Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often face the need to identify the device, which may be required to register with a service center, unlock the bootloader, link an account or verify the authenticity of a gadget in the secondary market. The concept of “ID” in the Android ecosystem is multifaceted, and users do not always understand what kind of ID is required in a particular situation.
There are several types of unique numbers: hardware IMEI, system Android ID, Mi Account ID and advertising Google Advertising ID. Each of them performs its function and is stored in different sections of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to get each of them so that you can quickly find the necessary information.
Misunderstanding the type of ID can lead to errors in registration or device binding, for example, trying to use IMEI where Mi ID is required will not lead to anything. So it is important to clearly distinguish these concepts and know where exactly in the menu of the smartphone to look for the required data. We will look at both standard methods through settings, and more advanced methods through the engineering menu.
Differences between IMEI, Android ID and Mi Account
Before you start looking for numbers, you need to understand the terminology. IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit number assigned to the mobile device itself in the factory. It is used by carriers to identify the phone on the network and is often required to lock a lost gadget or verify its status in the database.
Android ID is a 64-bit number (as a 16-rack string) that is generated when the operating system is first activated, and this ID is unique for each application-device-user combination, which can change when you reset your settings to factory or flash it, as opposed to the immutable IMEI.
Mi Account ID is a key player in the Xiaomi ecosystem, and it's the digital ID of your personal account on the Mi Cloud service, which is used to synchronize data, search for a device through Find a Device, and log in to the company's proprietary applications, and you can't confuse it with a phone number or IMEI.
- 📱 IMEI — «passport "iron", does not change when flashing, is necessary for the network and warranty service.
- 🤖 Android ID — System identifier, changes when reset, is used by applications to track installations.
- ☁️ Mi ID — Your cloud account number is required for Xiaomi services.
⚠️ Warning: Never give the Mi Account unlock code or codes to outsiders SMS Knowing your Mi ID and password, an attacker can block the device remotely.
Search IMEI code through settings and USSD-team
The easiest and most reliable way to know IMEI on Xiaomi Redmi is to use the built-in system tools. This method does not require installing third-party software and works even without access to the Internet. IMEI data is stored in a secure partition of memory and displayed in the About Phone menu.
For information, open the Settings app and scroll to the bottom of About Phone. In the list that opens, you'll see a line. IMEI. If the smartphone supports two SIM-The card will show two numbers: IMEI 1 and IMEI 2.Clicking on this item, you will be able to copy the number to the clipboard or see QR-quick-reader.
An alternative and very fast method is the use of engineering. USSD-This is a universal method for all Android phones, so you have to open the Phone app and enter a special character combination in the dialing field.
*#06#Once you enter the last character (#), the system window with the identifiers will automatically open on the screen. IMEI, but MEID (net CDMA, Although rarely used now, the serial number of the device (S/N). On some Redmi models, you can see it in the same window. MAC-Wi-Fi and Bluetooth addresses.
☑️ Verification IMEI
⚠️ Attention: If numbers IMEI The phone menu, box and system window (*#06#) are different, a sure sign that the device has been reassembled, has changed firmware or is counterfeit.
How to find Android ID and Google Advertising ID
The Android ID is often required by app developers or when setting up specific software tied to a device. Unlike IMEI, this number is not easily found in the standard settings menu, as it is primarily for software algorithms, not users.
However, the current versions of MIUI and HyperOS now have the option of viewing Advertising ID, which is based on Android ID and used to personalize ads. To find it, go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy → Advertising Services. Here you will see a long string of characters — that is your current advertising ID.
To get a classic Android ID (a string of 16 hexadecimal characters), standard menu tools are often not enough, users have to resort to installing lightweight utilities from the Google Play store, such as "Android ID" or "Device Info HW." These applications read system variables and display them on the screen.
It is also worth mentioning the possibility of resetting Advertising ID. If you think that advertising profiles have collected too much data, you can click the Reset Advertising ID button in the ad services menu.This will create a new ID and break the link to the previous interest history accumulated by ad networks.
- 🔍 Where to look: Settings → Passwords and security → Confidentiality → Advertising services.
- 🔄 Reset: Allows anonymization of interest profiles in advertising networks.
- 📲 Apps: To view pure Android ID It is better to use third-party utilities such as Device Info.
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Periodic resetting of the advertising identifier helps to reduce the number of intrusive targeted advertising without disrupting the operation of the main applications.
Definition of Mi Account ID and serial number
Mi ID is a digital representation of your profile in the Xiaomi cloud, and is critical when unlocking a bootloader, which requires you to wait 7 days (168 hours) after you link your device to your account, and you can find this number in your phone settings or through the web interface.
On the smartphone itself, the path is as follows: go to Settings, click on the top plaque with your name and avatar (Mi Account section). The account management menu that opens, usually at the top or in the General section, will show the account ID, which is the numerical value that you need to enter into the Mi Unlock Tool utility on your computer.
Serial number (S/N) is another important identifier unique to each instance of the device, which is used to check the warranty on the official website and when you contact the service. On Redmi, it can be found in the About Phone → All Features menu (or simply in the list of main characteristics, depending on the version of MIUI).
If the phone doesn’t turn on but the box is still there, the S/N and IMEI are always duplicated on the sticker on the back of the package, and this data is often printed on the back of the smartphone (although in modern models this practice is often abandoned in favor of minimalism).
| Type ID | Where to find (The Way) | Changes when you dump? | What do you need? |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMEI | *#06# or Settings → The phone. | No. | Communication, warranty, search |
| Android ID | Third-party applications / ADB | Yes. | Work of the applications |
| Mi ID | Settings → Mi Account | No (linked to profile) | Cloud, unlock. |
| S/N | Settings → About the phone / Box | No. | Guarantee, service |
Using the Engineering Menu for Deep Diagnostics
For advanced users and repair professionals, there is a Customer Integration Test (CIT) that is a hidden part of the system designed to test components and view detailed technical information, including modem versions, sensor calibration, and complete ID data.
To enter this mode on most Xiaomi and Redmi models, you need to open the Phone app and type in the code:
##6484##In the test list that opens, select Version Information (or simply Version) and the detailed list will include IMEI, MEID, Serial Number, and Wi-Fi MAC address and Bluetooth Address. This menu is useful if the standard About Phone menu is not working correctly or displays error-prone data.
What if the code doesn't work?
⚠️ Note: In the engineering menu, it is not recommended to change the settings in which you are not sure.Resetting the screen or sensors calibration without special equipment can lead to malfunction of the device.
Frequent problems and ID authentication
One of the common problems is when IMEI is displayed as 000000000000000000000000 or NULL. This indicates a serious software error, damage to the partition. NVRAM Or the consequences of unqualified interference (flashing incorrectly), in which case the phone may not see. SIM-map or no signal.
Users also often want to check whether their device is blacklisted or original, and you can use official verification services to do this, and if you know IMEI and S/N, you can validate the device on Xiaomi’s website or through third-party databases.
The authentication process helps identify recovered phones assembled from different parts, or devices stolen in other regions, and if the system says when you enter the IMEI that the device is not found, although the phone is new and sealed, this is cause for concern.
- 🛑 Zero. IMEI: Requires flashing through special tools (QPST/QFIL) backup NVRAM.
- 🌍 Regional restrictions: Some ID It is linked to the region of production (Global, China, EEA), what affects work NFC frequency-band.
- 🔒 Blocking: When buying a used phone, be sure to check the status of Mi Account. If it is locked to someone else's account, it will be impossible to unlock it legally.
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Keeping screenshots of IMEI and S/N in the cloud or on paper is the best insurance against theft or locking your device.