Where to see the year of the release of the Xiaomi phone: all ways to check

You bought a used Xiaomi smartphone and you want to make sure it's age-appropriate? Or you're planning to sell your device but don't remember when it came off the assembly line? The phone's production date isn't just a number: it affects the residual life of updates, battery life, and even the market value of the gadget. Fortunately, Xiaomi has a few reliable ways to determine the year it was released, and we'll tell you about each of them.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for IMEI-checking, factory packaging, system settings, and even physical labeling on the case, and we will also explain how to decrypt factory codes and why some methods can produce conflicting results, and at the end, answers to frequent questions and warnings about fraudulent schemes with fake dates.

Spoiler: The most accurate way is to combine IMEI testing with serial number analysis on the box, but if you don't have the original packaging, there are other options.

1. IMEI check: the most reliable method

The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) code is your phone’s unique identifier, which is tied to its production date. Xiaomi’s first 8 IMEI digits encode model and month/year information. Here’s how it works:

Step 1. Find out your phone's IMEI.

• 📱 Type on the keyboard *#06# — IMEI display.
• 📦 Look at the sticker under the battery (if removable) or on the back.
• 📋 Find in the settings: Settings → The phone. → General information → IMEI.

Step 2: Decrypt the date. Take the first 8 digits of the IMEI (e.g., 86372404) and use them on specialized services:

• 🌐 IMEI.info – will show the model and approximate date.
• 🔍 SNDeeP – Deciphers week and year of production.

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If the service shows the date 1-2 years later than the real one, this is normal: Xiaomi sometimes registers the IMEI in advance, before the start of sales of the model.

⚠️ Note: Some vendors are counterfeiting IMEI on used phones with the help of software. IMEI It is very different from other methods of verification (for example, on the box), this is a reason to doubt the originality of the device.

2.Date on the box: where to look and how to read

The original Xiaomi package contains a serial number and a barcode that you can use to determine the date of production. Look for the sticker on the back of the box, which is usually white with black text. You need two lines:

1. S/N: {14-16 characters} is the serial number.
2. Made in {country} + date in YY/MM/DD or YYWW format (year and week).

Examples of markings:

• 📅 2007 – 2020, Week 7 (February).
• 📅 211215 - 2021, December 15.
• 📅 1935 – 2019, 35th week (August).

⚠️ Note: If the box looks new, but the date is older 3-4 It could be a sign of a used phone being repackaged. IMEI — They must be consistent with the error no more. 1-2 months.

3. System settings: Where does Xiaomi hide the date?

In the firmware MIUI there is no direct indication of the date of production, but there are indirect signs:

Method 1. Check through Settings → About Phone → MIUI version:

• 📅 If the firmware version is older 2-3 years, for example, MIUI 12.0.3 into 2026 This is an indication of the age of the device.
• 🔄 Xiaomi updates are usually supported 3-4 year since the release of the model.

Method 2: Analysis of the date of first inclusion:

• 🕒 Go to Settings. → Google accounts → Account management → Security → Your devices.
• 📱 Find your Xiaomi in the list – there will be the date of the first connection to the account.

⚠️ Warning: The first turn-on date can be reset after a hard reset or account change.This method only works if the phone has not undergone deep flashing.

Physical markings on the shell

On some Xiaomi models (especially the Redmi and POCO budget series), the production date is marked directly on the case.

• 🔍 Under the removable lid (if the battery is removable) - on the sticker next to the IMEI.
• 📱 On the non-removable back panel - in small print next to regulatory signs (CE, FCC).
• 🔋 Under the battery (needs a clean dismantling).

Marking format:

• YYYY-MM-DD is the full date (e.g. 2021-05-18).
• WYYWW – where W = week, YY = year (e.g. W2035 = 35th week of 2020).

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse the date of production with the date of certification (usually indicated as FCC ID or CE). Certificate can be issued one year before the start of sales!

5. Online services for checking serial number

If you have a serial number (S/N) from the box or from settings (Settings → About Phone → Serial Number), it can be checked on official and third-party services:

Instructions for mi.com/verify:

1. Enter the serial number (S/N) or IMEI.
2. Put a captcha in.
3. Press Verify.

⚠️ Note: If the service is in error S/N, It could mean:

• 🔄 Serial number forged (distributed on the used market).
• 📦 The device is assembled in an unofficial factory (for example, for the local market).
• 🔧 The phone underwent a deep repair with the replacement of the motherboard.

Analysis of battery status

Although this is an indirect method, the battery status can tell the age of the phone. MIUI There are built-in statistics:

Go to Settings → Battery → Battery status. Pay attention to:

• 🔋 Capacity: if it is lower 80% From the factory, the phone is probably older. 2-3 years.
• 📊 Charging cycles: 500+ The cycles are about long-term use.
• 📅 Date of first use (if displayed).

For accurate verification, use the applications:

• 📱 AccuBattery (shows wear and history).
• 🔧 AIDA64 (detailing).

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If the battery capacity is less than 70% of the factory capacity, and the phone is supposedly "new" - this is a clear sign of deception. Even with careful use, modern batteries lose no more than 10-15% of capacity in 2 years.

⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters sometimes reset charging cycle counters through an engineering menu. Check battery capacity only through third-party apps, not system settings.

7. Check through the Engineering Menu (for Advanced)

If you're confident in your skills, you can try to find out the date of production through the engineering menu, which doesn't work on all models, but sometimes it gives you accurate data.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Dial ##4636###.
3. Go to the tab Battery Information or Device Information.
4. Look for Manufacture date or Hardware info.

Alternative code for some models:

#284## → Test mode (go to Version info)
#6484## → Production information (for old Redmis)

⚠️ Warning: Do not change the settings in the engineering menu if you do not know their purpose:

• 📵 Loss of net.
• 🔋 Quick battery discharge.
• 🔧 Software failures.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's production date