How to know exactly when you started using Xiaomi phone: all the ways from MIUI to service codes

Xiaomi's first switch on date is often required for warranty service, secondary sales, or curiosity, but the manufacturer doesn't always make this information obvious -- unlike IMEI or serial numbers, which are displayed directly. Let's figure out where this data is stored in MIUI firmware, how to extract it without root rights, and what to do if the phone has already been reset to factory settings.

Many users mistakenly assume that the activation date is tied to the Mi Account, but this is not true: the account binding only records the moment of first authorization, not the start of the device. Others try to navigate the check from the store, but this is not always possible — especially if the phone was bought by hand. Fortunately, Xiaomi has several hidden methods, including service menus and log files of the system.

In this article, we will cover all the current methods, from simple (through standard settings) to advanced (using ADB and engineering menus).We will pay special attention to the nuances for different versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, Poco X5, Mi 11, etc.). If you plan to sell a phone or verify the authenticity of the warranty, save this instruction in bookmarks.

1. Verification through MIUI settings (the easiest way)

Since MIUI 12, Xiaomi has added a hidden section with information about the time of the device’s first launch, a method that works on most of the brand’s current smartphones, including the Redmi, Poco and Mi lines, but may not be available on custom firmware or root-right devices.

To find the date:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the About Phone section (usually at the bottom of the list).
3. Tap on All Features or General Information (name depends on MIUI version).
4. Scroll down to the Time of Work or Device Status block.
5. Find the line First inclusion or Activation date (in English firmware - First boot time).

If this item is not available, do not despair: on some models (for example, Redmi 9A or Poco M3), the date can be displayed in YYYY-MM-DD format in the MIUI version section after several taps by build number.

💡

On some firmware, the date of the first inclusion is hidden behind a 7-fold tap on the line "Version" MIUI". After that, a notification will appear “You became a developer!” – but the necessary information will appear only after the reboot.

Limitations of the method:

• 🔄 Does not work on reset phones (after Hard Reset, the date is reset).
• 📱 Not available on older versions MIUI (11).
• 🛠️ May not appear on devices with unlocked bootloader.

2.Use of the engineering menu (#4636##)

Xiaomi’s hidden engineering menu includes advanced information about the system, including the time of first launch, which is suitable for Android 10 and later devices, but requires caution – wrong actions here can disrupt the phone.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636## (no spaces).
3. In the menu that appears, select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
4. Scroll to the block of Opening Time (Uptime).
5. Find the First boot time line – here is the date and time of the first turn on in the format MM-DD-YYYY HH:MM:SS.

Important! On some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, Mi 9T), the engineering menu may be blocked.

##284##

or

##6484##

If the engineering menu is open but you don’t have the right bar, try another method, through ADB (described below). Also note that on devices with HyperOS (the new firmware Xiaomi after 2023), the path to data may be different.

3. View system logs through ADB (for advanced)

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method is suitable for users who are ready to connect the phone to a computer, and works even after resetting, since the data about the first turn on is stored in the protected /data partition.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB (You can download from the official website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 taps → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-Type C Cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must display the serial number of your device.
4. Run the command to get the first launch time: adb shell getprop ro.boot.firstboot or alternative: adb shell cat /proc/uptime

If the command returned a value in 1672531200, it is Unix-time — you need to convert it to a regular date. You can do this on the Epoch Converter website. For example, 1672531200 corresponds to January 1, 2023.

Install Xiaomi drivers from the official website

Download the latest version of Platform Tools

Enable debugging over USB in the developer settings

Use the original cable for a stable connection-->

⚠️ Note: If the adb shell getprop ro.boot.firstboot command returns an empty value, it means that the data was erased after being reset or flashed. IMEI (described below).

4. Check by IMEI through Xiaomi services

Each Xiaomi smartphone is assigned a unique IMEI, an international mobile device identifier that not only provides the date of activation, but also the country of sale, model and even warranty status, but this method requires caution: some online services can be fraudulent.

Official methods of verification:

1. Go to the Xiaomi authentication site.
2. Enter your phone’s IMEI (you can find it by command *#06# or in the About Phone settings → All specs → IMEI).
3. Enter the captcha and press Verify.
4. In the results, look for Activation Date or First Use Date.

Alternative services (unofficial but verified):

• 🌍 IMEI.info – shows the date of activation and country.
• 📊 SNDeeP.info – Provides extended information including production date.
• 🔍 IMEI-Pro – a paid service with a detailed report.

⚠️ Attention: Do not enter IMEI On dubious sites offering "unlock" or "check for theft" scammers can use this number to clone your device!

If the service gives an IMEI not found error, it can mean:

• The phone was not activated in official networks (for example, bought in the "gray" way).
• The IMEI has been changed (which is illegal and void of warranty).
• The device is too new, and the data hasn't been recorded yet.

Yeah, before you buy it off the hook.

Yes, for warranty repairs.

No, I didn't know about that possibility.

I tried it, but the service didn't show a date.-->

5. File system analysis (for non-reset devices)

If the phone has not been subjected to Hard Reset, the date of first turn on can be found in the service files of the system. This method requires access to the root folder, but not necessarily root rights - a file manager with support for system directories (for example, MiXplorer or Solid Explorer) is enough.

Where to look:

1. Open the file manager and go to the root folder (/).
2. Find the /data/system directory (access permission may be required).
3. Open the file. boot_count or first_boot (depending on the version MIUI).
4. View the contents – the date is usually stated in YYYYMMDD format (e.g. 20221015 = October 15, 2022).

Alternative paths to files:

Important: If the folder /data It's not available, which means you don't have permission to read system files. ADB (as described in the section 3) or use IMEI-method.

6. Alternative methods (if nothing has worked)

If standard methods don't work, less obvious options remain, and they're not always accurate, but they can give approximate information.

Method 1: Check from the store or box

• 📄 Check checks, warranty coupons or confirmation emails.
• 📦 On the box of some models (Xiaomi) 12 Pro, Redmi K50) the date of production in the format YYWW (year and week, for example, 2235 = 35-I'm a week. 2022 year-end.

Method 2: Google Account

• 🔍 Go to the Google Device Activity Page.
• 📅 Find your Xiaomi in the list – this may show the date of the first login to the account (not always the same as the first inclusion!).

Method 3: Xiaomi Service Center

• 📞 Contact the official service center with your passport and check, and by serial number they can provide a warranty report, which indicates the activation date.
• 📍 The addresses of the centers can be found on the support site Xiaomi.

⚠️ Warning: If you buy a phone with your hands and the seller refuses to provide information about the date of the first switch on, this is a reason to be alerted. IMEI Xiaomi’s official website before buying!

💡

The most reliable way is to combine methods: first check through the MIUI settings, then confirm the IMEI data on the official website, if the results match, the information is reliable.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the date of the first inclusion of Xiaomi