How to restore IMEI on Xiaomi phone: the complete guide

The situation when the Xiaomi smartphone stops seeing SIM-The screen can show "No Network" or "Emergency Calls Only", and in the settings instead of the unique code of the device, the zeros or "Null" are displayed. IMEI — Digital passport of your gadget in the cellular network.

Recovery of this ID is not a beginner's procedure, requiring care and understanding of risks. A mistake in the process of firmware or using engineering utilities can turn the device into a "brick" that will not be activated, but if you act strictly according to instructions, the chances of bringing the device back to life are very high.

In this article, we will discuss the proven methods of modem recovery. We will discuss software methods through the engineering menu, the use of specialized software on the computer, and also touch on hardware solutions. Remember, the success of the operation depends on the model of the processor and the version of Android installed on your device.

Diagnostics of the problem and checking IMEI

Before you start taking action, you need to make sure the nature of the malfunction. Often users confuse the software failure of the SIM card with the loss of the ID. Initial diagnosis allows you to understand at which level the error occurred: in the software or at the hardware level.

The easiest way to check is to use USSD-Type *#06# on the caller keyboard. If the 15-digit code (or two codes for two-symbol models) is displayed on the screen, then the database is fine, and the problem lies in the settings of the network or the network itself. SIM-If you see empty fields, zeroes or an inscription «IMEI Null, then the problem is confirmed.

You also have to look at the About Phone menu, and sometimes the system displays the code there, but it can't log in because of a radio failure. ADB-if you have access to a computer and have a USB It's on. It looks like this on the command line:

adb shell service call iphonesubinfo 1

If you get a string of numbers in response, the NVRAM (memory where data is stored) is partially intact, and a lack of response or error indicates serious damage to the NVRAM partition.

⚠️ Note: If your phone was purchased by hand and IMEI missing after flashing, there is a high probability that the previous owner used illegal methods of changing the ID, which were blocked by the security update.

Physical damage to the phone (fall, moisture) can cause the antenna plume to tear off, which simulates the loss of IMEI. Visual inspection and neat autopsy (if you have skills) will help to exclude mechanical defects.

Preparation for recovery: drivers and software

The success of the operation depends on 90% of the correct preparation of the workplace. USB-cable (preferably original) and a stable Internet connection to download the necessary files. Without properly installed drivers, the computer will not see the phone in the right mode.

First of all, you need to install Qualcomm drivers (for Snapdragon processors) or MTK (for MediaTek). Xiaomi devices most often require Qualcomm drivers, since most modern models run on this platform, and you may also need an ADB driver and a Fastboot driver.

Download and install Platform Tools. This is Google's official toolkit that will let you communicate with your phone at a low level. Unpack the archive at the root of the C drive for convenience, so that the path looks something like this: C:\platform-tools.

It is important to disable the digital signature check for drivers in Windows if the system blocks installation of the necessary components. This is often required for older versions of the OS or specific engineering drivers. Without this step, the Device Manager can show an unknown device with a yellow exclamation point.

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Use it. USB-port 2.0 It's on the back of the computer. 3.0/3.1 Sometimes cause problems with connection stability when firmware low-level partitions.

Method 1: Recovery through Engineering Menu

This is a good way to go for devices with MediaTek processors and some older Xiaomi models.It doesn't require a PC connection, but it doesn't work on all versions of Android.With each security update, Google and manufacturers are closing access to these hidden features.

Try dialer code ##3646633## or ##4636##. If Engineer Mode opens, go to Connectivity or Telephony. CDS Information or Radio.

Select "Radio 1" (for the first SIM card). In the "AT+" field, type the command to rewrite IMEI. The command is as follows:

AT+EGMR=1,7,"YOUR IMEI_COD"

For the second SIM card (if any), a command with a different parameter is used:

AT+EGMR=1,10,"YOUR IMEI_COD"

It's important to enter the code without spaces or extra characters. After you enter, press "Send AT Command." The phone can automatically reboot. If commands don't send or return an error, then the access to this menu for recording is closed by the manufacturer, and you need to move to more complex methods.

⚠️ Note: Entering the wrong format IMEI (not 15 digits) may result in the final lock of the communication module.

On new devices with Android 10 and higher, this method is almost not working due to changes in the security architecture of Android.

Method 2: Use of QPST and QCN files

For Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, which are installed in most modern Redmi and POCO, the most effective is the use of QPST (Qualcomm Product Support Tools), which requires a backup of the.QCN file containing calibration data and IMEI.

If you have a backup. QCN from the same device (made before loss) IMEI), It takes a couple of minutes to recover, and if you don't have a backup, it's very difficult to find the right file on the Internet, because it contains unique files. MAC-Wi-Fi and Bluetooth addresses, as well as calibration of antennas of a particular instance.

The recovery process looks like this:

• 📱 Put your phone in Diag mode (Diagnostic ##717717## use ADB Command: Adb shell su -c "setprop sys.usb.config diag,adb".
• 💻 Launch it. QPST Configuration on PC, add a new port (Add New Port) COM-port that appears after the phone is connected.
• 📂 Open up. QPST Software Download, go to the Restore tab and select your file.QCN.
• 🔄 Press Start and wait until the process is complete. Don't turn off the cable!

Once the phone is complete, it needs to be restarted, and if it's successful, the IMEI should be restored and the network will appear, which is considered one of the most reliable methods for flagship models.

Hardware method: engineering USB-cable

In cases where software methods are powerless, special engineering cables (Test Point Cable) come to the rescue, which allow you to put the phone in Emergency Download (EDL) mode even if it is turned off or in a deep bootloop.

These cables often have a button or switch that closes certain contacts on the board, forcing firmware mode to start, especially in models where access to test points on the board is difficult or requires a complete disassembly of the case.

The use of an engineering cable is necessary when:

• 🔌 The phone is not detected by the computer in normal mode.
• 🔒 The bootloader is locked and does not allow you to enter the necessary commands.
• 💀 The firmware is so damaged that the system does not start.

It is worth noting that to work with EDL mode on new Xiaomi devices, an authorized Mi Auth account is often required. A regular user account will not allow you to flash the modem sections. This is done by the manufacturer to protect against device theft and illegal change of IMEI.

⚠️ Warning: Buying Mi Auth accounts from dubious sellers carries the risk of locking your device on the server. IMEI. Use only proven service tools.

An engineering cable is an investment for those who repair professionally, and it's cheaper and safer to go to a service center where it's already available to repair one phone once.

Table of compatibility of methods and models

Not all methods are suitable for all devices. The choice of method depends on the platform and version of the software. Below is a summary table that will help you navigate the available options for popular series.

As you can see from the table, Snapdragon-based devices are most relevant to QCN, while budget models on MediaTek are sometimes more easily manipulated, but the trend is to make it more difficult to access modem data on all devices.

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Modern Xiaomi smartphones require an authorized account to record IMEI. Without it, software methods are often powerless.

Prevention and important nuances

Once the ID is successfully restored, it is important to maintain the result and prevent the situation from recurring. First of all, do not install dubious firmware from Chinese forums unless you are sure of their origin. Modified system images often contain errors in the modem initialization scripts.

Back up important memory parts regularly if you have Root rights. Keep persist.img and modem.img in a safe place. They provide critical information for communication to work. Persistent partition loss is one of the most common causes of IMEI disappearance after flashing.

Also avoid resetting to factory settings (Hard Reset) without extreme necessity, especially on custom firmware. Although the squash should not affect the IMEI, in the case of bugs in the Recovery (TWRP, etc.), it is possible to erroneously clean the system partitions.

• 🛡️ Do not update your firmware if your battery is less than 50 times charged%.
• 🔒 Unlock Bootloader Increases Risks, but Gives More Control.
• 💾 Make a backup. EFS/NVRAM before any experimentation with software.

Remember that changing the IMEI to another device’s number is illegal in many countries, and all of the methods described are designed solely to restore your device’s native identifier in the event of a software failure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)