Owning a Xiaomi device often requires users to identify the device accurately, which may be required when buying parts, selling a gadget on the secondary market or verifying the authenticity of the device before buying from hand. The unique identifier in the world of mobile communication is the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) code, which is assigned to each communication module.
Knowing how to decrypt or verify the code gives the owner confidence that it is the device that is claimed. Unlike the name on the menu, which can be changed software, IMEI is sewn into the factory and serves as a digital passport of the smartphone. The IMEI code is a unique 15-digit number, which has no analogues in the world.
In this article, we will discuss all available ways to obtain this information: from simple USSD-You will learn to distinguish the original device from the refurbished or regated one, this knowledge will help to avoid fraud and save time when searching for compatible accessories.
What is IMEI and why does the owner of Xiaomi need it?
IMEI is a fifteen-digit sequence that uniquely identifies a device in cellular networks. For Xiaomi smartphones, this code is critical, as it is tied to the motherboard and is often used by service centers to verify warranty status. Without this number, it is impossible to block a stolen phone through the operator.
Many users confuse IMEI with serial number (SN), but these are different identifiers. If the serial number is used by the manufacturer for batch and logistics, then IMEI is the standard of the telecommunications industry, which is the basis for databases to know that you bought the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10, and not some other gadget.
Knowledge of your code is necessary in the following situations:
- 🔒 Blocking a lost device through a communications operator.
- 🛡️ Checking the repair history and activation of the device before buying.
- 🔧 Find original parts compatible with a specific board revision.
- 📱 Unlocking the smartphone for a specific operator (SIM-lock).
⚠️ Warning: Never post photos of a box or full-code check IMEI Fraudsters can use this data to clone an identical device, which will result in your phone being locked by an operator.
How to view IMEI on the device itself
The fastest and most reliable way to know the ID is to use the built-in features of the Android operating system or shell. MIUI / HyperOS. It doesn't require an internet connection and works even without the installed one. SIM-The data in the system is read directly from the memory chip.
You can use the universal information USSD-Open the Phone app and dial the character combination *#06#. Once you enter the last grille, the screen will automatically display a window with a fifteen-digit code. SIM-You will see two different numbers. IMEI, Since each slot has its own communication module.
The alternative is through system settings. The algorithm may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the overall structure remains the same. You need to go to Settings → About Phone → General Information. This will list all the main parameters of the device, including IMEI and serial number.
☑️ Verification of data on the device
It is important to check the numbers displayed on the screen against those printed on the factory packaging or on the sticker under the back cover (if it is removable), and the discrepancy between these data is the first sign that the device has been opened and its (motherboard) has been replaced, in which case checking the model via IMEI through external services will show a result different from what you see on the menu.
Using online services to test the model
If the phone is unavailable (bought, repaired, or lost), you can find out the model through special web services. These databases aggregate information from manufacturers and carriers. By entering the code, you will get a detailed specification of the device.
One of the most popular resources is the official MI Verification website, which allows you to not only see the model, but also check the status of the warranty, but there are third-party aggregators that provide deeper technical analytics, including the date of production and the region of release.
Popular services for checking:
- 🌐 IMEI.info – provides a detailed report on the technical specifications.
- 🌐 Checkimei.com – specializes in checking factory data Xiaomi.
- 🌐 Mi Service – Official portal for authentication and warranty.
When using third-party resources, be careful: enter only the IMEI number itself, do not provide personal information about your Mi Account. Some sites may offer "extended reports" for money, but basic information about the model is usually available for free. If the service asks you to download the program for verification, you can refuse it, it can be a virus.
⚠️ Note: Free databases may not contain information about the latest models released in the current month.
Decoding the structure of the IMEI code
A fifteen-digit number is not a random set of digits, but a strictly structured code. Understanding its logic helps you quickly determine the type of device and manufacturer. The first eight digits are called TAC (Type Allocation Code).
Exactly. TAC It contains information about the model and the origin. TAC (or the first six numbers in the old standards GSMA) They're the ones that point to the organization that issued the code and the actual manufacturer. For Xiaomi, these codes are strictly regulated. The remaining seven digits are the serial number of the particular instance (SNR) and the control number of the Moon algorithm.
The structure of the IMEI code is as follows:
| Range of figures | Name of name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1-8 | TAC | Equipment type code (model, brand) |
| 9-14 | SNR | Unique serial number of the device |
| 15 | CD | Checksum Digit (checksum digit) |
Knowing the TAC, you can determine which region a particular batch of phones were intended for, such as differences in the frequencies supported for the Chinese (China ROM) and global (Global ROM), which is critical when buying a device from abroad, since some LTE bands (such as the Band 20) may not be available in Chinese models.
What is a check digit?
How to distinguish the original from the fake by IMEI
The market is full of copies of popular Xiaomi models, and scammers often refashion cheap Chinese smartphones, changing their interface to MIUI and replacing IMEI in the software part, but the hardware IMEI recorded in the communication module is much more difficult to change.
The first sign of a fake is that the weight and materials of the case do not match the declared characteristics, but a more accurate method is to check through the engineering menu or ADB. The original phone, when connected to a computer and sent a request adb shell service call iphonesubinfo 1 will give a real IMEI, which may differ from what is on the Android menu.
Key differences of the original:
- ✅ The code on the box, in settings and on the module (when disassembling) is completely identical.
- ✅ Checkimei service shows exact match of color and memory.
- ✅ When you enter code ##6484##, you open a full-fledged engineering test menu (CIT).
💡
In the CIT engineering menu, select Version, which will show the actual model number (e.g. 2201116SG) that you can google to match the claimed name.
If IMEI is showing you a Redmi Note 10 Pro, and you have a device that looks like a plastic toy and weighs half as much, it's 100% fake. Databases don't lie: if the code is stuffed into the system as a flagship, it means that there was once a phone with that code, but physically it could be another device.
IMEI: Null, Unknown and Network Loss
Xiaomi owners may find themselves in a situation where the numbers in the IMEI column display Null, Unknown or just dashing, usually due to a failed flashing, a failure in the NVRAM partition (memory with radio settings), or the use of poor custom recavators.
No valid IMEI The phone is turning into a tablet: it can't see SIM-The card does not catch the network and cannot make calls. Recovery requires superuser rights (Root) and the use of specialized software such as Maui. META or SN Writer, in conjunction with the drivers MediaTek or Qualcomm.
adb shell
su
echo"AT+EIMEI=123456789012345" > /dev/smd0Note: The above command is a simplified example of modem interaction and may not work on all devices without special training. IMEI is only possible if you have a persist or EFS backup made before the problem occurs. Otherwise, you will need to contact a service center to solder the memory chip or use programmers.
⚠️ Attention: Change (cloning) IMEI Restore only your own, factory code if it was lost as a result of a software failure.
💡
Losing IMEI (Null/Unknown) is a software problem in the NVRAM partition. Without a backup, it is extremely difficult and risky to restore communication on your own.