How to check the Xiaomi smartphone for originality IMEI: official and covert methods

Buying a Xiaomi smartphone in the secondary market or in unofficial stores always involves the risk of running into a fake. Even seemingly identical devices can be clones with stripped-down functionality, poor-quality components or even “gray” devices brought into the country bypassing customs — IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity, a unique 15-digit code that is assigned to each device during the manufacturing phase.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to check Xiaomi on the IMEI, Including official services, hidden engineering menus and third-party databases, you will learn how to distinguish the original Redmi Note 13 Pro.+ from a fake, why two IMEI It's okay to use one phone, and what to do if the code doesn't pass validation. We'll focus on the new fraud schemes of 2026, where fake devices even simulate official checks through the Xiaomi website.

What is it? IMEI Why is it being tested by Xiaomi?

IMEI — This is your smartphone’s passport, which consists of four parts:

• 🔢 TAC (Type Allocation Code: The first 8 digits for the model and manufacturer (Xiaomi usually starts with 86... or 27...).
• 📱 SNR (Serial Number: A unique serial number of the device (6 digits).
• 🔄 CD (Check Digit – Check digit for authentication of the code (calculated by the algorithm of the Moon).
• 📶 SVN (Software Version Number - firmware version (optional, not all models).

Xiaomi (like most dual-sim smartphones) usually has two. IMEI: one-slot SIM, The other one is for the other one. Both codes must be valid and conform to the model of the device. IMEI, Therefore, only the inspection of the appearance of the shell or packaging is insufficient.

⚠️ Note: If the seller refuses to provide IMEI before buying or saying that "the code is not yet spelled out" is 100% a sign of a fake or stolen phone. IMEI production.

Why check? IMEI critical to Xiaomi:

• 🛡️ Warranty: Non-original devices are not serviced in service centers.
• 📡 Network: Counterfeiting may not support the desired frequencies 4G/5G or have communication problems.
• 🔋 Battery: Clones are often equipped with cheap batteries that swell or quickly fail.
• 🛠️ Firmware: Forgeries cannot be installed official software MIUI.

Where to find IMEI on Xiaomi smartphone: 4 ways

Before authenticating, you need to get it right. IMEI. Xiaomi has several ways, and scammers sometimes mask fake codes in one of them (for example, the sticker on the case may not match the data in the system.

1. Through code set *#06#

The fastest way is:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination *#06#.
3. There will be one or two on the screen. IMEI (depending SIM-map).

If the code doesn't work or if it's an error, it's a warning sign, maybe the firmware on the phone has been modified.

2. In the system settings

Go to: Settings → The phone. → General information → Status IMEI.

This should show the same codes as you see in *#06#. If the data is different, the device is definitely not original.

3. on a sticker under the battery or in the tray SIM-map

The older Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 4X or Mi A1) IMEI It was duplicated on a sticker under the removable lid. In modern devices (starting with the Redmi Note 10), the code is more often indicated on the tray for the removable lid. SIM-Important: the sticker must be properly pasted, without traces of forgery (blurred font, glue, mismatch of colors).

4. On the device box

The original Xiaomi packaging always contains a sticker with IMEI, serial (S/N) And with a barcode:

• 📦 Does it match? IMEI on a box with a code in the phone.
• 🔍 Are there any traces of cleaning or gluing the sticker.
• 🖼️ The logo of the Mi or Redmi on the box should be clear, without blurring.

Official inspection IMEI via Xiaomi

The most reliable way is to use Xiaomi’s official verification service, but there are nuances: the service does not work for all regions, and scammers have learned to forge even its responses (through proxy or modified firmware).

Instructions:

1. Go to the site: https://www.mi.com/global/verify (for global versions; or https://order.mi.com/imei (Chinese).
2. Enter IMEI (without spaces) and captcha.
3. Press Verify.

What should be displayed on the original phone:

⚠️ Note: If the Xiaomi website shows that IMEI It is a different model (for example, instead of a Poco). X6 Pro is displayed by Redmi 9A) — This is a cross-stitched phone, and these phones are often marketed as "original," but they can have problems with updates and communication.

What to do if Xiaomi service does not find IMEI:

• 🔄 Repeat the code entry – possibly a typo.
• 🌍 Try another regional service (e.g. Chinese for global model).
• 📱 Check it out. IMEI through alternative methods (below).
• ❌ If not found everywhere, the phone is not original.

💡

If the seller claims that IMEI «Not yet registered in Xiaomi's database, ask him to show you a check from the official store. Without a check, this phone is fake or stolen.

Verification IMEI through the Engineering Menu (for advanced users)

Xiaomi’s Hidden Engineering Menus Let You Get Extended Phone Information, Including Real-life IMEI, It's not always the same as the system, and it's a method that requires caution, because the wrong actions can cause the firmware to fail.

Instructions for models on Qualcomm (mostly) Redmi/Poco):

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code: ##4636###.
3. Go to the Device Information tab.
4. Scroll down to the IMEI block.

For models on MediaTek (e.g. Redmi) 10A):

1. Enter the code ##36446337## (or #3644638## for new versions).
2. Go to Connectivity → Radio Information.
3. Check the lines. IMEI1 and IMEI2.

What should alert you:

• 🚨 IMEI The menu is different from what you see *#06#.
• 🔢 The code consists of one zero (000000000000000000000) or repeating digits.
• 📵 Menus fail to open or give a Connection problem error.

Third-party services for verification IMEI: pros and cons

If Xiaomi's official service is not working, or you doubt its answer, you can use third-party databases that collect information from public sources, including carriers and customs registers, but not all services are equally reliable, some may show false positive results.

Top.-3 service-tested:

1. IMEI.info (imei.info) 🔹 Shows model, manufacturer, year of release. 🔹 There's a burglary check (base) GSMA). ⚠️ Cons: paid extended inspection.
2. IMEI24.com (imei24.com) 🔹 Free region and model check. 🔹 There is a history of the device (if it was in repair). ⚠️ Disadvantages: Sometimes shows inaccurate data for new models.

SNRDeepInfo

@SNRDeepInfoBot

• 🔹 Checks the databases of operators of Russia and CIS.
• 🔹 It shows if the phone was wanted.
• ⚠️ Disadvantages: not working with all Xiaomi models.

How to interpret the results:

• ✅ The model matches the one on the box/settings – a good sign.
• ❌ The model is different (for example, instead of Poco). F5 Redmi Note 11 shows – phone is tampered with or over-fake.
• 🚨 Blacklisted status – the device is wanted (stolen or blocked by the operator).
• 🌍 Region does not match your country - grey imports are possible.

⚠️ Note: If all services show that IMEI It is owned by another model (e.g. Samsung instead of Xiaomi), which means the code is forged, and these phones are often sold as replicas, but they do not support official updates and may have legal problems.

💡

No third-party service offers 100% originality, always check data with at least two sources and check the phone physically (build quality, sensor performance, camera).

Physical Signs of Xiaomi Fakes: What to Check Out Except IMEI

Even if IMEI You've passed all the checks, you've got an external inspection that can help you detect a fake, and fraudsters often only copy the electronic part, and they save money on the quality of the materials:

1.Shell and assembly

• 🔍 Gaps: The original Xiaomi has no backlashes between the screen and the frame. If the body creaks or bends - a fake.
• 🎨 Logo: The Mi or Redmi inscription on the back should be convex (on fakes often flat or blurred).
• 🔲 Packaging: The original Xiaomi box has a matte coating, clear seams and a hologram with a changing color.

Screen and sensors

• 📱 OLED vs LCD: If the model should have AMOLED-screen (for example, Xiaomi 14), but it has backlight as well as the LCD (You can see it on a black background. It's a fake.
• 👆 Sensitivity: On original phones, the sensor works even with wet fingers.Fakes are often "glutchy».
• 🔦 Brightness: The maximum brightness of clones rarely exceeds 400 nits (the originals - from 600 nits).

Camera and sensors

• 📸 Camera test: Take photos at maximum resolution and zoom in. The fakes will have a big noise or artifacts.
• 🧲 Magnetic sensor: Hold up a compass – if the arrow doesn’t respond, the sensor is missing (frequent clone problem).
• 🌡️ Infrared port: For models with an IR transmitter (for example, Redmi Note 12) check the remote in the Mi Remote application.

Quick forgery test:

1. Run the Equipment Test using ##6484## (or #64663## for new models).
2. Check all sensors: gyroscope, accelerometer, proximity sensor.
3. If at least one test fails, you have an unoriginal machine.

💡

Fakes are often given away by Google's lack of certification. Check this in Settings → Google → Device certification. If it's not certified, it's not Google-verified, which is typical of clones.

What to do if Xiaomi has not passed the test IMEI

If one of the ways you've shown that the phone is not original, you'd better give up, but what if you've already owned a fake?

1. Return the money (if you bought with your hands)

• 📝 Gather evidence: screenshots of inspections IMEI, Photo of packaging, correspondence with the seller.
• 💳 If you paid with a card, write to the bank about the fraud (you have 30 days).
• 📱 Write a complaint: On sites like Avito or Yula, you can return money through support.

2. Sell as a replica (if you have nowhere to return)

If you bought the phone abroad or from an unofficial seller without a check, you can't get your money back.

• 🏷️ Please indicate in the ad that this is an unoriginal device.
• 💰 Reduce the price by at least 50% of the market.
• ⚠️ Warn the customer about possible problems (no updates, communication problems).

3. Try to "resuscitate" (for experienced)

Some Xiaomi fakes can be partially cured:

• 🔧 Reflash to custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience).
• 📡 Manually prescribe the correct IMEI (It requires root rights and is risky!).
• 🔋 Replace the battery with the original battery (if the battery is in trouble).

⚠️ Warning: Fake Xiaomi flashing won't make it original! you lose the warranty (if there was one) and the phone may stop turning on.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's IMEI check