Recovery IMEI on Xiaomi: All the ways 4PDA before ADB

Loss or discharge IMEI On Xiaomi smartphones, the problem that users face after a failed firmware, factory reset or hardware failure. IMEI The device loses the ability to call, send SMS And we can use the mobile Internet, and we can actually turn it into a tablet-based brick. 4PDA This topic has been discussed for years, but there is no universal solution: methods depend on the model, firmware version and even the region of purchase.

In this article, we have collected all the relevant ways of recovery. IMEI for Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices POCO, including methods through the engineering menu, ADB, Fastboot and specialized utilities, special attention was paid to the nuances that are not written on the Internet. 4PDA: Why some methods stop working after updates MIUI, How to avoid zero" IMEI What to do if the smartphone does not determine SIM-The map, even after a successful recovery, has been tested on firmware. MIUI 14/15 hyperos (2026 year).

Why is it missing? IMEI Xiaomi and how to diagnose it

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity, a unique 15-digit code that binds a smartphone to mobile networks, is stored in two locations on Xiaomi devices:

• 📱 NVRAM — non-volatile memory of the communication module (most often reset during firmware or reset);
• 🛠️ Modem – the hardware chip responsible for radio communication (damaged by physical defects).

Main causes of loss IMEI:

• 🔄 Wrong firmware (especially through Fastboot or custom recavers type) TWRP);
• ⚡ Reset to factory settings via Mi Flash Tool without backup NVRAM;
• 📡 Hardware failures (falls, moisture, overheating of the modem chip);
• 🔧 Manual file editing /nvram/md/NVRAM/NVD_IMEI/... (quirk).

How to check the current IMEI:

1. Dial on the phone keyboard *#06# if you see "null" or an empty field, IMEI dropped.
2. Check in Settings → The phone. → General information - absence IMEI confirm.
3. Install the app MTK Engineering Mode (for MediaTek chips) or Qualcomm Tools (for Snapdragon) – they will show the current state of the modem.

⚠️ Note: If after discharge IMEI The smartphone stopped seeing both of them. SIM-The problem is that the hardware module is damaged, and the software won't help, so you need repairs at the service center.

Preparing for Recovery: What to Do Before Starting

Before you restore IMEI, Follow the mandatory preparatory steps:

Make a backup copy of the data (photos, contacts, messages)

Check the battery charge (at least 50%)

Find out the exact model of the smartphone (in Settings) → The phone)

Download Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers (depending on the processor)

Prepare original IMEI (box-and-battery)-->

Pay special attention to the definition of the processor:

• 🔍 For MediaTek (Helio, Dimensity) use utilities MTK Meta Utility or SP Flash Tool;
• 🔧 For Qualcomm Snapdragon — QPST, QCN Rebuilder or Mi Flash Tool.

Where to get the original IMEI:

• 📦 On the sticker under the battery (for removable batteries);
• 📋 On the device box (usually under a barcode);
• 🖥️ In your Mi Cloud account (if your phone was tied before you lost it) IMEI).

⚠️ Warning: Never use someone else's IMEI This violates the law (Article 13.3 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation on forgery of identifiers) and can lead to the blocking of the device by the operator. IMEI your smartphone.

MediaTek (Helio/Dimensity)

Qualcomm Snapdragon

Other (specify in the comments)-->

Method 1: Recover IMEI through the Engineering Menu (for MediaTek)

This method works on Xiaomi smartphones with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi Note). 8/9/10, POCO M3/M4). It does not require a PC connection, but has a limitation: IMEI It will be removed after the next installment, if it is not fixed in NVRAM.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Phone app and dial ##3646633## (or #4636## for new versions) MIUI).
2. Go to Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information.
3. Choose a Phone. 1 (first SIM-maps and enter command: AT +EGMR=1,7,"WASHING_IMEI_1" Replace yours_IMEI_1 original 15-code-mark.
4. Press Send. AT Repeat the steps for Phone 2 (if there is a second one) SIM).
5. Reboot your smartphone and check the IMEI via *#06#.

If the engineering menu does not open:

• 🔹 Install the app MTK Engineering Mode from Google Play;
• 🔹 Check if the access is blocked. MIUI (Some firmware requires you to disable Miui Optimization in the developer settings).

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If, after entering the command, IMEI It is not saved, try to disconnect. SIM-The card, restart the phone and repeat the procedure, sometimes the modem "does not see" the change without physically retrieving the card.

Method 2: Recovery through ADB Fastboot (Universal Method)

This method is suitable for all Xiaomi models, but requires a connection to a PC and installed drivers. ADB/Fastboot. It works on both MediaTek and Qualcomm Snapdragon.

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Windows PC 10/11 (Linux with fastboot support);
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original);
• 📥 Platform Tools (ADB and Google's Fastboot);
• 📄 Backup copy of the nvram section (if any).

Instructions for Qualcomm Snapdragon:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Additional → For Developers.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and check the connection: Adb devices should display the device.
3. Reboot your smartphone in Fastboot mode: adb reboot bootloader
4. Switch a modified nvram with the correct IMEI (If you have a backup: fastboot flash nvram nvram.img
5. If there is no backup, use the utility QPST manually editable QCN-file.

For MediaTek:

1. Install MediaTek Preloader drivers (manually through Device Manager).
2. Connect the phone to the PC (without pressing the buttons!).
3. Launch it. SP Flash Tool and select Format → Manual Format Flash.
4. Enter the Begin Address field 0x5F80000, Format Length — 0x100000.
5. Press Start and wait until it's done. This step clears NVRAM — Use only if you are confident in your actions!
6. Sweat the modified nvram through Download in SP Flash Tool.

⚠️ Note: Error when running nvram through Fastboot or SP Flash Tool can lead to total network loss (including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Method 3: Use of utilities from 4PDA (Maui META, QPST, SN Writer)

On the forum 4PDA There are specialized utilities for recovery IMEI, But they require caution: many files contain viruses or outdated data. We only selected the tools we tested (2026).

Popular utilities:

• 🔧 Maui META — MediaTek (supports Redmi Note) 11/12, POCO X4/5);
• 📡 QPST + QCN Rebuilder – for Qualcomm (works with Xiaomi) 12/13, Redmi K50);
• 📝 SN Writer Tool is a universal tool, but requires authorization (account for the user). 4PDA).

Instructions for Maui META:

1. Download the latest version with 4PDA (Check your comments for viruses!).
2. Install MediaTek drivers DA USB VCOM (utility-archive).
3. Connect the phone to the PC (without battery if removable).
4. Launch Maui META, Choose a Smart Phone → Connect.
5. Go to the tab. IMEI Download and enter both IMEI (two-fold SIM).
6. Click Download to Flash and wait until it is completed.

For QPST:

1. Download. QPST 2.7.496 (verified version).
2. Install the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivers.
3. Connect the phone in mode EDL (This may require a short circuit of test points).
4. V QPST Select Restore and download a modified.qcn file with the correct one. IMEI.

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Utilities with 4PDA Often blocked by antivirus due to modified drivers. Create a Windows restore point and check files on VirusTotal before using it.

Method 4: Recovery through custom Recovery (TWRP)

If your Xiaomi has a custom recavator installed TWRP, recoverable IMEI editing nvram files directly, and this is a method that is suitable for power users.

Step-by-step:

1. Download. TWRP For your model (check compatibility!).
2. Load your phone into Recavator mode (Power) + Volume Up).
3. Connect to the PC through ADB and do: adb pull /data/nvram/md/NVRAM/NVD_IMEI/MP0B_001 This will copy the file with IMEI PC-only.
4. Open the file in HxD or other HEX-Editor and find the line with IMEI (usually).
5. Replace the current one. IMEI original (save the format!).
6. Return the file back: adb push MP0B_001 /data/nvram/md/NVRAM/NVD_IMEI/
7. Set up rights. 644: adb shell chmod 644 /data/nvram/md/NVRAM/NVD_IMEI/MP0B_001
8. Reboot the phone.

If, after the reboot, IMEI not displayed:

• 🔹 Check the integrity of the file MP0B_001 (The size must be the same as the original);
• 🔹 Make sure that in TWRP encryption disabled /data;
• 🔹 Try flashing nvram through Fastboot (see Method 2).

⚠️ Note: Manual editing of nvram files can result in loss of network settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS). Before the changes, make a full backup section through TWRP!

What to do if nothing helps: hardware

If the software methods did not work, the problem may be hardware damage:

• 📡 Faulty modem (communication chip) – requires soldering or replacement;
• 🔋 Problems with modem power (burnt out capacitors, breakages of tracks);
• 📶 A damaged antenna is checked by a tester or replacement.

Signs of hardware malfunction:

• 🔸 The phone doesn't see any of them. SIM-map (even after recovery) IMEI);
• 🔸 In the engineering menu, the modem is displayed as Unknown or Null;
• 🔸 After the firmware IMEI drop off;
• 🔸 The phone warms up in the upper part (where the modem is located).

Diagnosis at the service center:

• 🔧 Checking the modem supply chains (multimeter);
• 🔧 Diagnostics of the chip through DC-DC tester;
• 🔧 Flashing the modem through the programmer (if the chip is serviceable, but is locked").

Cost of repair (2026):

• 💰 Modem replacement: 3,000–8,000 ₽ (model-wise);
• 💰 Repair of food chains: 1,500–4,000 ₽;
• 💰 Diagnosis: 500–1,500 ₽.

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Before visiting the service center, take a picture of the box with IMEI Some workshops refuse to work with devices without documents proving legal origin.

FAQ: Frequent questions about recovery IMEI Xiaomi