Can I get rid of it? IMEI Xiaomi phone: truth and misconceptions

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the question of whether it is possible to remove or change the smartphone. IMEI It's surrounded by myths, half-truths and outright fraudulent schemes, and the Internet is full of "instructions" on how to "reset" the problem. IMEI», «It's either factory-dumped or permanently removed, but most of them are either useless or dangerous. IMEI, Why is it being removed and why is it almost always a bad idea.

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity is a unique 15-digit code that is assigned to each mobile device during the manufacturing phase, which serves to identify the gadget in the networks of operators, and also helps law enforcement to track stolen phones. On Xiaomi smartphones, as well as on other Android devices, IMEI «It's stitched in the modem hardware module and duplicated in the firmware. It can't be erased like a memory card file.

If you are looking for a way to remove IMEI, You may have one of three problems: you have a phone locked by a carrier, you have bought a device with a gray past (stolen, recovered from theft), or you are trying to circumvent regional restrictions (for example, for the Mi 11 Ultra with Chinese firmware). In this article, we’ll look at all possible scenarios, from legal to extremely risky, and explain why most Internet “solutions” will lead to irreversible phone buildup or legal troubles.

What is it? IMEI And why can't you just remove it?

IMEI — It's not a software identifier, it's a hardware identifier. It's made up of several parts:

• 🔢 TAC (Type Allocation Code: The first 8 digits for the model and manufacturer (for example, for the Redmi Note 10 Pro, it is 86959704).
• 📱 SNR (Serial Number: A unique serial number of the device.
• 🔄 CD (Check Digit – Check digit for authentication of code.

IMEI recorded:

1. In modem (hardware chip responsible for communication).
2. In the section /efs or /nvdata internal memory (program copy).

Even if you "delete» IMEI from firmware (which is technically possible through an engineering menu or ADB), The hardware module will still transmit the original code to the operator. Moreover, modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with the Mi 9 and later) have Anti-Rollback protection, which blocks the device when trying to change critical partitions.

⚠️ Attention: Any manipulation of the IMEI violate the warranty of Xiaomi and can be qualified as fraud under article 159.6 of the criminal code (“Fraud in the field of computer information”). IMEI.

Why are they trying to remove IMEI Xiaomi: Real Reasons

Here are the most common scenarios where users are looking for ways to delete or modify. IMEI:

The most dangerous category is the attempt to “zero» IMEI Many scammers offer "services" to delete IMEI And it's 500 to 2,000 rubles, promising that it'll be clean after that, and in practice, it doesn't work (IMEI remains in the operator's database, or leads to complete loss of communication due to damage to the modem firmware.

Can I legally change it? IMEI Xiaomi?

Legal ways to completely remove IMEI It doesn't exist. However, in some cases, it can be restored or replaced with the original (if it's been damaged:

• 🔧 Recovery through the Engineering Menu (if) IMEI It only works for Qualcomm Snapdragon devices (e.g, POCO F3, Redmi K40).
• 📱 Flashing through the official Mi Flash Tool (if you have a IMEI damaged by software failure).
• 🔄 Contact the Xiaomi service center with a check for the purchase (if you have a check for the purchase). IMEI erased).

For recovery. IMEI You will need to use the engineering menu:

1. Find out the original IMEI (box-and-battery).
2. Enter the code ##3646633## MTK) or #4636### for Qualcomm).
3. Go to the section CDS Information → Radio Information.
4. Introduce the team AT +EGMR=1,7,"IMEI_1" and AT +EGMR=1,10,"IMEI_2" (two-way SIM-map).

⚠️ Note: On devices with MediaTek Helio (e.g. Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) change IMEI The engineering menu can cause a loss. IMEI These chips have Secure Boot protection that blocks unauthorized changes.

What happens if you remove it? IMEI: consequences

Attempt to remove or replace IMEI It almost always ends with one of the following scenarios:

• 🚫 Network Blocking: The operator will detect a discrepancy IMEI in your database and will disable access to mobile communications (even if SIM-card).
• 🔒 Activation of Anti-Rollback protection: On new Xiaomi (for example, Mi 12, Redmi Note 11) this will lead to eternal locking of the bootloader.

In the forums often advise to “zero» IMEI through teams:

su


setprop persist.radio.imei ""




reboot

In practice, this leads to the fact that after the restart, the phone ceases to see networks, and an error appears in the logs. E/QCRIL-MSIM: Imei is null!. To restore the working capacity after that, you can only through flashing in the service center - and then not always.

Alternative solutions: what to do instead of removing IMEI

Instead of risk-taking experiments with IMEI Consider legitimate alternatives:

If you bought a used phone and found it locked, try contacting the previous owner. Many carriers (e.g. MTS, Beeline) allow you to unlock the device at the request of the former subscriber.

1. The phone number of the previous owner.
2. IMEI devices.
3. A copy of his passport (to confirm his identity).

💡

Before buying a used Xiaomi phone, always check it. IMEI through IMEI.info. if the status is "Blacklisted" or «Lost/Stolen», Please cancel the deal – this phone can be blocked at any time.

Myths about removal IMEI: it doesn't work

There are many “ways” to remove on the internet. IMEI, And we're going to look at the most popular ones, which are actually useless or harmful:

• 🔨 «Custom Recavery firmware (TWRP) erase IMEI» — no, TWRP has no access to hardware IMEI. It can damage the software copy, but it won’t delete it completely.
• 🖥️ «Through ADB dropable IMEI» — Teams like fastboot oem writeimei don’t work on modern Xiaomi because of Secure Boot protection.
• 📱 «Annexes for modification IMEI» — all such utilities (e.g, IMEI Changer) require root rights and in 99% of cases simply replace the displayed IMEI, hardware-free.
• 🔧 «Supplier of the modem chip is technically possible, but it costs 5-10 thousand rubles and does not guarantee the result. IMEI.

Another common myth: “If you remove it.” IMEI, The phone will become untraceable. It's not. Today's Xiaomi smartphones have additional identifiers:

• MEID (for CDMA-network).
• Serial Number (unique for each device)
• Mac addresses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
• Google Advertising ID (for tracking in Google services).

Not even without. IMEI The phone can be tracked through these settings, especially if it is connected to a Mi Account or Google account.

💡

No method of removal IMEI It doesn't make the phone completely anonymous. There are always other identifiers that you can use to calculate the device.

What to do if IMEI already damaged

If you have failed to perform your Xiaomi test IMEI: Null or stopped catching the network, try the following steps:

1. Check the engineering menu: Enter *#06# if IMEI It is displayed as 000000000000000, which means that the software copy is damaged.
2. Restore the backup copy /efs: If you have a backup (made through a TWRP or Mi PC Suite, restore it.
3. Fastboot flash all [file name].tz fastboot reboot
4. Contact the service center: If nothing helps, the modem hardware module may be damaged.

On devices with Qualcomm (for example, POCO X3 Pro, Mi 10T) Sometimes it helps to get rid of QCN-It's a file:

1. Download utility QPST and Qualcomm drivers.
2. Connect the phone in mode EDL (emergency loading).
3. Download the original QCN-file.
4. Restore the modem settings through QPST Configuration.

⚠️ Attention: Do not use QCN-files from other devices! this can lead to irreversible loss IMEI The file must be made from your phone before it breaks.

FAQ: Frequent questions about IMEI on Xiaomi