Loss of loss IMEI after firmware, factory reset or failed update MIUI β One of the most frustrating problems for owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO. Without the right one. IMEI The smartphone loses access to the mobile network, stops catching the operator's signal and actually turns into a tablet, and fortunately, you can avoid this situation by backing up in advance. IMEI. In this article, we will discuss all working methods of backup, including methods through Fastboot, ADB Hidden engineering menu and how to restore IMEI, if the trouble has already happened.
It is important to understand: backup procedure IMEI It's a bit of a prudence. modemst1 and modemst2 This can cause total network loss or even a "brick" of the device. So before you start, check the battery charge (at least 50%), prepare the original battery. USB-cable and make sure that the PC has drivers installed for your model. ADB, Better practice on an unnecessary device or consult a specialist.
Why is it missing? IMEI Xiaomi and when to make a backup
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity is a unique identifier for your smartphone that is βtiedβ to the deviceβs modem: modemst1 (IMEI 1) and modemst2 (IMEI 2 for two-sim models. Causes of loss are several:
- π Fastboot firmware is the most common case, and some custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) will erase modem partitions if you don't use the command. --no-reboot.
- β‘ Resetting to factory settings via Mi Recovery, which in rare cases causes damage to partitions with IMEI, Especially on older models (Redmi Note) 3/4, Mi 5).
- π± Update MIUI "airborne" (OTA) If the power goes off during the update or the user forcibly restarts the phone, the modem sections may become corrupted.
- π§ Repair or replacement of the motherboard, unless the master has moved IMEI On a new charge, the phone will lose the network.
Make a backup. IMEI necessarily in the following cases:
- π οΈ Before any firmware through Fastboot or EDL (formal).
- π Before changing the firmware region (for example, from Global to China or vice versa).
- π¦ Before selling or transferring the phone to another person (to recover) IMEI on a new device, if necessary).
- β οΈ If the phone is already "glutting" with the network (for example, periodically loses the signal or does not register on the network) 4G).
β οΈ Note: On Xiaomi models with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) IMEI stored NVRAM β Damage to this partition may require flashing through SP Flash Tool with an authorized MediaTek account.
Backup preparations IMEI: what's needed
Before you start backup, prepare everything you need:
| Component | Requirements | Where to find it. |
|---|---|---|
| Computer | Windows 7/10/11 (64-bit) It's not like Linux. MacOS can have driver problems. | Any PC with a USB-port |
| USB-cable | Original cable from Xiaomi (important for a stable connection in Fastboot). | Phone delivery kit |
| Drivers. | ADB Fastboot drivers, Qualcomm or MediaTek depending on the processor. | Android SDK or XDA Developers |
| Programme programmes | Mi Flash Tool (for Qualcomm), SP Flash Tool (for MediaTek), QPST maui META. | Official websites or verified sources |
| Backup copy | A flash drive or cloud storage to save backup files. | Google Drive, Yandex.Disk |
Pay special attention to drivers. For devices on Qualcomm (most flagships Xiaomi, for example, Mi 11, POCO F3) You will need a QDLoader package. HS-USB For MediaTek (Redmi 9, POCO X3 NFC) β MediaTek Preloader drivers. Install them before connecting your phone to your PC, otherwise the system may not recognize the device in Fastboot mode or EDL.
Also check if you have a bootloader unlocked, without which the backup via Fastboot will not be possible.
fastboot oem device-infoIf you see Device unlocked: false in the answer, the bootloader is locked. Unlocking takes up to 72 hours (requires binding Mi Account).
π‘
Before starting work, disable the antivirus β it can block tools like QPST maui META, malware.
Method 1: Backup IMEI via Fastboot (for Qualcomm)
This method is suitable for most Xiaomi smartphones on Qualcomm Snapdragon processors (POCO F1, Mi 10, Redmi Note 10 Pro, etc. It involves creating a partition dump. modemst1 and modemst2, stored IMEI.
Put the debugging on. USB In Settings β The phone. β Version. MIUI (press 7 times)|Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your debugging permission|Transfer the device to Fastboot: Adb reboot bootloader|Check the connection with the fastboot devices team
-->
Step 1. Open the command line (or PowerShell) in the folder with the platform-tools (where fastboot.exe and adb.exe lie) and execute the command to create the dump:
fastboot getvar allIn the conclusion, find the lines imei and imei2 β These are current values. IMEI Write them down on paper or in a text file.
Step 2. Create backup copies of the modem partitions:
fastboot dump modemst1 modemst1.bin
fastboot dump modemst2 modemst2.binFiles. modemst1.bin and modemst2.bin You can see them in a folder with a platform-tools, and you can copy them to a safe place, like a flash drive or a cloud).
Step 3. For reliability, also save the fsg section (contains additional modem settings):
fastboot dump fsg fsg.binβ οΈ Note: On some models (Redmi Note) 8 Pro, POCO X2) section IMEI It can be called modem or modem_a/modem_b. To find out the exact names, run the command fastboot getvar all and find the lines from partition-type:modem.
If you ever need to restore IMEI From this backup, use commands:
fastboot flash modemst1 modemst1.bin
fastboot flash modemst2 modemst2.bin
fastboot flash fsg fsg.binπ‘
Modem partition dumps (modemst1.bin, modemst2.bin) contain IMEI, But other critical modem settings, and restoring them will bring the phone back to its original state from a mobile network perspective.
Method 2: Preservation IMEI via the Engineering Menu (for MediaTek)
Devices on MediaTek (Redmi 9, POCO M3, Redmi Note 9T) They need a different approach because they IMEI stored NVRAM. The easiest way to backup is through a hidden engineering menu.
Step 1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination:
##36446337##This will open the MediaTek engineering menu (some firmware may require a combination of ##4636## β Phone information).
Step 2. Go to the Connectivity section β CDS Information β Radio Information. You'll see two items here:
- Phone 1 - for the first time SIM-map.
- Phone 2 for the second SIM-Cards (if supported).
Step 3: Enter a command to view the current IMEI (Replace 1 for 2 for the second SIM):
AT +EGMR=1,7,""The system will return the line of view AT +EGMR=1,7,"123456789012345," where 123456789012345" IMEI. Copy it.
Step 4. To save IMEI In the file, use it. ADB:
adb shell "echo 'AT +EGMR=1,7,\"YOUR_IMEI_HERE\"' > /sdcard/imei_backup.txt"Replace. YOUR_IMEI_HERE your real IMEI. File. imei_backup.txt It will appear in the root folder of internal memory.
β οΈ Attention: On some firmware MIUI The engineering menu can be blocked, in which case use an alternative method via Maui. META (instruction below) or SP Flash Tool with an Authorized Account.
What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
Method 3: Use QPST maui META (advanced)
For users who often work with firmware, the best solution will be professional tools: QPST (for Qualcomm or Maui META (These programs are not only about saving money. IMEI, But also to restore it even after serious failures.
For Qualcomm (QPST):
- Download and install. QPST from the official Qualcomm website.
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and select the port to QPST Configuration.
- Open Software Download, select a firmware file (if required) and click Backup.
- In the list, select sections. modemst1 and modemst2, Specify the path to save and start the process.
For MediaTek (Maui) META):
- Install Maui. META and MediaTek drivers.
- Connect your phone in Meta Mode mode (usually you need to turn off the battery and close the test points on the board).
- In the program, select Smart Phone β Connect.
- Move to the NV Tools β NV Read and save the section NVRAM.
These techniques require experience, but they give you maximum reliability. META recover IMEI even NVRAM damaged by using backup copies of BROM.
π‘
If you often flash Xiaomi on MediaTek, buy an Auth File for your model (about the same time). $10β$This will allow the phone to be stitched through SP Flash Tools without risk of losing IMEI.
How to repair IMEI backup
If IMEI still missing (the phone shows "No network" or "Not registered in the network"), it can be restored in several ways depending on what backup you have.
Option 1. Recovery via Fastboot (if there are dumps) modemst1.bin and modemst2.bin):
fastboot flash modemst1 modemst1.bin
fastboot flash modemst2 modemst2.bin
fastboot rebootOption 2: Recovery through the Engineering Menu (for MediaTek):
- Open the engineering menu (combination ##36446337##).
- Move to the CDS Information β Radio Information.
- Enter the command (replace). IMEI_HERE yours IMEI):
AT +EGMR=1,7,"IMEI_HERE"For the second. SIM use AT +EGMR=1,10,"IMEI_HERE".
Option 3. Recovery through QPST/Maui META:
- For Qualcomm: in QPST Select Restore and point the way to saved partitions.
- For MediaTek: at Maui META use NV Write for recording IMEI into NVRAM.
β οΈ Note: If after recovery IMEI The phone still does not catch the network, check the settings APN (Sometimes they're reset with the modem. APN You can download automatically to the settings β SIM-maps and mobile networks β Access points (APN).
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced users sometimes face backup problems IMEI. Here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| fastboot: unknown command 'dump' | An outdated version of fastboot. | Update the platform-tools to the latest version from the Android Developers website. |
| Phone is not defined in Fastboot | There are no drivers or faulty cables. | Install QDLoader drivers manually through Device Manager. |
| IMEI He dropped on a million,000,000,000,000. | Damaged section. modemst1/modemst2. | Restore partitions from the backup or run the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool. |
| Maui META not connecting to the phone | Testpoints are not closed or MediaTek drivers are not installed. | Check the testpoint scheme for your model or use it. BROM Mode. |
| After recovery IMEI no net | The firmware region does not match (e.g. Global vs China). | Sweep through the firmware for your region or change the region through the Mi Flash Tool. |
Critical error: if after recovery IMEI The phone stopped turning on or stuck on the logo MI, So you've stitched incompatible partitions on the modem, and then only firmware through the modem will help. EDL (Emergency mode) using an authorized Xiaomi account.