Xiaomi’s smartphone market is filled with not only original devices, but also fakes, from low-quality clones to “grey” devices with modified firmware. According to Counterpoint Research, up to 12% of Xiaomi-branded devices in 2026 are sold in violation of licensing agreements, and counterfeits are found not only on AliExpress or in questionable online stores, but also on the offline network, where sellers pass them off as “official imports.”
The problem is that visual copies are often indistinguishable from the original: the same case materials, similar packaging, even the Mi logo in place. However, inside such devices can have stripped-down hardware, uncertified batteries or malware. According to service centers, 38% of fake Xiaomi fail in the first 6 months, versus 3% of the original models. How not to become a victim of fraud? In this guide, we will analyze 7 reliable methods of verification, including hidden menus, online services and hardware tests.
1. IMEI verification: the main identifier of the original
The unique IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) code is a smartphone passport that can be used to determine its origin, while the original Xiaomi has it tied to the manufacturer’s database, while counterfeits are either missing or duplicated from other devices.
How to check:
- 📱 Type *#06# on the phone keyboard and the screen will show a 15-digit code (or two codes for two). SIM-map).
- 🔍 Check it against the code on the sticker under the battery (if the case is removable) or on the box.
- 🌐 Enter. IMEI on the official website of IMEI.info or mi.com/global/verify. Original device will show the model, production date and status of the "Clean».
💡
If you type *#06# in or the code doesn't show up, it's 100% fake. IMEI, even SIM-card not inserted.
Warning: Fraudsters have learned to fake IMEIs, so this method alone is not enough. Always combine it with other tests.
| Sign. | Original | Fake. |
|---|---|---|
| IMEI on the box and on the phone | Coinciding completely. | Not matched or absent |
| Checkup result on mi.com | Shows model and status of "Clean" | The error or pattern doesn't match |
| Number of IMEIs | 1 or 2 (for Dual SIM) | More than two or zero values |
Packaging and configuration analysis
The box and accessories are the first filter to give out a fake. Xiaomi has strict control over the packaging design, so even small inconsistencies should be alerted.
What to check:
- 📦 Print quality: On the original box, the Mi logo is clear, blurry, and the fonts are flat. Counterfeiting often has dull colors or misaligned elements.
- 🔖 Serial number sticker: Must contain IMEI, S/N (serial number, model and barcode. You can check authenticity on the website order.mi.com/site/verify.
- ⚡ Charger: The original Xiaomi power supplies have laser engraved with the model indication (e.g, MDY-12-EU) Counterfeiting is often lighter in weight and without engraving.
- 🎧 Headphones and cable: In the original Redmi or POCO headphones with a white 3.5 mm connector (if provided by the model) and USB-C cable with the Mi logo.
Example of a fake box
Important: Some gray dealers sell original devices in repackaged boxes (e.g. for the Indian or Chinese market) and these smartphones may be original, but without an official warranty in your country.
3. Check firmware and hidden menus
Fake Xiaomi often runs on "customized" firmware that mimics MIUI but contains bugs or malicious code.The original software is digitally signed by the manufacturer and updated through official servers.
How to check firmware:
- Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. The original firmware is V14.0.5.0.TLCRUXM (where TL is model code, RU is region, XM is build type). Counterfeiting can show a version of MIUI 12.5.1.0 without details.
- Try to update via Settings → System Update. The original device will find the current updates, a fake will give an error or offer to download a file of dubious origin.
- Install the AnTuTu Benchmark app and check the performance. If the results are 30 percent or more below the model's stated performance, it's a fake.
Hidden Engineering Menu (for advanced users):
Enter the phone code in the app: ##4636##
Go to the “Phone Information” tab and check:
Model matching (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G should be displayed as sweet or vili in encoding).
- Inconsistencies in the "Band Radio" section (fakes often do not support all declared 4G/5G frequencies).💡
If the engineering menu does not include a “Band Radio” section or Chinese characters, the device is either fake or intended for another region (e.g., China with limited LTE support).
4. Visual inspection of the body and display
Even if a fake copy of Xiaomi's design, it rarely replicates it to millimeter accuracy.
- 🔍 Mi logo: On the original devices, it's laser-painted and doesn't wear off when rubbed. Counterfeiters often stick a sticker that peels off over time.
- 📏 Gaps and build: The original Xiaomi has no backlashes between the body and the screen, the buttons are pressed clearly, without creaking. Counterfeits can have uneven seams or a “playing” display.
- 🌈 Screen quality: Turn on the phone and look at the angles of the display from different angles.Original AMOLED-screens (for example, in Xiaomi 13 Ultra) have no burnouts and are evenly lit. Counterfeit often use cheap ones. IPS-yellow-pattern.
A critical sign of counterfeiting is the absence of an infrared port (if claimed in the model) or a failed proximity sensor. For example, in the Redmi Note 11 Pro+, the IR port is located at the top of the case - its absence indicates a copy.
5. Checking the serial number through official services
Each Xiaomi device has a unique S/N (serial number) that can be verified on official resources, which works even for devices purchased abroad.
Instructions:
- Find the serial number: On the box (on the IMEI sticker). Phone: Settings → Phone → General information → Serial number. Under the battery (if the case is removable).
order.mi.com/site/verify
mi.com/verify
Enter the serial number and the captcha. The original device will show the model, the activation date and the warranty status.
✅ Make sure you enter a number without spaces and dash
✅ Check the number on other services (for example, [SNEPI](https://snepi.com/))
✅ Check the number on the box and on the phone – they must match
✅ Call on Xiaomi to take photos of the box and IMEI
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⚠️ Warning: Some gray dealers sell original devices with a broken serial number (e.g. to conceal the fact of importation from China) and these smartphones may not pass the check, but they may be original.
Camera and sensor test
Cameras and sensors are a weak spot for fake Xiaomis, and even if the camera modules look identical, their real-world characteristics are often stripped down.
How to check:
- 📸 Main camera: Take a photo at maximum resolution (for example, 200 MP in Xiaomi 13 Ultra) and check EXIF-data EXIF Viewer: Original will show real resolution, fake - understated (for example, 12 MP instead of 200 MP).
- 🔦 Night mode: Shoot video in a dark room. The original Xiaomi uses Night Mode 2.0 algorithms, fakes give a noisy image.
- 🧲 Sensors: Install the Sensor Test app and check: Gyroscope (should respond to tilts). Compass (shows direction without failures) Light sensor (automatically adjusts brightness).
⚠️ Attention: Fakes often mimic the way sensors work programmatically, for example, a compass can show random values, and a gyroscope can "hang." Check the sensors in the speaker (for example, rotating the phone).
7. Verification through Mi Account and service centers
The last and most reliable way is to link the device to a Mi Account and contact the service center, and the original Xiaomi automatically registers with the manufacturer's system when you first activate it.
Step-by-step:
- Register for a Mi Account (if not already) at account.xiaomi.com.
- Sign in to your phone account via Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
- Go to Devices (i.mi.com) and the original smartphone will appear in the list with the model and IMEI.
- If you have any doubts, contact the official service center to check the device on the database. This is free and takes 10-15 minutes.
What if the device is not linked to your Mi Account?
- Try resetting your phone to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset).
- Check if IMEI is blocked (e.g. via imei.info).
- If the problem remains, it is a fake or a device with a “gray” firmware.