Checking the originality of Xiaomi by serial number: the official way on the site

Buying a Xiaomi smartphone in the secondary market or in unofficial stores always carries the risk of running into a fake. Even seemingly identical devices can turn out to be clones with low-quality components, stripped down functionality or even stolen. The only reliable way to verify the authenticity of the gadget is to check it by serial number (SN) and IMEI through official Xiaomi services.

In this article, you will learn how to find the serial number on the device, where to check it on the manufacturer's website, what data can be obtained about the phone, and what to do if the system gives an error. We will also analyze the typical signs of counterfeits and explain why some methods of verification (for example, using *#06#) do not give a 100% guarantee of originality.

Important: the verification procedure takes no more than 5 minutes, but requires access to the Internet and the device itself. If the seller refuses to provide a serial number or IMEI before buying - this is a reason to be wary.

Where to find the serial number and IMEI on Xiaomi

Serial Number (SN) and IMEI are unique device identifiers that are linked to it from the factory.

• 📱 In the phone settings: go to Settings → The phone. → General information. This will be the lines Serial number and IMEI (maybe two IMEI two-device SIM-map).
• 📦 On the box: the original Xiaomi packaging always contains a sticker with the serial number and IMEI. They must match the data on the phone.
• 🔋 Under the battery: on older models (like the Redmi Note 3), the number could be on a sticker under the battery.
• 📞 Through USSD-code: type on the phone keyboard *#06# - will appear on the screen IMEI. The serial number cannot be found out by this method!

⚠️ Attention: if IMEI The box and the phone don't match, you're either a fake or a replacement motherboard device, and in both cases, you'd better give up.

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If a seller claims that the IMEIs on the box and in the phone may differ due to a "firmware update" - that's a hoax. the IMEI is tied to the hardware and does not change when software manipulations.

In some models (for example, POCO F3 Mi 11) the serial number is also duplicated by SIM-But this is a very unreliable way, because fraudsters often fake trays.

Xiaomi’s official website to check originality

The only legitimate way to verify the authenticity of the device is to use the warranty service on Xiaomi’s official website, which works for all models released after 2016, including Redmi, POCO, Mi and Black Shark.

The verification algorithm:

1. Go to https://www.mi.com/global/verify (for global versions) or https://order.mi.com/site/verify (for Chinese versions).
2. Enter the serial number (SN) or IMEI in the appropriate field. For devices with two SIM-Use the first card. IMEI.
3. Enter the CAPTCHA code to confirm that you are not a robot.
4. Press Verify (check it out).

If the device is original, the system will show:

• 📱 Phone model (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro) 5G).
• 📅 Activation Date (if the phone has already been used).
• 🛡️ Guarantee status (valid/not valid).
• 🌍 Region of sale (China, Global, India, etc.).

Check the correctness of the input (are there any extra gaps)

Try entering IMEI instead of SN (or vice versa)

Use a different browser (e.g. Chrome instead of Safari)

Make sure you are on the official website (check the URL for https://)

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⚠️ Note: If the site is invalid serial number or not found, it may mean that the site is in error:

• The device is a fake (clone).
• The serial number is faked (for example, the sticker on the box is not original).
• The phone is made of spare parts (called Frankenstein).
• The model is too old (until 2016) and is not supported by the service.

What to do if the inspection does not pass

If Xiaomi's official service doesn't recognize the serial number, don't rush to return the phone to the seller. Maybe the problem is technical.

1. Check it out. IMEI Use international databases, for example: 🌐 IMEI.info – show the model and country of production. 🌐 IMEI-Pro gives you advanced information about your device, if those services don't find your device either. IMEI — It's almost 100% fake.
2. Compare the box and phone. Open Settings → About phone and check: Serial number (should match the sticker on the box). IMEI (should match the data on the box and under the battery if there is access) Device model (e.g. M2101K6G for Redmi Note 10 Pro).

Evaluate the build quality.

The original Xiaomi have:

• Smooth gaps between the body and the screen.
• Clear inscriptions on the body (without blurring or errors in the logo).
• Original firmware (check in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version).

⚠️ Warning: some scammers are even forging Xiaomi's official website by creating phishing pages.Always check the address in your browser - it should start with https://www.mi.com or https://order.mi.com and have a lock badge 🔒.

Yeah, I bought a fake Xiaomi.|Yeah, but another brand.|No, I always bought the originals.|I'm not sure, maybe.|I prefer not to take risks and only take them in official stores.-->

Transcription of the results of the audit: what does the data mean

If the test goes well, you'll get a table of data about the device, and here's how to interpret it correctly:

✅ Signs of the original device:

• All fields are filled (no dashboards or N/A).
• The activation date is the same as the purchase date (for new phones).
• The region corresponds to the country of purchase (e.g. Global for Russia, India for India).

❌ Signs of a fake or problem device:

• The Model field is empty or a non-existent name is indicated (e.g., Xiaomi Note 20 Ultra – there is no such model).
• The activation date is earlier than the model release date (for example, the Released phone is in 2023, and activated in 2022).
• The region is China, but the seller claims it is a global version.

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If the results of the check indicate a region of China, but you buy a phone in Russia, check with the seller whether the device supports local networks (4G/5G).

Frequent Checking Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when using the official service, users often face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

• 🔍 "Invalid serial number with proper input SN: Reason: The serial number may be broken (e.g., one digit replaced by another) Check it through a magnifying glass - scammers sometimes forge stickers by changing characters (e.g., 5 to S).
• 📵 The site does not open or gives a 404 error: Reason: the service may be temporarily unavailable due to technical work. VPN (For example, to access the global version of the website).
• 🔄 IMEI defined SN — No: Reason: on some fakes IMEI It can be copied from the original device, and the serial number is made up.
• 🌐 The service redirects to the Chinese version of the site: The reason: you hit order.mi.com, which is for the Chinese market. www.mi.com/global/verify.

💡 Tip: If you buy a phone with your hands, ask the seller to take a screenshot of the results of the check in front of you and send it to your email.

Additional ways to verify originality

Serial number verification is the most reliable method, but it is not the only one. Here are some more ways to verify Xiaomi's authenticity:

• 🔧 Firmware Check: Original devices are working on MIUI with a digital signature from Xiaomi. Go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI And you can click a few times on the version line, and if you say, "You are in developer mode," it's the original firmware.
• 📦 Checking the configuration: The original box Xiaomi has: Clear barcode with serial number, logo Xiaomi with holographic effect (on new models), set of documents (guarantee card, instructions) on good paper.
• 🔍 Verify through the Mi Verify app: Download the official Mi Verify app (available only for Android) that scans the device and compares data to the Xiaomi database. The app works even without the Internet, but requires root rights on some models.

⚠️ Note: some vendors claim that the phone is "original but without a box" or "brought from China for personal use" 90% of the time it is a fake or gray device with problems (e.g., locked in a lock-in device). IMEI).

What to do if you buy a fake

If the test showed that your Xiaomi is a fake, follow the following algorithm:

1. Collect evidence: Take screenshots: Check results on the official website; correspondence with the seller (where he claims the phone is original); photos of the box and device (especially SN/IMEI stickers).

Please contact the seller:

Request a refund by referring to:

• Article 18 of the Law on Protection of Consumer Rights (if the purchase was made in Russia)
• Platform rules (if you bought on Avito, Yule or Ozon).
• Complaint to the platform: If the seller refuses to return the money, write in support of the service where you made the purchase. Attach evidence and demand the fraudster’s blocking.
• Check the IMEI in the stolen phone database: Use the Stolen Phone Checker service. If the phone is in the database, contact the police.

💡 Important: if the fake was purchased in the official Xiaomi store (for example, in the Mi Store), immediately contact the brand support.

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Never settle for a "partial refund" or "discount" when a counterfeit is found. By law, you are entitled to a full refund or replacement with the original device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi vetting