What to check when buying xiaomi mi4. How to protect yourself from counterfeiting? Security code verification method

The popularity of Xiaomi due to the impeccable quality of its products is becoming higher every year. The brand is becoming a benchmark for durability, functionality and style, so it is not surprising that counterfeit smartphones are starting to appear on the market.

They are produced by unknown companies that diligently copy the external components of Xiaomi smartphones, installing the cheapest “filling”. Naturally, we are not talking about any high quality in this case. How can you find out if you are the owner of an original Xiaomi product or if you have come across a fake? There are several simple ways, which will require very little time from you.

Official application from Xiaomi

The company has developed an official application that checks for originality using a QR code.

Verification steps:

  1. Log in from both your smartphone and computer to the verification site;
  2. Press the Download APP button on your smartphone (the tab should remain open);
  3. After opening the application, you need to scan the QR code presented on the page;
  4. After a few seconds, data about the result of the verification activities will appear.

Check by IMEI (for Chinese IP)

Each Xiaomi smartphone has its own number - IMEI, which is located in a special database. Unfortunately, it is impossible to guarantee a 100% probability of receiving the correct answer: manufacturers of counterfeit products have learned to extract IMEIs from the database, which are then assigned to their products.

IMEI verification steps

  1. Go to the verification resource;
  2. Find the Verify your phone purchase tab and go to it;
  3. In the window that opens, enter the IMEI of the smartphone, as well as S/N (serial number);
  4. After entering the captcha, you need to click the Verify button;
  5. At the end of the check, a window with the result will open.

There is a sticker on the box that displays a barcode. This is where information about IMEI and S/N (serial number) is located.

What to do if you don't have a box? Then you can find out the IMEI on your smartphone: dial the combination *#06#, after which the necessary information appears on the screen. You can find the serial number as follows: in the “Settings” menu there is a category “About phone”, where there is a subcategory “General information” containing information about the serial number.

Important point: Authentication will only be checked correctly if the IP is Chinese.

Interface and installed software

Xiaomi installs only Android OS on its products in combination with branded shell MIUI. This means that if the smartphone detects something different software, then this clearly indicates that the device is fake. And keep in mind that the possibility of installing firmware (official MIUI or any other) on a fake smartphone is completely excluded.

Build quality of the device

Due to the installation of the cheapest modules in fake smartphones, the quality of the devices is at a very low level: dim and blurry images on the screen, poor quality of photos and videos, noise during conversations, etc. A smartphone may work slowly and “slow down” due to a low-quality and low-power processor, the microphone may malfunction, and the connection may be disconnected from time to time.

The Xiaomi brand uses only the highest quality components, and smartphones undergo strict quality control. This means an absolute absence of squeaks, loose fits, rattling, and the use of thin plastic, including those that emit a pronounced plastic aroma.

Specifications

If the device has fake firmware installed, then there is a high probability that data about them will be displayed that is as similar as possible to official characteristics. Using AnTuTu check sometimes does not allow obtaining reliable results due to the fact that know-name manufacturers have found ways to bypass it.

Stages of checking technical characteristics:

  1. Go on the website . The resource contains information on the characteristics of all smartphones in the world, presented by their official manufacturers;
  2. After downloading the program (CPU-Z), you are given the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the list of names and functions of modules installed on the smartphone.

When comparing data from CPU-Z with the website, close attention is paid to the display resolution, type of processor and its frequencies. This kind of data is also contained on other sites, so check specifications It is also possible on other thematic resources.

Checking the reliability of sellers

Becoming the owner of an original Xiaomi smartphone and gaining confidence in its official origin is very simple: just buy the device in the Xiaomi online store.

We have organized direct cooperation with trusted suppliers of Xiaomi brand equipment in China, thanks to which we sell only original products. A prerequisite is to check each model for defects and install the most suitable software.

For buyers Xiaomi products an official warranty is provided for a period of 1 year, as we work with a specialized Xiaomi service center.

We create all the conditions for comfortable use of a smartphone immediately after its purchase. Open the box, turn on the phablet and enjoy its functionality!

Serious competition has developed in the Chinese market. If previously the main object of counterfeiting was Apple products, Samsung and Sony, then after entering the top ten largest manufacturers of Chinese companies such as Lenovo and Xiaomi, their smartphones began to be actively copied.

Distinguish original smartphone"Xiaomi" from its fake sometimes becomes not so easy. Moreover, the design of the latter and the list of models are not as familiar to domestic consumers as the products of the same Apple. Sometimes a nameplate with a logo is enough for a gullible buyer who has heard about Xiaomi smartphones but has not seen them “live” to fall for the tricks of scammers.

Our article will help you figure it out and find out exactly how you can distinguish a real Xiaomi from its copy.

  • Back panel

The back cover will help you distinguish the copy. If the original has a panel made of matte plastic, then the fakes have a cheap gloss that catches your eye.

  • Factory sticker on the camera

The transport film on the lens of original devices is made of opaque material. Unfortunately, in this way you can only distinguish from a fake new Xiaomi. If you take the device by hand, most likely the sticker is no longer there.

  • SIM card tray

In the original Xiaomi (for example, Mi4), the SIM card slot is located on the side, has the same color as the edge and does not protrude above the surface of the end. Only one SIM is supported.

  • Firmware

You can also distinguish a fake Xiaomi from the original when you try to update the software via the Internet. The copy simply will not be able to download the latest version of the OS update.

  • Interface

Real Xiaomi is equipped with Android OS with the proprietary MIUI shell. If the purchased device has “naked” Android installed, it is a fake. True, many fakes can be equipped with an original interface, since modifying the firmware and installing the MIUI shell is not difficult for a specialist.

  • Check byIMEIAndS/ N(serial number)

Like Apple products, you can check Xiaomi for authenticity on the manufacturer’s official website by following the link http://order.mi.com/service/imei. True, only those who are familiar with Chinese writing can take advantage of this opportunity: if everything is clear with the number entry fields, then the captcha contains hieroglyphs, and so does the verification result. Only the red color of the message makes it clear that something went wrong, and you have a copy in your hands.

Some counterfeit manufacturers may steal original IMEI databases and assign them to their products. Therefore, distinguish 100% original Xiaomi you can not do it this way.

  • Scratch code verification

There is a protective coating sticker on the box of the original Xiaomi. Below it there is a scratch code that allows you to distinguish a smartphone from a fake. Erase it (coating) and enter the number on the manufacturer’s website at http://www.mi.com/verify/. If the code is incorrect, you can be sure: your Xiaomi is a fake.

  • Special application

To protect customers from counterfeits, the manufacturer has released special application to check their products, Xiaomi AntiFake. Unfortunately, since Xiaomi smartphones are not officially exported outside the Celestial Empire, the creators did not take care of the interface in languages ​​other than Chinese. Enthusiasts made a partial translation of the program, but many points remained with hieroglyphs. But this is enough to distinguish a copy: if after the test the message is on a green background, then everything is fine, you have the original. Red color indicates counterfeit.

How can you tell if the Xiaomi phone you bought from a physical store or online is genuine? (some sites other than official Mi and partner sites)? One of the easiest ways is to use the Mi Identification app. But there are other methods, you can check Xiaomi imei and find out if it is fake or not.

If you know your Xiaomi imei, go to step 7.

When you register your phone and try to check its authenticity or try to sell your old one online, you may need the Xiaomi IMEI number. IMEI (International Mobile Station Identity) is a unique number assigned to each mobile phone sold by official channels. This number is very useful if you lose your phone or if it is stolen. The police usually require you to provide an IMEI number when you report your phone as stolen, and then, depending on local laws, your phone may be blocked from accessing networks to placing calls by blacklisting its IMEI.

Note that the IMEI is associated with the SIM card slot, so dual SIM phones will have two IMEI numbers.

This makes the number important in emergency situations. And if the device is located, you can use the IMEI number to establish that it is indeed your phone. Here's how to find your phone's IMEI number.

When you have a phone.

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.

  1. Dial *#06# on the phone.
  2. 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.

Check phone by imei Xiaomi

If you have an iPhone 5 or more new iPhone, IMEI is also engraved on the back panel. Just flip your phone over to record it. On iPhone 4 or older iPhone IMEI.

How to check Xiaomi imei number using settings

On Android, open " Settings>About>IMEI to see the IMEI number. Click " State" and scroll down to view IMEI information.

On most other phones with 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.

Check Xiaomi imei number on the box

The retail box and invoice have an IMEI number written on them, which is a good reason to keep them safe and not throw them away. By at least, keep the box safe because it will be useful if you need to check the IMEI, or if you decide to resell the phone later. The IMEI number will be a sticker on the side panel.

How to check Xiaomi imei number via Google account

Android users can check their device's IMEI number even if they have lost the phone. All the above methods work great and are faster, but if you lost your phone and didn't save the box, this can still help you out.

  1. Login using your account Google entry associated with the Android phone.
  2. Click Android, next to the green robot logo.
  3. This will show a list of devices registered in account, as well as their IMEI numbers.

How to check Xiaomi authenticity by imei - method 1

This method is not new and does not work 100%, but it has helped many users to check the difference between the original and the fake device. The Xiaomi website has a public database of all the devices released and sold and you can easily check your device there. Just enter your IMEI, serial number and check the authenticity of the device. But you cannot be 100% sure about this method as counterfeiters may use the original device and then copy the IMEI and serial number.

1. So, to use this method you need to go to (or Chinese website https://order.mi.com/service/imei)

2. Enter the IMEI, Serial Number of your device and enter the captcha to continue.

3. If the site does not work, then go to the page and enter the code.

If everything is in order, you will be taken to a page with the device model and production date. If the data does not match the Xiaomi database, you will see an error message. Some fakes do not have Xiaomi imei number.

If this code was entered only once, you will see a page with the number of views, for example "1". If the code was entered more than once, you will see the exact number of views. For example, if the code was entered several times, you have nothing to fear; the seller probably just checked your device. But if the code has been entered 50 times or more, then it is most likely a fake device.

Also compare the Xiaomi imei number with the number on the box.

How to check the authenticity of a Xiaomi phone by imei - method 2

The number could be as follows:

3 6 9 3 9 5 0 1 2 3 5 5 6 7 8

Now let's look at the 7th and 8th digits. These two numbers guarantee the quality of your phone!

● If the seventh and eighth digits are 00, it means your mobile phone Manufactured in Original Factory, which ensures the best quality.

● If the seventh and eighth digits are 13, it means your cellular telephone assembled in Azerbaijan, which is too bad. And it is also dangerous to health!

● If the seventh and eighth digits are either 03/30 04/40, it means your phone is made in China, but its quality is good. But it's not good like 00, 01 or 10.

● If the seventh and eighth digits are 05 or 50, it means that your mobile phone is made in either Brazil, USA or Finland.

● If the seventh and eighth digits are 06 or 60, it means your mobile phone was made in either Hong Kong, China or Mexico.

Check Xiaomi for authenticity using imei number, via Mi Identification

Xiaomi has released a special application so you can check your mobile device and let go of doubts. You can also use AntiFake to detect fake devices. This application requires a network connection. Just download and install the apk file as usual.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. In your browser Xiaomi phone go to to download Mi Identification apk. Note. You need to reply to this thread to see the download link.

2. When the download finishes, it will start installation automatically. And you will probably see a message “Set blocking”, click “Allow” to continue. If you don't see this message, it means you've already enabled your phone to allow installation of apps from unknown sources in your security settings.

3. Click Install.

4. Click Accept.

5. When the installation is finished, click “Run”.

If you have not yet set your Xiaomi phone's power settings to High Performance, you will see the screen below. Click Manually set the operating mode and select high performance. Note. Not all Xiaomi phones have this feature; Therefore, you may not see this screen on some models.

6. Click " Identify immediately" .
7. Finally, you will see the results screen. Below are the results from three different phones:

  1. Mi 3, which I bought from the official Xiaomi website.
  2. I received Redmi from a physical store. Although it is genuine, there is no sale date or warranty. The warranty is provided by the store itself.
  3. Just for fun. I launched this application on Samsung Galaxy S5, and here is the result.

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 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.

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 check Xiaomi for authenticity, use the antutu officer application

Open Google Play Store and download the 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 for authenticity, BLOATWARES

In short, Bloatware is a junk app that is of no use and it comes pre-installed on your phone. Bloatware can slow down your device. Basically it is as harmful in many ways as stealing your personal information. Majority malware cannot be removed using the normal removal method. Most of the apps have a Chinese character that you can't even understand.

However, since fake phones are using a custom Android ROM, there will be many possibilities to have ups in it. So do it quick review all pre-installed applications.

How to check Xiaomi for authenticity, accessories in the box

Check that all accessories are included with your phone. Original phone Mi comes without headphones. Also check and make sure it is Xiaomi branded. Make sure there is a user manual to read, mostly fake phones don't come with it.

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.

The Chinese are capable of plagiarizing even their own brand, so when purchasing a device from an unverified store, you have a chance to stumble upon a fake one. Xiaomi smartphone. But this is easy to avoid. Timely checking of Xiaomi for authenticity is a precautionary measure that can save nerves and money when choosing a phone.

Ways to check Xiaomi for authenticity

There are four methods to verify the authenticity of the purchased smartphone. All you need is a little attentiveness and a working Internet at hand.

IMEI check

The IMEI database is maintained by Xiaomi specifically so that buyers can check devices for authenticity. But it is advisable to check the originality using additional methods, since this option is not always 100% effective.

To check the IMEI of a purchase, you must:

  1. Go to the website http://www.mi.com/verify/#imei_en;
  2. Enter the IMEI and serial number (S/N) of the smartphone in the appropriate fields;
  3. Click on the Verify button.

The necessary data can be found on the phone battery or directly on the box.

When it is not possible to spy the number there, you can do the following:

  • To find the IMEI, just enter the code *#06# on the numeric keypad of your smartphone;
  • Serial number located in the settings section “About phone” -> “General information”.

If the Xiaomi smartphone is genuine, then the site will show its production date and model. If not, then there will be no information. Only a red inscription in Chinese will appear.

Unfortunately, to correctly check your phone through this site, you will need a Chinese IP address. The restriction can be bypassed using special browser extensions (for example, Hola VPN or friGate).

Interface and firmware

To identify the original Xiaomi, sometimes it is enough to look at what firmware it is running on. It is not so easy to copy a proprietary design.

All the company's smartphones are produced with MIUI firmware. The presence of any other will be a signal that you are dealing with a fake.

Quality and characteristics

The assembly and modernity of the “filling” of a smartphone can also signal a fake. To determine the quality, you just need to carefully examine the smartphone and study its technical characteristics.

If at external inspection If you find cracks, inconsistencies in elements, frankly cheap materials, or feel play when pressed, then this is unlikely to be an original Xiaomi. The display on fakes is most often old, with scanty resolution and terrible image quality.

As for the technical characteristics, to verify authenticity you need to download the CPU-Z program on your smartphone (it is available on Google Play). After launch, the utility will show the technical characteristics of each component inside the Xiaomi smartphone.

They need to be compared with official data. If there are serious differences (mainly in display resolution or processor frequency/brand), it is definitely a fake.

Special application

If you don’t want to search, enter information or inspect your smartphone, you can use a program from Xiaomi to verify authenticity. To do this you need:

  • Go from your computer or laptop to the link jd.mi.com;
  • Download the application by clicking on Download App;
  • Launch the program and scan the QR code from the page.

The scan result will be shown immediately after scanning directly on the site. This is the easiest way to verify the authenticity of a purchased smartphone without unnecessary dances with a tambourine around it.

Serious competition has unfolded in the Chinese smartphone market. If a little earlier the main target of counterfeits were the venerable Apple, Samsung or Sony, now Lately Copies of companies such as Lenovo and Xiaomi are increasingly popping up on this market.

Checking the authenticity of a Xiaomi phone is not so simple procedure, especially since the domestic user is little familiar with design and other distinctive features gadget. Sometimes a well-executed logo on a copy is enough and a gullible consumer who has not seen the desired object in person will fall for the tricks of scammers.

Let's try to figure out what parameters are used (specifically for Xiaomi) for authentication, and how to protect yourself from purchasing a low-quality copy.

Back panel

You can distinguish a copy from the original using back cover. IN original version"Xiaomi" it is made of high-quality plastic in a matte design, while a fake, as a rule, has a cheap gloss that immediately catches the eye.

Sticker on Xiaomi camera

Authenticity can be verified by the presence of a branded sticker in the lens area. The transport film is made of opaque fiber and adheres clearly to the lens. The method is suitable if you buy a gadget in a store; unfortunately, it does not work for the option of purchasing it from hand, since the stickers are most likely no longer there.

SIM card tray

The original Xiaomi gadget (authentication check, for example, the Mi4 model) has a SIM card slot slightly on the side, the color of the tray matches the color of the case, and the edge does not protrude above the end surface of the device.

In addition, the smartphone does not support two SIM cards, so if they tell you about a “new product” with two slots, don’t believe it, it’s a fake.

Firmware

On devices Xiaomi check authentication can be done at the time of updating the firmware: if you have the original in front of you, then a new version operating system will load without problems, while the copy simply will not be able to update or even connect to the company’s servers.

Interface

Original Xiaomi gadgets run on the Android platform with the proprietary MIUI shell. If your device has a bare OS, even Android, then it is a fake. There are some nuances here: especially talented hackers are able to equip a copy with an original interface, so it would be worth checking the gadget for other points.

Original Xiaomi: authentication by IMEI

By analogy with Apple products, you can check Xiaomi gadgets. There is a special section on the manufacturer’s official website where, after entering the IMEI value, you will be given information about the authenticity of the product.

The only problem that complicates verification is the Chinese characters. If everything is more or less clear when entering the number, then entering the captcha in Chinese is a problem.

Scratch code

On the original Xiaomi packaging you can always find a sticker with a protective layer. Below it is a scratch code, which allows you to distinguish a fake from the original. After the protective layer is removed, you need to enter a twenty-digit code on the official Xiaomi website (similar to checking by IMEI). If the code is not accepted, then this is a fake.