How to Check the Originality of Xiaomi TV: The Complete 2026 Guide

Xiaomi, a Chinese brand, has gained popularity thanks to its combination of high technology and affordable prices. However, such a reputation attracts not only honest buyers, but also scammers who fake TVs under the famous logo. According to the official website of Xiaomi, up to 15% of devices in the secondary market can be unoriginal.

This article will help you understand how to check the originality of a Xiaomi TV before buying and after unpacking. We will look at all the key features from packaging and serial number to firmware and hardware features. TV 4S, Mi TV Q1, Mi TV A2 and other popular series that are most often faked.

1. Packaging check: 5 signs of the original

The first thing you notice when you buy a box is that counterfeits often save on the quality of the package, so check it carefully when you're in the store or at the courier.

The original Xiaomi TV box has:

📦 Dense cardboard with a matte or slightly glossy surface (for fakes, it is often thin and shiny).
🔍 Clear printing of logo and inscriptions without blurring or shifting of paint.
🏷️ Barcode and serial number that match the data on the TV sticker.
📏 Exact dimensions – the box should fit tightly around the TV without unnecessary gaps.
🌍 Multilingual marking (Chinese, English, Russian for official deliveries to the CIS).

⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters often use boxes from other Xiaomi models (such as smartphones or routers) by sticking a label on top of the TV's name. TV Xiaomi TV, Not just Xiaomi.

📊 Where do you usually buy Xiaomi equipment?

Official store

Marketplaces (Wildberries, Ozon)

Secondhand (Avito, Yula)

Foreign websites (AliExpress, Gearbest)

Serial number and IMEI: how to check through official services

Each original Xiaomi TV has a unique serial number (S/N) and IMEI (for models with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth module), which can be verified through the official databases of the brand.

Where to look for serial number:

📋 On a sticker on the back of the TV (usually near the ports).
📦 On the box (must match the number on the TV).
📱 In the settings menu: go to Settings → On TV. → Status.

How to verify authenticity:

Go to the official Xiaomi checkout page.
Enter the serial number in the Serial Number field.
If the device is original, the system will show the model, the date of production and the status of the warranty.

What to do if the serial number does not pass the check?

If the site produces an error "Invalid Serial Number", this can mean: - Fake (the most likely option). - Device from the "gray" lot (for example, designed for another region). - Input error (check the characters for typos). In any case, refuse to buy - even if the TV works, it will not be serviced under warranty.

Important: On some fakes, the serial number may match the original, but when checked through Mi Account (if you link the TV to your account), the system will give an error "Device is not supported".

3.External inspection: details that give out a fake

Even if the package and serial number look suspicious, the final decision should be made after you have seen the TV.

Sign.	Original	Fake.
Mi logo	Metal or glossy plastic, flat edges, clear engraving	Paint, uneven edges, blurred letters
Control buttons	Soft pressing, tactile recoil, backlighting (on some models)	Hard, light-up or no lighting
Back panel.	Plastic smooth without gaps, screws with branded markings	Uneven seams, cheap plastic, screws without a logo
Ports (HDMI, USB)	Tight fit connectors, gold coating of contacts	Luft connectors, dull or rusty contacts

⚠️ Warning: Counterfeiters often lack an infrared receiver (a small window on the front panel), making it impossible to control the original Xiaomi remote.

4. Software verification: firmware and hidden menus

The most reliable way to detect a fake is to look into system settings and hidden menus. Xiaomi’s original TVs run on the branded MIUI TV or Google TV shell (for new models).

How to check firmware:

Go to Settings → About TV → System Update.
The original firmware must have a version of the MIUI TV X.X.X or Google TV X.X.X.
Click on the build number 5-7 times – if the developer menu opens, this is a good sign.

Hidden commands to check:

For Android TV models:


1. Go to Settings → Device → About TV.




2. Quickly press the buttons on the remote: Up → Up. → Down. → Down. → Left. → Right. → Left. → Right. → Up. → Up. → Up.




3. If the test menu opens, the TV is original.

💡

If the TV doesn’t respond to hidden commands, try using a remote from another Xiaomi TV – fakes often don’t support branded button combinations.

5. Checking the complete set: what should be in the box

The original Xiaomi TV always comes with a full suite of accessories, and the lack of even one element is a reason to doubt the authenticity.

Standard equipment (may vary depending on the model):

📺 The TV itself with a protective film on the screen.
🎮 Original remote with the Mi logo (there must be a sticker with the serial number on the back side).
⚡ Power cable with branded (on the plug or power supply must be the logo of Xiaomi).
📄 Warranty card with the stamp of the official dealer.
🔧 Fixing elements (screws, brackets for wall installation).
📖 A short guide in several languages (including Russian for official deliveries).

Remote with Mi logo and serial number |

Power cable with branded |

Dealer's stamped warranty |

Protective film on the screen without bubbles |

Fast-forward screws in a separate bag-->

⚠️ Warning: Counterfeiting is often equipped with universal remotes without a logo or power cables from other brands (for example, Samsung or Samsung). LG). Pay attention to the quality of the plastic remote – the original has a matte coating and weight of about 50-70 grams.

6 Performance Test: How Counterfeiting Is Giving Out

Xiaomi’s original TVs are equipped with Amlogic or MediaTek processors with optimized firmware, while fakes often use cheap chips, which affects the work.

How to check the performance:

🎮 Run a heavy app (such as Netflix or YouTube) 4K). The original should not brake or overheat.
🔊 Check the sound: fakes often lack Dolby Audio proprietary technology or DTS-HD.
📡 Wi-Fi Test: Original models support Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) Wi-Fi 6, fakes only Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n).
🖥️ Screen resolution: check in the settings that it matches the stated (for example, 3840×2160 for 4K-model).

For a deep check, you can use the AIDA64 app (available on Google Play for Android TV), which will show the real-world characteristics of the processor, memory and other components, and compare them with official data on Xiaomi's website.

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If the TV pretends to be a 4K HDR model, but the maximum resolution is 1920×1080, it is 100% fake.

7 Where to buy so as not to run into a fake

Even if you know all the signs of the original, you still have the risk of buying a fake if you choose unreliable sites.

🏬 Official Xiaomi store (mi.com or xiaomi-store.ru for Russia).
🛒 Authorized dealers (list on Xiaomi website in the section "Where to buy").
📦 Large marketplaces with buyer protection (Wildberries, Ozon, Yandex Market - but only official sellers).

❌ Avoid shopping:

On Avito, Yule or other bulletin boards without warranty.
Smaller electronics stores without a license to sell Xiaomi.
On foreign sites such as AliExpress or Gearbest, if the seller does not have the status of "Official Store".

Before buying, always check:

📄 Availability of a stamped warranty card.
🔍 The ability to check the serial number on the Xiaomi website.
💳 Check or sales contract with model and serial number.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi TV originality check

Can I check the originality of the MAC-address?

Yes, MAC-The address (indicated on the back sticker or in the network settings) can be verified through Xiaomi services, but this method is less reliable than checking the serial number. MAC-The address can be tampered with or copied from the original device.

What do I do if I buy a fake?

If the purchase was made in an official store or at an authorized dealer, apply for a replacement under warranty. If on the marketplace, request a refund through the site support service. In the case of a hand-held purchase, the chances of returning the money are minimal, but you can try to write a statement to the police on the fact of fraud (Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

Why is the original Xiaomi TV not being checked on the site?

This can happen for several reasons: the TV is designed for another region (for example, the Chinese version for the domestic market); the serial number was entered with an error (check the register of characters); the device was restored after repair and excluded from the database. In such cases, contact Xiaomi support and provide a photo of the box, serial number stickers and a check.

How to distinguish the original remote from a fake?

The original Xiaomi TV has: the Mi logo on the front or back; a matte coating (not glossy!); a serial number on the sticker on the back; a weight of about 50 to 70 grams (fakes are lighter); button lighting (on some models); counterfeits often lack at least one of these features.

Can I update my firmware on a fake Xiaomi TV?

Technically, yes, but: Updates from Xiaomi's official website won't work, they'll verify the authenticity of the device. Fakes often run on "customized" firmware that may contain viruses or spyware. Any attempt to stitch the fake with the original software will lead to "bricking" (the TV will stop turning on). If you are asked to "swipe the fake to the original" is a scam.