How to authenticate a Xiaomi smartphone or gadget: the full guide 2026

Buying Xiaomi’s original hardware is a challenge today. According to an official report from the company, up to 30 percent of Mi, Redmi or POCO devices in the secondary market are fake or “grey” deliveries with modified firmware. The risks range from poor build quality to security threats: fake gadgets often contain malware that can steal bank card details or passwords. This article will help you figure out how to verify Xiaomi’s originality before you buy and what to do if you already own a questionable device.

We analyzed 7 key methods of verification, from visual inspection of packaging to deep diagnostics through the engineering menu. All methods are relevant for models from 2020-2026, including the flagship Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and budget POCO M6. Particular attention was paid to the new schemes of fraudsters in 2026, who learned to fake even holograms on boxes. If you buy a device from hand or in an informal store, this guide will save you from deception.

We warn you beforehand that some techniques require technical skills (e.g. ADB testing or firmware analysis). For beginners, we have identified 3 simple ways that require nothing but a smartphone and Internet access.

Packaging and completeness check: 5 signs of forgery

The first and most affordable way to detect a fake is to look carefully at the box and the contents. Fraudsters often save on little things that are conspicuous only when examined in detail. Xiaomi's original packaging has at least 10 security elements, some of which cannot be tampered with without specialized equipment.

What to look out for:

• 📦 Print quality: on the original box, the text and logos are clear, without blurring. Fakes are often sinned by uneven coloring or misaligned inscriptions. Check the font on the back side - Xiaomi always has the same, without "danced" letters.
• 🔍 Hologram: From 2022, all official devices have a 3D- transfusion-effect hologram. When you tilt the box, you should see the Mi or Redmi logo, which changes color from blue to green. Attention: scammers have learned to fake holograms, but their "versions" are usually dull and without the effect of depth.
• 📏 Seams and glue: The original box is glued neatly, with no sticking threads or traces of glue. Fake boxes are often assembled in a hurry -- check the bottom seam, it should not disperse with light pressing.
• 🔢 Serial number: At the bottom of the box, there must be a unique S/N (serial number) that matches the number on the battery sticker and in the phone settings. If there are multiple numbers and they don't match, 100% is fake.
• 🔌 Package: The original kit always has a proprietary cable (with the Mi logo on the connector), a power adapter labeled MDY-12-ES (or similar for your model) and documentation in Cyrillic/English.

Pay special attention to the sticker on the box with specifications.

• 📱 Device model (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G)
• 🔋 Battery capacity (in mAh)
• 📡 Supported frequencies (LTE, 5G, Wi-Fi 6, etc.)
• 🔠 IMEI (must match what's on the phone)

⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters often use boxes from other Xiaomi models (e.g., sell Redmi 10 in a box from Redmi 9). Always check the model on the box against the one specified in the phone settings along the Settings path → About Phone → Model.

2. IMEI check: step-by-step instruction with examples

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit code that is assigned to every smartphone, which is almost impossible to forge, so checking through IMEI is one of the most reliable ways to detect counterfeits. But there are nuances: fraudsters have learned to clone IMEI from the original devices, so just checking the database is not enough.

How to check the IMEI correctly:

1. Find it. IMEI on the device: Dial on the keyboard of the phone *#06# - a window with 1-2 numbers will appear IMEI (For two-sim models, there will be two. Look under the battery (if removable) or on the slot for the battery. SIM-In settings: Settings → The phone. → General information → IMEI.
2. Check the IMEI box: the number must be exactly the same as the box sticker (see paragraph 1).
3. Check the IMEI in Xiaomi's official database: Go to mi.com/global/verify. Enter IMEI and CAPTCHA. If the device is original, the system will show the model, the date of production and the warranty status.

Use third-party services

• IMEI.info – shows the technical characteristics of the database.
• SNDeeP.info – checks whether the device is stolen.

What should alert you:

• 🚨 IMEI begins with 000000 or contains repeating digits (e.g. 123456789012345)—this is a "dummy."
• 🚨 When you check the official website, you get an error, "IMEI not found," or the model doesn't match the one you're holding.
• 🚨 IMEI on the box and on the phone differ by at least one digit.

An important nuance: if you buy a device with your hands, ask the seller to send a photo of the IMEI (from the screen after entering *#06#) before the meeting, which will protect you from changing the device at the last minute, and check whether the IMEI is listed in the database of stolen phones (for example, through StolenChecker).

3. Visual inspection of the device: 10 parts that give a fake

Even if the packaging and IMEI look suspicious, the final verdict can only be reached after examining the gadget itself. Fake Xiaomis often give themselves away in trifles: poor build, color mismatch or non-standard arrangement of elements. We have compiled a checklist of 10 key features to look out for.

The external features of the original Xiaomi:

Pay special attention to the firmware and interface:

• 📱 The original Xiaomi always has MIUI firmware installed (even on POCO and Redmi). If you see a "clean" Android or an unknown shell (like Flyme or ColorOS) it's a fake.
• 🔧 The settings must have the option Additional → Version MIUI. The absence of this item is a sign of custom firmware.
• 🔒 When you first turn on, the original device will suggest you link your Mi Account, and fakes often miss this step.

⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters have learned to install for fakes cropped versions of MIUI that are no different from the original. To identify such devices, check the build number in the settings (Settings → Phone → Version MIUI). It must match official releases on the MIUI Downloads website. For example, for Redmi Note 12, current versions start with V14.0.4. or higher.

4. Verification through engineering menu and hidden codes

If the external inspection did not reveal any obvious signs of forgery, then we move on to technical diagnostics, using hidden codes and an engineering menu, you can check the "stuffing" of the device: the compliance of the iron with the declared characteristics, the originality of the firmware and even the history of repairs. This method requires caution - wrong actions can lead to a system failure.

The main commands for verification:

• #4636## — battery, network and usage statistics. On the original Xiaomi Battery information section, the actual battery capacity will be listed (e.g., 4980 mAh for the Redmi Note 12 Pro+).
• ##6484## is a camera test. The original modules will show a clear image without noise at maximum zoom. Fakes often give a soapy image at 2× zoom.
• #64663## — Sensor check. On the original device, all sensors (gyroscope, accelerometer, proximity sensor) must respond without delay.
• ##232338## is information about Wi-Fi and MAC- address. MAC- address should start with the manufacturer's prefix (e.g. 78:6C:1C for Xiaomi).

How to enter the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter ##3644633## (for new models) or ##4636## (for older models).
3. Select Hardware Testing (which may be called Engineer Mode).
4. Version should match the official firmware. Sensor – all sensors should show the correct values. Battery – voltage and temperature should be within normal limits (for example, 3.8-4.2V at 50% charge).

💡

If the engineering menu asks for a password, try entering the standard code for Xiaomi: 123456 or 369852. If they do not fit - this is a sign of custom firmware.

What should alert you:

• 🚨 The engineering menu does not include the RF Test or Hardware Info sections, which are removed in fake firmware.
• 🚨 When the camera is tested, the image floats or artifacts appear, a sign of a cheap module.
• 🚨 The Version section specifies an unknown model (e.g. MT6580 instead of the Snapdragon 7 Gen 2).

5.Firmware Analysis: How to distinguish the original MIUI from a fake

One of the hardest things for fraudsters is the firmware, and the original MIUI has unique fingerprints that can't be copied completely, and even if the attackers managed to install a cropped version of the shell, it can be calculated from several features.

How to check firmware:

1. Check the MIUI version: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. The build number must match the official releases. For example, for Xiaomi 13T, the current versions are V14.0.8.0.TMWEUXM or higher. Check the build date (for example, 20260315 – March 15, 2026). If the date is older than 2023, the firmware is outdated or fake.
2. Check for proprietary features: 🔦 Second Space (second desktop) should be in Settings → Special Features. 🔒 App Lock (app lock) - in Settings → Privacy. 📡 Dual Apps (messaging cloning) - in Settings → Applications.

The absence of at least one of these functions is a sign of custom firmware.

MIUI Version Checker

• Download the app from Google Play.
• It will show whether your firmware corresponds to the official, and also provide a link to download the current version.
• Check the digital signature of the firmware (for advanced users): adb shell getprop ro.build.fingerprint The answer should include the signature xiaomi/. For example: xiaomi/courbet/courbet:12/RKQ1.201022.002/V12.5.2.0.RKCMIXM:user/release-keys If another word is indicated instead of xiaomi (for example, unknown or unknown) - the firmware is unofficial.

What should alert you:

• 🚨 The settings do not include the Mi Account section or can not be linked to the account.
• 🚨 When you update via Settings → System update, you get an error called “Can’t connect to the server.”
• 🚨 The phone information indicates an unknown processor model (e.g., MT6580 instead of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2).

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If the firmware is not updated through official channels, and the settings do not have proprietary MIUI functions, then you are 100% fake or “gray” import with modified software.

6. Check through official Xiaomi services

Xiaomi provides several authentication tools, with the main advantage of taking data directly from the manufacturer’s database, so there is minimal error probability, but there are also downsides: some services are unstable for Russian users due to sanctions restrictions.

Methods of official verification:

• 🌐 Site mi.com/verify: Enter IMEI or serial number S/N. The system will show the model, the date of manufacture and the warranty status. If the error "This device does not exist" is issued, the device is not original.
• 📱 Mi Verify app (available from the Mi App Store): Scans QR- code on the box or enters IMEI manually. Shows whether the device matches the Xiaomi base.
• 📧 Appeal for support: Write to official support to check IMEI, attach a photo of the box, IMEI and the serial number.

What to do if the services do not work:

• 🔄 Try using VPN with access to Hong Kong or Singapore – some features are only available for Asia.
• 📩 Write to the Russian-language chat Xiaomi in Telegram — there often help with verification.
• 🛒 If you are buying from an official store (e.g. Mi Store Russia), ask the seller to check the device through their internal system.

⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters have learned to fake responses from verification services by showing a user a green screen labeled "Device verified." Always check the URL- address of the site — it should start with https://www.mi.com/... and have a padlock icon in the address bar.

7.Iron check: how to make sure that the original components are inside

Even if the device looks original, cheap CPU, memory, or battery analogs can be installed inside, not only impairing performance, but can be dangerous (e.g., uncertified batteries are prone to fire).

How to check for iron:

• 🔧 Processor and memory: Install the application CPU-Z. The SoC section should indicate the processor model that matches your device (e.g., Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Xiaomi 13). In the Memory section, check the type and amount of RAM. Counterfeits often have LPDDR3 instead of LPDDR5.

What should alert you:

• 🚨 CPU-Z indicates an unknown processor manufacturer (e.g., MediaTek Helio G35 instead of Snapdragon 778G).
• 🚨 The battery discharges in 2-3 hours with moderate use, a sign of a cheap battery.
• 🚨 The device does not catch 5G or Wi-Fi 6, although this is stated in specs.

If you find inconsistencies but look like the original device, you’ve probably been tricked into “rebranding” — when you put hardware from another brand (like Meizu or Oppo) into Xiaomi’s case — devices often marketed as “exclusive versions for China,” when they’re actually fakes.

What do you do if you buy a fake?

If after all the checks it turned out that your device is a fake, act on the following algorithm:

1. Gather evidence: Take a picture of the box, IMEI, serial number and all the inconsistencies. Take a video showing problems (e.g., no updates or broken sensors).
2. Contact the seller: If you bought in an official store, demand a replacement or refund of money under the Consumer Protection Act. If you bought from hand, write a claim through a platform (for example, Avito or Yula) demanding a refund.
3. File a complaint: to Rospotrebnadzor - if the seller refuses to return the money, to the police - if there are signs of fraud (for example, forged documents), to the platform where the purchase was made (for example, in support of Wildberries or Ozon).
4. Check the device for viruses: Install Malwarebytes or Kaspersky. scan the system - fake devices often contain Trojans or spyware.

Do not use the device for payments