a sure sign of flashing or using a non-original motherboard.

Physical inspection on the case and box

When the phone is not turned on, discharged or the screen is completely broken, only physical media remain, and Xiaomi manufacturers apply identifiers in multiple places for the convenience of users and service centers.

The first place to look is the original packaging box, which is a white barcode sticker on one of the faces (usually on the bottom or on the end) that lists the IMEI, serial number and model of the device, and is often duplicated on a protective film that is pasted on the screen of a new smartphone when you buy it.

The second option is to inspect the body itself:

  • ๐Ÿ”™ Rear cover โ€“ on some older models (e.g. Redmi) 4X, Redmi Note 4) laser-painted data directly onto metal or plastic at the back.
  • ๐Ÿ—‘๏ธ Tray SIM-cards - on modern smartphones with narrow frames of space on the case there is no, so in small print the number is engraved on the metal frame of the tray for "simkiยป.

To read the engraving on the tray, you may need to take a magnifying glass or a macro shot on the camera of another phone, since the font there is very small. It is important not to confuse the numbers, especially 0 and O (although IMEI uses only numbers).

๐Ÿ’ก

Save a photo of the sticker from the box and tray SIM-The card is in the cloud immediately after purchase, which will help to recover data if the box is lost and the phone crashes.

Checking through Google and Mi Cloud

If your device was previously linked to your account and had access to the Internet, you can remotely find its code, which is true if your phone is lost, but you want to pass its ID to the police or the operator.

For a Google account, go to the device management page, which shows all the gadgets that have ever been in your profile, but Google often hides the full IMEI for security reasons, showing only the last 4 digits.

More informative is the service Mi Cloud from the manufacturer, if the smartphone was enabled to search for the device:

  1. Visit the official website of Xiaomi cloud service from a computer or other phone.
  2. Sign in with your Mi Account.
  3. Choose the right device from the list (if there are several).
  4. Detailed Info often displays complete technical data, including IMEI.

This also allows you to see the location of the phone, lock it or delete data remotely, but remember that for the method to work, the phone must be on and connected to the network (Wi-Fi or mobile).

Diagnostics through the Engineering Menu

Xiaomi smartphones have a hidden engineering menu designed to test hardware, which contains more technical information than the usual settings.

To get there, type in the code ##6484##. The CIT menu will open. Although the direct IMEI tab may not be there, this section is useful for checking the operation of communication modules.

An alternative way for advanced users is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) from a computer:

adb shell service call iphonesubinfo 1

This command will output raw data where you will need to search for 15-digit sequences, a method that is difficult for the average user, because it requires installing drivers and enabling USB debugging on the phone itself.

โš ๏ธ Note: Do not change the settings in the engineering menu (CIT), If you don't know exactly what the specific parameter is for, recalibrating the display or sensor can cause the device to malfunction.

Table of model conformity and data location

The location of the information can vary depending on the series of smartphones. Below is a summary table that will help you navigate where to look for code on popular rulers.

Series of devicesLocation on the hullFeatures of the menuWhere on the box
Xiaomi Mi / FlagmanSIM tray (small engraving)About the phone โ†’ All the parametersThe bottom end of the box
Redmi NoteRear cover (old) / Tray (new)About the phone (right away)The side of the box or sticker
POCOJust a SIM tray.About the phone โ†’ version of MIUIBack of the box
Redmi (budget)Under the battery (if removable)Status โ†’ IMEI informationEnd sticker

Use this table as a reference. If you don't find a number in one place, check another. For example, some global versions may not have the tray engraving, and the only physical source is the box.

Why Check Your IMEI and How to Avoid Fraud

Checking a unique number is not just a formality, but a necessary step when buying a smartphone from hand.The market is full of restored devices, โ€œfrancensteinsโ€ (assembled from different parts) and stolen gadgets.

There are several online services where you can use this number to search for a device history, and by typing the code into a search, you can find out:

  • ๐Ÿ“… Activation Date โ€“ If the phone is โ€œnewโ€ but activated a year ago, it is a restored instance (Refurbished).
  • ๐Ÿšซ Blocking status โ€“ is the device in the blacklist of operators.
  • ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Guarantee โ€“ Is there an official guarantee in your area.

Also, the reconciliation of numbers on the box, in the check and in the phone system helps to avoid substitution. Scammers can put a cheap clone in the box from the flagship by soldering the memory chip, but it is difficult to change all IMEIs at once, and discrepancies will necessarily surface with careful verification.

What if the IMEI is not readable or equal to 000000/Null?
If you see zeros or dashing in the settings instead of numbers, it indicates a serious software error or damage to the NVRAM partition. Often this happens after a failed flashing, you can only restore the partition through special utilities (QPST, MiFlash) and the presence of an original backup, which only a service center can do.

โ˜‘๏ธ Check before buying used Xiaomi

Done: 0 / 5

Recovery of the Lost IMEI

In rare cases, usually after failed software experiments, a unique identifier can "fly" the phone stops seeing. SIM-map, no network at all, and in the settings displayed zeros.

Reinstating IMEI on Xiaomi is a complex and risky process, requiring super-user rights (Root) and the use of specialized software, and without experience, it is better not to do this on your own, as there is a risk of turning the phone into a brick.

If you are faced with such a problem:

  1. Try to make a full reset (Settings โ†’ Advanced โ†’ Resetting).
  2. If it does not help, run the flashing through the computer in Fastboot mode.
  3. In extreme cases, contact an authorized service center, where there is equipment for recording factory parameters.

โš ๏ธ Attention: Change or forgery IMEI-The code is illegal in many countries, and all of the methods described are designed solely to restore factory data to your own device.

๐Ÿ’ก

The most reliable way to know IMEI is by the combination *#06#. Always check the number on the menu, box and check to verify authenticity.

Can I find the IMEI if my phone is turned off?
Yes, if you still have the original box (sticker on the end) or the screen protector, and the number can be struck on the tray. SIM-card that can be removed by a paper clip even from the device turned off.
What is the difference between IMEI 1 and IMEI 2?
It's just a serial number for each SIM-cards in a two-symbol smartphone. Technically they are equivalent, but when registering in the network, the operator often uses the first number (IMEI 1) as the primary identifier of the device.
Is it dangerous to tell IMEI to outsiders?
The number itself does not allow access to your photos or correspondence, but with IMEI, it is theoretically possible to clone the device for the operator (although modern networks block this) or forge documents.
What if the IMEI on the phone and the box donโ€™t match?
It's a wake-up call. It's likely that the phone was assembled from different parts, changed the motherboard or the case, and when you buy from a handheld device, you should give up, because you may have problems with the warranty and network operation.