How to check headphones Xiaomi for originality: a complete guide with photos and codes

Xiaomi headphones are now available on every corner, from official stores to questionable marketplaces with prices “half the price.” But as the brand’s popularity grows, so does the number of fakes that are almost indistinguishable from the original. According to Mi Community, up to 30% of Xiaomi headphones in the secondary market are counterfeit, and their quality often leaves much to be desired, from bad sound to breakage in a week.

In this article, we will discuss 7 working ways to check that will help distinguish the original Xiaomi headphones (including Redmi Buds, Mi True Wireless, Mi ANC and others) from a fake. You will learn what to look for before buying, how to check the box, the headphones themselves and even the software.

1. Packaging check: 5 parts that give out a fake

The box is the first thing that catches your eye, and the first thing that scammers save. Xiaomi's original packaging has some unique features that are difficult to fake without losing quality.

The original boxes are made of thick matového cardboard with a clear embossed seal. Counterfeiters often use glossy or too thin cardboard that shines through the light.

• 🔍 Barcode and serial number -- the original laser-coded (not sticker!), flat, blurless font. Fakes often print codes on the printer, and they are erased by friction.
• 📦 Logo. Mi/Xiaomi — The original is bulging (you can feel it with your fingers) and the paint doesn't wear off when you scratch your nails.
• 🖼️ Headphone photography -- the original box has high resolution, clear shadows and details, and fakes save on printing, so it can be blurred.
• 📏 Box sizes – Xiaomi’s original boxes have standard dimensions for each model. 4 Pro — 10.5 × 6.5 × 3.2 see the deviation more than 2–3 Mmm, a reason to be wary.
• 🔤 Text on a box - the original is always printed without errors, with the correct indentations. Counterfeiting often contains typos (e.g., "Made if China" instead of "Made in China").

Pay special attention to the sticker with the serial number. On the original headphones Xiaomi it is located on the end of the box and contains:

• 📌 Model of device (e.g, M2130E1 For Redmi Buds 4).
• 🔢 Serial number (14-16 digits).
• 📡 QR-code that leads to the official product page.

⚠️ Warning: If there's a sticker on the box that says "For Russia" or "EAEU" but the seller claims it's a "global version" -- you're 100% fake.

2. External inspection of headphones: what should alert

Even if the box looks perfect, the headphones themselves can produce a fake. Start with the materials and builds. The original Xiaomi headphones have:

• 🎧 Matte or semi-matted coating (fakes are often glossy or too shiny).
• 🔧 The seams between the parts of the case are smooth, without gaps or glue.
• 🔍 Clear inscriptions (for example, "L" and "R" on headphones) - on the original they are applied with a laser, on a fake - with paint that is erased.

Note the weight of the headphones. The original models weigh strictly by specification (e.g. Redmi Buds 4 - 4.3g each headphone); counterfeiting is often 10-20% lighter because of cheap materials; weigh the headphones on a jewelry scale or compare with the official specification.

Another key point is light indicators: the original Xiaomi headphones have a smooth light, without flickering. Fakes often save on LEDs, so the indicator can flash or glow dimly. For example, Mi True Wireless 2 has the original white indicator, and for fakes it is blue or green.

⚠️ Note: If headphones are sold without a box (open, display), check the serial number on the device itself (usually under the charge case cover) and it must match the number on the box (if any) and be checked through the official Mi Verify service.

3.Serial number check: official Xiaomi services

The most reliable way to verify originality is to check the serial number through official Xiaomi tools.

1. Find the serial number on the box or under the cover of the charging case (format: 14-16 digits, for example 1234567890ABCD).
2. Go to one of the official services: 🌐 Mi Verify (Global Version). 🌐 Mi Authentication (for China).

Type in the serial number and the CAPTCHA. If the headphones are original, the system will show the model and the date of production.

If the service gives an error "Invalid SN" or "Product not found" - you are a fake.

• 🔄 The serial number has already been checked before (may mean the box is from another device).
• 📅 Production date does not match the model’s release date (e.g., Redmi Buds 4 could not be released in 2021).

Important: some fakes copy serial numbers from the original devices, and if you see that the number has been checked but the headphones look questionable, check them against different criteria (weight, packaging, sound).

Take a picture of the box and headphones for proof|Ask the seller for a check or a guarantee card|Contact Xiaomi Support via @MiSupport (Twitter/Telegram)|Do not buy a device, even if the seller offers a discount-->

4.Verification through the Mi Home/Mi AI app: Hidden features of the original

The original Xiaomi headphones (especially Mi AI-enabled models) have hidden features that don't work on fakes.

1. Install the official Mi Home (Android) or Mi Home (iOS) app.
2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
3. Launch the app and check it out: 🔍 Does the headphone model appear in the list of devices (for example, Redmi Buds 4 Pro). 🎛️ Is equalizer settings available, ANC (active noise reduction or transparent mode. 🔄 Does automatic switching between devices work (if supported by the model).

Counterfeiting is often not identified in the Mi Home or displayed as a "Unknown device." Also, look at the firmware version (you can see it in the headphone settings in the app), the original devices have it updated automatically, and the fakes often have firmware from 2020-2021 (even if the model is new).

For models with Mi AI (such as Mi True Wireless 3), try activating the Xiao AI voice assistant (double tap on the headphone). On fakes, this feature either doesn't work or responds with a robot with poor sound quality.

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If the headphones don't connect to the Mi Home, try resetting them to factory settings: put the headphones in the case, press the button on the case for 10 seconds until the indicator flashes red. After that, try connecting again.

5. Sound and microphone test: how to hear the difference

Fakes often save on speakers and microphones, so sound quality is one of the most reliable ways to test.

1. Connect your headphones to your phone and turn on a track with clear bass and high frequencies (for example, a test track for headphones).
2. Pay attention to this: 🔊 The bass is deep, without wheezing, and fakes are often booed at low frequencies. 🎵 High frequencies -- the original has clear, no hissing -- fakes can whistle on high notes. 🔇 Noise suppression (ANC) — if the model supports ANC, Check it out in a noisy place. The original extinguishes background sounds, the fake doesn't.

Test the microphone: call a friend or record a voice message. The original headphones transmit voice clearly, without echoing. Fakes often add background noise.

For models with aptX or LDAC (like Mi ANC Pro), check for codec support in the phone's Bluetooth settings. Counterfeiting usually only supports SBC or AAC, which degrades the sound quality.

If you have original headphones to compare, try the synchronicity test:

1. Turn on the music and put both earphones on the table.
2. Put your ear close to each earpiece in turn.
3. In the original, the sound is perfectly synchronized, in a fake there may be a delay (echo effect).

6.Charging Case Check: Hidden Marks and Chip

The charge case is one of the most frequently counterfeited parts, as it is the hardest to test without disassembly, but there are a few external signs that give off a fake:

• 🔋 Charging indicator - the original one glows smoothly, without flickering. Fakes often flash or burn dimly.
• 🔌 Connector. Type-C/USB-C — The original one has a tight seat, no backlash, and fakes often have a curved connector that wobbles.
• 🧲 Magnets -- in the original case, the headphones are clearly attracted, clicked, and in the fake case, the magnets are weak or absent.
• 🔍 The serial number under the lid must match the number on the box, and fakes often don't have it, or it's glued onto a sticker.

To check the internal chip (if the case is already in hand):

1. Connect the case to the charger and look at the charging current through the Ampere app (Android). The original takes 0.5-1A current, the fake 0.1-0.3A.
2. Check the charging time: the original case is charged in 1.5-2 hours, a fake - 3-4 hours.

If the case supports wireless charging (e.g. Mi True Wireless 3), check it out. Counterfeiting often fails to charge from Qi charging or does so extremely slowly.

⚠️ Warning: Some fakes copy the design of the case to the smallest detail, but use cheap batteries. If the case warms up when charging or discharges quickly (less than 3-4 full charge cycles of headphones) - this is a fake.

7. Verification through IMEI and other hidden codes

Few people know, but some Xiaomi headphone models (especially those with a Bluetooth 5.2+ chip) have hidden service codes that can be checked through special commands.

1. Put the headphones on the phone.
2. Open the input application USSD-codes (for example, a standard "phone" on Android).
3. Enter one of the following codes (depending on the model): ##4636## → Choose "Bluetooth" → check MAC-The headphone address should start with the headphones. 78:59:3E, B4:5D:50 or F8:DB:7F (Official Xiaomi ranges. ##284## → Bluetooth test (not working on all models).

If the headphones are original, the Bluetooth device information will indicate:

• 📡 The correct model name (e.g. Redmi Buds 4, not Wireless Earbuds").
• 🔢 MAC-address from the official range of Xiaomi.
• 🔄 Support for all codecs (e.g., codecs, AAC, aptX).

For models with Mi AI, you can also check the IMEI case (if any).

1. Find the IMEI under the case cover (format: 15 digits).
2. Check it out through the IMEI.info service. The original IMEI must belong to Xiaomi and conform to the model.

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If MAC-The headphone address begins with 00:1A:79, 9C:9C:1D And that's 100 percent fake. These ranges don't belong to Xiaomi.

FAQ: Frequent questions about checking Xiaomi headphones