Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to identify their device, which may be required when buying a used gadget, issuing a warranty or unlocking the bootloader, and the central element in this process is the IMEI, a unique identifier that is assigned to each cellphone module.
Understanding exactly what the code looks like and where it is located allows you to quickly distinguish the original device from a fake or refurbished machine with modified firmware. The visual structure of the room obeys strict international standards of the GSMA, but Chinese brands have their own nuances of displaying information in the system.
In this article, we'll take a look at the code, learn how to read its structure and use special tools to verify it, so you don't have to wonder if the number on the box corresponds to what's in the system, or if it's an attempt to mislead the customer.
Visual structure and recording format
It is important to note that the standard IMEI It's 15 digits long, but Xiaomi's two-digit smartphone. SIM-You'll often see a string of 30 digits or two separate 15 digit numbers with cards, which is because each slot has its own unique identifier. Visually, they can be displayed in a single or semicolonial display on the phone's menu, but it's the 15 digit format that's important for databases.
If you look at the code carefully, it can be divided into logical blocks. The first 8 digits are the TAC (Type Allocation Code) that indicate the device model and the country of origin. The next 6 digits are the serial number of the particular machine in the factory. The last 15 digit is the checksum calculated by the Moon algorithm, which is used to automatically check the correctness of the input.
⚠️ Attention: If in the line IMEI Your Xiaomi has letters, hyphens or spaces in the middle of the digits, which is a sign of customization of the interface or display error in third-party applications.
Sometimes users confuse IMEI with MEID or SN (Serial Number). MEID is usually longer and may contain letters, it is used in CDMA networks, which are practically not used in the CIS. The serial number is the internal code of the manufacturer, which does not have a strict mathematical structure, unlike IMEI. On Xiaomi stickers they are often located nearby, which causes confusion among beginners.
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Always rewrite the IMEI manually and double-check each digit. One checksum error will make the code invalid for database verification.
Where to find IMEI on the case and packaging
The easiest way to see what the ID looks like is to look at the box. There's always a white barcode sticker on the back of Xiaomi's package. It clearly spells out two 15-digit numbers if the model supports two. SIM-There's usually a badge next to it. SIM-maps that help visually separate them from the code SN.
It's harder to find the inscription on the body of the smartphone, because modern models come with a single design without removable batteries. SIM-On some models (especially older or budget Redmi series), the microscopic number can be engraved on the inside of the tray or on the frame below it.
If you buy a phone with your hands and you see that the numbers on the box are different from the ones in the system, it's a red flag. It may have been assembled from multiple pieces or changed the motherboard.
Display code in the MIUI and HyperOS interface
In the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, you can find the ID through the settings menu. The path usually looks like: Settings → About the phone → General information. Here you will see two fields: IMEI 1 and IMEI 2. They look like ordinary numerical strings that you can copy with a click.
There is also a universal engineering method that works on any phone, including Xiaomi: just open the phone app and dial *#06#. Once you enter the last grille, the technical window pops up instantly.
This window is not just displayed. IMEI, but MEID, also MAC-Wi-Fi and Bluetooth addresses on two-way devices. SIM-The system will show two separate 15-digit codes in maps. SIM (eSIMs, there might be a third number, and they're visually aligned on the left edge and have the same typeface.
☑️ Conformity check IMEI
Table of decoding of identifier fields
To better understand what's behind a set of numbers, let's take a detailed structure, and different parts of the code have different meanings for operators and service centers.
| Part of the code | Length | Description |
|---|---|---|
| TAC | 8 digits | Equipment Type and Manufacturer Code (First 2 digits – Reporting Body Identifier) |
| SNR | 6 numbers | Serial number of the device in the factory (unique for each model with such a TAC) |
| CD | 1 figure | Check Digit, calculated using the Moon algorithm |
Knowing this structure, you can easily identify a fake. For example, if the last 7 digits of two different Xiaomi phones of the same model are completely identical, this is suspicious activity. Serial numbers cannot be identical for different devices. There are also online calculators that check the checksum is correct.
For tech-savvy users, it will be interesting to know that the first two digits of the TAC (Reporting Body Identifier) indicate the organization that issued the code. For Xiaomi, these are usually codes registered in China or India, where the main assembly plants are located.
Authentication through official services
Just knowing what a number looks like is not enough. It's important to be able to verify its legitimacy. Xiaomi's official website provides an authentication service. mi.com/verify, You can enter IMEI and CAPTCHA-code.
If the device is original and officially sold, you will see its model, color and activation date (if it was produced), if the service says "Not found" or shows a model different from yours, it's a reason to think.
⚠️ Note: The database on the site is not updated instantly. If you bought a new product on the day of the start of sales, information about it can only appear in the system through the following means: 2-3 weekdays.
In addition, there are third-party IMEI databases that show more detailed technical information: date of manufacture, country of assembly and even the status of locking by the operator (relevant for devices from the United States and Europe), but rely on them with caution, as the data there may be outdated.
What to do if IMEI doesn’t break through?
Recovery of lost or erased IMEI
In rare cases, usually after unsuccessful flashing or interference with system partitions, the field IMEI It can become empty or contain zeros (000000000000000000000000) in which case the phone stops seeing. SIM-map and net.
Recovery of this code is a complex procedure that requires root rights and special engineering utilities such as MiPilot or QPST. It is important to understand that changing the IMEI at many legislative levels is illegal, so it is precisely about restoring the original number that was recorded at the factory.
The original code can always be found on the factory sticker under the back cover (if it's removable) or on the box. If you have access to a backup of the persist or modem partition made in advance, the process will go well, otherwise you will need to contact an authorized service center.
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Never try to change the IMEI to a random number, which will result in the device being locked in the carriers’ networks and the warranty being lost.