Xiaomi smartphone users often face the need to pinpoint the current version of the operating system, not only out of curiosity, but also to install applications that have stringent system requirements correctly, or to search forums for answers when software failures occur. Android is a fundamental parameter on which software compatibility and the security of your personal data depend.
The MIUI shell interface, and now HyperOS, can hide some technical details from the average user, providing information about the version of the firmware itself in the first place. However, knowing how to access hidden technical data allows you to better understand the state of your device. In this article, we will discuss all possible methods for obtaining this information, from standard settings to engineering menus.
The global versions (Global), Chinese (CN) and European (EEA) may have different interfaces and paths to system information, but the basic principle remains the same throughout the Xiaomi ecosystem.
Standard way through the settings menu
The easiest and safest method available to every smartphone owner is to use a regular settings menu, so you don't need third-party apps or superuser rights, just unlock the screen and find the Settings icon, which usually looks like a gear.
In the menu that opens, you scroll down to About Phone, and that's where you'll find all the basic information about the device, and at the top of the screen you'll see a large image of the smartphone and the model name, and the version number of MIUI or HyperOS, and depending on the version of the shell, the version of Android.
If the Android version does not appear immediately on the Home screen of the About Phone section, you need to click on the string with the firmware version (for example, MIUI 14). Often it takes a few quick clicks (5-7 times) to activate the hidden menu or simply open an additional page with detailed specifications, where the basic Android will be specified.
⚠️ Note: Some new HyperOS devices may have Android version information hidden deeper or require clicking on the system logo rather than the text bar.
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If you don’t see the Android version right away, try quickly tapping 5-7 times on the MIUI or HyperOS logo in the center of the About Phone section screen.
Extended information in the section “Version” MIUI»
The section that contains firmware data often contains much more useful information than it seems at first glance. By clicking on the version number, you are placed in the system update menu, which also duplicates technical data, and it is important to pay attention not only to numbers, but also to letter symbols.
In a detailed view, you can often find information about the version of the security patch, which is a critical parameter, as it shows how relevant your device’s protections against viruses and vulnerabilities are. The security patch may lag behind the mainstream version of Android, which is normal for budget models, but undesirable for flagships.
This section also indicates the type of firmware. You may come across the acronyms Global, China, EEA (Europe) or RU (Russia). Understanding the type of firmware is necessary when searching for firmware instructions, since installing Chinese firmware on a global device (and vice versa) without unlocking the bootloader is impossible.
- 📱 Version. MIUI/HyperOS: The shell number that updates more often than Android itself.
- 🤖 Android Version: The Basic Operating System That All Processes Run.
- 🛡️ Security Patch: Date of last update of system protection databases.
- 🌍 Firmware region: Indicates geographic reference of the software.
Using the Engineering Menu for Diagnostics
For more advanced users, there is a way to get information through an engineering menu, which allows you to see not only the version of the software, but also many technical parameters of hardware, and this menu is logged in through a set of special code in the Phone application.
Dial ##6484## (or #4636## on some models) and the menu should open automatically after entering the last digit, and if it doesn't, it means that your model or firmware version has been blocked from accessing the menu by the manufacturer.
In the list that opens, select Version or Version. Here you will see a detailed list of all the system components. Look for Android Version. This is a good way to show a "clean" version of the kernel, which may differ from the one declared in the settings if the device has undergone modifications.
##6484##
##4636##⚠️ Warning: Be careful in the engineering menu. Do not change settings that you do not know the value of, as this may cause communication modules or cameras to malfunction.
Checking through ADB and computer
The most reliable and professional way to learn the version of Android is using USB debugging and the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) toolkit, which allows you to get information directly from system files without the GUI, which eliminates any visual errors or display bugs.
To start, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About the phone and quickly click 7 times on the version of MIUI. After that, a new option will appear in the settings menu Additional (or immediately in the main menu), where you need to select For developers and turn on the USB debugging switch.
Connect your smartphone to your computer through high-quality USB-The computer must have a Platform-tools platform installed. Open the command line (Terminal or Terminal). CMD) file ADB and enter a command to obtain device properties.
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.releaseThe command will return the exact Android version number, such as 13 or 12, and you can also find the build number by commanding adb shell getprop ro.build.version.incremental, which will give the full firmware ID.
☑️ Preparation for verification through ADB
Comparison of Android and MIUI versions
Often users confuse the Android version and the shell version. Understanding the difference between the two is essential for a smart device management. The MIUI shell (or HyperOS) is an add-on that changes the look and add features, while Android is an engine.
Below is a version matching table that will help you navigate the current data for Xiaomi devices. Note that the same device can receive different versions of Android depending on the release region.
| MIUI/HyperOS version | Basic version of Android | Status of support | Typical devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI 14 | Android 13 / 12 | Current | Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12 |
| MIUI 13 | Android 12 / 11 | Support | Xiaomi 11, Redmi Note 11 |
| MIUI 12.5 | Android 11 / 10 | It's over. | Xiaomi Mi 10, Redmi Note 10 |
| HyperOS 1.0 | Android 14 | The newest. | Xiaomi 14, Pad 6 |
It’s important to understand that Android version number affects the compatibility of apps from Google Play. Some newer programs may require a minimum of Android 12 or 13, and no updates to the MIUI shell will help if the underlying system is outdated.
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The MIUI version can be updated on older devices, but the Android version often remains unchanged after 2-3 years of using the smartphone.
Frequent questions and problems of version definition
Users often experience different information in different places, or the version number does not change visually after an update, which may be due to data caching or features of phased rollout updates.
Sometimes the phone reports an update, but the version remains the same after installation, which is typical for small patches that fix security bugs but don't carry new features, and in such cases only the date of the security patch changes, not the Android number.
⚠️ Note: If the Android version has changed to a lower version (downgrade) after the update, this may indicate a serious failure or installation of a modified firmware.
Also worth mentioning are Android One projects (e.g. Xiaomi Mi A1, A2, A3). These devices don’t have a MIUI shell, and the system version is checked standard way through Settings → System → Additional → About Phone. Here the numbering always corresponds to pure Google Android.