Did you buy a used Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 or a Mi Band 8 smartwatch but the seller didn't provide a check? Or do you want to know the exact date of activation of your Xiaomi 13T for warranty repair? The date of purchase of Xiaomi equipment is a critical parameter on which the possibility of free maintenance, software updates and even the cost of resale depends. In this article, we will analyze all working methods, how to check it, from official services to hidden MIUI functions.
It's important to understand that the date of purchase and the date of first activation on the network are not always the same. The manufacturer records the moment of the first turn on of the device, not the transaction in the store. This is especially true for equipment that has been in stock for several months, we will show how to get both dates — and why they sometimes diverge by 30-90 days.
1.Official method: check through IMEI on the Xiaomi website
The most reliable method is to use IMEI-The device number on Xiaomi Verification, which works for smartphones, tablets and even some smart devices (for example, Mi Pad 6 or Xiaomi Smart Band Pro). IMEI — This is a unique 15-digit code that is tied to the iron part of the gadget and does not change when resetting settings.
To find IMEI:
- 📱 Type on the phone keyboard *#06# - the code will be displayed automatically.
- 📄 Look at the sticker under the battery (for removable battery devices).
- 📦 Find on the box - usually under a barcode.
- 🔧 Go to Settings. → The phone. → General information.
Next:
- Go to the checkout page (works for both global and Chinese versions).
- Enter the IMEI in the IMEI Number field.
- Pass the captcha and press Verify.
- In the results, find the Activation Date line – this is the date of the first activation.
⚠️ If the site is not saying “This device does not exist:
- 🔄 The device is not official (grey import).
- 🛠️ IMEI It has been changed (for example, after the motherboard was repaired).
- 🌐 You use the Chinese version on a global website - try the Chinese service (requires a translator).
Verification via Mi Account (if the device is tied)
If a Xiaomi smartphone or smartwatch was tied to a Mi Account, the activation date can be seen in your personal account, which is suitable even for devices without IMEI (for example, Mi Band 7 or Xiaomi Smart Home gadgets).
Instructions:
- Sign in to the Mi Account website.
- Go to the Devices section.
- Find the right gadget in the list and click on it.
- In the Device Info block, the First Binding Time line will be the date of the first link to the account.
Note that if the device is reset to factory settings, the Mi Account date can be updated to the current one, in which case it is better to combine the method with IMEI verification.
☑️ What to do if your device is not displayed in your Mi Account
Date of purchase by check or guarantee card
If you have a fiscal check, warranty card or box from the device, the date of purchase is indicated there in the format DD.MM.GYG or YYYY/MM/DD. Official Xiaomi dealers (for example, M. Video, Svyaznoy, Mi Store) check contains:
- 📅 Date and time of sale.
- 📦 Model name (e.g. Xiaomi) 13 Lite 8/256GB).
- 💰 Purchase amount.
- 🔐 Serial number (SN) or IMEI.
The warranty card is usually issued separately and contains:
- 📅 Start date of the guarantee (coincides with the date of purchase).
- 🛡️ Guarantee period (12 or 24 months for Russia/CIS).
- 🏷️ Print of the store and signature of the seller.
⚠️ Note: In Russia, from 2021, there is a digital check (through the system "Honest Sign"). If a paper check is lost, request an electronic copy:
- On the website check.cryptopro.ru.
- In the mobile application "Honest Sign".
- The seller has the phone number specified at the time of purchase.
What if the check is lost and the store is closed?
4. Alternative methods: through settings and hidden menus
If the official methods didn’t work, you can try to find the activation date in system logs or hidden MIUI menus.
Method 1. Through the engineering settings menu:
- Open the Phone app.
- Dial ##4636###.
- Go to the section Information about the battery.
- Find Time since boot, which is the last time you've turned on, but the actual activation date won't show up here, which is a myth! But some firmware has a Usage statistics tab that displays First install time for system applications (e.g. com.android.settings).
Method 2. Through the build.prop file (root users only):
1. Install a file manager with root access (e.g., Root Explorer).
2. Go to /system/build.prop folder.
3. Find the lines:
ro.build.date.utc=1672531200
ro.vendor.build.date=1672531200
4. Convert UNIX-time to date through epochconverter.com.This is the firmware build date, not the purchase date, but sometimes coincides with the release date of the batch of devices.
| Method | precision | Suitable for | Required. |
|---|---|---|---|
| IMEI on the Xiaomi website | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Smartphones, tablets | IMEI, Internet |
| Mi Account | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | All tethered devices | Xiaomi account |
| Check/guarantee ticket | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Any technique. | Documents |
| Engineering menu | ⭐⭐ | Smartphones on MIUI | Access to the device |
| build.prop | ⭐ | Root-based smartphones | Root rights |
5. Verification through service centers and support Xiaomi
If the independent methods did not help, contact the official service center Xiaomi. They have access to the internal database, where you can record:
- 📅 Date of first activation on the network.
- 🔧 History of repairs (if any).
- 📦 Serial number and IMEI.
How to contact:
- 📞 Hotline phone: 8 800 775-66-75 (Russia), +7 495 644-05-50 (Moscow).
- 💬 Online chat on the support website.
- 🏢 Visit the service center (addresses on the map).
What will be required for the request:
- IMEI or serial number (SN).
- Photo of the box (if any).
- Passport of the owner (to confirm ownership).
💡
If you bought the device on credit or installments, the date of purchase can be checked with the bank (for example, Tinkoff, Sberbank, Alfa-Bank).
6. Features for smart devices (Mi Band, smart watches, routers)
For gadgets without IMEI (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Band 7, Xiaomi Watch S3, Xiaomi Router 4A), standard methods do not work.
For wearable devices (bracelets, watches):
- 📱 Check out Mi Fitness or Zepp Life section Device → Sometimes there's a first synchronization date.
- 🔋 Check the production date on the battery (disassembly required).
- 📦 On the box there may be a sticker with the date of release of the batch (format) YYWW, where YY — year, WW — week-long).
For routers and smart homes:
- 🌐 In the router web interface (192.168.31.1) go to Status → System log. Look for the first date records.
- 🔌 On the bottom of the device may be a sticker with a production date (for example, 2023.05 – May 2023).
💡
For Xiaomi smart devices without IMEI, the only reliable way to reach for support is with a photo box and a serial number, and they see the activation date in their database.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When checking the purchase date, users often face typical problems:
- Xiaomi website does not accept IMEI: 🔹 Make sure you enter the correct one. IMEI (spaceless). 🔹 Check the region: Chinese devices need to be checked at order.mi.com.
- The date in the Mi Account does not match the check: 🔹 This is normal: the check shows the date of purchase, and the Mi Account shows the date of the first link to the account. 🔹 If the difference is more than 30 days, it is possible that the device was in stock.
No check, and the store won't answer.
- 🔹 Try to find a check in electronic form (see the section about "Honest Sign").
- 🔹 Contact Xiaomi Support with a photo box and IMEI.
If you buy a used device, always ask the seller:
- 📄 Photo of a check or warranty card.
- 📱 Screenshot from Mi Account with date of reference.
- 🔍 Checking. IMEI Originality (for example, via imei.info).