Lost the box from Xiaomi, and the IMEI number is urgently needed to unlock, verify the originality or restore access? Don’t panic – even without physical access to the device, you can find this unique identifier. In this article, we have collected all the current ways to obtain IMEI for Redmi smartphones, POCO and Mi line, including hidden methods that are not written in the official instructions.
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is like your phone’s passport, which is tied to hardware and doesn’t change when you reset or flash it, it’s required when you go to a service center, activate a warranty or lock a stolen device, and you can check with IMEI whether your Xiaomi is blacklisted or a “gray” import, and then you can see detailed instructions for everything from a working phone to a completely broken screen.
1. How to find out IMEI through phone settings (the fastest way)
If your Xiaomi turns on and reacts to touch, it will take less than a minute, and is suitable for all models, from the Redmi Note 12 to the Mi 11 Ultra.
Open the Settings app (cog icon) and go to About Phone (or About Device in older versions) MIUI). Scroll down to the General Information block - there you will see the lines IMEI or IMEI1/IMEI2 (for two-phone SIM-Click on the number to copy it to the clipboard.
- 📱 For MIUI 14+: The path may look like settings → The phone. → All characteristics → Status SIM-map.
- 🔄 Double. IMEI: Two-physical devices SIM-maps (e.g., maps, POCO X5 Pro) will be two numbers - one for each slot.
- ⚡ Quick check: Dial in the phone application *#06# — IMEI It will be automatically displayed (even without it). SIM-map).
⚠️ Note: If the settings are instead IMEI display zeros (000000000000000000000) or an error, this is a sign of a software failure or a "broken" modem.
2.Where to look for IMEI on the box and under the battery
The manufacturer duplicates the IMEI on the package and inside the device, which saves if the phone is not turned on or locked.
On the original Xiaomi box, the IMEI number is listed on a barcode sticker (usually at the bottom or on the end).Look for the line IMEI: or IMEI1/IMEI2. If there is no box, check:
- 📦 Battery sticker: On older models (e.g. Redmi) 4X) IMEI It's duplicated on a white label under the removable lid. Carefully put it on a plastic card.
- 🔋 Non-removable battery: modern smartphones (for example, Xiaomi) 13T) The sticker could be underneath the back, and you'd need a suction cup and a mediator to access it.
- 🛒 Check or warranty card: In documents from an official store (for example, Mi Store) IMEI is indicated next to the serial number.
| Xiaomi model | Where to look for IMEI on the box | IMEI under the battery |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11 | Sticker on the end (right) | No (non-removable battery) |
| POCO F3/F4 | The bottom of the box (under the barcode) | Yeah (under the back cover) |
| Mi 11 Lite | Inside the box (on the documentation tab) | No. |
| Redmi 9A/9C | Sticker at the bottom of the box | Yeah (under the removable lid) |
⚠️ Attention: If IMEI The box and settings of the phone do not match, which may mean that the device is recovered after theft (IMEI modified software) or a box from another phone. Check the originality through IMEI.info.
3 How to find out IMEI without a phone: 3 working methods
Is your phone lost, stolen or completely broken?There are ways to get an IMEI remotely if you've previously used a Mi Account or synced data with Google.
Method 1: Using Xiaomi (Mi Cloud) Account
Go to the Mi Account website and log in. In the Devices section, select your smartphone and IMEI will be listed there. If the device doesn't show up, check if Find the device in the settings has been enabled.
Method 2: Google Dashboard
Open Google Dashboard, log in and find the Android block. In the list of devices, select your Xiaomi — IMEI will be in the details. Importantly, this method only works if the phone was previously linked to a Google account.
Method 3: Through a communications operator
If the phone was registered in your name with the operator (for example, MTS, Beeline), contact the communication salon with a passport. By phone number or contract you will be provided with IMEI. The service is paid (about 200-500 rubles).
Try to log in to Mi Account on another device
Check your connected devices on Google
Check with the operator whether the phone is registered to you
View old photos of the box/check in the gallery-->
4.IMEI authentication and phone history check
Finding an IMEI is half the battle, and now you have to make sure that the phone is not blacklisted, stolen, or fake, and use official and third-party services to do that.
Official services:
- 🔍 IMEI.info: Shows the model, year of release and country of production. For example, if your Xiaomi is built in India and the seller claimed it was the “European version”, it is a reason to be wary.
- 📡 GSMA Device Check: Service GSMA Checks to see if the device is on the stolen database. IMEI — If the clean status is, the phone is clean».
- 🛡️ Xiaomi Service: On the site mi.com/verify You can check the originality by the serial number (it is indicated next to the serial number). IMEI boxed).
What to do if IMEI is on the blacklist?
If the service is Blacklisted or Lost/Stolen, it means that the phone is listed as stolen.
- Contact the previous owner (if you bought from hand) and request a refund.
- Contact the police with a check and documents – if the phone is officially purchased, it can be “unbundled” from the blacklist.
- Do not try to change the IMEI software – it is illegal and can lead to the locking of the device by the operator.
Signs of a fake IMEI
5.How to restore the IMEI if it reset (for advanced)
Sometimes, after you have firmware or reset, the IMEI can go off, and the phone stops catching the network, and you can restore it, but it requires technical skills.
Method 1: Engineering Menu (for Qualcomm)
Suitable for smartphones running Snapdragon processors (such as POCO F5 or Redmi K50).
##4636##Go to Phone Information and check for IMEI status. If it's empty, you'll need to flash modemst1 and modemst2 via QPST or QFil.
Method 2: Fastboot (for MediaTek)
For MediaTek devices (like Redmi 10C), download Maui META and connect your phone in Meta Mode. Then, through the SN Writer Tool, record the original IMEI (you can take it from the box).
⚠️ Attention: Recovery IMEI Xiaomi with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro) requires authorization in the EDL-Without official access (through the service center) this is impossible.
💡
Before restoring the IMEI, back up the nvram partition via TWRP, which will help roll back changes if something goes wrong.
6. Frequent Mistakes and Myths About IMEI on Xiaomi
The Internet is full of false information about IMEI, and let's look at the most common misconceptions.
Myth 1: IMEI can be changed legally
No! Changing the IMEI is illegal in most countries (including Russia), with administrative liability, with the only exception being the restoration of the original IMEI after a failure.
Myth 2: Two IMEIs mean two phones in one
It's not like that. IMEI This means that the device supports two SIM-Both numbers are tied to the same phone, and one is locked. IMEI Automatically block the second.
Myth 3: IMEI can be recognized by serial number
Serial number (S/N) and IMEI are different things, the serial number is for warranty, and IMEI is for identification in the networks of operators, but on the Xiaomi website you can check the originality of the device, which indirectly confirms the correctness of the IMEI.
Myth 4: If the IMEI doesn’t show up, the phone is definitely unoriginal
An IMEI can “fly” after a failed firmware or reset via a Fastboot.This is not always a sign of a fake. First try to restore it through the engineering menu (see section 5).
💡
IMEI — It is not the same as a serial number or MAC-It is unique to each phone and should not match even two Xiaomi models.