How to find out the model of a locked Xiaomi phone: all working methods

Why you can’t define a model through standard settings

You picked up a locked Xiaomi smartphone -- the screen requires a password, the fingerprint is not recognized, and the Mi Account is not tied to your account -- the first thing that comes to mind is to go into the settings and look at the model in the About section. But then there's a problem: you don't have access to the system without unlocking it. Even if you remember the pattern lock, but the phone is locked after unsuccessful entry attempts, the system may require you to enter a password from a Mi Account that you don't know.

The situation is complicated if the phone is bought from hand, lost check or box, and the previous owner left no records. In this case, standard methods - such as viewing the sticker under the battery - also do not work: modern Xiaomi (starting with the Redmi Note 7 and later) have a non-removable battery. Fortunately, there are at least 7 alternative ways to recognize the model without opening the device and resetting it to the factory settings (which can lead to a complete lock through the Mi Cloud).

In this article, we will cover all the current methods, from the simplest (check box or IMEI) to advanced (use of Fastboot or EDL mode). Each method is illustrated with screenshots and accompanied by warnings about possible risks. If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to contact the Xiaomi service center to avoid full locking of the device through activation of protection against theft.

Method 1: Checking the original box and documents

The most obvious, but often ignored, method is to inspect the box and accompanying documents, and the original Xiaomi package shows the model in three places:

• 📦 On the front of the box (in large font, for example: Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ 5G).
• 🏷️ On the side or bottom of the sticker (the same is indicated). IMEI, S/N and producer country).
• 📄 In the warranty card or check (if saved).

If the box is lost, check other sources:

• 📱 Check or receipt from the store (even the electronic version in the mail).
• 📋 Warranty card – there is always a model and serial number.
• 🖥️ Emails (if you bought online, look for emails from Mi Store, AliExpress or Wildberries).

⚠️ Note: If the box is listed as Redmi 5A, on the sticker — MDE6, Don't be afraid. MDE6 — This is a codename for internal identification. For full model and code matching, see the table below.

Method 2: Using IMEI to define a model

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is your phone's unique identifier, which allows you to recognize a model even if your device is locked. There are three ways to get an IMEI:

1. Using code: Dial on the phone keyboard *#06#. The screen will appear 15-digit number (or two numbers if the phone supports two). SIM-map).
2. On the sticker under the battery (relevant for older models with removable battery, for example, Redmi 4A).
3. On a box or warranty card (see method 1).

When you have an IMEI, go to one of the services to check:

• 🌍 IMEI.info (English, paid transcript).
• 🇷🇺 SNDeeP.info (free of charge, supports Russian).
• 🔍 IMEI24 (Shows model, country and date of production).

An example of decryption:

IMEI: 861234567890123




Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G (codename: "veux")




Manufacturer: Xiaomi Communications Co Ltd




Release date: 2022-03

⚠️ Note: If the service shows a Unknown model or the data does not match the appearance of the phone, it is possible, IMEI It's been modified (which is illegal in most countries.

💡

If the phone doesn’t respond to *#06#, try plugging it into charging and trying again. Some models (such as the POCO X3 Pro) require unlocking the screen to display the IMEI, but the code still works on the locked device.

Method 3: Engineering menu codes (for advanced users)

If the standard *#06# code didn’t help, you can try special engineering commands, which work even on locked Xiaomi phones, but you need to be careful: incorrectly entering can lead to a system failure.

Enter the following codes on the phone keyboard:

• #4636## – displays phone information including model and Android version (works on most Xiaomi before MIUI 12).
• ##225## - shows calendar and model data (relevant to Redmi 9/9A/9C).
• ##6484## is a hardware test where the model is displayed at the top of the screen.

If nothing happens after entering the code:

• 🔄 Try to enter the code faster (some models require no pauses).
• 📱 Make sure that SIM-card inserted (on some devices, codes only work with active SIM).
• 🔋 Connect your phone to charge (insufficient charge can block the engineering menu).

Enter the code ##4636##

Check the "Model number" line at the top of the screen

If there is no response, try alternative codes.

Photograph the result for further analysis-->

Method 4: Comparison of appearance with official images

If you don't have access to an IMEI or a box, you can identify the model by its external features.

1. Take a photo of your phone from different angles (especially the back, camera location, and logo).
2. Compare the photos with the official images on Mi.com or in the GSMArena catalog.
3. Pay attention to this: 📸 Number and location of cameras (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro has 4 cameras in a vertical unit, and POCO X4 Pro - 3 cameras with LED-flashback). 🎨 Color and texture of the back panel (matted plastic in Redmi) 9A, glass). 🔌 Type of charging connector (microUSB in older models, USB-C new).

For convenience, we have collected the key differences of popular models in the table:

If you're not sure about the model, upload a photo of the phone to a visual search service like Google Lens or Yandex.Pictures. Algorithms often recognize the model by design.

💡

Look-alike comparison is the safest method, but it requires careful attention. A mistake of 1-2 cameras or the location of sensors can lead to misidentification of the model (for example, the Redmi Note 11 and the POCO M4 Pro are almost identical in appearance).

Method 5: Connecting to a PC and using a Fastboot

If the phone is completely locked but is responsive to a computer connection, you can recognize the model through Fastboot mode.This method requires installing the Mi Flash Tool or ADB/Fastboot, but does not violate the data on the device.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the buttons Loud down + Power before the Fastboot logo appears.
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
4. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and execute the command: fastboot getvar product The answer will be in the format: product: veux (where veux is the codename Redmi Note 11 Pro).
5. Compare the codename you received with the table above.

If the fastboot getvar command doesn’t work, try alternatives:

fastboot getvar ro.product.model


fastboot getvar ro.product.name

⚠️ Note: Do not use fastboot oem unlock or fastboot erase commands – these can cause a complete phone reset and activation of Mi Cloud lock if the device is tied to someone else’s account.

💡

If your PC doesn’t see your phone in Fastboot mode, install Mi PC Suite drivers or use Google’s universal USB Driver.

Method 6: Reading data via EDL (for power users)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a "emergency" firmware mode that allows you to access the internal memory of the phone, which is used by service centers to restore bricks, but it also allows you to know the model, and it's a risky method: wrong actions can turn the phone into a "brick".

If you are ready for experiments, follow the instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the buttons Volume up + Loudness down + Power at the same time and connect USB-The screen will stay black, that's okay.
3. Install the Mi Flash Pro or EDL Tool.
4. In the command line, run: edl rl 0x100000 32 This will read the first 32 bytes of memory where the model information is stored.
5. In the answer, look for a line like Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (sweet).

If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to contact a service center. Incorrect use of EDL can lead to:

• 🔥 Loss of warranty (if phone warranty).
• 🚫 Full lock via Mi Cloud (if the device is linked to the account).
• 💀 Turning the phone into a brick (if you interrupt the reading process).

Method 7: Contact Xiaomi Service Center

If all of the above methods fail, the most reliable way is to contact the official Xiaomi service center, which has access to databases by IMEI and serial numbers, and can also read the model through professional equipment (for example, UFi Box or Medusa Pro).

What needs to be done:

1. Find the nearest service center on Mi.com.
2. Take it with you: 📱 The phone itself (even the one that is locked). 📦 Box and documents (if any). 🆔 Passport (to confirm ownership).

Explain the situation: you need to know the model for further actions (e.g. unlocking or repairing).

The cost of the service is usually 0-500 rubles (free if the phone is guaranteed). If the phone is purchased from hand, you may require proof of legal ownership (check, purchase agreement).

⚠️ Warning: Don't go to unofficial services that promise to "hack" your phone in 5 minutes: 🔓 Loss of all data after a hard reset. 🚨 Locking through Mi Cloud (if the phone is stolen). 💸 Frauds (replacing internal components with cheap analogues). FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions: Can I find out the Xiaomi model if the phone is broken and not turning on? Yes, there are two ways: Check it out. IMEI If the screen is broken but the phone is responding to a PC connection, try the Fastboot method (section 5). IMEI The box and the phone (*#06#) don't match: 🔧 IMEI It was modified by software (illegally). 📦 The box is not original (forged or from another phone). 🔄 The phone was repaired with the replacement of the motherboard. In this case, you can only identify the model through the Fastboot or visually (see table). How to know the Xiaomi model if the phone is locked through the Mi Account? Mi Account lock does not interfere with the definition of the model: 📞 Code *#06# (It works even on a locked screen). 🖥️ Fastboot mode (section) 5). 🔍 Visual comparison (section) 4). If you want to unlock Mi Account, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (S/N)? Yeah, serial number (S/N) It's also tied to the model. It can be found on the box (near the box). IMEI). In Fastboot mode (fastboot getvar ro.serialno command). S/N If you're using a site like SNDeeP.info or Xiaomi support, what if all the methods don't work? If none of them work, please contact Xiaomi Service Center. Take a photo of the phone and ask a question on the forums: 4PDA (a section of Xiaomi) XDA Developers If the phone isn't yours, try contacting the previous owner (maybe he has the documents).