Searching for a unique device identifier is often a necessity when registering a gadget, issuing a warranty or verifying the authenticity of a product. Owners of Xiaomi equipment may face a situation when you urgently need to enter a serial number, but there is no box or documents at hand. Fortunately, manufacturers have provided several ways to obtain this information directly through the interface of a smartphone or tablet.
In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from simple combinations in the “bell ringer” to deep analysis of system files. You will learn to find IMEI and SN even when the screen of the device is broken or it does not turn on.
It’s worth noting that for different models, such as the Redmi Note or the flagship Xiaomi Mi, the layout of the stickers may differ, but the software methods remain universal.
Search through Android system settings
The most obvious and secure way to find identifiers is to look at the menu of the device itself. The MIUI or HyperOS shell interface hides this information in the About Phone section, which contains all the key information about your device, including the version of the processor and the amount of RAM.
To get the data, you need to do a sequence of actions. First, open the Settings app on the home screen. Then scroll down to the bottom and select About Phone. In the menu that opens, you'll see Serial Number (SN) and IMEI.
In some firmware versions, this data can be hidden behind an additional menu. If you don't see the number right away, click on All Specifications or Internal Storage, often duplicated information about IMEI 1 and IMEI 2, which is especially important for dual-sim models.
⚠️ Please note: Do not confuse the serial number (SN) model-numbered. SN — This is a unique code of a particular instance, and a model (e.g., a model, M2101K7BNY) type.
The convenience of this method is that you can copy a number by simply pressing it with your finger and holding it for a couple of seconds.The system will automatically send the data to the clipboard and you can paste it into a sign-up form or a support chat.
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Copying the serial number, immediately save it in notes or send yourself to the messenger, so as not to lose when switching between applications.
Use of the engineering menu and USSD-code
If the smartphone screen responds to touch, but it is difficult to log in to settings, you can use quick codes. the Engineering menu in Android allows you to access hidden functions and technical information. For Xiaomi devices, there is a standard code that opens the hardware check menu.
Open the Phone app and dial ##4636##. Once you enter the last star, the Check menu automatically opens. Here, select Phone Statistics or Phone information. The list that opens will display all network identifiers.
Alternatively, the code *#06# is universal for all mobile devices and instantly displays IMEI. Some Redmi and Poco models may display a serial number along with IMEI, although this depends on the base station version and the firmware region.
- 📱 *#06# is still working without it. SIM-maps and Internet access.
- 🛠 Engineering menu #4636## shows more detailed technical statistics.
- 📋 The data in the engineering menu cannot be edited, only viewed.
It's important to understand that the engineering menu is a diagnostic tool, that changing the parameters in the Radio Information section without understanding the consequences can lead to loss of communication, and use this section only to view the information.
Physical marking and documentation
When the device is turned off or completely discharged, the software methods become useless. In such cases, physical marking comes to the rescue. Xiaomi's manufacturer puts identifiers in several places to make life easier for the user if necessary.
The first place to look is the original packaging box, and there's a white barcode sticker on one side face or on the back wall. IMEI, MAC-Address and serial number, which is the most reliable way to do this if the phone doesn't turn on.
The second option is to inspect the body itself, which is rare on modern smartphones, because it violates the aesthetics. However, on older models or on devices designed for certain markets, information can be printed with laser engraved or a sticker under the tray. SIM-map.
| Searching spot | Type of marking | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging (box) | Barcode sticker | Tall. |
| Back cover. | Sticker or engraving | Low (old models) |
| Tray SIM-map | Microscopic engraving | Medium (requires magnifying glass) |
| Guarantee pass | Seal of seller | High (if full) |
Also, remember to have a warranty card or a check from the store, because vendors often put the serial number of the device in the document when they sell it, which can be a lifeline if the box is already thrown out and the phone is not turning on.
☑️ What to check before buying a used Xiaomi
Use of the Mi Account account
Xiaomi's ecosystem is built around a single Mi Account, and if you're logged in on your device, you can find its serial number through the cloud, which is a convenient way that doesn't require physical access to the gadget right now.
Go to the official i.mi.com website from a computer or other smartphone, enter your credentials (login and password). After successful authorization, go to the Devices section, which will display a list of all the gadgets associated with your account.
The list of devices usually displays a model and sometimes IMEI. However, to get the full serial number, you may need to go to the advanced security settings or the device search section. ID.
⚠️ Note: To work this method, the device must be connected to the Internet. If the phone is lost and turned off, the data may not be updated until it is turned on.
This method also allows you to remotely lock a device or erase data if you know its location. Account binding is the best protection against theft, since without the owner's password, the phone turns into a "brick".
What to do if you forget your Mi Account password?
Authentication by IMEI and SN
Knowing the serial number, you can check the status of the device. This is critical when buying equipment from hand or in untested stores. IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is an international identifier that is unique to each communication module.
Xiaomi’s official website has an authentication section, and if you enter an IMEI or SN, you’ll know the date of activation, the rest of the warranty, and the region of sale. If the system says that the number is not found or the device has already been activated a year ago and you buy it as a new one, this is a reason to be wary.
There are also third-party services that aggregate carrier databases, which can show whether a phone is wanted or blocked by a carrier in another country, and for Redmi and Poco, these checks work similarly.
- 🌍 Region of the device (Global, CN, EU) You can find out by the last symbols. IMEI.
- 📅 The activation date often differs from the production date by several months.
- 🔒 Mi Account lock makes authentication pointless without unlocking.
When entering data on sites, be careful about the characters. Often users confuse the letter O and the number 0, or the letter I and the number 1. Xiaomi serial numbers use numbers more often, but there are also letter designations.
Specifics for tablets and laptops
Finding identifiers on Mi Pad tablets or Mi Notebook laptops has its own peculiarities: tablets without a cellular module (Wi-Fi version) do not have IMEI, since they do not need to connect to carrier networks, in which case the main identifier remains only the Serial Number (SN).
On tablets, you can find information along the Settings → About tablet → All the specs. Often it contains Android ID, which can also be used for identification in some services, but you need an SN to guarantee it.
On Xiaomi laptops, the serial number is often duplicated on a sticker on the bottom lid of the case. If the sticker is erased, you can use the command line in Windows. Press Win + R, type cmd, and enter the command in the black window:
wmic bios get serialnumberThe system will give you an alphanumeric response, which is the Serial Number you're looking for. On Linux devices (if you have one), you can use the command sudo dmidecode -t system | grep Serial.
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For laptops and tablets without SIM-The only unique identifier is the serial number (SN), so IMEI they are missing.