How to determine if the phone is really Xiaomi: 7 proven ways

Why it is important to know whose phone is in front of you

You bought a smartphone with the Xiaomi logo on the back, but something seems suspicious? Or maybe you inherited the phone from relatives and you're not sure what it came from? In a world where fakes for popular brands are becoming more sophisticated, even experienced users can fall for the tricks of scammers, especially for Xiaomi, a brand that, thanks to a combination of price and quality, has become a target for replica manufacturers.

Xiaomi fakes range from the outright Chinese consumer goods with a sticker logo to near-perfect copies where the difference is only visible when you look deep, often labeled as “original phones for the domestic market of China” or “special versions for export,” but in fact, they can be devices with stripped-down iron, uncertified batteries or even spyware. How to avoid being scammed and determine exactly whose phone is in front of you, we will tell you in this guide.

Method 1: IMEI Testing – The First Step to Truth

The International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI) is a unique "passport" of your phone that can be used to verify Xiaomi's authenticity through official databases. The original devices have IMEIs on their firmware, on their box, and under their battery (if any of these IMEIs don't match, you're 100% fake.

How to find out IMEI:

• 📱 Dial on the phone keyboard *#06# - a window with a 15-digit number will appear.
• 📦 Look at the sticker on the box, it should be the same. IMEI.
• 🔋 If the battery is removable, check the sticker under it (on new models). IMEI dubbed SIM-map).
• 🖥️ In settings: Settings → The phone. → General information → IMEI.

Check the IMEI through the official services:

1. Go to IMEI.info or Xiaomi’s official verification service.
2. Enter the IMEI in the verification field.
3. If the system gives you a model of your phone and a Valid status, it's original. If you write Not Found or show another model, it's fake.

💡

If you type *#06# the phone gives an error or shows an IMEI of the form 000000000000000000 - this is a sure sign of a fake or "gray" device with a swapped firmware.

Method 2: Serial number and verification via Mi Account

The serial number (S/N) is another unique identifier that can be verified through the Xiaomi ecosystem, and on the original devices it is listed on the box, in the phone settings, and sometimes under the battery, and it is important that the serial numbers on the box and on the phone match.

How to check the serial number:

1. Find S/N in Settings → About Phone → General Information → Serial Number.
2. Go to the Mi Account page and log in (or create an account).
3. In the Devices section, check if your phone is showing up. If so, compare the serial number to the one on the box.

⚠️ Warning: Scammers often use cloned serial numbers from real devices.If the phone has already been linked to another Mi Account, it could mean it's stolen or resold.

Method 3: Analysis of firmware and MIUI

Xiaomi's original smartphones run on the MIUI's proprietary shell, which has unique features. Counterfeiting often uses custom Android firmware mimicking MIUI or outdated shell versions.

Signs of the original MIUI:

• 📲 Firmware name in settings: should contain an official designation, for example MIUI Global 14.0.5 Stable (for global versions) MIUI CN 13.0.10 (for Chinese).
• 🔄 Availability of updates: in Settings → The phone. → System updates should be displayed official updates.
• 🛡️ Google Services: Global versions must be pre-installed with Google Play Services, Google Play Store and other services (Chinese versions may not have them).
• 🔍 Security app: must have a proprietary design and system virus check function.

If the firmware looks "crooked" (untranslated menus, lack of Xiaomi branded apps, errors in operation), it is most likely a fake or a phone with unofficial firmware, the latter option is less dangerous, but deprives you of warranty and official support.

Global (Global)|Chinese (CN)|European (EEA)|Castomic (unofficial)|Don't know-->

Method 4: External Signs – Where to Look for Differences

Even the best fakes often give off as trifles in appearance. Xiaomi’s original smartphones have clear build standards that are difficult for artisanal manufacturers to replicate.

Special attention is paid to the camera. Fakes often have decorative modules (e.g., a triple camera, where two lenses are dummy lenses) Check the performance of each camera through the standard Camera app: if one of the eyes is not functioning, this is a sure sign of deception.

Method 5: Verification through service codes

Xiaomi smartphones support service codes that allow you to access hidden information about the device, these codes do not work on fakes or give out an error.

• 📡 ##4636## - network, battery and device usage information. The original menu will open with tabs Usage statistics, Battery information, etc.
• 🔋 ##6484## - battery test, which will show real capacity (often understated on fakes).
• 📱 ##64663## - Sensor test (gyroscope, accelerometer, compass) on copies of sensors may be missing or not working correctly.
• 🔊 ##36446337## - Test of speakers and microphones.

If nothing happens after entering the code or if the message "Connection problem" appears, it is a sign of a non-original device, and if there is no response to codes #06# (IMEI) or #99# (NFC module diagnostics) on the forgery.

Enter ##4636## and check the Battery information tab|Check the actual battery capacity with ##6484##|Test the sensors with code ##64663##|Compare the results with the official model characteristics-->

Method 6: Performance Testing

Fakes under Xiaomi are often equipped with weak hardware that does not pull the stated characteristics, for example, the phone is issued as a Poco X5 Pro with a Snapdragon 778G processor, but in fact there is some Helio G35 inside.

Recommended applications for testing:

• 📊 AnTuTu Benchmark – Shows Real Performance CPU, GPU memory.
• 🔍 CPU-Z — displays the processor model, RAM volume and other technical data.
• 📱 AIDA64 — Provide complete information about the iron, including the serial numbers of the components.

Compare the results with the official data of your model on the Xiaomi website, for example, if the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ should score about 400,000 on AnTuTu, and your phone gives 150,000, that's a clear fake. Also pay attention to the temperature: fakes often overheat even at minimal load.

💡

If the CPU-Z or AIDA64 doesn't match the official specs, you're 100% fake, even if the phone looks like the original.

Method 7: Checking through official Xiaomi channels

If you're still in doubt, the most reliable way to do this is to contact Xiaomi's service center directly.

1. Find the nearest authorized service center on the Mi Service website.
2. Provide IMEI and serial phone number (you can submit a request online via the feedback form).
3. If the phone is original, you will be confirmed its authenticity and informed of the date of production.

You can also use the official support chat in the Mi Community app or on Xiaomi's website, and support staff can request photos of the phone (especially stickers from the phone). IMEI battery-driven SIM-maps) and confirm their authenticity.

⚠️ Warning: Some scammers even fake support responses by sending fake emails on behalf of Xiaomi.All official responses come from domains @xiaomi.com or @mi.com — check the sender's address!

What to do if the phone is a fake

If the test shows that your Xiaomi is a fake, follow the algorithm:

1. Counterfeiting often contains malware that can steal data (passwords, photos, messages).
2. Contact the seller. Demand a refund by providing evidence (screenshots of IMEI checks, Xiaomi support response). If the seller refuses, write a claim to the site (for example, AliExpress, Wildberries, Avito).
3. File a complaint to Rospotrebnadzor. Counterfeiting violates consumer rights - you can claim compensation.
4. Counterfeiting often fails to meet safety standards (e.g., can explode when charging).

Important: If you bought a fake abroad (e.g. on AliExpress), the chances of refunding the money are higher if you opened the dispute within 15 days of receipt.

FAQ: Frequent questions about checking Xiaomi phones