How to distinguish the original Xiaomi from the fake: the full guide 2026

You can buy a smartphone or a Xiaomi smart device today not only in official stores, but also on marketplaces, social networks or from hand. However, with availability, the risk of running into counterfeits is growing, from low-quality copies to re-interlaced “gray” devices, identifiable as originals. According to Xiaomi Global, up to 15% of devices sold outside official channels have signs of counterfeit products.

In this article, we will discuss 7 reliable ways to verify authentication that will help you avoid fraud, learn how to detect counterfeits by packaging, serial number, software, and even by little things that are often overlooked, and also what to do if you have already become a victim of fraud and how to recover money.

1. Packaging check: 5 signs of forgery

Xiaomi's original box is the first barrier to weed out most fakes, and the manufacturer pays special attention to the quality of the packaging, and any deviations should be alerted.

• 📦 Box material: the original is made of dense cardboard with a matte or slightly rough surface. Counterfeiting often uses glossy or thin cardboard that bends when pressed.
• 🔍 Logo Print: The original packaging of the Mi or Xiaomi logo is clear, without blurred edges. Fakes often have chipped paint or uneven application.
• 🏷️ Barcodes and stickers: there must be a sticker with a serial number at the bottom of the box (S/N), IMEI If the sticker is unsticked or the text is blurred, that's a question.
• 🔐 Protective holograms: New models (2022 and later) have a holographic sticker on the box with a changing pattern when tilted, and its absence is a sure sign of forgery.
• 📏 Model match: the model name on the box must be exactly the same as the specifications of the device.+ 5G Cannot be packed in a box from Redmi Note 12 Pro.

Pay special attention to the configuration. The original set always has:

• 🔌 Charger (if provided by the model) with Xiaomi logo and power marking.
• 📶 USB-Type-C cable (or Micro-USB for older models) with branded overflow.
• 📄 Warranty card (for official deliveries to Russia and the CIS) or booklet with instructions in several languages, including Russian.

⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters often use boxes from other Xiaomi models to create an appearance of originality.Always check the serial number on the box against what is specified in the device settings (Settings) → The phone. → General information).

2. Verification of IMEI and serial number through official services

Each Xiaomi device has unique identifiers: IMEI (for smartphones) and serial number (S/N), which can be verified through the manufacturer's official databases.

1. Find IMEI: Dial on the phone keyboard *#06#, and a window with a 15-digit number will appear. Or look at Settings → Phone → General information → IMEI. Also, the IMEI is indicated on the sticker under the battery (if removable) or on the box.

Check it out through the Xiaomi website

• Go to the checkout page.
• Enter the IMEI or serial number.
• If the device is original, the system will show the model, activation date and warranty status.

If the site gives an error "Invalid IMEI" or the data does not match your model - you are 100% fake or "gray" device (for example, brought from China without official localization), it is also worth checking the IMEI through the international database IMEI.info - you can see the date of production and the country of manufacture.

⚠️ Note: Some scammers are forging stickers with IMEI, You can always check the number that you see on your phone against the box and the checkout service.

Packaging without damage and with a hologram|IMEI It matches on the box, phone and Xiaomi website|Serial number is being checked|Complete set (charging, cable, documents)|No trace of opening or pasting of stickers-->

3. Software Analysis: MIUI and Hidden Settings

The MIUI operating system is a fingerprint of the original Xiaomi device, and counterfeits often use custom firmware or error-proof copies of MIUI.

• 📱 Version. MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. The original firmware has a format MIUI {version by Xiaomi (e.g, MIUI 14.0.5 by Xiaomi.Fakes can be written MIUI by {unknown manufacturer}.
• 🔒 Availability of Google services: original devices for the global market have pre-installed services Google Play, YouTube, etc. Their absence indicates a "Chinese" firmware or fake.
• 🔧 Hidden menus: Enter the code ##4636## in the original phone app MIUI If you're a fake, it might not work or open unknown settings.
• 🔄 Software Updates: C Settings → The phone. → The system update should be available to update through official Xiaomi servers. fakes often don't get OTA-update.

Another reliable way is to check through the application "Security":

1. Open the Security app (shield icon).
2. Go to the Optimize section → Storage.
3. If the device is original, the top will be the inscription “Mi Cloud” with a suggestion to log into the Xiaomi account.

A critical sign of forgery: if the phone’s settings do not have the Additional settings section or the Developer options menu opens without confirmation, it is guaranteed to be a non-original device.

💡

If a seller refuses to show the phone before payment, especially checking for IMEI or updates, this is a reason to doubt the authenticity of the device.

4. Physical inspection of the device: what should alert

Even if the package and software look suspicious, the final verdict can be reached after external inspection and testing of the device.

• 📏 Size and weight: Compare the dimensions and weight of your device to official Xiaomi data. Counterfeiting is often thinner or lighter because of cheap materials. For example, the Xiaomi 13 Pro weighs 229g — if your device weighs 200g, it's fake.
• 🎨 Building quality: The gaps between the body and the screen should be minimal (no more than 0.5 mm). The buttons (Power, Volume) should be pressed with a clear click, without backlash. The screen should not "play" when pressed - this is a sign of cheap glue.
• 🔋 Battery: Xiaomi's original batteries are labeled with the brand logo and capacity, and if the battery is easily removable (on removable models) and does not have protective film, it is a fake.
• 🔊 Speakers and microphones: original devices have a balanced sound without wheezing. You can check by calling another phone - voice should be clearly transmitted without noise.

Pay special attention to the camera:

• Take a test shot in low light. Xiaomi's original cameras (like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with Sony's IMX766) show good detail even in the dark.
• Check for all the declared modules, for example, if the box says 108 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP, and in reality only two lenses is a scam.

5. Verification through Mi Account and Xiaomi services

One of the most reliable ways is to link the device to your Mi Account, and the original devices are automatically logged into Xiaomi's system, but the fakes are not. Here's how it works:

1. Create or sign in to Mi: Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account. If the device is original, the system will prompt you to sign in or create an account.
2. Check device binding: Go to the Mi Account website. The Devices section should show your device with the model and IMEI.

Use the "Find Device" function

• In the same account, select "Find the device".
• The original device will be displayed on the map (if GPS is enabled), and fakes do not support this function.

If you try to log in to your account, you get an error that says, "This device is not supported," or if the system doesn't recognize the model, you're looking at a non-original device, and you should check if the following services are available:

• 🌐 Mi Cloud (Cloud Storage).
• 🎮 Game Turbo (Mode for Games).
• 🔋 Battery Savings (Energy Savings).

⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters can re-fish gray machines (such as those brought from China without official localization) to make them look like the originals. IMEI, They will not support the Russian language in MIUI or Google services.

💡

If the device is not tied to a Mi Account or does not appear in the list of devices on the site, this is a guaranteed fake or unofficial firmware.

Verification of documentation and guarantees

Official Xiaomi devices, supplied to Russia and CIS countries, are always accompanied by a warranty card and documentation in Russian.

• 📄 Warranty card: Must be printed on thick paper with watermarks, contain the stamp of the official dealer or store, indicate the serial number of the device and the date of sale.
• 🏢 Dealer's details: The official dealer must be indicated on the ticket or check (e.g. Mi Store, Messenger, M.Video). If the seller is an individual, demand a check or a sales contract.
• 🌍 Region of supply: The box or documents must be marked "RU" or "Global Version" for official deliveries "CN Version or For China speak of a gray device without a local warranty.

Check the warranty through the official service Xiaomi Warranty:

1. Enter the serial number or IMEI.
2. The system will show the status of the guarantee and the date of its termination.
3. If the warranty is not confirmed, the device is either fake or unofficially brought.

Important: Even if the warranty is confirmed, check if it applies to your region. For example, devices purchased on AliExpress from unofficial sellers may only have a warranty in China.

7.What to do if you bought a fake?

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

1. Collect evidence: Take pictures of the device, the packaging, the checks and documents; take a video showing the malfunctions (if any); Save correspondence with the seller.
2. If the purchase was on the marketplace (Wildberries, Ozon), file a claim through the support service. If you are on hand, demand a refund, threatening to contact the police on the fact of fraud (Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
3. Check the possibility of return: According to the law "On protection of consumer rights" you can return the goods within 14 days, if it does not meet the declared characteristics. If the seller refuses - write a complaint to Rospotrebnadzor or the Society for Consumer Protection.

Check the device at the service center

• Official Xiaomi SCs can confirm the authenticity and issue an expert opinion.
• The addresses of the centers can be found on the Xiaomi Service website.

If you cannot return the money, you can:

• 📢 Publish a review of the seller on the site (for example, on Avito or Yula) marked "fraudster".
• 🛠️ Try to reflash the device (if it is a “gray” device) through Fastboot – but this is risky and can lead to a “brick".
• 🗑️ Dispose of counterfeiting – such devices often contain malware or dangerous components (such as uncertified batteries).

⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to disassemble a fake device yourself, it can be dangerous (the risk of a battery fire.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi authentication