Ownership of a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO It often puts the user in need of accurate identification of the gadget. Situations can be different: buying a used device, searching for a specific firmware, checking the warranty or the need to contact a service center. In such cases, the standard name you came up with on the phone may not be enough. IMEI-The International Mobile Equipment Identity (ISI) is a unique digital identifier that is assigned to each cellphone module in a factory.
Knowing this fifteen-digit number gives you a comprehensive understanding of the origin and configuration of the device, especially in a market where there are many global, Chinese and regional versions of the same smartphone. IMEI-The code allows you to determine the exact factory article of the model, which is often different from the marketing name used in advertising. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available ways to obtain data about the model through this identifier.
There are several methods of testing: from standard USSD-And the way that you can do this is to make it available to everyone before you use the engineering menu and third-party databases. Some of the ways that you use require you to connect to the Internet, others are completely offline. IMEI, It's the primary and the most reliable. Let's look at how to make the most of it to determine the exact modification of your smartphone.
What is IMEI and where to find it on your device
IMEI — It's a unique fifteen-digit number that is assigned to every cell phone in manufacturing, and it serves as the primary hardware identifier in networks. GSM, CDMA and LTE. For devices with two SIM-cards, which is the standard for most smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, usually two separate assignments IMEI-Knowing this number is not only necessary to determine the model, but also to lock the device in case of theft.
The easiest way to find this code on a working smartphone is to use a special device to find it. USSD-You don't need to have access to the Internet or SIM card, just have a battery charge. Open the phone app and type the combination *#06#. Once you enter the last grille, the information window will automatically appear on the screen.
In this window, you'll see the lines IMEI 1 and IMEI 2. These are the numbers we'll use for further verification. You can also find the settings menu by going to Settings → About Phone → General Information, where the data will be presented in text form and you can copy it for convenience.
⚠️ Warning: Never publish your own IMEI-codes in the public domain, on social networks or on forums, and attackers can use this data to clone an ID or lock your device through a carrier.
If the smartphone doesn't turn on, look for a sticker on the original box or under the back cover (if it's removable).The factory label always duplicates the IMEI next to the barcode. This is critical for authenticating the device before buying from hand.
Use of the Engineering Menu for Detailed Information
The Android operating system, which runs the MIUI or HyperOS shell, has a hidden menu for developers and engineers to access deep technical information about hardware and software. Unlike a standard code screen, the engineering menu can show not only the IMEI but also the internal code name of the model used in system files.
To get into this menu, open the dialer and type in the command ##6484##. If the standard code didn't work (on some global firmwares access is restricted), try #4636#. Once you enter the last star, the menu will open automatically. You may be met with a list of tests; look for "Version Information" or "Status information".
Inside the menu, find Project or Model. It often lists the technical index of the device, like the gucci for the Redmi Note 4 or the dipper for the Mi 8. It's a name that's more important than the commercial name for finding firmware, and you can see the base station version and other technical parameters that will confirm that you're looking at the device that they're calling it.
What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
It is safe to use the engineering menu if you are simply viewing information. However, be extremely careful about changing any parameters in sections marked as "Debug" or "Test." Unjustified interference with the calibration of sensors or radio module can lead to improper communication.
Checking the model through official Xiaomi services
The most reliable way to know the model and authenticate the device is to use official Xiaomi services, which contain information about all released devices, their activation date and warranty status, and you will need not only IMEI to verify it, but also Internet access.
Go to the official authentication site (usually available at mi.com/verify or through the global support portal). Enter the 15-digit IMEI number in the special box. The system will instantly process the request and give the result. If the device is original, you will see its exact name, color and warranty expiration date.
- 📱 The full article will be displayed, for example, "Redmi Note 10 Pro Global Version".
- 📅 Activation Date: Lets you know when the phone was first turned on, which is important when buying used.
- 🛡️ Warranty status: Will show whether official manufacturer support is valid.
- 🌍 Region: Indicates which market the device is intended for (CN, Global, EEA).
If the service gives an error "IMEI not found" or "Invalid IMEI", it is an alarm signal. This may mean that the number has been changed (overhitched) or the device is counterfeit. In rare cases, the database may not be updated instantly for the newest models, but for devices older than a month, this information should already be available.
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When buying a smartphone from hand, be sure to check the IMEI on the box, in the phone settings and in the results of the official check on the site.
Analysis of the structure IMEI-Code: What the numbers mean
The fifteen-digit IMEI is not a random set of numbers, but structured information encoded by the GSMA standard. Understanding its structure helps to initially evaluate the device, although it is still better to use databases to determine the model accurately. The first 8 digits are called TAC (Type Allocation Code).
Exactly the code. TAC This is the key to defining the model. TAC (The first three in the old standards are the Reporting Body Identifier, which indicates the organization that certified the model. TAC Identify a particular model of the device and its version. TAC, You can find information in open databases. GSMA.
The remaining 7 numbers are the serial number of the device, unique to each instance, and the check digit (the last one) used to verify the validity of the entire number using the Moon algorithm.
Below is a table showing the structure of the IMEI in the example of a conditional device:
| Positions | Name of name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1-8 | TAC | Equipment type code (model and version) |
| 9-14 | SNR | Serial number of a particular device |
| 15 | CD | Checksum Digit (checksum digit) |
Known. TAC-The code of your Xiaomi, you can enter it into search engines along with the request "device model". This often leads to developer forums (for example, 4PDA or XDA), where specific modifications are discussed, which helps to accurately identify the device, especially if it has rare regional firmware.
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The first 8 digits of the IMEI (TAC) are the passport of the phone model, and you can identify the device even without access to Internet databases using search engines.
Third-party IMEI services and databases
If official sites don't give a complete picture or you need more technical information (e.g., accurate memory, LTE frequency support), you can use specialized services. There are many databases that aggregate information from carriers and manufacturers.
One of the most popular and trusted sites is imei.info or sndeep.info. These sites provide detailed reports. The free version usually provides basic information: model, brand, release date, paid reports can contain data on blacklist status (if the phone is listed in the stolen) and repair history.
When using third-party services, it is important to be careful: enter IMEI only on proven resources with a good reputation. Avoid sites with suspicious design and advertising, as there is a risk of collecting a database of numbers for fraudulent schemes.
- 🔍 Details: Third-party databases often show the exact amount of ROM and RAM, which helps distinguish versions 4/64 from 6/128 GB.
- 🚫 Blacklist check: Checking the databases of stolen phones in the US and Europe.
- 📶 Frequency: Information on supported bands 4G/5G for different operators.
There are also specialized applications on Google Play, such as "Device Info HW" or "AIDA64", which do not always use IMEI to define the model, but read data directly from the system files of the Android kernel, which often gives an even more accurate result than the IMEI databases, especially for repackaged or reassembled devices.
Problems and nuances in determining the model
The identification process can be difficult to achieve, and users often confuse the marketing name (e.g., "Redmi Note"). 9") The same marketing name may have the same technical code. 3-4 Different technical models for different regions (Global, India, China, NFC, Non-NFC). IMEI Helps to understand this chaos.
Another problem is re-enhanced or refurbished devices. IMEI It can be modified software to fit another model, or it can be erased. If you type *#06#, you see zeros, the "Unknown" string, or IMEI does not match the sticker on the box - this is a sign of serious software interference or replacement of the motherboard.
⚠️ Attention: If IMEI displayed as “Null” or “000000...”, this may indicate damage to the partition NVRAM Recovery requires professional skills and special equipment (programmers).
It’s also worth considering that some Chinese versions of Xiaomi smartphones may have dual IMEIs where both numbers are the same, or the second slot may be software-disabled in global firmware.This is normal for some older models, but requires careful buying.