How to check the model of Xiaomi phone

Owning a Xiaomi device often requires users to know the exact modification of the gadget, which may be required when searching for specific drivers, buying protective glass or firmware. Despite the abundance of information on the box, in everyday life, this data is quickly forgotten, and externally different versions of the same line can be identical.

You can determine a specific index of a device by software without having to disassemble the case. Android and MIUI system settings contain all the necessary information that is hidden from view during normal use. We will look at proven methods that work even on locked screens or in emergency mode.

Knowing the exact code of the model helps to avoid errors when downloading software. A single letter or digit error can lead to you installing an incompatible version of the firmware, which can cause software failures, so you should double-check the data through several sources before any manipulation of the system.

Identification through system settings

The most obvious and safe way to know which Xiaomi you have in your hands is to look at the settings menu. The MIUI or HyperOS shell interface provides detailed information about the hardware in a few clicks, and this method does not require an Internet connection or install third-party utilities.

To get the data, you need to go to the About Phone section, and it shows a marketing name that is often used in stores, such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro. However, for technical and firmware professionals, this name is not enough, since it can combine several regional versions with different components.

To see the full technical code, you need to find the line "Version" MIUI" or "Android Version" and quickly click on it several times (usually 7-10 The screen will change, and you'll see detailed information that includes the internal code of the model, and that's the code, which is made up of letters and numbers, that's the key to finding firmware.

• 📱 Go to the main menu settings of the device.
• ℹ️ Select the "About Phone" item at the top of the list.
• 🔢 Tap 7 times on the logo of the operating system version.
• 📝 Write down the model code (for example, M2102J20SG).

⚠️ Warning: Don't confuse "Device Name" (which can be changed) with the actual model code. The device name is just a tag for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, not a technical identifier.

In some cases, especially on global firmware versions, model code can be displayed immediately in the main menu without the need for multiple clicks. If you see code starting with (e.g. 2102J20SG), the last two letters usually indicate a region: Global, China, EEA (Europe) or India.

Use of the engineering menu and USSD-code

If you have limited access to the settings menu or the device is unstable, you can use system codes. Android's engineering menu allows you to access hidden features and technical information. Xiaomi devices have a universal code that works on most models without root rights.

Enter ##64663## in the Phone app. The CIT (Customer Integration Test) menu for factory diagnostics will open, although it's a test menu, it often contains information about the hardware version and specific model ID, which does not change when you change regional firmware.

Alternatively, you can use the code *#06#. It displays IMEI and serial number. Although it's not a direct model, the serial number (S/N) on the official support website can identify the exact configuration of the device. Type the code into the search box on mi.com or miui.com to get the data.

There's also code ##4636##, which opens the testing menu, and you can see more technical details when you go to Phone Information, but on modern Android versions, that code is often blocked by the manufacturer for security reasons.

Checking through Google Play and account

If the screen of the smartphone is broken, but the device is turned on and has access to the Internet, you can find out the model through Google services. This method is convenient because it does not require interaction with the display of the phone, all the actions are performed from the computer.

Go to Google Play via your PC browser using the same account as your phone. In the upper right corner, click on your profile icon and select Devices. The list that opens will show all your account-related gadgets with your exact marketing and technical names.

The advantage of this is that Google reads a system identifier that's hard to forge, and you'll see a name like the Redmi Note 9 Pro and a technical code next to it, and it also helps you see if the app store sees your device as compatible with certain programs.

• 🌐 Open your browser on your computer and go to play.google.com.
• 🔑 Log in to the Google account that is used on your smartphone.
• 📱 Click on the profile icon and select Devices".
• 🔍 Find your phone in the list and copy the model.

Another option is to use Google Find My Device, which also displays a list of connected devices with their names when you log in, and although it's less detailed than the Play Market, it allows you to quickly navigate if you have multiple similar-looking gadgets.

Analysis of external marking and packaging

Physical inspection of the device is a classic method that is often ignored: the back cover of many Xiaomi models (especially Chinese versions or older lines) is marked with fine markings. Even if the sticker has worn off over time, the information can be squeezed on the plastic case under the battery (if it is removable).

The original box is the best source of truth. There's always a barcode sticker on the side or the end of the box, and you look for the Model line, and it'll show the full code, like M2010J19CG. The letters at the end of the code are G -- Global, C -- China, I -- India.

If there is no box, carefully examine the tray for SIM-Some models (e.g. Mi 4, Mi 5) have the model stamped directly on a metal frame, and on modern frameless models this information is often duplicated in fine print on the back glass panel, next to the inscription "Designed by Xiaomi".

⚠️ Note: If you are buying a used phone, be sure to check the model in the settings with the model on the box. The mismatch may indicate that the case is installed motherboard from another version or the device is assembled from parts.

Also worth noting is the charger: complete with the Chinese version (CN Version), there is often a fork without grounding or adapter, and in the global version - a full-fledged European fork. Although this is an indirect sign, it helps confirm the region of origin of the device.

Use of third-party applications and ADB

For advanced users who need comprehensive data on the processor, sensors and accurate revision of the board, specialized utilities will be suitable. The CPU-Z or AIDA64 application reads information directly from the processor registers, providing data that the standard Android menu does not see.

In the CPU-Z tab, the "Device" tab in the "Model" field will show the exact code. Unlike MIUI settings, marketing names are less common, technical acronyms are more common, and this is especially useful for versions with different processors (for example, Snapdragon vs MediaTek in the same line).

If you have access to a computer and USB debugging is enabled, you can use the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) toolkit, which is the most reliable software tool, even if the screen is partially non-functioning. Connect the phone to your PC, open the command line and type in:

adb shell getprop ro.product.model

The command will return the exact model of the device. To get more information about the region and build, you can use the adb shell getprop command and filter the output by finding lines beginning with ro.product. This is a professional method used by service engineers.

Table of decoding of Xiaomi region codes

Understanding the structure of the model code helps you quickly determine what market a device is intended for, which affects NFC availability, LTE frequency bands, and Google preinstalled services. The last two letters in the model code (after the numbers) are key.

Knowing these codes will allow you to avoid buying the Chinese version if you need Google services out of the box and Russian in the system without additional manipulation.

It is important to note that global versions (Global) are usually more expensive than Chinese ones, but they provide stable performance on our networks, and when you stream the Chinese version to the global (so-called cross-region), you may have problems with Widevine L1 (quality of streaming) and banking applications.

Frequent problems and nuances of definition

Users often experience a situation where the settings show one model and another on the box, or the app shows a third name, which is due to rebranding: the same phone can be sold under different names in different countries (for example, the Redmi Note 10 and the POCO M3 Pro may have a similar platform, but different codes).

There's also the concept of "repackaged" devices, which are the original phones that were opened to replace the firmware with global ones in China, and in the settings they can be defined as Global, but when you upgrade "over the air" they turn into a brick or go into a bootloom. Checking the code through *#06# and checking with the IMEI database helps identify such devices.

If the phone is hand-held and not turned on, you can only identify the model by the appearance of the board (disassembly required) or by the characteristic features of the case (camera location, screen cutout shape). However, software testing through the computer with ADB in Fastboot mode (clamping the volume button when turned on) often gives the exact model code, even if Android does not boot.

⚠️ Warning: When buying used Xiaomi, beware of devices that display “Locked” status in Fastboot mode, but the seller claims to have unlocked the bootloader to install global firmware.

Knowing the model accurately is key to keeping your smartphone running for a long time and is not too lazy to check this data before buying accessories or upgrading your system to avoid compatibility.

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Expert advice: Before buying a safety glass, always look for it by the exact model code (e.g. M2010J19SG), not just by the name "Redmi Note 9." A 1-2mm difference in the speaker's necklines can render the glass useless.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions