Every Xiaomi (Redmi) smartphone has a built-in IMEI code for each of the modems. If a smartphone can work with two SIM cards at the same time, it will have 2 IMEIs.
This identification number is necessary to determine the authenticity of the device and whether the Xiaomi phone you bought is fake.
I wrote a separate article on how to check Xiaomi for authenticity online.
Now I want to talk about three ways to find out IMEI on Xiaomi.
Finding out IMEI through the Xiaomi engineering menu
Xiaomi smartphones have a built-in engineering section; it is necessary for testing modules, chips and calibrating sensors. It is mainly used in repair shops, but you can easily get access to it.
To do this, open the settings, find the item “About phone” .
Then click on the line
“All parameters” . Click on the item “Kernel version” , after which the engineering software will automatically launch. In it we are interested in the item “Check version info” .
As you can see in the screenshot, both IMEIs are displayed along with the barcode, which is convenient for scanning by service equipment. Return to content
Verification via the official Mi Verify website
For this method of checking your phone, you will need either the IMEI identifier or S/N - the serial number of the device.
- Go to the official Xiaomi website to the product verification section
- Enter IMEI or S/N in the field
- Enter the verification code (captcha)
Successful authentication check
If everything is in order, then they will write to you the device model, and at the bottom there will be a green check mark with congratulations that you have purchased the official international model of the product.
If the Xiaomi phone is not original, then the inscription will be red.
How to find out the IMEI and serial number of a device?
IMEI is a unique number that the phone received during assembly. However, the number of IMEI identifiers depends on the number of SIM cards that the phone supports. IMEI consists of 14–16 digits. However, it does not 100% guarantee the authenticity of a Xiaomi smartphone: sometimes device manufacturers steal official model numbers and assign them to fakes.
The IMEI number can be found in the smartphone settings. Photo: gearbest.com
There are four ways to find IMEI:
- Select the call menu and dial *#06#. You will receive several numbers: one MEID and one or more IMEI, depending on the number of SIM cards. Any IMEI number is suitable for verification.
- Find it on the back of the device box. On the sticker the number is indicated under the barcode. Also, sometimes in production this sticker is glued directly to the gadget.
- In the device warranty card, which you can find inside the box.
- Select the “Settings” button on the desktop. Go to the “About device -> All characteristics -> Status” section. All IMEI numbers are listed there.
There is only one way to find out the serial number of a Xiaomi phone: the S/N is indicated on the same sticker where you found the IMEI, but only under the second barcode.
How to check Xiaomi redmi authenticity, compare price
This is one of the important factors that can be suspicious and can lead to whether the phone is an imitation or original. Usually counterfeit phones are sold aggressively cheap to get people to buy it. Despite this, there is often a chance that the seller will sell the counterfeit phone for a little less. The rule is simple: any phone sold for significantly less than the current price has a very high risk of becoming a counterfeit phone.
Do you have any other idea on how to easily recognize fake Xiaomi phones? Feel free to leave comments below.
Checking technical specifications
If there is a suspicion that you have a fake in your hands, then with a high probability its characteristics are much weaker than the original. In this case, you need to carefully check the specifications of the device. The characteristics of the original Xiaomi phone are extremely easy to find - they are on the company’s official website, in online stores, catalogs and information sites, including our AndroidLime.ru.
To find out the real specifications of the smartphone, just download the CPU-Z or AIDA64 application on Google Play. These programs show the real characteristics of the device, including information about the processor, memory, camera sensors, display, sensors and other components. All data must match those stated on the official website or thematic information portals.
Xiaomi security code
The second method of Xiaomi authentication is almost identical to the first, only instead of IMEI you need to enter a security code on the website mi.com/verify, which is located on the box and is covered with a protective layer for security.
If everything is in order, a notification will appear in English, which can be literally translated as follows: “This is a genuine product. The security code has been entered for the first time."
Settings
In the gadget settings, you can not only view information about the characteristics of the device, but also find out the exact model. To do this, do the following:
- enter “Settings” by clicking on the gear on the main screen;
- click "About phone";
- then select “Model” - the name of the phone model will appear.
Note! This method is only suitable if the device has official firmware.
Appearance and build quality
You definitely need to check the quality of the build and materials - on phones of dubious origin, these indicators are much worse than on the originals. For example, on fake smartphones there are often large black frames around the screen, and sometimes the arrangement of elements (connectors and buttons) may differ.
Also, fake Chinese smartphones use cheap plastic instead of metal as the material for the back cover or side edges. You can also pay attention to the presence and quality of the oleophobic coating and other assembly nuances.
Ratings: 3 , average: 5.00
How to check Xiaomi for authenticity, use the antutu officer application
Open Google Play Store and download AnTuTu Officer app. The way it works is similar to the Mi Verification app above, but the data is provided exclusively by AnTuTu. The application will match the hardware to the original registered specifications that they have on their server. As you may also know, AnTuTu is a popular benchmarking application that many manufacturers use to test their products.
How to check Xiaomi imei number using USSD code
This is the easiest way to find your phone's IMEI number. The good thing is that this method is more or less universal. It works with almost all feature phones and smartphones, so give it a try before you go looking for your phone receipt.
- Dial *#06#
on your phone. - The IMEI number will now be displayed on the screen. You should write down the Xiaomi imei number, or you can always take a screenshot.
Visual differences and packaging
Of course, it is difficult to determine the Xiaomi phone model only by appearance, since almost all of them have large screens and similar designs. However, it is still possible to do this. To do this, first of all, look at the material of the case. If the device is made of plastic, it is probably a representative of the Redmi line. For a more accurate answer, you need to look at the arrangement of individual elements. For example, older Redmi models do not have a built-in fingerprint scanner. On third-generation devices it is located on the back in the form of a cutout, and on Mi 5 it is located under the display.
The same goes for the front camera, headphone port and sensors. If the packaging from the smartphone has been preserved, then you can see the model on it. Typically this information is indicated in the lower right corner on the back of the package.
If there is no packaging, but you roughly understand which line your smartphone belongs to (Mi or Redmi), then enter its name in a search engine and look for images of phones similar in appearance to yours. This will take some time, so it's easiest to use the following method if your phone is unlocked and ready to use.
How to check Xiaomi for authenticity, MIUI ROM
The first principle you should also understand is the fact that OEMs will not produce fake Mi Devices. This means that if you press the official MIUI ROM on a fake phone, it will eventually brick the phone. The reason is simple: during ROM installation, the system will check certain parameters. The system will determine the device's codename, hardware coordination, etc. However, if the result is not as expected, the process will close the device because the ROM is simply not designed for that device.
How to recognize a fake Xiaomi phone
Xiaomi has become one of the most copied brands in China. Photo: softpedia.com
Externally, it is not easy to distinguish a fake from an original: often a genuine model may not be of the best quality, while a fake, on the contrary, will turn out to be very impressive. In any case, pay attention to several parameters:
- Appearance does not match description. If you were promised a metal case, but you see a plastic one, or the smartphone system differs from the standard MIUI, it is best not to purchase the device or return it to the seller.
- Poor quality assembly. If the smartphone does not look durable, the glass comes away from the body or breaks after a minor impact, then the smartphone is most likely a fake. Xiaomi uses high-quality materials for its devices, and the assembly is almost no different from top brands.
- The characteristics of the smartphone in the settings do not match the description. Even if this phone is not a fake, they are definitely trying to sell you something other than what you paid for.
- The camera does not take good pictures even at high settings. Be especially careful, be sure to check your camera settings and make sure they are set to high resolution. However, if there is simply no such option in the menu, then they are definitely trying to deceive you.
- Poor sound quality when talking. If the speaker crackles and you can hardly understand what the other person is saying, you can be sure that the smartphone is not real.
Viewing from Fastboot modes
If the previous methods did not help, Fastboot mode (system settings) will help solve the problem. Of course, you won’t be able to find out the model name through recovery, so first download any third-party utility that allows you to do this (for example, TWRP). Next, follow the simple instructions:
- turn off the phone and wait until the screen goes completely dark;
- Press and hold the Power and Volume Up keys at the same time;
- A menu will appear in which you need to open the Settings section and find the necessary information.
Now you know how to quickly check the model name of a smartphone. The easiest way to do this is by inspecting the box or looking in the settings. But, if this is not possible, you can use other methods.
How to check Xiaomi imei number using settings
On Android, go to Settings > About > IMEI to see the IMEI number. Tap Status and scroll down to view IMEI information.
iPhone has a separate manual.
On most other phones with a removable battery, the IMEI is printed on a sticker that is located inside the phone, under the battery. Remove the battery to check it.
When you don't have a phone.
How to check Xiaomi MIUI ROM for authenticity
Most of the fake phones come with custom Android ROM. Therefore, in the Settings section, check the About Phone section. Take a look at the MIUI version and ask Google which version of MIUI this phone should be on. You can also check it here and read the changelog.
Above is an example of a fake Mi Note. There is no MIUI v6.3.6.0 and it is not possible for Mi Note to have 9GB RAM.
