Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners often face the challenge of accessing information that is hidden from the eyes of the average user. The standard settings menu offers only a basic overview, but deep system diagnostics requires a different approach. The question of how to view real data on hardware, usage statistics or hidden codes becomes especially relevant when buying a used device or diagnosing malfunctions.
MIUI or its latest version of HyperOS is built on Android, which allows you to use standard methods of accessing the engineering menu, but the Chinese manufacturer has added its own unique tools. Understanding where to look for this data can save you from buying a stolen phone or help identify “broken” pixels on the screen. In this article, we will discuss all the legal ways to get in-depth information about your device.
There are many ways to look at Xiaomi, ranging from simple combinations of numbers in a caller to connecting to a computer. The fastest way to find out the IMEI and serial number is to enter the code *#06# in the phone app. However, a full analysis of battery status, charging cycles and CPU temperature will require more complex manipulations, which we will discuss below.
Use of the Engineering Menu through USSD-code
The easiest and most secure method available to every owner is to use special character combinations, and by entering them in the Phone app, you will gain access to hidden parts of the system. It does not require root rights or third-party software installation, but it is worth remembering that the code set may differ slightly on different versions of firmware (Global, China, EEA).
Access to basic technical information, such as IMEI, MAC-You can have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth addresses, and you can have a serial number, and you use a universal code. Just type *#06# and press the call button. You'll instantly see a data window on the screen. If you have a dual-sim phone, you'll see two. IMEI. This data is critical when registering a device in services or checking for a blacklist of operators.
More advanced diagnostics, including sensor, speaker, vibration and screen calibration, are available through the CIT Engineering Menu. To get there, dial ##64663##. The interface is spartan but functional. Here you can run tests of each component separately. For example, a screen test will show the presence of broken pixels, and a microphone test will record your voice to check the quality.
It's important not to change the settings in the engineering menu if you're not sure what you're doing. A random reset of the sensor calibration or a change in network settings can cause the device to malfunction, and use this mode only to view statuses and run tests.
View detailed battery and screen statistics
One of the most common user queries is how to see the exact screen time and charge consumption of specific applications on Xiaomi. The standard menu provides this data, but often it is averaged. To get detailed statistics, including screen on time and the number of discharge cycles, you need to consult the hidden logs of the system.
In the new versions of the HyperOS shell and MIUI 14 has the opportunity to more detailed statistics through the battery settings. Go to Settings → Battery → Statistics: This is a discharge graph for the last 24 hours or 10 days, but you'll need to use the number of Cycle Count cycles to see the discharge graph. ADB-commands or third-party utilities, as Xiaomi hides this parameter from the average user.
- 🔋 Screen time: Shows how many hours the display was active.
- 📉 Standby: Shows how fast your phone goes down when you’re not using it.
- 🌡️ Temperature: In some models, you can see the current heating of the power cells.
There's also a hidden battery test in the Engineering Menu (CIT) that was mentioned earlier, and you'll see the Battery test, and you'll see the current status, voltage and temperature, and it helps diagnose problems when the phone turns off in the cold or when it's loaded, even though the indicator shows 20-30% charge, which is a classic sign of a tired battery.
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If the phone is running out quickly, check the statistics for high-background-consumption apps. Often the culprits are social media or navigators running in the background.
How to see information about the processor and memory on Xiaomi
Users often want to know more than just the CPU model, but its current frequency, core temperature and real-time boot. Standard settings only tell the base model, such as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but do not disclose details of the work. Real-time monitoring is best suited to specialized applications, since MIUI system tools limit the output of such information to the home screen.
However, there is a way to get information about busy and free RAM (RAM) and internal storage (ROM) through the hidden developer menu, and to activate it, you need to click 7 times on the MIUI version number in the About Phone section, and then the "For Developers" option will appear in the "Additional" menu, where you can find information about running services and memory.
You can't do with standard tools to view detailed memory information, including storage type (UFS 3.1, UFS 4.0) and read/write speeds. Here comes the CPU-Z or AIDA64 app, which reads data directly from the memory controller and the processor, providing a comprehensive report.
| Parameter | Where to see. | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Model CPU | Settings → About the phone | General identification |
| Nuclear temperature | CIT menu or CPU-Z | Diagnosis of overheating |
| Type of memory | AIDA64 / CPU-Z | Speed assessment |
| RAM downloading | Developer menu | Search for memory leaks |
Pay attention to the temperature of the processor under load. If it exceeds 40-45 degrees during the downtime, and under load it goes beyond 50 without active tasks, this may indicate problems with the thermal interface or background mining.
Verification of originality and status of the device
The question of how to look at Xiaomi often arises when buying a device from hand. It is important to make sure that you are not a fake and not a restored device. The first step is to reconcile the IMEI on the box, in the settings (Settings → About the phone) and in the system (code *#06#).
Xiaomi’s official website allows you to check the warranty and activation status. If you enter an IMEI or Mi Account on the service page, you will see the date of the first activation. If you bought the phone as a “new” and the activation was a year ago, this is cause for concern, and the site will show whether the device is on the stolen list (although the database is not always complete).
⚠️ Note: If the phone makes an error when entering the code *#06# or shows zeros instead of IMEI, Most likely, the device is assembled from non-original parts or has problems with the motherboard.
Another sign of originality is the presence of the Mi or Redmi logo when downloading, as well as the ability to sign in to the Mi Account without certificate errors. Fakes often have a modified version of Android that only masquerades as MIUI, and do not have access to official services of Google and Xiaomi.
☑️ Checking used Xiaomi
Hidden functions and gestures in MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi’s shell is famous for its abundance of hidden features that are not immediately visible. Many users do not even suspect that their phone can do more. For example, the hidden Quick Notes menu is caused by long tapping the watch icon in the widget or swiping on the screen off (if enabled in the settings).
The handless controls are hidden in the Special Opportunities section, which can be useful not only for people with disabilities but also in the home, voice control, eye control (on supported models) and other tools are located there, and there you can find the Magnifying Engine, which turns the screen into a magnifying glass.
- 🖐️ Gestures: swipes with three fingers for a screenshot or quick action menu.
- 🔒 Second Space: Creating a Hidden Profile with Your Passwords and Apps.
- 📁 Hidden folder: available in the Explorer app to protect files with a password.
To access the extended reboot menu (including Recovery and Fastboot mode), you need to hold the power button for a long time after the logo appears on the screen or use a combination of buttons when the phone is turned off.
What is Fastboot mode?
Diagnostics of Display and Sensor Problems
If the screen is acting strangely (spontaneously pressed, dead zones), you need to do a diagnostic. There's a Touchpanel test on the CIT engineering menu, and he suggests swiping your finger across the grid to check the response of each section, and if the square doesn't light up, the sensor in that area is faulty.
It's also worth checking the frequency of the sensor survey and the screen hertz. In models with AMOLED arrays, there is often a PWM problem (flickering), which can cause eye fatigue. You can check for flicker by pointing the camera of another phone at Xiaomi's screen at minimum brightness. If the screen runs stripes, PWM is present.
To check for broken pixels (permanently burning or black dots), you can download a special image of solid white, red, green and blue. On a monochromatic background, defects are best seen, and this is especially true when buying a device, since the presence of even 2-3 bit pixels can be considered a matrix marriage.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use "folk methods" of treating broken pixels, such as screen massage or playing videos with rapidly changing colors.
Using ADB for in-depth analysis
For those who want to know everything about their device, there is an ADB (Android Debug Bridge) tool, which, by connecting the phone to a computer and enabling debugging over USB, can output system logs in real time. The adb shell dumpsys battery team will show detailed charge statistics, including real capacity and health status, which is hidden in the interface.
With ADB, you can also list all the installed applications, including system ones, that aren't visible in the regular menu, and this helps you find the "junk" that's taking up space.
adb shell dumpsys battery
adb shell wm size
adb shell wm densityThese commands allow you to know the current screen resolution and pixel density, which is useful when setting up the interface or debugging applications. However, using ADB requires caution: an incorrect command can lead to resetting or blocking functions.
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Engineering menu and ADB-commands give access to 90% of the hidden information, but they require care. Don't change the meanings unless you know what they're meant for.