How to know exactly the release date of the Xiaomi Redmi phone: from the serial number to the hidden menu

Buying a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone in the secondary market or even in an official store sometimes turns into a lottery: sellers can hide the real age of the device, and the box can be from another model. Knowing the exact release date helps to avoid fraud, predict battery life and understand how long the device will last without replacing components. For example, the battery in smartphones loses up to 20% of capacity in 2 years of active use – and if you sell the “new” Redmi Note 10, released in 2021, this is an excuse to bargain or refuse to buy.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to determine the production date of Xiaomi Redmi — from analyzing the serial number to checking through the engineering menu. All methods are tested on Redmi 9, Note 11, Note 12 Pro+ and other popular models. Importantly, some methods require physical access to the device, others work even from the photo of the box. Choose the appropriate option depending on your situation.

1. Serial number check (S/N) — most reliable

The serial number (S/N) is a unique device identifier that encrypts the date and place of production. Xiaomi has 14-16 characters and is marked on:

• 📦 Box (usually on a barcode sticker next to the IMEI)
• 📱 The phone itself (under the battery, on the slot) SIM-maps or system settings)
• 📄 Warranty card (if retained)

The serial number format of Xiaomi is as follows: ABCDYYYYMMDDXXXX, where:

• YYYY – year of release (e.g. 2021)
• MM – month (01 to 12)
• DD – day (01 to 31)

Example: serial number MTK920210515ABCD It means that the phone is released. 15 may 2021 However, the old models (up to the year) 2018 the format may differ - then the date is encrypted in the first 4–6 Use IMEI.info to decipher such cases (enter the S/N search-field).

⚠️ Warning: On fake smartphones, the serial number can be forged. Always check it against the data in the Settings menu → The phone and the box, the discrepancy is a sign of fraud.

💡

If the serial number is erased or unreadable, try rubbing the sticker with alcohol - sometimes this helps restore the characters.

2.IMEI Analysis: What You Can Learn About a Phone

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a 15-digit code that is assigned to each mobile device, which does not contain a direct release date, but allows you to determine:

• 📅 Approximate year of production (by range) IMEI)
• 🏭 Manufacturer (first 8 digits - model and manufacturer code)
• ⚡ Originality (checking for blacklists)

To find out about IMEI:

1. Dial on the phone keyboard *#06# - a window with 1-2 codes will appear.
2. Check the sticker under the battery (for models with removable battery).
3. Look at the settings → About the phone → General information.

Enter the IMEI on one of the services:

• IMEI.info – shows the activation date (not production!)
• SNDeeP – defines the plant and assembly country
• IMEI24 – gives the technical characteristics of the model

⚠️ Note: Service activation dates may differ by months from production dates (especially for phones in stock.

3. Check through the engineering menu (for advanced users)

The hidden engineering mode contains technical details, including the date of production, which works on most Redmi models, but requires caution – wrong actions can disrupt the phone.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone app and enter the code: ##4636##
2. Select Phone Information (or Hardware Info)
3. Scroll down to the Manufacture Date or RF Calibration Date block.

Alternative code for new models (e.g. Redmi Note 12):

##284##

If there is no date, try another method:

• Install DevCheck app – it shows the production date in the Hardware section.
• Use AIDA64 (System → Manufactured Date)

Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Make a backup copy of the data|Remember the current network settings|Do not change the settings in the menu!-->

Date of production by box and components

The original Xiaomi Redmi box contains several release date markers:

1. Barcode sticker – look for the MFD (Manufacture Date) or DATE strings. Format: YYYY-MM-DD or YY/MM/DD.
2. The serial number on the box is decrypted in the same way as on the phone (see section 1).
3. Date on charger – usually indicated on the power adapter (in small print).

Examples of markings on boxes:

• 📦 Redmi Note 10 Pro: MFD: 2021.03.15 → March 15, 2021
• 📦 Redmi 9A: DATE: 200720 → 20 July 2020

Please note the correspondence of dates:

• If the date on the box and phone differs by more than 1 month, it is suspicious (possibly a box from another device).
• The original Xiaomi boxes always have a hologram with the brand logo – its absence indicates a fake.

💡

The dates on the box and phone must match to within 1-2 weeks, a large discrepancy is a sign of switching parts or fraud.

5. Check through the official Xiaomi website (warranty status)

Xiaomi Verify’s official service allows you to check the warranty status of the device by IMEI or serial number. Although it does not show the exact date of production, you can see:

• 📅 The date of commencement of the warranty (usually coincides with the date of sale, but sometimes with the date of production).
• 🌍 Region of sale (important for checking grey phones).
• ✅ Originality (fakes are not checked).

Instructions:

1. Go to the checkout page.
2. Enter the IMEI or serial number.
3. Enter the captcha and press Verify.

Example of the result for the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G:

Device: Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G




Warranty Status: Active




Warranty Start Date: 2022-11-15




Region: Russia

If the service gives an Invalid IMEI/SN error, it can mean:

• 🚨 Phone fake or assembled from spare parts.
• 🔧 IMEI modified (for example, after the repair of the motherboard).
• 🌐 The device is intended for another region (e.g., the Chinese version for the domestic market).

6. Indirect indications of the age of the telephone

If none of the above methods worked, pay attention to indirect signs that will help estimate the age of the device:

Battery:

• 🔋 Type ##4636##, select Battery Information, Level indicates current charge, and Health indicates state (e.g., good or unknown).
• 📉 If the battery capacity is less than 80% of the factory battery capacity, the phone has been in use for more than a year.

Firmware and updates:

• 📱 Check the version. MIUI In Settings → If the last update is 2021 and the model is 2023, it's suspicious.
• 🔄 Outdated versions of Android (such as Android 10 on the Redmi Note 12) are a sign of long-term use.

Physical wear:

• 👆 Screen: microcracks, yellow spots (burnout) OLED) or traces of protective film.
• 🔌 Charging port: loose connector or oxidation of contacts.
• 🎵 Speakers: wheezing or volume reduction (sign of dust hitting).

💡

To check the actual battery life, install the AccuBattery app and analyze the discharge schedule for the last days.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the release date of Xiaomi Redmi