How to Restore Xiaomi Serial Number: From Box to Engineering Menu

Why Xiaomi’s serial number could “disappear” and what it means

The serial number (SN) and IMEI/MEID IDs are unique “passports” of your Xiaomi device that tie it to an official warranty, service centers, and even mobile networks. But what if the number is erased from the sticker on the case, disappeared after firmware or never was listed at all (as in some OEM- devices)?

Problems begin when the system requires an SN to activate Mi Account, unlock the bootloader, or access the service.

• 🔧 Restore access to Mi Cloud when password is lost.
• 📱 Connect to a mobile network (if IMEI is corrupted)
• 🔄 Complete the official bootloader unlocking procedure.
• 🛠️ Get warranty repairs (without a number, the device is considered "gray").

In this article, 5 working ways to restore the serial number, including hidden methods for devices after hard reset or with a damaged sticker. Importantly, methods using the engineering menu (#4636##) only work on devices with the original MIUI firmware at least version 12.

Method 1: Checking the original packaging and documents

The simplest, but often ignored, method is to search for SNs on physical media, and the manufacturer duplicates the serial number in several places:

⚠️ Warning: If you bought the device handheld, check for a match SN on the box and in the phone settings (Settings → Phone → General Information).

• 🔄 Recovered after maintenance repairs (hull replaced)
• 🚨 Is a fake (especially relevant for Poco and Black Shark)
• 📦 Sold without original packaging (e.g., as part of Xiaomi's recycling campaign).

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If the sticker on the case is erased, try to light it with a flashlight at an angle - sometimes the numbers appear in the light.

Method 2: Remove SN through phone settings

If the device is powered on and running, you can find the serial number in the system menu, and the paths depend on the version of MIUI:

For MIUI 12-14:

1. Open the settings → About the phone;
2. Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
3. Return to the main settings and select Additional → Version Information;
4. Scroll down to Serial Number (SN) and IMEI.

For MIUI 9-11:

• Go to Settings → System and device → About the phone;
• The General Information item contains SN, IMEI and MAC- addresses.

⚠️ Warning: On some custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the serial number may appear as unknown or a set of zeros.

• 🔧 The firmware was installed in violation (without saving NV-data);
• 📵 The device has lost IMEI and cannot connect to the mobile network.
• 🔄 Requires recovery via EDL- mode (see Method 5).

Find the item "About the phone" |Activate the developer mode (if necessary) | Check the "Version Information" block |Contrast SN with the box-->

Method 3: Using engineering menus and USSD- codes

If the serial number doesn’t show up in the standard settings, it can be extracted through hidden menus, which work on most Xiaomi, Redmi, and Poco devices with original firmware.

Method 1: USSD-code

Enter the following combinations in the Phone application:

• #4636## → Phone Information tab (shows IMEI and SN)
• *#06# - displays IMEI (on some models and SN)
• ##225## is a calendar and serial number (powered by Redmi Note 8/9).

Method 2: MTK Engineering Menu

For MediaTek processor devices (e.g. Redmi 9A, Poco C31):

1. Enter ##3644633##
2. Go to Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information
3. Select Phone 1 (or Phone 2 for the second SIM slot)
4. In the AT+ field, enter EGMR=1,7 (for IMEI) or EGMR=1,9 (for SN).

Method 4: Recover SN with Mi Account and Cloud

If your device was linked to a Mi Account, the serial number can be found in your personal account on Xiaomi's official website, which works even if the phone doesn't turn on.

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in;
2. Select the Devices tab (Devices);
3. Find your smartphone in the list – next to the model will be listed SN;
4. If the device is not displayed, check: 🔄 Whether sync with Mi Cloud was enabled; 📵 Whether you manually deleted the device from your account; 🔧 Whether you changed the firmware after anchoring (this may reset the cloud connection).

⚠️ Warning: If the device was purchased with your hands and the previous owner didn’t untie it from your Mi Account, you won’t be able to:

• 🔒 Unlock the bootloader;
• 📱 Restore IMEI through official services.
• 🛠️ Get warranty service (a check will be required from SN original owner).

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Linking the device to the Mi Account is the only way to recover the SN if the phone is not turned on or completely reset.

Method 5: Hardware recovery via EDL- Mode (for advanced)

If the serial number and IMEI are lost due to a failed firmware or damage to the NV-data partition, they can be restored via Emergency Download Mode (EDL) mode.

• 🖥️ Computer with Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers installed;
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool (for Xiaomi) or SP Flash Tool (for MediaTek)
• 📄 Firmware file with the original NV-backup (can be extracted from stock firmware for your model).

Step-by-step instructions for Qualcomm devices (Redmi Note 10 Pro, Xiaomi 11T, etc.):

1. Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website;
2. Unpack the archive and find the prog_emmc_firehose.mbn file (for EDL);
3. Connect your phone to your PC in EDL mode (clip Volume Up + Volume Down + USB- Cable);
4. In Mi Flash Tool, select Clean All and Lock and specify the path to the firmware.
5. After the firmware, SN and IMEI will be restored automatically.

⚠️ Warning: Misuse of EDL may:

• 🔥 Turn the device into a hard brick.
• 🚫 Cancellation of warranty (unless official firmware is used);
• 📵 Damage the modem module, making it impossible to make calls and mobile internet.

adb pull /dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/persist persist.img

It'll help to restore it. IMEI, if something goes wrong.-->

What do you do if nothing helps?

If all of these methods fail, there are three options:

1. Contact the Xiaomi service center: 📄 Provide a check or warranty card (even without SN); 🔧 In some cases, specialists can restore the number on the database; 💰 The cost of the service is from 1000 to 3 000 rubles (depending on the model).
2. Buy a donor fee: 🔄 Suitable for devices with a damaged eMMC chip; 📵 Requires rations and repair skills; ⚠️ Risk of getting a blacklist IMEI from the operator.

• 🌐 Suitable for tablets (Xiaomi Pad 5) or smartphones with Wi-Fi;
• 🔒 You cannot unlock the bootloader or update the firmware.
• 🛡️ Risk of blocking Mi Accounts when reset.

If you decide to sell a device without a serial number, honestly state this in the ad. Buyers in the secondary market often look for such devices for:

• 🔧 Reflashing to other regions;
• 🎮 Use as a gaming device (without SIM- card);
• 💻 Convert to a media player or smart home device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about restoring Xiaomi serial number