The serial number of Xiaomi smartphone is a unique identifier that is useful for warranty service, unlocking the bootloader, checking the originality of the device or restoring access to the Mi Account. Without it, it is impossible to confirm ownership of the device in the service center or activate some functions, for example, Find Device when you lose your phone.
The problem is that the manufacturer has hidden this number in several places β and not always obvious. If you bought the phone from your hands, lost the box or after the firmware system does not start, standard methods may not work. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, including those that work even on bricked devices (with βbrickedβ firmware), especially focus on the models of the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 13, where the location of the number is different from older smartphones.
1. Serial number in phone settings (the easiest way)
If the phone is on and running smoothly, start with this method. It doesn't require disassembly of the device or special knowledge. The serial number (S/N) in Xiaomi is hidden in the About Phone menu, but the path to it depends on the version of the MIUI shell:
- π± MIUI 12/13/14: Settings β The phone. β All characteristics β Serial number.
- π MIUI 11 and older: Settings β The phone. β General information β Serial number.
- βοΈ POCO Launcher: Settings β System system β The phone. β Model and equipment
On some models (such as Xiaomi 12T or Redmi K50), the serial number may not appear in full β instead of the full code, you will see a combination of 6-8 characters with an ellipsis. This is normal: the full number can be obtained through ##4636## (more on this below).
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If you have an incomplete serial number in your settings, copy it and manually write the missing characters from the box or stickers under the battery, which will help you avoid errors when entering in service centers.
Important: on phones with an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware (such as LineageOS), the serial number in the settings may not display correctly, in which case use alternative methods from the following sections.
Verification through the engineering menu (USSD codes)
If the phone is turned on but the serial number is missing or not fully displayed, try special service commands. These codes work on all Xiaomi models, including Redmi 10, POCO F4 and Xiaomi 13 Ultra:
- π ##4636## β Opens the Testing menu, where the Serial Number will be in the Phone Information section.
- π’ *#06# - Standard code for displaying IMEI Serial number (on some models Xiaomi shows only the number of the number) IMEI).
- π οΈ ##284## is an alternative code for checking the serial number and information about the camera module (works on the camera). POCO Redmi 2020+ year-end).
If you enter the code and you see a message saying, "Unfortunately, server connection is not possible," it means that your model does not support this command, in which case you move on to the next method.
What do I do if the codes don't work?
β οΈ Note: Do not enter multiple service codes in a row β this may lead to temporary blocking SIM-Between teams, pause in the 10-15 seconds.
3.Serial number on the box and documents
If the phone is new or you have kept the package, the serial number is on the back of the box sticker, located next to the barcode, and usually starts with the letters SN: or S/N:.
- π Warranty card (in the section "Serial number of the deviceΒ»).
- π Check purchases (if the phone is purchased from the official Mi Store or Xiaomi partners).
- π Documentation (in the instructions for use on the last page).
On boxes of POCO phones, the serial number can be hidden under a protective holographic sticker β gently tuck it with a nail or plastic card to avoid damage.
| Model phone | Place on the box | Example of format |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13/13 Pro | Lower left corner (under the barcode) | SN: M22101319G |
| Redmi Note 12 | To the right of the barcode (under the Redmi logo) | S/N: D3Q8T22A06 |
| POCO X5 Pro | On a separate sticker with QR-code | Serial: POCO22071219I |
| Xiaomi 12T | Under the protective film (required to scrape) | SN: L3A2204118CN |
β οΈ Note: If the serial number on the box and in the phone settings do not match, this may indicate a counterfeit or replacement motherboard.In this case, contact Xiaomi support via the official website mi.com/support.
4. Physical inspection: where to look for a number on the case
On most Xiaomi smartphones, the serial number is duplicated on the device itself, and can be found in the following places:
- π Under the removable cover: On older models (Redmi) 4X, Redmi Note 5 number is on the battery sticker, on phones with non-removable back panels (e.g. Xiaomi) 11T) This method doesn't work.
- π± Nana SIM-Lotto: On some devices (e.g, POCO F3) serial number engraved on a metal tray for SIM-Use a magnifying glass, because the symbols are very small.
- π Under the protective film: On the Xiaomi Mi 10 and Mi 11, the number can be hidden under a transparent film on the back panel - gently tuck it in.
For models with a non-removable battery (for example, Xiaomi 13 Lite or Redmi Note 11) a physical inspection will not help β you will have to use software methods or disassemble the device.
In the phone settings|On the box.|Through the engineering menu|On the device itself.|I don't know where to look.-->
Turn off your phone before disassembling|Use a plastic spatula so as not to damage the body|Take a picture of the location of the stickers before they are removed.|Check the warranty - disassembly can cancel it-->
5. How to find out the serial number if the phone is not turned on
If the smartphone doesn't respond to the power button or is stuck on the MI logo, the standard methods won't work.
- Through Fastboot: Connect your phone to your PC, press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode. Then type the command: fastboot getvar serialno This will work even on "brick" devices, as long as the motherboard is not damaged.
- Through Recovery: Go to the recovery menu (clamb Volume Up + Power), select Advanced β Show device info. On some firmware, the serial number appears in the MIUI Recovery Info section.
- Through Mi Account: If the phone was linked to Mi Account, the serial number can be found in the account.xiaomi.com section of Devices.
If none of these methods worked, the only option is to disassemble the phone and find the number on the motherboard, which is engraved next to the battery jack or under the screen (complete disassembly is required).
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If the phone is not turned on but has previously been synced to the Mi Cloud, the serial number can be restored via the web version of the account.
Serial number authentication
Finding a serial number is only half the battle, and to make sure it's original and hasn't been tampered with, check it out through Xiaomi's official services:
- π Official website: Go to the mi.com/global/verify, Type in the number and the captcha, and the system will show the device model and the activation date.
- π§ Through Support: Write to the Xiaomi Support Chat (Device Check section) and attach a photo of the box with the serial number.
- π‘οΈ Comparison with IMEI: The last 6 digits of the serial number often coincide with the part of the serial number. IMEI. If not, the device could be rebuilt after repair.
Beware of fake serial numbers that start with:
- β 1 1 1 1 1 111111 β a clear sign of counterfeiting.
- β The letter O (o) instead of 0 (zero) or I instead of 1.
- β Serial numbers shorter 11 Symbols (original Xiaomi numbers contain) 11-14 sign).
7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
When searching for a serial number, users often face typical problems:
- π They're messing. IMEI and serial number: IMEI (15 numbers S/N (11-14 Symbols are different identifiers. IMEI is tied to the communication module, and the serial number is tied to the device itself.
- π± Teams like #99# or #1234# donβt work on Xiaomi β theyβre for Samsung or Nokia.
- π§ Disassembly stickers: If you remove the back cover, do so carefully - some service centers deny warranties if factory markings are damaged.
If you buy a phone with your hands, always check the serial number before payment.
- Take a picture of the room on the box and in the settings.
- Show the result of the check on the Xiaomi website.
- Confirm that the device is not blacklisted (via imei.info).