How to find out full information about Xiaomi phone by IMEI: originality check, release date and history

Why Check the IMEI of Xiaomi Smartphone and What It Can Tell You

Every Xiaomi smartphone — whether it’s a budget Redmi or a flagship Mi series — has a unique IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) identifier. This 15-digit code isn’t just a random set of numbers: it stores data about the manufacturer, model, release date and even the history of the device. IMEI check is especially relevant when buying a phone from hand when the risk of running into a fake, stolen device or a device with “gray” firmware reaches 30% (according to Counterpoint Research’s 2023 study).

But how do you decrypt this code for a regular user? Can you tell from it whether the phone is in the stolen database, has it been restored after repairs, or is it a "gray" import from China? In this article, we will examine all the official and third-party ways to verify IMEI for Xiaomi smartphones, including hidden chips that even sellers keep silent about. You will learn how to distinguish the original POCO F5 from a fake, check the history of the Redmi Note 12 before buying, and even find out whether the phone was unlocked through informal methods.

Where to find IMEI on a Xiaomi smartphone: 5 ways

Before checking the information on IMEI, Xiaomi devices have several places where this code is stored, and they don't always match. IMEI, a in the settings of the phone - another (this is normal for devices with two) SIM-Here are all the options:

• 📦 On the box – usually on a barcode sticker (note: on some models, for example Xiaomi) 13T, IMEI It may be hidden under a protective film).
• 📱 In the phone settings - go to Settings → The phone. → General information → Status IMEI.
• 🔋 Under the battery – relevant for older models with removable battery (for example, Redmi) 4A or Mi A1).
• 📞 Through USSD-code - enter in the phone keyboard *#06# (IMEI display).
• 🖥️ V MIUI Recovery – If the phone doesn’t turn on, press the Volume up + Select food from the recovery menu IMEI Info.

⚠️ Attention: If IMEI The box and the settings of the phone do not match (except for the second slot). SIM), This could mean that the device was re-flashed by unofficial software or is a fake, especially in the greys" POCO-Models imported from India.

Xiaomi’s official IMEI checker services: what they show

Xiaomi provides two official IMEI verification tools, but their capabilities are limited, but they help confirm the originality of the device and learn basic information.

1. Official Xiaomi website (imei.xiaomi.com)

Go to imei.xiaomi.com and enter a 15-digit code.

• 📱 Model of device (e.g, 22101320G — Xiaomi 12T Pro).
• 📅 Activation date (if the phone has already been used).
• 🌍 Region of sale (e.g, EEA for Europe or IN for India).

2. Mi Verify app (new devices only)

This app is installed on Xiaomi smartphones by default (starting with MIUI 12) and allows you to check if the phone was:

• 🔓 Unlocked through informal methods (e.g. via Fastboot).
• 🔄 Restored after repair (if the mother's fee has changed).
• 🚫 Blocked by the operator (for example, when buying under a contract).

⚠️ Note: If you check for Mi Verify and say “This device cannot be verified”, it may mean that the phone is not being verified:

• It was purchased in another region (for example, the Indian version of the POCO X5 in Russia).
• I was unlocked through EDL-The system (this violates the guarantee).
• Has a fake IMEI (found in the "left" replicas of Redmi).

Third-party services for deep IMEI verification: pros and risks

Xiaomi’s official tools provide minimal information, and for deeper verification (such as repair history or status in the database of stolen phones), you have to use third-party services, but there are two critical risks:

1. Fraudulent sites that steal personal data under the guise of IMEI verification (in 2023, Roskomnadzor blocked 12 such resources).
2. Inaccurate data – some services show outdated information (for example, that the phone was stolen, although it is already removed from the wanted list).

We tested 15 popular services and selected only the verified ones:

Important: Service SND Deep Info reveals history of unlocks through EDL-It's critical if you buy Xiaomi with your hands, because it can have hidden firmware issues.

How to find out the release date and country of Xiaomi by IMEI

IMEI encodes the location and time of production of the device, and can be decrypted manually or using online calculators, such as the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G model with IMEI 861234567890123:

1. The first 8 digits (86123456) are TAC-Type Allocation Code, which identifies the model and the manufacturer:

The following 6 digits (789012)

Last digit (3)

To find out the exact release date, use the TAC Lookup service:

1. Enter the first 8 digits of the IMEI.
2. Press Lookup.
3. In the results, find the lines Allocation Date (IMEI batch allocation date) and Manufacturer (manufacturer).

For additional verification, use the command in ADB (Developer Mode enabled is required):

adb shell service call iphonesubinfo 3

If you see Result: Parcel (00000000), it means that the IMEI is fake or dumped.

Critical: Some fake Redmi Note 10s have IMEIs written in the firmware but not "swipe" in the modem, and these phones can suddenly lose their network after an update.

💡

If at least one of the signs of a fake is detected during the IMEI check, it is better to refuse to buy such a phone - even if it looks like the original.

What to do if Xiaomi’s IMEI fails to pass the test

If you encounter problems during the IMEI check (for example, the service gives an error or the data does not match), act according to the algorithm:

1. Check the correctness of the IMEI input – users often confuse the numbers 0 and O or 1 and I.
2. Check IMEI in different sources (on the box, in settings, via *#06#).
3. Update your firmware – sometimes verification errors are caused by outdated software (relevant to MIUI 13 and older).
4. Contact Xiaomi Service Center – if IMEI is not detected at all, it could be a hardware problem (modem damaged).

⚠️ Note: If you bought a phone with your hands and found that it was IMEI If you are listed in the database of stolen items (for example, on CheckMend), do not try to refish the device. In some countries (including Russia), using a phone with a dirty phone" IMEI may lead to a network blocking by the operator or even a fine (under Art. 146 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation for the acquisition of knowingly stolen property).

If the phone is original but the IMEI doesn’t pass the Mi Verify check, try:

• 🔄 Reset the settings to factory (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge).
• 📥 Flash the device through the Mi Flash Tool (official firmware only!).
• 📞 Contact Xiaomi Support via Official Website.

FAQ: Frequent questions about IMEI Xiaomi