How to know exactly the year of the release of Xiaomi phone: from the box to the hidden menu

Knowing the year of Xiaomi’s smartphone release is critical when buying a used device, warranty repairs or checking the originality. The manufacturer does not always specify the date of production on the case, and sellers can deliberately hide the age of the phone. For example, the Redmi Note 11 model, released in 2021, by 2026, can have a worn-out battery, even if it looks like new.

In this article, we will discuss 5 official and informal methods, including serial number decoding, IMEI verification and factory packaging analysis. We will focus on the nuances for the popular series: POCO, Redmi and flagship Xiaomi 13/14. You will also learn why data from different sources can differ and how to avoid counterfeiting.

⚠️ Important: Release year and activation date are different concepts, the first indicates the physical age of the device, the second indicates when the phone first connected to the network, for example, a smartphone from 2022 could be in storage and be activated only in 2026.

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

Xiaomi's serial number contains encrypted production date information, which can be found:

• 📦 On the sticker under the battery (for models with removable battery, for example, Redmi) 4A).
• 📱 In settings: Settings → The phone. → General information → Serial number.
• 📄 On the warranty card or box (signature) S/N).

Xiaomi serial number usually has a format XXXXXXXXXYYWW, where:

• YY is the last two digits of the year (e.g. 21 = 2021).
• WW is the week of production (01 to 52).

Example: Serial number ABC12345672235 stands for Week 35 of 2022 (August 2022).

⚠️ Note: Starting in 2023, Xiaomi has changed the format of serial numbers for some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra).Now the date can be encoded in the first 4 characters.If the standard decryption does not work, use the official verification service (see section 4).

2. IMEI Year Definition – Alternative for Boxless Devices

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity is a unique phone identifier that can be used to find the date of production. IMEI:

• 📱 In settings: Settings → The phone. → General information → IMEI.
• 📞 Dial *#06# - the number will appear on the screen.
• 📦 On a sticker under the battery or on a box.

For IMEI verification:

1. Go to IMEI.info (or similar service).
2. Enter the 15-digit IMEI code.
3. In the results, find the Date of Manufacture field.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Not all services support Xiaomi (especially newer models).
• ❌ Date may indicate assembly rather than actual release.
• ✅ It works even for phones with a replaced motherboard.

Looking |Through IMEI/serial number |Testing camera and battery |Chronographing box and documents |Trusting seller-->

3.Date on box and stickers - visual markers

The original Xiaomi packaging contains several labels with a production date.

⚠️ Attention: On boxes POCO And some Redmi dates may indicate packaging, not production, of the phone, and the difference is usually 1-2 months, but check the serial number for accuracy.

How to distinguish the original box:

• 🔍 The barcode must match the sticker on the phone.
• 🎨 Colors and fonts - without blurs and typos.
• 📦 At the bottom of the box is the manufacturer (e.g. Made by Xiaomi Communications Co., Ltd.).

IMEI match on box and phone | Production date on white sticker | Barcode without damage | Xiaomi logo with hologram (for flagships) | Presence of warranty card-->

4.The official verification service Xiaomi – data from the manufacturer

Xiaomi provides a tool for authentication and release date through the Mi Verify website.

1. Enter the IMEI or serial number.
2. Confirm the captcha.
3. In the results, find the Manufacture Date field.

What to do if the service does not find the device:

• 🔄 Try another browser (e.g. Chrome in incognito mode).
• 📱 Make sure you put it in. IMEI first SIM-cards (if two of them).
• ⚠️ For models older than 2018, the service may not work.

💡

If Mi Verify shows a "Device not found" error, try checking IMEI through SND Deep Info. It supports more older models but requires registration.

5 Hidden menus and engineering codes for advanced users

Some Xiaomi models store the production date in the service menu.Caution: these methods require caution and are only suitable for advanced users.

Method 1. Engineering menu (MTK-chip):

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code: ##4636###.
3. Go to the tab Information about the phone.
4. Find the Manufacture Date line.

Method 2. ADB-Team (for all models):

adb shell getprop ro.boot.ddr_info

In the answer, look for a line of view manufacture_date=202305 (may 2023 year-end).

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect use of engineering codes can cause failures. Do not enter random combinations - this can block the network or reset settings.

💡

Engineering menus and ADB-The teams give the most accurate production date, but they require technical skills. IMEI.

6. Indirect indications of the age of the telephone

If none of the methods worked, pay attention to the indirect signs:

Battery:

• 🔋 Phone. 2020 battery-capacity <85% from the initial - a sign of intensive use.
• 📊 Check the charging cycles in Settings → Battery → Battery status.

Firmware:

• 📲 If the phone's on MIUI 12 and the latest version for the model — MIUI 14, it probably hasn't been updated in a long time.
• 🔄 Security updates older than 2023 are a reason to be wary.

Package:

• 🔌 Xiaomi Chargers Until 2021 Had White, New Black.
• 🎧 Headphones complete with models until 2020 - with a 3.5 mm connector, later - Type-C.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi release date