How to know exactly the release date of the Xiaomi smartphone: from the box to service codes

You bought a used Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Pro, but the seller did not give the year of release? Or you want to check whether you sold a device that has been in stock for 2+ years under the guise of a new model? The date of production of a smartphone critically affects battery life, availability of updates and even market value. In this article, 7 working ways to find out the release date of any Xiaomi smartphone, including models without a box and with modified software.

Manufacturers often hide this information: Xiaomi’s official website does not have a database by serial numbers, and Android settings do not display a release date, but there are workarounds from analyzing IMEI to decoding factory tags on the board, we will analyze each method with step-by-step instructions, pitfall warnings and examples for popular lines (Redmi, POCO, Mi).

1. Checking the box and stickers

The easiest way is to inspect the original packaging. On Xiaomi boxes, the release date is in year/week format (e.g. 202235 = 35th week of 2022).

• 📦 Side sticker - usually under a barcode. Format: 4 digits of the year + 2 digits of the week (example: 202312) = December 2023).
• 🏷️ Factory label at the bottom of the box - can contain the full date in format DD/MM/YYYY or MM-YYYY.
• 🔍 Serial number (S/N) — first 4 Numbers often code for year and week (more in the section about the number of IMEI).

⚠️ Attention: On fake boxes, the date may be forged. Check the font and print quality match the original Xiaomi packages. If the sticker is easily unsticked or the barcode is blurred, it is a sign of fake.

If the box is missing or damaged, go to the next method. For models older than 2020 (e.g., the Redmi Note 8 Pro), the date on the box may not be available - in which case use IMEI or service codes.

2.Date decoding by IMEI and serial number

Each Xiaomi smartphone has a unique IMEI (15 digits) and serial number (S/N, usually 11-14 characters), which encrypts the information about the date of production.

1. Find out. IMEI: 📱 Enter *#06# in the phone application and 1-2 numbers will appear IMEI. 🔧 In settings: About the phone → General information → IMEI. 📄 On the sticker under the battery (for models with removable battery).
2. Decipher the date: 🔢 First-time 8 figure IMEI (TAC-code) indicates the model and year of issue. 📅 Serial number (S/N): first 4 Numbers often mean year and week (example: 2023 = 2023 year, 35 = 35-I'm a week).

⚠️ Note: Some vendors are counterfeiting IMEI It's a program like Chamelephon. IMEI If you have a different setting, it's either a fake phone or a phone that's been repaired and replaced with a motherboard.

Make sure that IMEI The box and the phone match.|Convert. TAC-code with imei.info|Check that the serial number is not erased (sticker under the battery)|Use the "Mi Check" app to validate-->

An example of a decryption for Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G:

• IMEI: 865473051234567 → TAC: 86547305 → release date based on: March 2022.
• Serial number: D4N22051234 → 2205 = May 2022.

3. Hidden service menus and engineering codes

There are engineering menus in MIUI firmware that can find the production date, and these methods work even without the box and IMEI, but they require caution that improper actions can lead to a reset.

Instructions for most models (Redmi, POCO, Mi):

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code: ##4636##Select Phone Information → Scroll to Build Date.
3. Alternative code for new models (2023+): ##284## Under Version info, look for Manufacture Date.

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (e.g. global) MIUI 14) these codes may not work. If nothing happens after you enter the code, your model uses an alternative method (see the section on firmware).

Example of output for POCO X4 Pro 5G:

[Version info]:




Manufacture Date: 2022-11-15




Build Date: Tue Nov 15 14:32:56 CST 2022

You can see here that the phone was released on November 15, 2022.

4. Analysis of firmware version and build date

The MIUI firmware version contains a compilation date that often coincides with (or is close to) the device’s release date, a method that is suitable for phones without a box and with a modified IMEI.

How to check:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
2. Tap 5-7 times on the line version of MIUI to open the advanced information.
3. Look for lines: MIUI Version, for example, 14.0.5.0.TLMCNXM. The last symbols (CNXM) The name is given by region and date. Build Number V14.0.5.0.TLMCNXM, where 230512 may mean a date (12 may 2023). Baseband Version – sometimes contains a date in the format MOLY.LR12A.R3.MP.V100.1.P20221101 (here 20221101 = 1 November 2022).

For an accurate decoding, use the table:

⚠️ Note: The firmware build date may differ from the phone’s release date by 1-3 months (especially for models released at the end of the year). 12T with firmware from December 2022 could be produced in November.

Physical examination: tags on board and battery

If you have experience disassembling the equipment, the release date can be found directly on the components of the smartphone. This method is 100% accurate, but requires accuracy.

Where to look:

• 🔋 Battery: The sticker usually shows the date in the format YYYY-MM-DD or WW-YY (week-year. Example: 2023-03-15 or 12-22 (12-I'm a week. 2022 year-end).
• 🖥️ Motherboard: Next to the processor or memory module can be an engraved or date sticker (look for lines of type) DATE: 2023.04).
• 📡 Antenna module (under the back cover): sometimes contains a test date close to the release date.

⚠️ Warning: Disassembling the phone will void the warranty (if it still applies). For models with battery adhesive attachment (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Lite), use a plastic mediator to avoid damaging the plumes. Do not use metal tools!

💡

If you're afraid to take your phone apart, take a photo of the insides through a transparent back cover (for models with glass cases), sometimes the date is visible through it in good light.

Example for the POCO X3 Pro:

• Battery: 2021-07-22 → July 2021.
• On board: 2130 → 30th week 2021.

Online services for serial number verification

If previous methods have failed, use official and third-party services that pull data from Xiaomi databases or aggregate information from other users.

List of verified services:

• 🌐 Official Xiaomi service: mi.com/global/verify — enter IMEI or S/N. It works for models released after 2019 year-end.
• 🔍 IMEI.info: imei.info – shows the activation date (not always the same as the production date).
• 📊 SNRage: snrage.com – serial number database (paid check for some models).
• 🤖 The "Mi Check" app (available on Google Play) scans IMEI and shows the date of issue, region and status of the guarantee.

⚠️ Note: Some services (e.g. SNRage) may show an inaccurate date for the Situational versions (China) ROM). Always check the data with other methods.

Example of a report for the Redmi Note 10 Pro (IMEI: 865473051234567):

Device: Redmi Note 10 Pro (sweet)




Manufacture Date: 2021-04-12




First Activation: 2021-05-03




Region: Global (EEA)

7. Alternative methods: checks, warranty, packaging of accessories

If the phone is purchased in the official store, the release date can be specified by the accompanying documents:

• 🛒 Check or warranty card: they indicate the date of sale. For new phones, the difference between the date of production and sale usually does not exceed 2-3 months.
• 📦 Headphone/charge packing: Accessory boxes sometimes duplicate the release date of the main device.
• 📧 Email: If you bought on Mi Store or AliExpress, the order confirmation letter may include the date of shipment from the warehouse.

⚠️ Note: In the Kitai version (China) ROM) The date on the warranty card can be forged, check it matches the date on the box and in the box. IMEI.

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The most reliable way is a combination of 3-4 methods, like checking the date from the box, IMEI and firmware, and if all three sources show one year, the data is reliable.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi release date