Determining the exact device identifier is often a critical step when buying a used gadget, issuing a warranty or restoring access to an account. Owners of smartphones of the Chinese brand Mi, Redmi and POCO may face the need to verify the authenticity of the device or register it at the service center. Serial number (SN) is a unique code assigned to a particular instance at the factory, which can not be copied without violating factory protocols.
There are several proven methods of obtaining this information, ranging from simple visual inspection of the package to the use of hidden engineering menus. Some are suitable for the device on, others for situations when the system is not booting. It is important to understand the difference between IMEI and SN: the first identifies the communication module in the networks, and the second - the physical device itself in the manufacturer's database.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the current data search options, including the nuances for new versions of the HyperOS shell and old MIUI. You will learn where to look for numbers if the box has been thrown out long ago, and how to decipher the information encoded in them about the release date. The accuracy of data plays a key role here, so rechecking through official services will be a mandatory step.
Data search on the box and in the documentation
The most obvious and reliable way to avoid the gadget is to study the factory packaging, and on the back of the cardboard box, usually at the bottom or on a special white sticker, there is basic technical information. Here you can find the device model, memory, color, and the desired Serial Number. IMEI-code.
Please note that the sticker may be in the form of a barcode or QR-The numbers next to the labeling are the numbers. S/N or SN — In the documentation that comes with the package (guarantee card), this data is also often duplicated by the seller when the check is punched.
⚠️ Warning: If you buy a device with your hands and the seller claims that "the box is lost," this may be a signal of hidden problems. SN on a case with a box makes it difficult to check for theft or recover from theft.
Sometimes the boxes of global versions are duplicated in several languages, but the digital code remains the same for all regions.Saving the package for a warranty period (usually 12 months) is a reasonable practice, since when you deliver to the service center, the warranty often requires the presentation of the original containers with stickers.
Verification through MIUI and HyperOS system settings
If the device is working properly and you can unlock the screen, the easiest way to look is in the settings menu. The shell interface may vary slightly depending on the Android version and regional firmware, but the logic remains the same. You will need to find the section containing information about the device.
To move to the data, you need to follow the path: Settings → The menu that opens will provide detailed specifications: CPU version, RAM volume, version MIUI/HyperOS. Scroll down or find the corresponding line, you will see the field Serial number.
In some cases, especially on older versions of firmware, the full SN can be hidden behind an additional tap. Try to quickly click 5-7 times on the model name or logo of the system version - this is a classic trick to open an extended menu, although more often it will activate the developer mode. In new versions of HyperOS, the menu structure has become more logical, and the data is displayed on the first screen of the About Phone section.
- 📱 Open the Settings app on the main screen.
- 🔍 Select “About the phone” (usually the first one on the list).
- 📄 Find the line "Serial Number" or «S/N».
- 📋 Press and hold your finger on the number to copy it to the clipboard.
Copying data into the clipboard is a convenient feature that allows you to immediately insert the code into the verification form on the site or send a message, eliminating the risk of error when manually entering. Remember that in the same menu, IMEI is available, which is often confused with a serial, but for warranty cases on the Mi-Store site, SN is often required.
Use of the engineering menu and USSD-code
For users who prefer fast solutions without deep immersion in the menu, there are special codes. Introducing a combination of characters in the Phone application allows you to instantly display hidden technical information on the screen, this method works even if the touch screen is partially damaged, but responds to presses.
Type ##6484## on the keyboard. This is the standard command for entering the CIT (Customer Integration Test) Menu, and once you enter the last character, the menu will open automatically, and you will find Version Information or Version where all key identifiers will be listed.
*#06#This command (*#06#) displays IMEI and often serial number, but depending on the model (e.g. Redmi Note vs. Xiaomi 13), the information displayed may vary. On some global firmware, this code only shows IMEI, whereas on Chinese versions it can also display SN.
☑️ Checking through the Engineering Menu
Importantly, on Android 11 and above smartphones, access to some hidden features through codes may be limited by Google’s security policy: If the code doesn’t work, the system will simply ignore the input or prompt a call, in which case other methods described in the article should be used.
Physical inspection of the hull and tray SIM-map
When software methods are not available (a smartphone is turned off or broken), visual inspection is left; manufacturers often label directly on the case; modern models with solid glass and metal need to look carefully, since there is limited space for inscriptions.
First, check out the tray for SIM-On many Xiaomi and Redmi models, the serial number or part of the IMEI It's engraved in microscopic print on the metal frame of the tray, and you're going to have to take the tray out with a paper clip and use a magnifier or a camera on another phone with a macro image.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to scrape or wipe the markings on the tray, even if they interfere, and this may damage the contacts or leakage (if there is waterproofing) which will deprive you of warranty.
Also check the back cover of the device. Some models (especially plastic or older versions) print information in fine print at the bottom of the case. On the glass rear panels of modern flagships (Xiaomi 13, 14), this marking is less common due to aesthetics, but it is still worth checking this area in good lighting.
Decoding of the structure of the serial number
A serial number is not just a random set of numbers; it encrypts the logistic information about the device's path from the conveyor to the shelf of the store. Understanding the structure of the code helps determine the date of manufacture and the manufacturer, which is useful when buying used devices.
SNs are typically 10-12 characters (digits and letters) and the first few characters often indicate the manufacturer (e.g., codes beginning with specific letters may indicate factories in Beijing or Shenzhen).
An example of decryption
Below is a table with an approximate distribution of data depending on the code format (formats may vary):
| Position in the code | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 characters | Factory code / Model | 84F, C8A |
| 4-5 characters | Year of production | 22 (2022) |
| 6-7 characters | Week/month | 45 (45 weeks) |
| 8-12 characters | Number of order. | 00589 |
If you know the approximate date of purchase, you can match it to the date of production, and if the phone is bought in 2026 and manufactured in 2020, it's a reason to think about the state of the battery, which could degrade during long storage in a warehouse.
Official check on the Mi-Verify website
The most reliable way to verify the authenticity of a device and find out its status is through the use of an official verification service, Xiaomi provides public access to the database of activated devices, which is critical when buying a smartphone from hand or in an unverified store.
Go to the site. mi.com/global/verify or regional portal (e.g., regional portal, mi.com/ru/verify). Enter the serial number and the captcha, and the system will show the model, color, date of first activation, and warranty status.
- 🌐 Go to the official Xiaomi checkout site.
- 🔢 Enter the serial number (SN) and IMEI (if required).
- ✅ Press the "Verify" button).
- 📊 Examine the data obtained on the activation date and model.
💡
If a site says, "Serial number not found," it doesn't always mean a fake, it may be a device made for the Chinese domestic market and not yet listed in the global base, or it's a new device that hasn't been activated yet.
The matching of the model and color on the site to the real device is a good sign, but if the site shows that the warranty expired a month ago and you buy a new phone, then the device has been activated earlier, it could be a refurbished device or a showcase sample.
What to do if the serial number does not match
When the number on the box, system and site is different, it is a red flag, which may indicate a replacement case, sticker re-addition or a multi-donor device (Frankenstein) being assembled.
If you find a nonconformity after purchase, immediately contact the seller. For devices purchased in official networks, this is the basis for returning the goods of good quality in the first 14 days (in Russia) or returning the defective goods at any time.
⚠️ Note: Using devices with changed or “broken” serial numbers may result in the blocking of your Mi Cloud account or the inability to flash back through official methods.
In some cases, the discrepancy may be due to a mistake by the seller who confused the boxes when packing, so always check the match between the hardware and the paper when the courier or the store receives the goods without leaving the cashier.
💡
The coincidence of the serial number on the box, in the settings of the phone and on the official website is the main criterion for the legality and security of your device.