Did you buy Xiaomi off your hands and want to make sure that the IMEI is not changed? Or does the phone freeze on the logo, not turn on, and the box number does not match the data in the system? In such cases, Fastboot mode becomes the only way to get the original device ID. Unlike standard methods through settings or code *#06#, checking in Fastboot shows hardware IMEI recorded in the modem chip - it can not be forged software.
This guide will work for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, from the old Redmi Note 4X to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. We will analyze the methods with and without ADB/Fastboot (for users without a PC), and explain why sometimes the IMEI in Fastboot is different from what the system shows. If your phone is locked, broken or not sewn, this guide will help you avoid buying a “gray” device with an intermittent ID.
What is IMEI and why is it checked through Fastboot?
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit code that is assigned to each mobile device during the manufacturing phase, used by telecom operators to identify a phone on the network, and also helps track stolen or lost gadgets. In Xiaomi smartphones, the IMEI is recorded in two places:
- 📱 Software IMEI — stored in firmware (can be changed through an engineering menu or firmware).
- 🛠️ Hardware. IMEI — «stitched in the modem chip (changed only by soldering of the chip).
Fastboot mode allows you to get a hardware IMEI, which can not be faked without physical intervention, this is critical in several cases:
- 🔍 Buying a used phone - checking for "broken» IMEI (A common problem with devices imported from China).
- 🔧 Recovery after bricking – if the phone doesn’t turn on, but you need to know its original identifier.
- 📡 Network problems – when the phone does not catch the network due to a dropped or damaged IMEI.
It’s important to understand that if the IMEIs in Fastboot and the system are different, it’s a sign that the phone has been repaired with a replacement motherboard or someone has tried to unblock it illegally, such devices may be locked by the operator or have problems with updates.
Preparation: What You Need to Check Your IMEI in Fastboot
Before you go to the instructions, make sure you have everything you need.
- Without a PC – suitable for phones that somehow react to buttons (vibrate, the screen lights up).
- PC requires installation ADB/Fastboot and connect USB (It is necessary for completely "dead" devices).
Minimum set for work:
| Component | What do you need? | Where to find it. |
|---|---|---|
| USB Type-C Cable (original) | For stable PC connection (cheap cables may not transfer data to Fastboot) | Complete delivery or electronics stores |
| Xiaomi Drivers for PC | So that the computer recognizes the phone in Fastboot mode | Official Xiaomi website |
| ADB/Fastboot utility | To send commands to the phone | Android SDK Platform-Tools |
| Battery charge > 30% | Not to turn off the phone during the procedure. | Charge the device in advance |
If you are using MacOS or Linux, you do not need to install drivers - just allow access to the device through Terminal. For Windows, be sure to disable the driver signature (otherwise, the system will block the connection).
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If the phone doesn’t respond to buttons but is charging, try holding the Power + Vol Down combination for 10-15 seconds, sometimes helping you log into the Fastboot even on bricked devices.
Method 1: Checking IMEIs via Fastboot without PC (for working phones)
If your Xiaomi is switched on, but you want to make sure that IMEI It's not software-based, you can do without a computer, and it works on all Qualcomm Snapdragon models. Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO).
Turn off the phone completely (press the power for 10 seconds)
Make sure the battery is more than 20%.
Prepare a notebook for recording IMEI
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Instructions:
- Turn off the phone (if it freezes, hold the Power for 10-15 seconds).
- Press the Power + Vol Down buttons at the same time and hold them until the Fastboot logo appears (the Mi Bunny robot with the inscription FASTBOOT).
- You'll see basic information about the device on the screen. Slide down with the Vol Down button until you find the lines: (bootloader) Serial Number: [your IMEI] (bootloader) IMEI: [your IMEI].
- Write both down. IMEI (If the phone supports 2 SIM-map).
- To exit the mode, select Reboot with the Vol Up button and confirm Power.
If you don't have a line of IMEI on the screen, then your model is using a different chipset (like MediaTek), in which case you go to the PC.
What if Fastboot doesn’t have a line with IMEI?
Method 2: Checking IMEI via Fastboot with PC (universal method)
This method works on all Xiaomi models, including devices with MediaTek chipsets, Qualcomm and even older models on Spreadtrum. ADB/Fastboot and drivers.
Step-by-step:
- Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (as in method 1).
- Open the command prompt (CMD) in the folder with the platform-tools (where the adb.exe and fastboot.exe files are located).
- Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the phone is determined (its serial number will appear), continue. If not, check the drivers or cable.
- Execute the command to receive IMEI: fastboot oem get_imei For two-sim models, use: fastboot oem get_imei1 fastboot oem get_imei2
- Write down the values you get. They should match the ones you see on the box or under the battery (if the phone is collapsible).
In some models (for example, POCO F3 Xiaomi 11T) fastboot oem get_imei In this case, use an alternative method:
fastboot getvar allIn the conclusion, find the lines imei: or serialno: - this will be the desired identifier.
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If the fastboot oem team get_imei slip-back FAILED (remote: unknown command, this does not mean that IMEI It's just the manufacturer has blocked direct access. Use fastboot getvar all.
Method 3: IMEI check through the engineering menu (if the phone is switched on)
If your Xiaomi is turned on, but you want to compare the IMEI from Fastboot with what the system sees, use the engineering menu to help identify discrepancies that indicate an “out-of-the-box” ID.
Instructions:
- Open the Phone app and type: *#06# Write down the IMEI shown (this is a software identifier).
- Now dial the code to log in to the engineering menu: ##4636###
- Go to the Phone Information tab and find the IMEI1 and IMEI2 strings.
- Compare the values to those you got through Fastboot, and if they're different, your phone has been repaired with a change of board or software intervention.
On some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global for the European market), code ##4636## may not work.
- 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → All specifications.
- 🔍 Tap 5-7 times on the line "Version" MIUI», The message is “You became a developer».
- 🔧 Return to the main settings, open "Additional settings" → For developers" and include "Debugging by USB».
- 💻 Connect your phone to your PC and use the command: adb shell service call iphonesubinfo 3 In the output, find the lines with IMEI.
What to do if the IMEI in Fastboot and the system do not match
The discrepancy between hardware (from Fastboot) and software (from the system) IMEI is a wake-up call.
- 🔧 The phone was repaired with the replacement of the motherboard (IMEI The new card does not match the original).
- 📱 Someone cheated. IMEI software (through engineering menus or firmware) This is often done to unlock network constraints.
- 🚨 Device stolen and re-flashed to reset binding to original owner.
Consequences of using a phone with an “interrupted” IMEI:
| Problem. | Risk | How to check |
|---|---|---|
| Blocking by the operator | The phone can stop catching the network at any time (if the original IMEI is blacklisted) | Check the IMEI on the operator’s website or through the IMEI.info service |
| Problems with updates | Xiaomi may be blocking OTA-Updates for devices with unoriginal IMEI | Try to manually update through Settings → Software Update |
| Denial of guarantee | The service center will refuse repairs if it detects an IMEI discrepancy. | Compare IMEIs from the box and from the Fastboot |
If you find discrepancies, you have two options:
- Restore the original IMEI (if you have the right number box) and require root rights and special utilities like Maui META or SN Write Tool.
- Return the phone to the seller (if you bought used) The seller is required by law to provide the device with the original IMEI.
1. Boxes with an IMEI sticker.
2. Screen with code *#06#.
3. Fastboot menu (if the phone is turned off)
If the seller refuses, it is a reason to be wary.-->
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When checking IMEI through Fastboot, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common errors and solutions:
⚠️ Note: If you enter the command fastboot oem get_imei You see a mistake. FAILED (remote: oem command not allowed, which means that the phone is locked OEM. Unlock it through Settings. → For developers → Unlocking OEM (You need a Mi Account).
Other typical problems:
- 🔌 Phone is not defined in Fastboot Solution: Check the cable (use the original), install drivers manually through Device Manager, try another one USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).
- 📵 The fastboot device team returns the blank list Solution: Run CMD On behalf of the administrator, check if debugging is included USB developer-setting.
- 🔄 The phone is constantly rebooted to Fastboot Solution: This is a sign of a damaged bootloader. Try flashing the phone through the Mi Flash Tool with the clean all option.
If you are using MacOS or Linux, add./ (e.g../fastboot devices) before fastboot commands. Also make sure that adb and fastboot files have permission to execute:
chmod +x adb fastboot