Do you buy Xiaomi from hand or in an unofficial store and doubt that the phone is really new? or do you want to make sure that the seller has not used the device before you? Verification of the first run is a critical step, especially for Redmi, POCO or flagship Xiaomi 13/14 models, where the difference between "new" and "like new" can reach 30-50% of the cost.
In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to determine the first inclusion – from visual inspection of the box to analysis of service menus and system logs. You will learn what hidden tags in MIUI indicate pre-use, how to decrypt data from the IMEI sticker, and why even factory film does not guarantee "novelty." Instructions are valid for all devices on MIUI 12-15 (including global and Chinese versions).
1. Visual check of box and configuration
Start by inspecting the packaging - this is the quickest way to spot a swapping or opening. Xiaomi's original boxes have:
- 📦 Factory thermal tape with the brand logo (on models 2022+ years – holographic elements).
- 🔍 Serial number on the sticker that must match the number on the phone (checked in Settings → About Phone).
- 📄 Documentation without trace of use: instruction not crippled, warranty card not filled.
Pay attention to the complete set:
- 🔌 The USB-Type C cable must be in factory packaging (on new models, in a paper bag with a logo).
- 🔋 Charger (if provided) - without scratches on the body.
- 🎧 Headphones (for models where they come in the kit) - in a separate package with fillings.
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If there's a sticker on the box that says "Refurbished" or "Like New," it's an officially refurbished device, not a new one, and these phones are cheaper to sell, but they don't have full warranty.
⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters often forge seals using heat-glue, and use your nail to run the seam of the film, and there's no trace of glue left on the original.
IMEI and serial number check
Each Xiaomi smartphone has unique identifiers that can track your activation history.
- Find the IMEI on the box (on the barcode sticker) or under the battery (for models with removable battery).
- Enter *#06# on your phone and the same number should be displayed.
- Check IMEI on official services: 🌐 IMEI.info will show the date of the first activation. 🌐 Xiaomi Verify is an authentication service.
| Parameter | New device | B/u or rebuilt |
|---|---|---|
| Date of first activation | Coincides with the date of purchase (±3 days) | Early 1+ month |
| Status of guarantee | "Active" (12-24 months) | "Expired" or "Refurbished" |
| Sales region | It matches your country. | "Gray market" or other region |
⚠️ Warning: If the IMEI on the box and the phone don't match, it's 100% fake or "assembled" device made of different parts, and these phones are often locked up after 1-2 months of use.
3. Analysis of firmware and system logs
Even if the phone looks new, the firmware keeps track of the use.
Open Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on the line "Kernel version" This will open the hidden Testing menu, where:
- 📅 First boot time is the date of first inclusion (must coincide with the date of purchase).
- 🔄 Boot count is the number of reboots (on the new phone 1-3).
- 📱 "Device status" - if "Used" is specified, the phone has already been activated.
For advanced users:
adb shell dumpsys battery
adb shell dumpsys powerThese commands will show the time of first connection to charge and battery usage history. On the new phone, the first_charge_time will be equal to the current date.
What to do if the Testing menu is not available?
4. Checking the battery and operating time
The battery is one of the main indicators of usage, and even if the phone is turned on 1-2 times, the battery will show real status.
Go to Settings → Battery → Battery status. Pay attention to:
- 🔋 Charging cycles — the new phone must have a 0-2 cycle.
- ⚡ Wear up to 1% (if more, the battery was used).
- 📊 "Discharge schedule" - used phones will have peak consumption.
For accurate diagnosis, use the AccuBattery app (download from Google Play), which will show after 1-2 charging cycles:
- The actual battery capacity (should match the passport ± 2%).
- The wear rate (on the new phone - 0%).
- Temperature peaks (on used phones above 40 ° C).
☑️ Signs of Xiaomi's new battery
⚠️ Warning: On some models (Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13 Ultra), the battery data is reset after full discharge. If the seller claims that the phone is new, but the battery shows 5+ cycles, this is a clear sign of cheating.
5 Hidden Labels in MIUI: What to Look for
MIUI leaves traces of usage that are not visible in the standard settings.
Annex logs:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select any system application (e.g. Camera or Gallery).
- Check the Warehouse → Cash – if it’s not empty, the app will launch.
Files in memory:
- Connect your phone to your PC and check the folders: DCIM/.thumbnails – photo thumbnails (should be missing); Downloads – downloaded files; MIUI/Backup – backups.
Developer settings:
- Activate the developer mode (tap 7 times on the MIUI version).
- Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Check the Error Log – if there are records older than the date of purchase, the phone has been used.
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Even if the seller reset the phone to factory settings, the cache and log files of the system applications (Google Play Services, Mi Account) will remain, and their absence is a key sign of the new device.
6. Verification through Mi Account and cloud services
If the previous owner did not unplug the Mi Account, you will be able to see the usage history:
Step 1: Try to login to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account. If you request a password, your phone is linked to someone else’s account.
Step 2: Check the cloud data:
- 📁 Mi Cloud – If there are backups, photos or notes, the phone was used.
- 📍 Find Device – will show location history (available at i.mi.com).
Step 3: Make sure your device is not blacklisted:
- Go to the official Xiaomi website.
- Enter IMEI – If the status is “Blacklisted”, the phone is stolen or locked.
⚠️ Warning: Phones with MIUI Global reset their account after -hard reset, but Chinese versions (MIUI China) may require unlocking via the Mi Unlock Tool.
7. Physical examination: what gives the used phone
Even if software checks do not reveal any problems, an external inspection can reveal the truth:
Body and screen:
- 🔍 Light the flashlight at an angle - the new screen should not have microcracks or "web spiders."
- 🖼️ Check the oleophobic coating: on the new phone, fingers slide easily, on the used one - there are greasy traces.
- 📏 The gaps between the body and the screen are uniform on the new models (check around the perimeter).
Camera and speakers:
- 📸 Take a photo at maximum ISO — used phones will have noise artifacts.
- 🔊 Check the speakers at maximum volume - wheezing or distortions indicate wear.
Ports and buttons:
- 🔌 Insert the charging cable — the new phone has a Type-C connector that's dense, without backlash.
- 🎛️ The Volume and Power buttons must be pressed with the same force.
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To check the screen, use the “broken pixel” test: download the Dead Pixel Test app and check the monochrome screensavers (red, green, blue, black).