How to change IMEI Xiaomi phone: all the ways and warnings

Change of change IMEI Xiaomi smartphones are a procedure that raises questions among users, and this unique identifier connects the device to mobile networks, and it can be replaced in a variety of situations, from recovering from a software failure to circumventing regional restrictions. However, it is important to understand that not all methods are equal in terms of security and legality.

In this article, we will discuss the only legal way to change the IMEI on Xiaomi via the engineering menu (for devices with official firmware) MIUI 14/15), We'll also look at alternative approaches to their risks. 12, POCO X5 Xiaomi 13, If you're looking for a way to get around the operator lock or to restore the lost one. IMEI — You will find relevant solutions here. 2026 year-end.

What is IMEI and why is it changed to Xiaomi?

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a 15-digit code that is assigned to each mobile device during the manufacturing phase.

• 🔐 Identification in operator networks (without correct identification) IMEI The phone will not connect to the mobile Internet or calls)
• 🛡️ Protection against theft (operators can block the device from the device) IMEI)
• 🌍 Regional binding (some Xiaomi models are sold with country restrictions)

The main reasons why Xiaomi users want to change their IMEI are:

⚠️ Attention: Change IMEI For the purpose of deceiving operators or using stolen devices, it is punishable by law in Russia (Article 159.6 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and in most countries.

Official method: Recovery IMEI through the engineering menu

The only Xiaomi-supported method is the restoration of the original IMEI It works through the engineering menu:

• 📱 IMEI was lost after firmware (displayed as 000000000000000000000000)
• 🔧 The device is not blocked by the operator
• 📦 On the box or under the battery, the original IMEI

Instructions for MIUI 14/15 (Relevant to the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13 Lite and newer):

Backup data via Settings → About phone → Backup

Battery charge of at least 50%

Find the original. IMEI (box-and-battery)

Make sure that SIM-card inserted into slot 1-->

1. Open the Phone app and dial the combination: ##4636## Select Phone Information.
2. Scroll down to the section. IMEI. If it is Unknown or zeros, move on to the next step.
3. Dial another combination to access the engineering menu: ##36446337## (some models may require ##3644633###).
4. In the menu, select Connectivity. → CDS Information → Radio Information.
5. For the first. SIM-Enter the cards (Slot 1: AT +EGMR=1.7,"Your_IMEI" For the second. SIM-cards (Slot 2): AT +EGMR=1.10, Yours_IMEI" Replace yours_IMEI Original 15-digit code without spaces.
6. Press Send AT Command and restart your phone.

After restarting, check the new one. IMEI If the procedure is successful, the network will receive a signal.

Redmi Note 12/13 Series

POCO X5/X6

Xiaomi 13/14 Series

Other (specify in the comments)-->

⚠️ Note: On models with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra), the engineering menu may be blocked. In this case, you will need to unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool, which will reset all data!

Alternative methods: risks and limitations

If the official method has not worked, some users resort to informal methods, and we will list them only for familiarization, as they can:

• 🚫 Breaking the guarantee
• 🔒 Bring to lock the device operator
• 💥 Cause software failures (up to the "brick")

Common informal ways:

For example, for POCO M5 (MediaTek Helio G99) It looks like:

1. Download Maui META and drivers for your model.
2. Turn off the phone, clamp down the volume.+ and plug in.
3. Select a port and send it to the AT-team.

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Before using any informal methods, check IMEI If the status of the "Black List" - the device is blocked by the operator, and the change IMEI won't help.

How to check IMEI authenticity and legality

Before you change IMEI, make sure that:

1. Current IMEI Not on the blacklist. SND Deep or via command *#06#.
2. New IMEI It doesn't belong to another device. IMEI — it's a scam.
3. IMEI It matches your Xiaomi model. The first 8 digits (TAC-code) must be identical to the original.

Check out the Redmi Note 12 Pro:

1. Type *#06# and the current one will appear. IMEI.
2. Compare the first 8 digits to the original (on the box: 📦 Original: 86372005xxxxxxx 📱 Current: 86372005xxxxxxx → It is the same (can be restored) 📱 Current: 000000000000000000000 → restoration

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If the first 8 digits IMEI (TAC-code does not match the original - the phone may lose support LTE Or stop catching the net altogether.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users often make critical mistakes:

• 🔢 Wrong format IMEI: They use 14 or 16 digits instead of 15. Solution: check the code on the box.
• 📵 Missed zero: at the beginning IMEI It can be a 0 that gets eaten when you copy. Solution: type in manually.
• 🔌 Disconnection during the process: if the phone is turned off when recording IMEI, The communication module may fail. Solution: charge the battery to 100%.
• 🔒 Blocking after change: operators can block IMEI, If it was previously used in another device, solution: use only the original one. IMEI.

Example of a typical mistake on Xiaomi 12T:

User input IMEI No last digit (14 characters instead of 15) Result: the phone stopped seeing SIM-The map and an error appeared in the engineering menu. AT The fix required a complete reset via Fastboot.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 15 and newer (e.g. Xiaomi 14) attempt to change IMEI unofficially can lead to the activation of the antirollback – the phone will be prohibited from installing any firmware, except the last one.

Recovery IMEI after an unsuccessful attempt at change

If, after the manipulation, IMEI phone:

• 📶 Do not catch the network (only emergency calls)
• 🔍 Doesn't define IMEI (Unknown or No services)
• 🔄 He's fixated on the load.

Try the following steps:

1. Reset via Fastboot: fastboot erase modemst1 fastboot erase modemst2 Then run the original modem through the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Recovery NVRAM: For MediaTek devices download the file NVRAM for your model and pass through SP Flash Tool.
3. Flashing through EDL: If the phone is not turned on, you will need an authorized Xiaomi account and a programmer (for example, QFil for Qualcomm).

For the Redmi Note 11 (Snapdragon 680), the Fastboot recovery process looks like this:

1. Download the official firmware from the Xiaomi website.
2. Unpack and find the file non-hlos.bin picture-folder.
3. Switch to the command: fastboot flash modem non-hlos.bin

Legitimate Alternatives to Change IMEI

In most cases, the user’s goal is not the fact of the change. IMEI, So we're going to solve a specific problem, and we're going to look at legal ways to do the same thing:

For example, to unlock POCO X5 5G, Buying in the United States under the operator T-Mobile, is enough:

1. Get the unlock code on the T-Mobile website.
2. Insert SIM-card.
3. Enter the code when requested.

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If you need to test the network without the risk of blocking, use virtual networks. SIM-eSIM cards from operators that support this function (for example, MTS or Beeline in Russia).

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing IMEI to Xiaomi