Xiaomi smartphone owners and Redmi sub-brands often face the need to identify their device. A unique 15-digit code known as IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) serves as a digital passport for the gadget. It is required to register with the operator, check the device for theft, warranty service or unlock for a specific carrier. Unlike conventional serial numbers, this ID is assigned to the communication module and does not change when you flash it.
There are many situations where access to the screen of a smartphone is limited or the device does not turn on at all, but you need to know the code. Fortunately, Xiaomi engineers have provided several levels of access to this information, from software methods through the interface of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system to physical tags on the case and packaging, understanding where to look for this data will save you time and nerves at a critical moment.
In this article, we will look at all the possible ways to obtain IMEI on Redmi smartphones, we will look at standard methods for working devices, methods for locked screens and even options for completely broken gadgets, and we will also focus on security issues and how to distinguish the original device from a fake using the data obtained.
Search code through Android system settings
The most obvious and secure way to find hardware ID is to look at the operating system settings menu. This is ideal if the phone is on, the screen is touch-sensitive, and you just want to copy the numbers to check. The MIUI and HyperOS shell interface has a single menu structure that changes little from model to model, whether it's a budget Redmi Note or a flagship Xiaomi.
To start, unlock your device and find the Settings icon on your desktop, which usually looks like a gear. In the settings list that opens, you need to scroll to the bottom of the page. There's the About Phone section. This is where all the technical information about your gadget is collected, including the version of the processor, the amount of RAM and, of course, the SIM card data.
Inside the About Phone section, information can be hidden under an additional menu level. Depending on the firmware version, you need to either click on All Features or see the IMEI line immediately. If your smartphone supports two SIM cards, the system will display two different codes: IMEI 1 for the first slot and IMEI 2 for the second. This is normal, since each radio module has its own unique identifier.
⚠️ Attention: Don't confuse IMEI serially-numbered (SN). To verify the guarantee and authenticity on the official website, the code is most often required. IMEI, Although the serial number is also important for identifying the device in the manufacturer's database.
The advantage of this method is that you can quickly copy it, and if you click on the code numbers or a special copy icon next to them, you instantly save them to the clipboard, and this eliminates the risk of error when you manually type a fifteen-digit number, where a entangled digit will make the code invalid.
Use of engineering USSD-diagnostic
Android has a universal mechanism for fast access to hidden information that works even without Internet access. Xiaomi, like most other manufacturers, has a dedicated team, which is considered the “gold standard” because it displays information directly from the modem, bypassing graphical interface add-ons.
To use this method, open the Phone app (the caller), through which you usually dial numbers. In the input field, type the combination of characters *#06#. Note that after entering the last character (grid), you do not need to call anyone - the menu will open automatically.
In the window that opens, you will not only see the IMEI codes for each SIM card slot, but also other important parameters such as MEID (used in some CDMA networks) and SN (serial number). If your phone supports eSIM technologies, the EID code for the embedded virtual SIM card can be displayed in the same menu, all of which are critical when transferring contacts or registering a device with a carrier.
💡
If the *#06# code doesn’t work or the window doesn’t appear, check if you have third-party caller apps installed. Try running a command through the standard Xiaomi app.
Advantage USSD-It runs on all versions of Android, from old Android 6 to the latest Android 14, and is independent of the language of the phone's interface. Even if the phone menu is set to Chinese or English, the numbers will remain numerals, making it easy to read the information.
Checking physical markings on the body and tray
There are situations where the smartphone is completely discharged, got stuck during the booting stage or has a broken screen that does not respond to touch. In such cases, software methods are not available, and physical marking comes to the rescue. Xiaomi and Redmi manufacturers apply identifiers in several places so that the user can always find them when necessary.
The first place to look is the factory packaging, and on the back of the cardboard box, usually at the bottom or on the side, there's a white barcode label that clearly states the IMEI 1 and IMEI 2 codes, and the serial number, and that data is duplicated in the database when the device is first activated, so the information on the box is considered the primary and most reliable.
The second place is the smartphone body itself. On modern Redmi models with a fixed back cover, information is often laser-engraved on the back, closer to the bottom end, or printed on a sticker that is initially glued to the body (sometimes under protective film). On some models, such as the Redmi Note series of previous years, the code can be found under the removable back cover, next to the battery, but in modern monolithic cases this option is less common.
- 📦 The most complete data source includes IMEI, SN, model and date of production.
- 📱 Back cover: Look for fine text at the bottom of the case or a sticker that may have been left from the factory.
- 🗑️ Tray SIM-Cards: Some premium models and individual versions of Redmi code is microscopically applied to a metal tray for SIM cards.
Therefore, the information on the box remains the most reliable physical source, which is recommended to store at least the first year or two of use of the device.
Analysis of documentation and warranty card
Not to be discounted are paper media, which are often thrown away immediately after purchase. Each Xiaomi original smartphone comes with a set of documentation including a user manual, a warranty card and a check or invoice, which are legally binding and contain a specific device tied to the date of sale.
The warranty card or the sales receipt (especially if it is punched correctly with the serial number) often prescribes the IMEI of the device, this is done in order to link the warranty to this instance of the phone. If you bought the smartphone from an official store or authorized partners, this information should be in the seller's database, and you can request a copy of the check or an extract where the code will be indicated.
⚠️ Note: When buying a smartphone from your hands, be sure to check IMEI If the numbers don't match, you might have a device made from different parts, or a "refurbished" phone sold as new.
It's also worth looking at the manual, although it rarely prints individual codes. However, if you've kept a box of paper embedded inside, often the store's service stickers can be attached to these documents. A careful examination of all paper inserts can help you find lost information.
Comparison of identifier search methods
The search method you choose depends on the status of your device and the resources available, and to organize the information and help you choose the best path, we have compiled a comparison table of the main ways to help you understand which option is suitable for your situation.
| Method of searching | Screen on required | Battery charge required | Data reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android settings | Yes. | Yes. | Tall. |
| USSD code *#06# | Yeah (at least backlighting) | Yeah (minimal) | Maximum |
| The factory box | No. | No. | Tall. |
| Marking on the shell | No. | No. | Medium (may wear off) |
As you can see from the table, software methods require at least a minimum battery charge and display performance. If the phone turns on, but the screen is black (the touchscreen or matrix does not work), you can try to connect it. USB-mouse-wise OTG-cable to unlock the device and go to settings, or use voice control if it is configured.
If the phone doesn't show signs of life, the only physical methods are to find the box or inspect the case, and in extreme cases, if you need the phone to unlock it from the operator and there's no code anywhere, you'll have to take it to a service center where experts can read the code directly from the board to the programmer.
☑️ What to do before selling your phone
Authentication and status of the device
When you get a 15-digit code, many people wonder what to do next? The most common reason to search for a device is to authenticate it. The electronics market is full of replicas, and it can be difficult to visually distinguish a quality Redmi from a copy. Xiaomi's official website provides a tool for validating devices.
To verify, go to the manufacturer's official website in the authentication section, you will need to enter not only the IMEI, but also the verification code (Captcha), and sometimes the serial number SN. The system will check the entered data against the global database of devices produced, if the phone is original, the system will confirm its existence and indicate an approximate activation date.
In addition to authentication, IMEI knowledge is required for the following:
- 🔒 Lock: In the event of theft, you can report the code to the operator to lock the device at the network level, making it useless for the attacker.
- 📶 Unlock: To use a phone with SIM cards from other operators (relevant for devices brought from abroad).
- 🛠️ Repair: When contacting the service center, the code is needed to identify the model and select original spare parts.
What happens if IMEI is not read?
There are also third-party services such as IMEI.info or Sndev.info that can provide advanced phone information on request: color, memory, date of first turn on and blacklist status. Use these resources with caution, not entering personal data other than the IMEI code itself.
Restoration of access in case of data loss
When the phone is lost and the box is thrown away, owners often panic. However, if you have previously used the device, traces of its IDs may have remained in the digital space. The first thing to do is check your mobile operator's personal account. In the "My Devices" section or in the tariff details, the IMEI of the connected gadget is often displayed.
The second option is a Google account, where if your phone was synced, your device information could be saved, go to google.com/android/find, or your Google account security settings, where the trusted device list can display a model and sometimes IDs, and check your email: when you buy from online stores (AliExpress, Ozon, MVideo), the check you get on your email often has IMEI.
If none of these things worked, there's a last but laborious path to take: Think about where you last saw a box or a picture of a phone; sometimes a photo of the back of a lid made for sale or just for yourself can be in cloud storage or messaging; with enough resolution, the photo code can be tried to disassemble visually.
⚠️ Warning: Never report your own IMEI Fraudsters can use this code to clone or lock a device through a carrier if they have access to the database.