Xiaomi serial number is a unique device identifier that is needed not only for warranty service, but also for authenticating a smartphone, unlocking a bootloader or restoring access to Mi Account. However, finding it is not always easy: the manufacturer hides the number in different menus, and on some models (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro + or POCO F5) it may not be on the box.
In this article, you will learn how to break through the serial number on any Xiaomi device, from the budget Redmi to the flagship Mi 13 Ultra. We will analyze the official methods (through settings and packaging), hidden commands for the engineering menu, as well as methods for authenticating the number through the Mi Cloud databases.
Important: Some methods require an unlocked bootloader or root rights. If you are not sure about your actions, use only official instructions - errors when working with system files can lead to locking the device.
1.Where to look for the serial number on a Xiaomi device
The most obvious way is to look at the number on the smartphone itself or in its configuration, but the location depends on the model and year of release. 11T Pro serial number is applied under the slot for SIM-map, and POCO X5 Pro – only in the software.
Here is where the serial number can be:
- 📦 On the device box - usually on a barcode sticker (on new models may not be available).
- 📱 Under the slot lid SIM-Cards – relevant for smartphones until 2021 (Redmi Note 9 Pro, Mi 10).
- 🔋 Under the battery – only for devices with removable battery (Redmi) 4A, Mi A1).
- 🖥️ System settings – a universal method for all models.
If the sticker on the box is erased or missing, don't panic: the serial number is duplicated in the firmware, and can be extracted even on a locked phone (more on this in the next section).
2. How to find out the serial number through Android settings
This is the most reliable way, as the number is taken directly from system files, and the instructions are suitable for all devices on MIUI (including POCO and Black Shark), as well as for smartphones on pure Android (Xiaomi 13T for the global market).
Steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go to About Phone (or About Device on POCO).
- Slip on the item All characteristics (on some firmware - General information).
- Scroll down to the Model Number block – the serial number will be listed below (Serial number or S/N field).
On some custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience), the path may be different. If you can't see the serial number, try an alternative method through the engineering menu (section 4).
☑️ Checking the serial number in the settings
⚠️ Warning: On devices with the bootloader unlocked, the serial number may appear as unknown. This is not a mistake - this is how spoof protection works IMEI. In this case, use the methods in Section 5 (checking through Mi Account).
3. How to find the serial number on the switched off or locked Xiaomi
If the phone doesn't turn on, if it's locked with a pattern lock or a password, you can still retrieve the serial number. Here are three ways to work:
- 🔌 Using a Quick Charge-enabled charger. Connect your smartphone to charging on some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 NFC) The serial number is displayed on the lock screen when charging.
If none of the methods worked, try a hardware reset (but note that it will delete all the data!). To do this, press the Power Button + Volume up for 10 seconds until the Recovery menu appears, in which the serial number can appear in the device information.
What if the serial number is not displayed anywhere?
4. Hidden commands for the engineering menu (for power users)
If standard methods don't work, you can try extracting the serial number through an engineering menu or service code, and these methods require caution, because incorrectly entering commands can cause a system to crash.
List of work teams:
| Team team. | Description | Supported models |
|---|---|---|
| ##4636## | Testing menu, where the serial number can be displayed in the "Phone Information" section. | All models on MIUI 12 and newer |
| *#06# | It shows IMEI, but on some firmware it also duplicates the serial number. | Redmi 9, POCO M3, Mi 11 Lite |
| ##284## | Test mode for authentication of components (may contain S/N). | Models 2020-2022 |
| #786# (Dial and call) | Qualcomm Service Menu, where the "Version Info" section has a serial number. | Snapdragon devices (POCO F4 GT, Black Shark 5) |
⚠️ Note: On devices with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi Note 11), entering service codes may cause a Connection problem or invalid error. MMI code. in this case, use ADB or methods in section 2.
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If the screen flashes and returns to the home screen after you enter the code, try typing a command without the # character at the end (for example, #06# instead of #06#*).
5.Authentication of Xiaomi serial number
Knowing the serial number, you can check if the device is original, is not in the blacklist (stolen / lost) and if the model corresponds to the declared one.
- 🌐 Mi Verify – enter the serial number and IMEI, Find out the production date and model.
- 📧 Mi Account – If the phone is linked to an account, the serial number will appear in the Devices section of account.xiaomi.com.
- 🛠️ Service centers – when contacting an authorized SC, specialists can check the number on the internal database.
Signs of a fake serial number:
- ❌ The number starts with 0000 or contains repeating characters (e.g, 1111A2222B).
- ❌ Mi Verify has an Invalid serial number error.
- ❌ The number on the box and in the settings of the phone do not match.
- ❌ The production date on Xiaomi’s website does not match the model’s release date (e.g., Redmi Note 12 with a production date of 2020).
Critically, if a serial number is not checked on the official website, do not enter it into third-party services (for example, IMEI.info), scammers can use this data to unlock stolen devices.
6.Serial number decoding Xiaomi: what the symbols mean
Xiaomi’s serial number is 11-14 characters long and contains coded information about the device.
| Position in the room | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 characters | Manufacturer code (e.g. D3 – Foxconn, H7 – Huaqin). | D3 in D3ABC1234567 |
| 3-4 characters | Year and month of production (for example, 21 – 2021, A – January, B – February). | 21B - February 2021 |
| 5-8 characters | Unique party ID. | C1D4 |
| The last 3-6 characters | The serial number of the device in the batch. | 56789 |
Example of decryption of the number H722E8F9A1B2C3:
- H7 is a Huaqin factory.
- 22E - May 2022.
- 8F9A1B2C3 is a unique identifier.
This information will help determine if the device is fake (for example, if the production date is one year older than the model) or if the phone has been repaired with a replacement motherboard (in which case the serial number may not match the original).
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If the first two characters of the serial number do not match the official codes of Xiaomi plants (the list is available on the XDA Developers forum), the device is guaranteed to be fake or assembled from non-original components.
7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
When dealing with serial numbers, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:
- 🔄 The number on the box and the phone don't match. → This is normal for devices that have been repaired under warranty (the fee has been replaced). Check the number through Mi Account - it must match the settings.
- 🚫 Mi Verify does not accept the number → Make sure you enter a number without spaces and dashes.If the error persists, the device may be fake.
- 🔒 Serial number hidden in settings → On some firmware (for example, MIUI for Russia) the number is hidden at the request of regulators. ADB ore-menu.
- ⚡ After the firmware, the number dropped to the unknown → This means that the firmware is not original or the bootloader is unlocked.
If you buy Xiaomi with your hands, be sure to check the serial number before paying.
- 📱 Devices with a fake sticker on the box (the number does not match what in the settings).
- 🔄 Phones after the fee change (serial number does not pass the check on the Xiaomi website).
- 🚨 Stolen smartphones (number is blacklisted by Mi Cloud).
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Before buying, ask the seller to take a screenshot from the Settings menu. → On the phone with the display of the serial number and IMEI. Check this information on the Mi Verify website.