How to find out IMEI on blocked Xiaomi: the complete guide

The situation when the Xiaomi smartphone is blocked and requires you to enter a Mi Account, and you do not remember the password or do not know what phone number was used during registration, is one of the most stressful for the owner. IMEI-The device code to contact support, check lock status, or prove ownership of the gadget is compounded by the fact that standard ways to access system information through the settings menu are closed by the lock screen.

Fortunately, Xiaomi and Android architecture provide several workarounds that allow you to extract unique identifiers even without full access to the system. In this article, we will discuss in detail both the software and physical ways to obtain data that will help you regain control of the device or prepare information for the service center.

It's important to understand that IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is not just a set of numbers, but a unique passport of your phone on a cell phone, and knowing that code, you can check if your device is wanted and link it to your account remotely, and we'll look at methods from the simplest, non-computer-intensive, to advanced engineering.

Search for information on packaging and in documents

The most obvious and often forgotten way to find the IMEI of a locked smartphone is to look at its physical surroundings. If you have the original box from the device, then the information you want is 99% likely to be on it. Electronics manufacturers are required to put a unique identifier on the packaging for logistics and warranty maintenance.

Usually on the side or bottom of the box is a white barcode sticker, and you'll find the IMEI 1 and IMEI 2 lines (if the phone is dual-sim phone), as well as the serial number S/N. These data are completely identical to those sewn into the phone's memory. Even if the phone is locked in Mi Account, the information on the box remains valid and can be used to restore access.

It's also worth checking your warranty card or purchase check if you have it in paper or electronic form. IMEI-The code in the warranty card when you activate the device, which is additional proof of ownership, which is critical when communicating with support.

⚠️ Note: A photo of the box or check may be required when contacting Xiaomi's official support team to unlock your account.Make sure the numbers on the sticker are readable and match the device model.

If the box was thrown away but the check is saved, contact the store where the purchase was made. Databases of large retailers often store information about the devices sold, including their serial numbers tied to the check.

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If you bought a phone online, check your email – the order confirmation letter or the store’s personal account often lists the IMEI of the device you bought.

Use of Google and Mi Account Services

If your smartphone is previously connected to the Internet and has been logged in to your Google account, you can use Google Find My Device, a tool that not only tracks your location, but also provides basic information about connected devices, although direct IMEI output is rare, sometimes displayed in device details depending on the Android version and model.

A more efficient way is to use the Xiaomi Cloud service. If Mi Cloud access was enabled on a locked phone, go to i.mi.com from a computer or other phone. Sign in under the account that was supposedly used on the locked device.

In the cloud interface, select Find device. If your phone is listed, click on its icon. The management menu that opens often provides information about the model and sometimes the status of the device. While the IMEI itself may be hidden for security reasons, confirming the device's association with your account is already a step toward solving the problem.

• 🔍 Go to i.mi.com and log in.
• 📱 Select a locked device from the list.
• ℹ️ Check the pop-up window with information about the gadget.

In some cases, if the phone is synced, it may be stored in the About Phone section inside the Mi Account settings on another Xiaomi device, if you logged in with the same data.

Engineering menu and USSD-codes without access to the system

One of the features of the Android operating system is the ability to call certain system functions through a set of special codes, even if the screen is locked. On a locked Xiaomi screen, there is usually an Emergency Call button.

Try entering the classic code *#06#. On many Xiaomi models, even with the screen locked, after entering this key combination on the display, the window with information about IMEI automatically pops up. This works at the level of the basic modem firmware and does not require unlocking the MIUI interface.

If the standard code didn’t work, you can try to log in to the engineering menu. Type ##4636##. However, on modern versions of MIUI with security patches installed, this entry can be closed or require additional permissions that cannot be given from a locked screen.

It is worth noting that the performance of these codes depends on the version of Android and regional firmware, and on the global versions (Global ROM) the chance of success is higher than on the Chinese versions with the cross-linked language.

⚠️ Warning: Don't change the settings in the engineering menu if you manage to get there. Resetting the radio module can lead to complete loss of communication, which is difficult to restore without flashing.

Using ADB to extract IMEI

For more advanced users who have access to a computer, a powerful tool is Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method requires that the phone previously had USB debugging enabled.If this feature was activated before locking, you can get full access to the device's file system and database.

First, you need to install ADB drivers on your computer and connect the phone with a cable. If the phone requests permission to debug (which is unlikely with a locked screen, but it is possible if you previously ticked “always allow from this computer”), you will get access.

To get an IMEI, use the command that accesses the Android settings database. Open the command prompt or terminal in the ADB folder and type the following request:

adb shell settings get global android_id

However, IMEI is more efficient for obtaining direct database work through SQL-like queries, if there are root rights, or through system properties.

adb shell getprop | grep imei

This command will output all system properties that contain the word "imei," and among them you'll find ril.serialnumber or similar fields that contain the code you're looking for, and if USB debugging wasn't enabled in advance, this method, alas, won't work.

• 💻 Install the platform ADB PC-only.
• 🔌 Connect your phone with the original cable.
• ⌨️ Enter the adb device command to check the connection.
• 📡 Use Getprop to Find Identifiers.

Table: Comparison of methods for obtaining IMEI

To make it easier for you to navigate the available methods, we have prepared a summary table that will help you evaluate the effectiveness of each method depending on your specific situation and the availability of additional tools.

As you can see from the table, having a box or a check is the most reliable option, and if you don't have one, the combination of screen codes and cloud services gives you the best result without the use of complex hardware.

The ADB method requires technical skills, but provides the most complete data if the phone has been prepared for developers before, and otherwise it is better to rely on physical media.

Contact the service and the operator

If none of the software methods worked, it's just a human factor, and the cell phone operators keep logs of the equipment's connection to the towers. SIM-The operator can (theoretically) have a record of the IMEI device from which the network was accessed.

However, in practice, operators rarely provide this information to individuals for reasons of confidentiality and security, and only obtain data upon official request from law enforcement in the event of theft or loss.

A more realistic way is to run Xiaomi’s official service center, where if you own a device but can’t access the IMEI, the service can read it from the phone’s motherboard using special diagnostic equipment, which requires the phone itself and proof of purchase (check, contract).

⚠️ Please note: when contacting the service center, be sure to bring your passport. Without an identity document, employees have the full right to refuse service and information about the device.

The service center can also check if your IMEI is on the blacklist of stolen devices, which sometimes causes blocking at the operator level.

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The official service center is the only place where IMEIs can be read directly from the hardware of the phone without the screen turning on, but this requires personal presence and documents.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)