Every owner of a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone sooner or later needs to know the unique identifier of their device. IMEI, It is a digital passport of a gadget, required to register with a cellular network, search for a lost phone through Google, or check the device for theft. PIN-codes, this number cannot be changed programmatically, since it is "sewn" at the hardware level during the production of.
There are many situations where access to a smartphone screen can be limited: the device crashed, locked with a forgotten pattern lock or completely discharged. However, knowing where to find a unique number saves in critical situations. In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible ways to obtain this information, from simple combinations in the “ringer” to hidden engineering menus and external sources.
It is important to understand that modern dual-symbol devices usually have two IMEI numbers — one for each SIM card slot. When registering or locking a device, you often need to specify the exact code to which your main SIM card is connected to the slot. Let's take all the nuances so that you can easily find the desired data on any device of the Mi brand.
Use of engineering USSD-quick-search
The fastest and most versatile method, which works on 99% of mobile devices, including all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, is to type a special combination of characters in the Phone app, which is good because it does not require Internet access, SIM card or login to the system settings, you just need to open the caller and type a sequence of characters.
Enter the code *#06# on the dial keyboard. Once you enter the last character (grid), the system window with technical information will automatically open on the screen. IMEI, but also the serial number of the device (SN), also MAC-On dual-symbol smartphones, the information will be presented in two lines: IMEI 1 and IMEI 2.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to enter other codes from the Internet that promise to "amplify the signal" or "unlock hidden features." *#06# is a secure standard. GSM, Experiments with engineering menus can lead to resetting of network settings.
Once you've displayed the information, you have the ability to copy the data to the clipboard. On modern MIUI and HyperOS shells, there's usually a copy button under the code window, which is handy if you need to send the number to a friend or save it in notes so you don't rewrite long numbers manually.
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Save a screenshot of the IMEI screen to a cloud album or send it to a messenger immediately after you buy your phone, which will allow you to access the code even if the device itself is lost or disassembled.
Search for ID through MIUI system settings
If the phone screen works, but you prefer a graphical interface, you can find unique code in the settings menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version (MIUI 12, 13, 14 or the new HyperOS), but the logic remains the same.
To obtain information, follow the following steps:
- 📱 Open the main menu and find the Settings icon (cogs).
- 📄 Select About Phone, which is usually at the top of the list or in the My Phone section».
- 🔍 Scroll down the page to the line IMEI. In some versions of the shell, the number may be hidden and you will need to click on the line itself or the “Details” button to deploy the full information.
This section often displays warranty status and Mi Account information. If your phone supports virtual SIM (eSIM), the corresponding EID will also be listed next to the regular IMEIs.
Physical inspection: body, tray and packaging
When the phone is turned off, broken, or simply unavailable, physical markers come to the rescue. Xiaomi's manufacturer is required to put identifiers on the device body and packaging. This is the most reliable way, regardless of the state of the software.
Please note the following places:
- 📦 Factory box: on the back or side of the box is always pasted sticker with a barcode, IMEI, It's the cleanest source of data.
- 🔧 Tray for SIM-cards: on many models (especially with moisture protection), the number is engraved on a metal tray frame.
- 🏷️ Back cover: on some devices, especially those with a non-removable battery, information can be printed in small print on the bottom of the case, and the factory film on the screen of a new phone often contains a duplicate of the sticker with data.
⚠️ Note: When buying a used phone, be sure to check IMEI If the numbers don't match, the device could have been recovered from different parts or had a criminal record.
It's important to note that the stickers on the case are erased over time and the box is often thrown away, so digital search through accounts or code is a more durable solution for storing this information.
Checking with Google and Find My Device
Modern Android smartphones are tightly integrated with Google services. If your Xiaomi has logged in to Google account and geolocated, you can find the device and its technical data remotely, this works even if the SIM card on the phone is replaced or missing, the main thing is the availability of the Internet.
To do this, go to google.com/android/find from any other device (computer or phone). Once you log in to an account that was used on a missing or unavailable Xiaomi, you will see a map and a list of devices. When selecting a particular smartphone, its model and IMEI are often displayed in the information window, which allows you to confirm the identity of the device before blocking.
What if Google Find My Device doesn’t see your phone?
If the service does not display the device, check the following conditions: the phone must be turned on, have an active Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data), and the device search function must be active in the settings. If the phone is reset to the factory settings ("Hard Reset"), the connection with the account will be lost, and this method will not work.
Use of Mi Cloud and the official Xiaomi website
Xiaomi's ecosystem offers its own equivalent of Google's services, the Mi Cloud, which is that if you used cloud storage from the manufacturer, the device data could be stored there, and that's true for users who actively synced contacts, photos and notes.
Go to the official i.mi.com website and log in to your Mi Account. The device management section can display a connected smartphone with its specifications. In addition, if the phone was purchased from the official Mi Store and registered in the loyalty program, the IMEI number will be indicated in the e-check or in the personal account on the store website in the section “My Orders”.
| Method of searching | I need a phone on. | We need the Internet. | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code *#06# | Yeah (screen) | No. | Tall. |
| MIUI settings | Yeah (screen) | No. | Tall. |
| Box/Tray | No. | No. | Medium (depending on safety) |
| Google account | No. | Yes. | Tall. |
| Checks/Guarantee | No. | No. | High (legal) |
IMEI authentication and decryption
Once you know the number, the question is, what do you do next? Most often, IMEIs are used to check the legality of importing the device and its absence from the lists of stolen items. For devices sold in Russia and CIS countries, it is critical to have an “honest” IMEI registered in the GSMA database.
You can check the status of the device on official resources:
- 🌐 Website imei.info or sndeep.info – will show the model, release date and blocking status.
- 🇷🇱 Service of Roskoshestvo or operator databases (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon) - allow you to check whether the phone is wanted.
- 🏢 Xiaomi’s official support site – Serial number warranty check and IMEI.
⚠️ Note: If the phone model in the database is different from the one you have in your hands (for example, in the Xiaomi Mi 11 database, and you have a Redmi Note), this is a sure sign of oversolding of the fee or using a non-original case.
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The IMEI match on the box, in the system and in the warranty card is the main sign that you are buying an original and “clean” device that was not in repair at the unofficial.
Restoring access when the screen is locked
When the phone is locked with a forgotten password, and find out IMEI It's urgent, it's done through a computer, if you've previously turned on debugging. USB, You can use the tools. ADB (Android Debug Bridge, however, for the average user, the easier way to connect to a PC is in boot mode.
When you connect a phone to a computer in a special mode (for example, Fastboot or Qualcomm boot mode), in Windows Device Manager or through the Mi Flash Tool program log, you can sometimes see device identifiers. Also, if the phone is defined as a modem, the hardware properties in the Windows Device Manager in the Equipment ID field may contain fragments of code, although the full IMEI is rarely displayed there.
☑️ What to do if IMEI not readable (Null) IMEI)?
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If you see the words "Null IMEI" or "Invalid IMEI" on the menu, it indicates damage to the NVRAM system partition, where the calibration data of the radio module is stored. Software methods are powerless here, and it requires the intervention of a specialist with the programmer to restore factory values.