Changing the ID of Xiaomi devices: official and informal ways

Why do users want to change the ID of Xiaomi devices?

The device ID (or unique identifier) in Xiaomi smartphones is a numerical code that is assigned to each gadget during the production phase, used to identify the device in MIUI services, link the Mi Account account, and also to work with certain features like Find Device or Mi Cloud. But why do owners want to change it?

The main reasons are bypassing regional restrictions (for example, to install global firmware on the Chinese model), trying to reset the account after buying a used phone, or wanting to “reset” the device before selling. However, Xiaomi does not provide an official way to change the ID, so all methods involve risks from loss of warranty to full “bricking” of the device.

It is important to understand that the change ID shiftlessly IMEI or MAC-This is a deeper modification that affects system files, and if you're looking for a way to just unlock your phone after you reset, maybe another method might be the right one (e.g., deleting your account through the Mi Unlock Tool).

Official restrictions and consequences of changing the ID

Xiaomi does not support changing the unique device identifier for several reasons:

• 🔒 Security: ID It's used to protect against theft and unauthorized access, and changing it can make it easier to hack into a device.
• 📦 Licensing: Some services (e.g. Google Play Services or Widevine for the DRM) tied ID. Changes to this may lead to authorization errors.
• 🛠️ Warranty: Any modifications to system partitions will void the warranty, even if the device has not been physically damaged.

Possible problems after changing the ID:

• ⚠️ Mi Cloud, Find Device and other Xiaomi services.
• ⚠️ Errors when updating the firmware through OTA.
• ⚠️ The device is blocked by the Anti-Rollback system (if the device is blocked by the system). ID not consistent with the firmware version).

⚠️ Attention: If you change ID On a bootloader, you can turn your phone into a brick.Be sure to unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool before the procedure (even if you plan to use the method without unlocking it).

Preparation of the device before changing the ID

Before starting the procedure, follow the mandatory steps:

Make a full backup of data (photos, contacts, messages)

Make sure that the battery is > 70%

Install Xiaomi USB Drivers on PC

Download Mi Flash Tool or ADB/Fastboot (depending on the method)

Check the device model using ##4636## (Phone Information section)

Unlock OEM Unlock in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (7 times) → Developer)

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Pay special attention to the firmware version. If your device is running MIUI older than 12.5, some methods may not work due to changes in the structure of system files. Check the current version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.

For models with a Qualcomm processor (e.g. Redmi Note) 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro will be suitable EDL-Mode and Mi Flash. for devices on Mediatek (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) need SP Flash Tool and Authorization File (auth_file).

⚠️ Note: On devices with a Mediatek chip after 2021 (for example, Redmi Note 11) change ID through SP Flash Tool without an authorization file from Xiaomi is impossible.

Method 1: Change ID through ADB and Manual File Editing

This method is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader and TWRP installed. It involves manually changing files in the /data partition, where a portion of the unique identifiers are stored.

Steps:

1. Install TWRP Recovery for your model (you can download it on the official website).
2. Boot to TWRP (hold Power + Volume up when turned on).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the terminal: adb shell su mount -o rw,remount /data
4. Go to the folder. /data/property and find the files: persist.sys.miui.udevice_id ro.boot.serialno ro.serialno

nano

16-digit hex code

UUID Generator

Save the changes, restart the device.

After the reboot, check the new ID through the Device ID app (available on Google Play).If the value has not changed, then the ID is duplicated in another system file (for example, in /persist or /efs).

💡

If Google (Play Market, Gmail) services stop working after changing the ID, clear the data of the Google Play Services and Google Services Framework applications in the settings.

Method 2: Using the Mi Flash Tool in the EDL-mode

This is a way to use Qualcomm devices and requires you to switch your phone to Emergency Download Mode (EDL), which is more reliable than manual editing, but the risk of bricking is higher.

Instructions:

1. Download the Mi Flash Tool (version 2023 or later) and the firmware for your model (e.g. Global Stable ROM).
2. Turn off the phone and transfer to EDL-Mode: For most models: Press Volume Up + Loud down and plug in. USB-cable to PC. For the Redmi Note 8 Pro/9 Pro: Use the command fastboot oem edl.

Mi Flash Tool

Refresh

COM-port

Clean All

Wait for the firmware to be completed (usually 5-10 minutes).

Once the firmware is in place, the device will receive a new ID, but it will also reset all settings, a method often used to “reanimate” phones after unsuccessful experiments with modifying system files.

⚠️ Note: On devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon chip 8 Gen 1/2 (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi K50 Pro) Using the Mi Flash Tool without official permission can result in hard-brick (irreparable damage).

Method 3: Change ID through engineering menu (for older models)

On some Xiaomi devices until 2019 (e.g. Redmi Note 5, Mi) A1) You can change some of the identifiers through an engineering menu. ID, but allows for adjustments IMEI and MAC-Addresses that sometimes solve problems with regional restrictions.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##36446337###
2. Go to Connectivity or CDS Information.
3. Select Radio Information → Phone 1 (for the first SIM slot).
4. In the AT+ field, type the command: AT + EGMR = 1.7, "New IMEI" (replace the NEW IMEI with a 15-digit code).
5. Press Send and restart the device.

This method does not change the main unique identifier of the device, but it can help if the problem is related to locking over IMEI (for example, when buying a phone from abroad).

Alternative solutions: when you do not need to change your ID

In 80% of cases, users try to change their device ID to solve one of three problems:

1. Regional restrictions (e.g., the inability to install Google Play on Chinese firmware)
2. Link to the account of the previous owner after buying a used phone.
3. Authorization errors in Xiaomi services (for example, Mi Cloud does not sync data).