Why is IMEI checking important when buying Xiaomi?
Buying a Xiaomi smartphone is always a risk of running into a fake or a device with a dark past. Even in official stores, you can find over-stitched devices, and in the secondary market, phones with operator lock or in the status of βlost / stolen.β IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit code that allows you to identify the device in global databases.
Make sure you have the original Xiaomi, not a clone on MediaTek with fake MIUI firmware.
Check whether the phone is listed in blacklists (lost, stolen, in pledge from the bank).
Knowing the exact model, region of sale and date of production is critical for warranty service.
Xiaomiβs official website provides a tool for checking IMEI, but its options are limited, and in this article we will discuss how to use it, what to do if the service does not give data, and what alternative methods of verification exist in 2026.
Where to find IMEI on Xiaomi phone: 5 ways
Before you check your phone, you need to know its IMEI. Xiaomi (like other brands) can have it in several places.
- π± In the phone settings: go to Settings β The phone. β All parameters. β Status SIM-map. IMEI This will be specified for each slot (if the phone supports 2). SIM).
- π’ On the box: the original Xiaomi packaging always contains a sticker with IMEI (usually on the bottom of the box next to the barcode).
- π Under the battery: on older models (up to Redmi Note 5) IMEI It was duplicated on a sticker underneath the battery, and on new smartphones with a non-removable battery, it doesn't work.
- π¬ Through USSD-code: enter in the dialer *#06# - the screen will immediately appear IMEI (two IMEI dual-SIM).
- π₯οΈ V ADB: For advanced users, connect your phone to your PC, launch an adb shell, and type in the getprop ro.gsm.imei command.
β οΈ Attention: If IMEI The box and the settings of the phone are not the same, you have a 100% fake phone or a replacement motherboard, and you can't activate it in official Xiaomi services.
On eSIM-enabled models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Mix Fold 3), there can be three IMEIs: two for physical SIMs and one for virtual ones.
Step-by-step: how to check Xiaomi on IMEI on the official website
Xiaomiβs official IMEI check service runs on mi.com/global/verify, but it has a nuance: it doesnβt show the history of the device (like iCloud for iPhone), it only confirms the originality. Hereβs how to use it:
Enter IMEI without spaces and dash | Select region (Global, China, India, etc.) | Confirm that you are not a robot (captcha) | Press Verify and wait for the result-->
- Go to mi.com/global/verify (open in Chrome or Firefox β there may be errors on Safari).
- In the IMEI Number field, enter 15 digits of your IMEI without spaces and dashes. If your phone has two IMEIs, check both in turn.
- Select a region from the drop-down list. Global or EEA is usually the best for Russia. If you bought a phone in China, go to China.
- Check out reCAPTCHA (check the box βIβm not a robotβ).
- Press Verify and wait for the result. Usually the answer comes in 5-10 seconds.
If the service sends out a message, This device is genuine Mi product, the phone is original. If you see an error, IMEI not found or Invalid IMEI, it can mean:
- π Phone fake (clone to the MTK67xx spreadtrum).
- π IMEI It is a device for another region (e.g., a Chinese version of Redmi that is not intended for export).
- π§ IMEI has been modified programmatically (for example, after the motherboard repair).
What to do if Xiaomi website does not find IMEI?
What do IMEI verification results mean: decryption
Xiaomiβs official service provides minimal information, but itβs enough to draw conclusions about the device.
| Service message | What does it mean? | Action |
|---|---|---|
| This device is genuine Mi product | The phone is original, IMEI is listed in the Xiaomi database. | You can buy, but it is recommended to check for locks (see section below). |
| IMEI not found | IMEI's not found in the database, possible causes: fake, grey imports, altered IMEI. | Opt out of the purchase or check through alternative services (e.g. IMEI.info). |
| Invalid IMEI | IMEI is incorrectly entered (less than 15 characters, containing letters) or belongs to another brand. | Check the input correctly. If the error repeats, it's not Xiaomi. |
| This device has been reported as lost/stolen | The phone is listed as lost or stolen. | You can not buy it β the device is locked and will not work with the device. SIM-map. |
If the service gives a message about originality, but you doubt the phone, pay attention to additional details:
- π Date of production: it can be found by the first digits IMEI (for example, 86XXXX β China, 35XXXX β Check the date on the box.
- π The phone is purchased in Russia, but IMEI The Chinese version (Redmi Note 12 China) may have problems with the warranty and localization of the firmware.
- π Presence of double: if the same IMEI It is issued for two different phones - it is a fake (cloned). IMEI).
π‘
If you buy Xiaomi from hand, ask the seller to take a screenshot of the screen with the USSD-*#06# and a photo of the box IMEI. Compare the numbers β they must match to the last sign.
Alternative ways to check IMEI (if the official site is not working)
Xiaomiβs service does not always handle queries correctly, especially for older models or devices for the domestic market of China, and in such cases, checks through third-party databases will help:
- π IMEI.info shows the model, year of manufacture and country of manufacture. It gives you basic information for free, you have to pay for a detailed report.
- π‘ SNRDeepInfo is a service for checking the status of the lock (lost / stolen). GSMA.
- π‘οΈ Swappa (for the US/Europe) β checks whether it is listed IMEI blacklisted.
- π¨π³ Mi Account Unlock Status β If the phone is linked to a Chinese Mi Account, the service will show whether it is unlocked for international use.
Example of the report on IMEI.info for Xiaomi 12 Pro:
Model: Xiaomi 12 Pro (2201122G)
Brand: Xiaomi
Manufacturer: Xiaomi Communications Co Ltd
Type: Smartphone
IMEI: 861234567890123
Serial Number: ***
Hardware Version: Not Available
Firmware Version: Not Availableβ οΈ Note: Some services (e.g. IMEI.pro) offer to βclean upΒ» IMEI It's a fraud, it's impossible to change the status of a stolen phone in global databases, and the only legal way is to contact the operator who locked the device (if there is evidence of purchase).
How to check if Xiaomi is blocked by IMEI from operators
Even if Xiaomi confirms the originality of the phone, it can be blocked by the carrier (for example, for default on a loan or at the request of the police).
- It's through an operator service, like MTS, a personal account, Beeline, an IMEI check page.
- Universal method: insert SIM-Any operator's card on the phone, if a message appears SIM-Card not supported or Enter the unlock code β the device is locked.
- Through services like IMEI24.com (paid checks on the databases of US / Europe operators).
If the phone is locked:
- π Contact the operator with a check about the purchase - sometimes the lock is removed.
- π° If you bought your phone with your hands, return it to the seller (under the Consumer Protection Act).
- π For Chinese versions of Xiaomi (e.g. Redmi) K50) You may need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool (official tool, but requires a wait of 7-30 days).
π‘
If the phone is locked by the operator, it cannot be unlocked software (for example, through Engineering Mode or ADB), the only legal way is to contact the operator who has imposed the lock.
Frequent IMEI Checking Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Users often have trouble checking for IMEIs, even if the phone is original, and here are the most common errors and solutions:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi does not accept IMEI | IMEI is introduced with gaps or dashes. | Delete all characters except numbers. Example: 861234567890123, not 86-123456-789012-3. |
| IMEI not found, but original phone | The phone is designed for a different region (e.g. the Chinese version of the POCO F5 for the domestic market). | Try to choose another region in the drop-down list on Xiaomiβs website. |
| The service is making a mistake with too many requests. | There are too many requests from your IP. | Wait 10-15 minutes or use a VPN (like ProtonVPN). |
| IMEIs on the box and on the phone are not the same. | The phone was repaired with a replacement motherboard or it is a fake. | Refuse to purchase - such a device will not be able to activate in official services. |
If you buy Xiaomi on AliExpress, JD.com or other sites, be sure to:
- π¦ Demand a photo of the box with IMEI pay-in.
- π± Ask for a video with code entry *#06#.
- π Check it out. IMEI via IMEI.info before receiving the package.