How to change IMEI Xiaomi Phone: Safe and Risky Ways

Replacement IMEI Xiaomi smartphones are a procedure that raises questions among users, and this unique identifier of the communication module is tied to each device and affects the operation of the mobile network, activation of warranties and even locking when lost. IMEI becomes a necessity: after a failed repair, purchase of a device with a "broken" ID or when moving to another country where the original device is used. IMEI locked up.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi does not officially support the change. IMEI — This operation is against the manufacturer's policy and may result in the loss of warranty, but there are legal methods of restoring the original product. IMEI (For example, through an engineering menu, and informal ways to replace it, which require root rights and technical skills. 2026 The year of methods, their risks and consequences for different models Xiaomi, Redmi and other POCO base MIUI 14/15 Android 13/14.

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:

• 📡 Network Identification: Telecom operators use IMEI to authorize the device and provide access to the mobile Internet and calls.
• 🔒 Protection against theft: if you lose your phone, owners can block IMEI through the operator or police, rendering the device useless to the thief.
• 📦 Security: Service centers are checked IMEI during repairs to confirm the originality of the device.
• 🌍 Regional reference: some Xiaomi models (e.g. China) have restrictions on operating outside the country that can be bypassed by a change of hands IMEI.

On Xiaomi smartphones IMEI It is stored in two places: NVRAM (non-volatile memory of the communication module) and on the sticker under the battery / in the slot SIM-If you're damaged, NVRAM (For example, after a failed firmware, the phone may lose communication, showing errors such as “No network” or "IMEI In such cases, the restoration of the original IMEI — The only way to get the device back up to work.

Among the illegal reasons for the change IMEI:

• 🚫 Bypassing the operator lock (for example, if the phone is tied to China Mobile and does not work with Russian mobile operators). SIM-map).
• 🔄 Use of “clean" IMEI After purchasing a used phone with a dirty history (lost / stolen).
• 📵 Disguising devices to circumvent restrictions in some countries (for example, in the UAE, blocking phones with a mobile phone) IMEI, locally unregistered).

⚠️ In Russia since 2021, the law on registration IMEI using a device with unregistered or fake IMEI Check the legality of the transaction in your country before replacing the transaction!

Official ways to restore IMEI on Xiaomi

If you lose your Xiaomi IMEI After you've firmware or reset, try official recovery methods first. They don't require root rights or violate warranty.

1. Through the Engineering Menu (for Qualcomm)

Most Xiaomi smartphones on Qualcomm processors (Redmi Note series) 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4, Mi 10/11) restore IMEI via hidden engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##.
2. Go to the tab Information about the phone.
3. Scroll down to the section. IMEI — If it is empty, click Update (on some firmwares the option may not be available).

If this method didn’t work, try the alternative code for Qualcomm’s engineering menu:

##36446337##

In the menu that opens, select Connectivity. → CDMA → NV Browser, then type in:

• For IMEI 1:550 (click Read, then Write and type correct) IMEI).
• For IMEI 2:551 (similar).

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect data entry in the engineering menu can lead to network loss! If you are not sure about your actions, contact the service center.

2. via Mi Flash Tool (for "bricks")

If the phone has turned into a brick (not included or downloaded only in Fastboot), restore IMEI You can use the official Mi Flash Tool:

Download Mi Flash Tool from Xiaomi official website|Install Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers for your model|Download Fastboot firmware for your device (version must match the original one)|Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clamb Volume down) + Nutrition)|Disable the antivirus (it can block the work of the utility)

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Instructions:

1. Launch the Mi Flash Tool and connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
2. Select the downloaded firmware and press Refresh - the device must be determined.
3. In the bottom menu, select Clean all and lock (this will delete all data but restore the original one). IMEI).
4. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process will take 5-10 minutes).

After restart, check it out. IMEI *#06# If it's restored but the phone still doesn't catch the network, you may need to manually enter it. APN-operator settings.

Informal methods of change IMEI (root)

If the official methods do not help or you need to change IMEI And then you have to use informal methods, all of which require an unlocked bootloader and root rights, which automatically disqualifies you. And you may not be able to do that in your country, check your local law before you start.

1. via the Chamelephon app (for MediaTek)

For smartphones with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi) 9/9A/9C, POCO M3) Apply Chamelephon (available on the XDA Developers. It allows for change. IMEI without technical knowledge, but requires:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
• 🛠️ Root rights (for example, through Magisk).
• 📱 Support for MediaTek processor (refine the model through the CPU-Z).

Instructions:

1. Install Chamelephon and provide root access.
2. Enter a new one. IMEI field IMEI 1 and IMEI 2 (can be generated on imei.info).
3. Click Apply new IMEIs and restart your phone.

After replacement IMEI Chamelephon phone may lose access to Google services (e.g. Google Pay will stop working) due to a change in the hardware identifier to which the licenses are linked.

2. Through ADB and engineering teams (for Qualcomm)

For Qualcomm devices (e.g., Xiaomi) 12/13, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) can be used ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This is a more sophisticated, but reliable method.

Preliminary steps:

Enable debugging on USB developer-setting|Install ADB and Fastboot on PC|Download utility QPST or QCN Rebuilder|Backup the current one. IMEI (adb shell getprop gsm.baseband.imei)

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Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
2. Enter the command to go to the engineering mode: adb shell su setprop sys.usb.config diag,diag_mdm,serial_cdev,dpl,rmnet,adb
3. Open up. QPST On PC, select the Diag port and connect to your phone.
4. In the section NV Browser Find the 550 Settings (IMEI 1) and 551 (IMEI 2), enter new values and save.

⚠️ Note: Incorrect work with QPST may result in loss IMEI If you're not sure what you're doing, see a specialist.

Risks and consequences of change IMEI

Replacement IMEI — It's not a harmless operation. It involves a number of risks that many users don't know about:

One of the most unpleasant surprises is the blocking of Mi Account. IMEI Xiaomi’s security system may suspect theft of a device and block access to the cloud, backups, and even the phone itself:

• 🔄 Before the replacement IMEI Untie your Mi Account in settings (Accounts) → Mi Account → Delete the account).
• 📱 After the change, link the account again, confirming ownership through SMS/email.
• 🔐 If the phone is blocked, try unlocking through the official website (Identity proof will be required).

Another common problem is loss. 5G shift IMEI. This is because the new IMEI may not support ranges 5G Check compatibility on imei.info before replacing.

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After the shift IMEI Mobile Internet is missing, check it out. APN-Operator settings. These are often reset when you change your ID, and you can find the settings on your operator's website or request support numbers (e.g., for MTS: *111#).

How to check IMEI post-replacement

After any manipulation with IMEI You need to make sure that the changes are applied correctly:

1. Standard methods

• 📞 Type on the phone keyboard: *#06# – the current one will be displayed. IMEI (two IMEI two-way SIM-map).
• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → General information → Status IMEI.
• 📦 Look at this. IMEI on a sticker under the battery or in the slot SIM-maps (must match the program).

2.Verification through the engineering menu

For a deep diagnosis, use the engineering menu:

1. Enter the code: ##4636###.
2. Go to the phone information.
3. Check the section IMEI — If it is empty or contains 000000000000000000000, the change is not successful.

3. Online legality check IMEI

To make sure that the new IMEI Not listed on blacklists, check it out on websites:

• imei.info (shows device model and lock status)
• imei-pro.info (Lost/Theft Check)
• RTRS (for users from Russia – check registration in the local database).

If IMEI If it is listed as stolen or blocked, its use may lead to legal problems or network blocking, in which case it is better to restore the original identifier.

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Even if IMEI If the number is successfully changed, operators can detect the substitution during deep inspection (for example, when registering a new number), this leads to automatic blocking in some countries. SIM-map.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

On shifts. IMEI And users often have typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, maybe the problem is deeper, the damage to the hardware of the communications module, and in these cases, you need to be diagnosed at a service center with soldering equipment. RF-chip.

Alternative solutions: when the change IMEI don't

Before taking risks and changing IMEI, Make sure it's really necessary. In many cases, the problem can be solved in other ways:

• 🌍 Roaming problems: If the phone doesn't catch the network overseas, check your settings APN Or contact the operator for unblocking.
• 📵 Operator lock: Some Xiaomi (especially Chinese versions) are tied to China Mobile instead of changing IMEI You can also use a global firmware (for example, MIUI Global or EU ROM).
• 🔄 Network loss after firmware: Settings reset often helps (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and reset) or flashing through Fastboot.
• 🛡️ Lock-in IMEI: If the phone is blocked by the operator (for example, for non-payment), try to resolve the issue through support instead of changing the phone. IMEI.

If your goal is to bypass regional restrictions (e.g., Xiaomi 13 Ultra for China), consider buying a global version of the device. IMEI future.

For models with MediaTek (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Sometimes it helps custom-recovery firmware (for example, TWRP) and backup recovery NVRAM But it's risky, because the data mismatch could lead to a total loss of communication.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions