Users of budget and mid-budget smartphones often wonder how to get comprehensive information about their device, especially when the standard settings menu is not enough. Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi devices face the need to find out the exact model for buying a case, verify the authenticity of the gadget before selling or reveal hidden technical characteristics that the manufacturer does not advertise in advertising brochures.
There are many ways to access hidden data, from simple combinations of numbers in a call to the use of specialized engineering software, and it is important to understand that different methods give different depths of information: some will show only the serial number, while others will allow you to look into the structure of the processor and the state of the battery.
In this article, we’ll look at all the methods available to identify your Redmi, from basic settings to advanced diagnostic tools, learn how to distinguish the original from the restored device, and learn where the information about the production date is hidden, which often becomes a decisive factor when buying used equipment.
Basic identification through system settings
The most obvious and safe way to learn the model and basic characteristics is through the operating system settings menu. MIUI This displays a marketing name that may differ from the actual model code used in service centers. → The phone.
At the top of the screen, you'll see the system version logo and the model name in large font, such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro. However, for accurate identification, especially when searching for firmware or spare parts, this is not enough. Click several times on the MIUI version field or system logo to activate the hidden developer menu or see more detailed technical information.
⚠️ Note: Do not confuse the marketing name (e.g. Redmi Note 11) with the model code (e.g., the model code, 2201116SG). To find compatible parts and firmware always use the model code.
In the same section, you can find information about the processor, the amount of RAM and internal memory. If you click on the line with the amount of memory, you can see a more detailed breakdown by occupied and free space, which is useful for assessing the state of the drive, and here you can see Android ID and the version of the security patch, which is critical for assessing the relevance of the device.
Use of the engineering menu and USSD-code
To gain access to technical data hidden from the ordinary user, the developers of Xiaomi left special data. USSD-Entering these commands in the Phone app gives you access to the engineering menu, which contains detailed statistics on the operation of all the modules of the device, and it is a powerful diagnostic tool that does not require the installation of third-party applications.
The main code for entering the extended menu is ##6484##. Once you enter the last character, the menu will open automatically, you can check the sensor, speaker, vibrator and cameras, but the code ##4636##, which opens the test menu, is more often used to get information about hardware.
- 📱 Phone Information: Shows network type, signal level and exact IMEI.
- 🔋 Battery statistics: displays the current charge, voltage, temperature and health status of the battery.
- 📶 Usage: shows statistics of Wi-Fi and cellular network.
- ⚙️ Device information: Here you can find the exact codename of the device required for firmware.
Another useful code is *#06#, which instantly displays the IMEI and serial number, which is necessary to register the device on the official website and check the warranty, write these numbers down in a safe place immediately after you buy the phone, as the sticker on the box may get lost.
☑️ Checking in the engineering menu
How to find out the exact date of production and age of the device
One of the most common queries is how to know when a smartphone was released, which is not always obvious, but it is critical when buying a used device to avoid buying a "lie-in" item with a degraded battery. Xiaomi does not officially display the date of production in the usual menu, but it can be calculated through a service code or by serial number.
Use the code ##225## (Calendar). In the menu that opens, select "Manufacturing date" or similar. The system will show the date of assembly of the device at the factory. Alternatively, the serial number analysis (SN), which can be found in the settings or on the box. The first two digits of the SN often indicate a year, and the next two digits indicate a month of release, although the format may vary depending on the factory.
Also, the activation date or approximate age of the device can be found through the official authentication service on the MI Verification website. By entering IMEI, the system often shows the date of the first activation or the end of the warranty period, from which you can start. Degradation of lithium polymer batteries begins from the moment of first charging, so knowing the real age of the device helps to estimate the residual life of the battery.
Why is the production date important?
Verification of the authenticity and status of the guarantee
The electronics market is full of refurbished devices and outright fakes. To verify the originality of your Redmi, you need to check several identifiers. The official website of the manufacturer provides tools for checking IMEI and SN (serial number).
The verification process is simple: find the IMEI in the settings (Settings → About Phone) or type *#06#. Then go to the official Xiaomi authentication site and enter the numbers you get, and the system will confirm whether such a device exists in the database and whether its model matches the stated one.
In addition, the status of the warranty can be checked in the Service & feedback application, which is pre-installed on all devices, the Warranty section displays the remainder of the validity period or a message of its expiration, if the device was purchased with hands, the lack of warranty or expired may be a reason for a price reduction.
| Method of verification | Where to find | What shows | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official website | mi.com/global/verify | Model, color, status of guarantee | Tall. |
| Application Service | Inside the smartphone | The rest of the warranty, status of the Mi-account | Tall. |
| IMEI-checker | Third-party sites | Activation date, blacklist | Medium |
| Visual examination | Body, screen. | Building quality, gaps, fonts | Low (requires experience) |
⚠️ Note: If an authentication site reports that the device has already been checked many times or the date of the first verification was several years ago, this may indicate that you are being sold a used phone as a new one.
Find out the full characteristics: processor, screen and cameras
The standard menu often hides the display manufacturer or the exact modification of the camera sensor, and for enthusiasts this is important information. To get a detailed report on the hardware, it is best to use specialized diagnostic applications such as CPU-Z, AIDA64 or Device Info HW.
These tools can tell you everything about a smartphone, from the type of screen matrix (IPS, AMOLED, Samsung or BOE) to the exact frequency of the processor in real time. In the Device section, the applications will show the real screen resolution, pixel density (DPI) and even the temperature of the different areas of the processor.
Apps like the Camera2 API Probe or Device Info HW can show the exact name of the sensor (such as the Sony IMX766 or Samsung GW1), the pixel size and supported APIs, which helps to understand whether to install third-party cameras (GCam) and what features they will support.
💡
Applications like AIDA64 can show real-world, not marketing, CPU frequency, and often manufacturers specify the maximum frequency of one core, while others operate at significantly lower frequencies to save power.
Hidden identifiers: IMEI, MAC-address ID
Each network device has unique identifiers that are required to operate on cellular networks and Wi-Fi. IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique equipment number assigned to a communication module, which is used to lock a stolen phone by an operator or to check the device in databases.
MAC-Media Access Control is a unique network card identifier, and modern versions of Android use randomization. MAC-address to protect privacy, but the physical address of the Wi-Fi module remains unchanged. → The phone. → All specs → Status or in Wi-Fi settings.
There's also Android ID, a 64-bit hexadecimal string that's unique to every instance of an app on your device, and it's reset when you completely reset your settings, and you need to know those identifiers when you set up routers (MAC filtering), when you link devices to your smart home, or when you restore access to your accounts.
💡
IMEI is your phone's "passport" on the cellular network. Never give it to outsiders unnecessarily, as the device could theoretically be locked remotely via a carrier.