Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often face a situation when you need to restore access to an account or untie the device from your Google account, but the sticker with the codes is lost, and the device itself is not available. IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity is a unique identifier that is assigned to each slot. SIM-Knowing how to find the second number on the first can save you at a critical moment of locking the device.
There are several proven ways to get this information without physically accessing a phone or knowing only one of the identifiers. Android system and Mi Account ecosystem leave digital traces that allow you to recover lost data. In this article, we will discuss the technical nuances of working with hardware identifiers and how to extract them from cloud services or system logs.
It's important to understand that these two numbers are mathematically related, but not interchangeable in carrier databases. Searching for a second IMEI on the first one is often required to register a device in government registries or lock a stolen gadget through a carrier. We'll look at both software and hardware methods for solving this problem.
IMEI 1 and IMEI 2 in the architecture of Xiaomi
Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones are equipped with modems that support the work of the two SIM-Each slot is allocated a unique code that is stitched in the factory, and these codes are stored in a secure memory area. NVRAM The first and second identifiers usually differ by the last digit or a pair of digits, but can also have significant differences depending on the batch of production.
The MIUI or HyperOS shell reads this data when it's uploaded and displays it in the corresponding menu. If you know one code, it's mathematically impossible to compute the second code without access to the manufacturer's factory database. However, knowing one number, you can try to find the associated account or device in the connection history.
⚠️ Note: Mathematically calculate the second IMEI, Knowing only the first, you can't do it without accessing the factory's private databases.
Users often confuse IMEI with the serial number of the device (SN), the serial number is the same for the entire device, while there may be several identifiers of the communication module. When contacting Xiaomi support or service center, operators can find the second code using the first as a search key in the internal warranty database.
Search through Google Account and Device Policy
One of the most reliable ways to find forgotten identifiers is to look at the history of devices associated with your Google account. If a Redmi smartphone was logged in to a Google account and synced, hardware information could be saved in a security profile, especially for devices that were previously active and synced to the cloud.
To verify, you need to go to Google’s Device Management page, which displays a list of all gadgets that have ever been logged into an account, and although Google rarely displays full IMEIs in the public domain for security reasons, in some cases, especially when using corporate profiles or Device Policy services, this data can be seen in device details.
It’s also worth checking the “Security” section in your Google account settings on your computer, which can display device model and status. If your phone is lost, Find My Device sometimes displays more technical information in activity logs, which can be accessed through your account history.
Use of service codes and engineering menu
If you have a phone in your hand, but you don't remember the codes or they've been erased from the sticker, the best way to do this is to use an engineering menu. USSD-Enter *#06# on the dial screen. The system will instantly display both identifiers on the screen.
In some cases, if the standard code does not show full information or the interface is corrupted, you can use alternative commands to access the engineering menu. For example, code ##4636## opens the testing menu, where you can find IMEI 1 and IMEI 2, as well as other technical statistics of the modem, in the "Phone Information" section.
☑️ Checking through the Engineering Menu
For advanced users, USB debugging mode is available. Connecting the phone to your computer and installing ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can request information directly from the system. The adb shell service call iphonesubinfo 1 (or variations for different versions of Android) command allows you to output raw data containing IMEI. This requires certain knowledge, but gives a guaranteed result even with a partially idle screen.
Analysis of the box and warranty card
The most common, but often ignored, method is to find the original packaging. There's always a barcode sticker on the back of a Xiaomi or Redmi box, and it lists both IMEIs, serial number and model of the device, and even if the phone itself is lost, the box can be stored at home and the only source of truth.
If the box is thrown away, check the documents. Warranty pass, check from the store or invoice often contain a stamp with the identifiers of the equipment. Sellers in the salons are obliged to enter this data into the database when selling, so a copy of the check or an email confirming the order in the online store may contain the necessary information.
| Source of data | Availability of IMEI 1 | Availability of IMEI 2 | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dial *#06# | Yes. | Yes. | Tall. |
| The sticker on the box | Yes. | Yes. | Tall. |
| Google Account | Partially. | Rarely. | Medium |
| Service centre | Yes. | Yes. | Tall. |
It is important to keep photos of these documents in the cloud immediately after purchase. A digital copy of a box or check sent to yourself in a messenger or email will help in the future to avoid problems with restoring access, many users neglect this simple action, wasting time searching.
Contact the service center and the operator
If the device is locked or lost, the only official way to get a second one is to get a second one. IMEI One is to contact a communications operator or an authorized Xiaomi service center, and the mobile operators store connection logs, where both identifiers are recorded if the phone was ever registered on the network with the installed device. SIM-card.
To get the information, you'll need to prove ownership of the device, which could be a purchase contract, a check, or passport information that you've signed up for. SIM-The service centre staff have access to internal databases where the serial number or one of the IMEI The full specification of the device can be found, including the second code.
⚠️ Note: Communications operators and service centers provide information only to the owner of the device when presenting a passport.
This is especially true if the phone has been stolen and you need to file a full report with the police, and the police can also request the operator to track the device using one of the codes you have, and the IMEI database locks the stolen phones with these identifiers.
Software Methods for Advanced Users
For users with Root rights or ADB experience, there are utilities that allow you to pull out full dumps of system information. Applications like CPU-Z, Device Info HW or specialized terminals can display IMEI in the details of the system. However, if the phone does not turn on, this method will not work.
If you have access to the file system through recovery mode or TWRP, you can try to find the modem configuration files. They usually lie in hidden partitions, but if you have a backup of the system (for example, made through Mi Backup), this data can be restored. Analysis of the backup on the computer can reveal text files with logs containing the numbers you want.
Can I change the IMEI to Xiaomi?
There are also online generator services and databases that allow for IMEI verification. By entering one known code, you can get a report on the device, which sometimes (not always) indicates a second identifier, if it was recorded in previous checks by other users.