How to change the IMEI on Xiaomi phone: all the ways and hidden risks

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit identifier for your smartphone that carriers use to log into your device online. On Xiaomi phones (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi series), this number is stitched in the hardware module and duplicated in the firmware. Change IMEI may be required in rare cases: when a device is locked by an operator, after a failed repair of a communication module, or when buying a phone with a “gray” past.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change the IMEI on Xiaomi smartphones, including official methods (via service centers) and informal ones (via engineering menus, ADB or firmware). Particular attention will be paid to the consequences for warranty, network operation and security of the device. If your goal is to unlock the phone after theft or loss, we immediately warn you that this method will not work, since modern carriers use databases of stolen IMEI (for example, GSMA IMEI Database).

Why you should change your IMEI to Xiaomi and when it’s legal

The legal reasons for changing the IMEI are extremely limited, and the only scenarios where it is warranted are:

• 🔧 Recovery after hardware failure: if the communication module (modem) fails and the new chip has a different IMEI, It requires synchronization with the firmware.
• 📡 Unblocking for roaming: some operators block IMEI Working in other countries (relevant to tourism) SIM-map).
• 🛠️ Service repair: if Xiaomi officially replaces the motherboard, the new IMEI registered.

All other cases (bypassing the locking of the operator, hiding the history of the device, trying to activate the stolen phone) are a violation of the legislation of most countries, including Russia (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - illegal access to computer information). The operators have the right to block the left-hand" IMEI In the network, and the manufacturer cancels the warranty.

⚠️ Note: Since 2021, Xiaomi has integrated Mi Cloud protection with verification IMEI. If you change your ID, your device can be blocked through your Mi Account, even if you know the password.

Official ways to change the IMEI

The only legal way is to contact an authorized Xiaomi service center, which is possible only if you have:

• 📄 Check or warranty card on the device.
• 🔐 Access to a Mi Account linked to your phone.
• 💳 Payment for services (cost varies from 1,500 to 5,000 rubles depending on the model).

The process takes 3 to 7 business days, and the service center sends a request to Xiaomi, where the new IMEI is registered in the manufacturer’s database, and then the device is flashed through the official version of MIUI with the updated ID.

To check the official status of IMEI, use the service IMEI.info or enter the command *#06# in the phone application. The official IMEI will appear on the system as Valid.

Unofficial methods: engineering menu and ADB

If you’re considering switching to an IMEI, consider two common ways Xiaomi devices run on Qualcomm and MediaTek processors, which don’t work on all models and require a bootloader.

Method 1: Engineering menu (MediaTek only)

This method is suitable for smartphones on MediaTek chips (for example, Redmi 9A, POCO M3, Redmi Note 8).

1. Open the Phone app and type ##3646633##.
2. Go to Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information.
3. Select Phone 1 (for the first one) SIM-Cards or Phone 2 (for the second).
4. In the AT+ field, type the command: AT + EGMR = 1.7, "New IMEI" For example: AT + EGMR = 1.7, "861234567890123".
5. Press Send and restart the phone.

To check, type *#06#, the new IMEI should show up. If the command didn't work, your version of MIUI may have blocked access to the engineering menu.

Method 2: ADB and fastboot command

This method is universal for most Xiaomi devices, but requires an unlocked bootloader and enabled debugging over USB.

1. Install ADB and Fastboot on your computer.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands: adb shell su setprop sys.usb.config rndis,adb
3. Open Device Manager on PC, find a Xiaomi device, and update the driver manually by selecting Android ADB Interface.
4. Download Maui META (for MediaTek) or QPST (for Qualcomm) and follow the instructions to change the IMEI.

⚠️ Note: Use of utility like Maui META or QPST It can cause network loss or device blink if you incorrectly specify the parameters of the communication module. modemst1 and modemst2.

Unlocked bootloader (bootloader)|Debugging is on. USB (Settings → For developers)|Drivers installed ADB/Fastboot|Data backup created (IMEI firmware-bound)|Battery charge > 50%-->

Change the IMEI through firmware (for advanced)

On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 7, Mi 9T), the IMEI is stored in the nvram or nvdata section.

1. Download custom recovery (TWRP).
2. Backup nvram partition via TWRP.
3. Use a hex editor (e.g., HxD) to search for and replace the old IMEI with a new one in the partition dump.
4. Restore the edited section back.

This method is extremely risky: a mistake in the hex code can make the phone a “brick” (inoperable), and after updating the MIUI, changes can be reset.

Checking the new IMEI and possible problems

After changing the IMEI, be sure to check:

1. Enter *#06# and the new number will be displayed.
2. Check the network: calls, SMS, mobile Internet (4G/5G).
3. Make sure that the device is detected in the operator’s networks (on some Xiaomi, VoLTE support may disappear after the change in IMEI).

Common problems after IMEI change:

• 📵 No network: IMEI Not registered in modem or blocked by the operator.
• 🔄 Reset after update: MIUI re-record IMEI when installing new firmware.
• 🚫 Mi Account lock: Xiaomi may suspect unauthorized interference.

If your phone has stopped catching the network after changing IMEI, try:

1. Restore the original IMEI through the backup nvram.
2. Reflash the device with the official version of MIUI via the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Contact the service center with an explanation that the phone “reset the settings itself”.

💡

Before any manipulation of the IMEI, save the original number in a secure location (e.g., in an encrypted file) to help restore functionality if something goes wrong.

Legal consequences and blocking of operators

In Russia and most countries, changing the IMEI without the knowledge of the manufacturer or operator is considered a violation.

• 📜 Fine for forgery of identification data of the device (up to 80 000 rubles according to the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation).
• 📱 Lockdown IMEI base GSMA, After that, the phone will not work with any of them. SIM-card.
• 🔒 Loss of warranty: Xiaomi fixes changes in device logs.

Communication operators (for example, MTS, Beeline, MegaFon) have access to the database EIR (Equipment Identity Register, where all blocked files are stored IMEI. If the new number is on the blacklist, SIM-The card will stop working in 24 to 72 hours. IMEI You can visit your website or via IMEI.info.

⚠️ Note: Since 2023, Xiaomi has implemented the Mi Verify system, which compares the system. IMEI It's a data file in Mi Cloud every time you turn on your phone, and if it doesn't match the original number, it can be remotely locked.

Alternative solutions: when to change the IMEI is not necessary

90% of users try to change the IMEI to solve problems that can be solved in other ways.

• 🔓 Unlocking the operator: Contact the operator to unlock the phone IMEI (For example, MTS does it for 500-1000 rubles).
• 📶 Network problems: Update firmware or reset network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting settings.
• 🔄 Resetting to factory settings: Sometimes helps to bring back the original IMEI, If it was lost after a failed update.

If your Xiaomi is blocked due to default or loss, changing the IMEI won’t help – operators lock the device with a serial number (SN), which is also linked to the Mi Account.

💡

Before you change your IMEI, check to see if it's legal to fix the problem, and in most cases, the risks outweigh the potential benefits.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing IMEI to Xiaomi