How to find out the exact model Xiaomi in the phone settings

Owning a Xiaomi device often requires users to know the exact technical name of the gadget, not only to find compatible covers or security glasses, but also to correctly select firmware, drivers or contact a service center. The standard marketing name that flaunts on the box often hides the real code index of the device necessary for deep configuration of the system.

Many users confuse a beautiful commercial name, like the Redmi Note 12 Pro, with an internal model ID, which can look like 22101320G. This set of letters and numbers is the key to understanding what kind of modification is in your hands, since externally the same smartphones can have completely different “iron” depending on the region of sale.

In this article, we will discuss in detail where to look for hidden information in the MIUI and HyperOS menus, how to decipher mysterious characters and what alternative ways to obtain complete data about the configuration of your device without installing third-party software.

Interpretation of data in the menu “About the phone”

The most obvious and accessible way to identify a device is through the standard system menu, but to see all the information you need, just one look at the main screen of the partition is not enough. You need to go to Settings, then select About, and that's where all the basic information about your gadget is concentrated.

Note the box, which is usually called "Device Model" or simply "Model." Depending on the version of the shell, it can display either a marketing name or a technical code. If you see a name like the Xiaomi 13T, try tapping it several times or find the "All Options" button (often looks like three dots or a single line) to reveal the full list of characteristics.

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse "Device Model" with "Version" MIUI» The first two lines are responsible for the software, not the physical stuffing of the smartphone.

It's important to distinguish between Model and SKU. The model is the generic name of the series, and the SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) indicates a specific memory and color modification. To find firmware, you'll need the model code number, which is often hidden in the additional menu tabs.

📊 What interface is currently installed?
MIUI 12
MIUI 13
MIUI 14
HyperOS

Decoding of code designations of Xiaomi models

Understanding Xiaomi’s logic (naming) allows you to instantly determine the origin and characteristics of a smartphone by its code. Model technical codes are usually composed of numbers and letters, each of which carries a semantic load. For example, the suffix at the end of the model code indicates the region for which the device is intended.

Consider the code structure with the example of 22101320G. The first two digits (22) often indicate the year of the start of development or announcement. The following digits indicate the month. However, the most important for the user is the last character. Global versions are usually marked with the letter G, Chinese - C, Indian - I, and versions for Russia and the CIS may be marked with R or RU.

Knowing these differences is critical when flashing: Installing global firmware on a Chinese version of a device (and vice versa) without unlocking the bootloader can make some features, such as NFC or Bands 4G/5G, inoperable.

Below is a table that helps you quickly identify the region of the device by the last character in the model code:

Symbol in codeRegion of destinationFeatures of firmware
GGlobal (Global)Multilingualism, Google Services, All Frequency
CChina (China)Chinese/English, no Google out of the box
IIndia (India)Specific, pre-installed local annexes
TTaiwan (Taiwan)Local features of communication and software
Why is it important to know the region?
Regional binding affects the operation of NFC (Mi Pay/Google Pay), the availability of pre-installed junk (Bloatware) and support for cellular carrier frequencies. The Chinese version on global firmware may not work with banking applications without a deep modification of the system.

Use of the engineering menu and USSD-code

If you don't think the standard settings menu is informative enough, you can take advantage of the hidden capabilities of the phone. The engineering menu and special diagnostic codes allow you to access technical data that is hidden from the average user. The standard phone application is used to enter codes.

One of the most useful codes for MediaTek and some Snapdragon-based devices is ##4636##. Once you enter the last character, the menu will open automatically. Here, under Phone Information, you can see not only the model, but also the network status, signal strength, and details about the battery.

Xiaomi devices also have code ##6484## (CIT Menu) that is a hardware testing menu, and although it is designed to diagnose components (screen, speakers, vibrator), the exact model number and build version are often duplicated at the top of the screen or in the Version section.

  • 📱 Enter ##4636## to access the Android test menu.
  • 🛠️ CIT Menu: ##6484## will open the hardware component check menu.
  • ℹ️ Core Version: In some shells MIUI long tap according to the kernel version in the About Phone menu copies the full hash of the build to the clipboard.

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If the code doesn't work right away, try entering it slowly, without pause. On some models, you need to press the call button after you enter the full code, although most open automatically.

Checking the model through a computer and ADB

The most reliable way that can not be faked with software crutches is to request information directly through the debugging interface. ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method requires connecting a smartphone to a computer via a computer. USB-cable and availability of installed drivers.

First, you need to activate the developer mode. → About the phone and quickly press 7 times on the item "Version" MIUI». Once you have the message “You became a developer”, go back to the main settings menu, find the Additional (or Advanced Settings) section, and select For Developers. USB».

Connect your phone to your PC. You'll see a request for debugging permission on your smartphone screen -- make sure you tick "Always Allow" and click "OK." Then, on your computer, in the command line (terminal) with the ADB running, type in a command to get the model property:

adb shell getprop ro.product.model

This command will return the exact code name of the device, and you can also get more detailed information about the brand and device using the commands adb shell getprop ro.product.brand and adb shell getprop ro.product.device. This data is indispensable when searching for custom recaps (TWRP) or specific patches.

☑️ Preparation for connection ADB

Done: 0 / 4

Alternative methods: packaging and documentation

When the phone is unavailable (e.g., it doesn't turn on or it's broken), you can recognize the model by its appearance. The most reliable source is the original box. One side of the box always has a label with detailed information on it. Look for the "Model" line or barcode next to which the alphanumeric code is listed.

And the information is duplicated on the factory tape that's pasted on the screen of the new device, and if you've saved a warranty card or a check, the model is often listed there, although sellers can only use a marketing name. If you contact the service center, they can identify the device by IMEI, which is slapped on the back (if it is not removable) or on the tray SIM-map.

For removable battery devices (relevant to older Redmi models), model and serial number information is on the sticker under the battery, which is the most reliable way, since this data is sewn into iron and matches the data in the system, if the phone has not been subjected to deep soldering boards.

⚠️ Warning: Never use the model information from boxes from other phones or screenshots from the Internet. Even the same externally smartphones can have different camera modules or screens depending on the year of release.

Specifics of determining the model for tablets and TV consoles

Xiaomi ecosystem devices like Mi Pad tablets or Mi Box TV boxes have their own identity features. In tablets, menus are often hidden in landscape mode, and in Android TV, the interface is adapted to control the remote. The search principle remains similar, but the paths may differ.

On Android TVs and consoles, the path is usually: Settings (cogs) → Device → TV (or Status). It will indicate “Model” (e.g., MDZ-22-AB). For Mi Pad tablets, the path is standard: Settings → Tablet.

Therefore, checking the model through Settings → About the device before buying or firmware is a mandatory procedure.

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Accurate knowledge of the device model is the foundation for secure system updates, finding compatible accessories, and solving application compatibility issues.

How to know the model if the screen is broken and the phone does not respond to touch?
If the screen is black but the phone vibrates when you connect the charger, try plugging in. USB-mouse-wise OTG-Adapter. If the sensor is partially working, you can use the Navigate to the About Phone menu. If you have an image but the touch doesn't work, the mouse will help. If the screen is completely black, you can only know the model by looking at it. IMEI (by breaking through services) or disassembling the device for reading the markings on the board.
Can an antidetection program hide the real phone model?
Yes, there are Magisk apps and modules that replace ro.product.model by passing it off as a different model, which is used to access games or features that are only available on flagships, and to see the true model in this case, only downloading to Recovery mode or using ADB root rights will help.
What if the model does not match the box?
The discrepancy may indicate that one model has a charge from another (called a “hybrid” or the result of unskilled repairs), or that the phone has been cross-regionally flashed, which is rarely a sign of a counterfeit device.