Owning a modern smartphone requires knowing its unique identifier, especially if it is a popular ecosystem of the Chinese manufacturer. IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is the serial number of your device in the cellular network, which is assigned at the factory and does not change during the lifetime of the gadget. Users often face a situation when you need to urgently find out this code to verify warranty, register a device or lock a lost device.
Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices may face difficulties, as newer versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shells may hide or change some ways of accessing technical information. In addition, physical stickers on modern smartphones are often absent, which forces you to look for alternative methods. In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible ways to obtain a digital passport of your phone, from simple combinations to using an engineering menu.
Knowing where to find Xiaomi’s IMEI is critical not only for service centers, but also for the average user who wants to secure their data. If you’re planning to buy a used device or want to verify the authenticity of a gadget received by mail, checking this number is the first step to security. Let’s look at the methods that work on current models released in 2026-2026.
Search for IMEI through Android system settings
The most obvious and secure way to find a hardware ID is to go to the operating system’s standard interface. In Xiaomi smartphones, this information is hidden in the About Phone section, but the path to it can vary depending on the firmware version. You usually need to go to the Settings menu → About Phone → All options, where the number you want will be listed at the bottom of the list. For two-simplified models, two different codes will be displayed here.
MIUI often groups technical information, so don't be surprised if you have to click on the "General Information" bar or swipe down the device information screen. In some cases, the system only shows part of the number, requiring additional identity or password confirmation to display the full data. This is done for security reasons, so that attackers can not quickly copy data from the unlocked screen.
⚠️ Note: If the settings are displayed IMEI, consisting entirely of zeros or ones, this is a sure sign of a software error or flashing device with a violation of integrity NV-In this case, the phone may not see. SIM-map.
For those who prefer visual instructions, below is a path table for different shell versions:
| Shell version | The way is on the menu | The nuances of the display |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12/13 | Settings → About the phone | Seen right away, scrolling down. |
| MIUI 14 | Settings → The phone. → All parameters. | Submenu entrance required |
| HyperOS | Settings → About the phone → Information about SIM | Sliced by slots |
The advantage of this method is that it does not require the insertion of SIM-You can recognize the number even after resetting to factory settings, once the initial language and Wi-Fi setup is complete. This makes the method universal for any situation where the phone is in working order.
Use of the USSD-Teams and Engineering Menu
The classic method, which works on the vast majority of mobile phones, regardless of the brand or version of Android. To find out IMEI quickly, just open the phone application and enter the universal code *#06#. The set does not need to be made, the window with the information will appear automatically immediately after entering the last symbol of the grille.
On Xiaomi devices with two SIM-The cards in the window will be displayed two identifiers: IMEI 1 for the first slot and IMEI 2 for the second. Also, the serial number of the device is often displayed here (SN) code MEID, network-based CDMA. If you have custom firmware installed or a modified system file build.prop, the output of this information may be blocked by the developers of the modification.
Why can't the code work?
The engineering menu provides deeper access to data, but requires caution, and is accessed via code ##6484## (CIT), where technical data can also be found in the Version section, but the standard command is better for simple viewing of the IMEI, as it is less prone to interface errors.
- 📱 Enter the *#06# code in the dialing app.
- 📋 Copy the number with a long press or write it down manually.
- 🔒 Do not close the window until you have recorded all the numbers correctly.
- ✅ Compare the number displayed to what is on the box (if any).
It is important to understand that this method only works when the phone is on and working, and if the device is “hanging” on the screensaver or is in a cyclical reboot, this method will be useless, and you will have to look for alternatives, such as checking through an account or inspecting the case.
Physical inspection: body, tray and packaging
If a smartphone is turned off, broken, or not showing signs of life, the only source of information is its physical condition. On older Xiaomi and Redmi models (up until around 2018), the barcode and IMEI sticker was often placed on the back cover.
In modern devices, information is often applied to the tray for SIM-To see it, you have to take out the tray with a paper clip, the numbers are laser-blown or very small, so you might need good lighting or a magnifying glass. on two-sim models on the tray can be indicated only one number corresponding to the first slot.
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Use another phone’s flashlight and macro to take a picture of the fine text on the tray SIM-This will help to zoom in and read blurred or poorly visible numbers.
The most reliable physical medium is the original box from under the device. On one side of the cardboard package there is always a sticker with the full information: model, color, memory capacity and two IMEIs. This information is duplicated in barcodes that are read by scanners in stores. If you buy a phone from hand, a mismatch of the number on the box and on the phone (which can be turned on) is an alarm signal.
In some cases, especially on CN Version devices, the sticker can be pasted over a screen security film. When you first turn on a new smartphone, carefully examine the front panel - perhaps the factory film contains the necessary data that is worth taking a photo before taking off.
Checking through your Mi Account and Cloud
Xiaomi's ecosystem allows devices to be linked to a Mi Account, which allows remote management. If your phone is connected to the Internet and logged in to your account, you can find its ID through the official website. Go to i.mi.com and log in with your login and password.
The Find Device section displays a list of all the gadgets tied to your account. When choosing a particular smartphone, the list often displays its model and, in some versions of the interface, the full IMEI. This is ideal if the phone is lost or stolen and physical access is not possible.
⚠️ Note: To display data in the cloud, the phone had to connect to the network at least once after authorization. If the device never went online or was reset before logging in, the information in the cloud will not be updated.
You can also find information on a purchase check or warranty card if you have registered your device officially. The e-check of an online store often shows the number on the order specification. Keeping digital copies of purchase documents is a good habit that makes life easier when warranty repairs are needed.
If you use family access or handed over the phone to your child, make sure you try to log in to the account that was the main one on the device, otherwise the list will be empty and you will not be able to access technical data through this channel.
Use of the ADB-Teams for Advanced Users
For tech-savvy users with access to a computer, there is a method of getting information through USB debugging, which allows you to pull data even if the phone screen is partially down, but the system is booting, you will need to install ADB drivers on your PC and connect your smartphone with a cable.
Once you've connected and allowed debugging on your phone, open the command line on your computer. Enter the adb shell service call iphonesubinfo 1. At the end, you'll get a string in hexadecimal format that you'll need to decode, removing the extra characters. It's not the easiest method, but it works at the system level.
adb shell dumpsys iphonesubinfoThe simpler adb shell dumpsys iphonesubinfo command will display detailed information about all radio interfaces, including IMEI, IMSI and serial number, in readable form, a technique often used by service center specialists to quickly diagnose when touch input is difficult.
Using ADB requires a developer mode on, and if you haven’t activated this mode before (usually 7 times by the build number in About Phone), you won’t be able to connect, so this method should be considered a backup option for trained users.
Why you need to know the IMEI and how to check it
Knowing where to find Xiaomi's IMEI is only half the story, and knowing why and how to use it is important. The main scenario is to check the device for theft or lock, and by entering a 15-digit number on specialized sites (such as imei.info or Xiaomi's official website), you can find out the status of the lock by carriers.
This number is also required for registration in loyalty programs, obtaining an extended warranty or getting insurance. In some countries, IMEI registration is mandatory for the device to work in local networks, and without the correct code entry, the phone can be blocked by the operator after a certain time after activation.
- 🔍 Verification of the authenticity of the device before purchase.
- 🚫 Locking a stolen phone through a mobile operator.
- 🛠️ Identification of the device when contacting the service center.
- 📱 Linking the device to an account for search functions.
Also, knowing the IMEI can tell you the exact date of production and activation of the device, which is useful when buying used appliances. If the activation date is significantly different from the date of purchase or the date on the box, this may indicate that the phone has been “restored” or used before.
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The IMEI is your phone’s unique digital passport, and changing or forging it is illegal in most countries, and checking that number is the best way to avoid buying a stolen device.