Owning a popular brand’s smartphone is often accompanied by confusion about names and labels: Users buy a device, see a beautiful marketing name on the box, but when trying to find firmware or accessories, they encounter incomprehensible alphanumeric codes. Identifying a gadget becomes a critical task, especially when it comes to buying parts, unlocking a bootloader or finding drivers.
Chinese manufacturers, including Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, use a sophisticated naming system that can be sold in different countries under different names, have different communication frequencies or even camera configurations, which is why knowing the exact technical code of the model (for example, the M2102J20SG) is much more important than a beautiful name like the Redmi Note 10 Pro.
There are many ways to get this information, from a simple inspection of the case to the use of specialized software. In this article, we will discuss all available methods, from the simplest to advanced, that will help you avoid errors in the maintenance of your device.
Search for information in system settings
The most obvious and accessible way to find out about the device is to look at its software menu. The interface of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS contains comprehensive information about the hardware. However, users often get confused in the abundance of menu items and can not immediately find the desired section.
You have to open the main menu and select the gear icon, and then the algorithm may vary slightly depending on the Android version and the shell, and usually the path is: Settings → About the phone. At the top of the screen, a large image of the smartphone and its marketing name is often displayed, but below, the specs list, the technical code you're looking for is hidden.
Note the line "Model" or "Model number." It's this code (a set of letters and numbers) that is a unique identifier. For example, the global version may differ from the Chinese version by the last characters in that line. NFC-module and ranges LTE.
Often users forget that on the same screen you can find a version of MIUI and a version of Android. If the standard view does not show all the details, try a few times quickly click on the line with the version of the OS - this can activate a hidden menu or show the logo of the system.
Use of the engineering menu codes and USSD-team
Mobile phones have hidden functionality that is accessible through special commands, and by putting certain combinations in the Phone app, you can access diagnostic information that is not displayed in the normal settings, and this method works even if the screen is partially non-responsive to touch, but the touchscreen is functional.
The most versatile command for Xiaomi devices is ##64663##. By typing it in, you will be taken to the hardware testing menu. Although it is designed to test components, it often duplicates information about the software version and model, and there are commands to output the full technical specification.
Try entering the code ##4636##. This will open the Testing menu, where the Phone Information section will detail the model, network status, and IMEI, which is especially useful if the standard settings menu is not working properly or is hanging.
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⚠️ Warning: Be careful when using the engineering menu. Changing the settings in the sections marked as "Write" or "Set" may lead to loss of communication or unstable operation of the radio module.
If the standard codes don’t work (the operator could block them), you can try using ADB commands, but this will require a connection to a computer. In normal mode, you can also simply look at IMEI by typing *#06# and punch it on specialized sites.
What do I do if the codes don't work?
Analysis of factory packaging and documents
If the smartphone is turned off, discharged or in a “brick state”, the only source of information is the physical packaging. The box from Xiaomi contains barcode stickers that carry all the necessary information for logistics and identification.
There's usually a white label on the end of the box, and it's graphically duplicated with the barcode, IMEI, serial number (S/N), and most importantly, the model, and it's shown next to the "Model" or "M/N" label.
You can also find information on the color of the device and the amount of internal memory on the box, which is important, since visually identical phones can have different memory modifications (for example, 6/128 GB or 8/256 GB), which also affects the choice of firmware when recovering.
- 📦 Look for a barcode sticker on the end or bottom of the box.
- 🔍 Find the "Model" field - this is the technical code of the device.
- 📄 Keep a check or a warranty card where this information is also often duplicated.
Do not throw away the box immediately after purchase. In case of breakage or need to hand over the device under warranty, the presence of an original package with readable stickers can significantly simplify the procedure for admission.
☑️ Checking the data on the box
Model definition through computer and ADB
For advanced users and repair professionals, the most reliable way is to connect your smartphone to a PC. Using USB debugging allows you to access system logs and accurate hardware data, bypassing the phone's graphical interface.
To start, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI version 7 times. After that, the menu will appear “Additional” or “Extended settings”, where you need to turn on “Debugging by USB”.
Connect your phone to your computer with a cable. If you have Android Debug Bridge (ADB) installed, open the command line and type the following command:
adb shell getprop ro.product.modelThis command will return the exact code name of the model, and you can also get more detailed information about the build by entering:
adb shell getpropIn the conclusion, look for the lines ro.product.device (codename, for example, "sweet") and ro.build.version.incremental. These data are necessary for the selection of custom recavities (TWRP) or official firmware from aggregator sites.
⚠️ Warning: When you connect to an unknown computer, a request for debugging permission will appear on your phone screen. Never confirm this request on someone else's PC to avoid data theft.
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Use of the ADB-commands are the only way to get 100% accurate model information if the phone screen is not working but the system is booting.
Comparative table of codes and marketing names
Understanding the difference between a marketing name and a technical code is key to finding information successfully, and here is a chart showing how different designations can correspond to a single device depending on the region of sale.
| Marketing name | Technical code (Global) | Technical code (China) | Code name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10 Pro | M2101J7SG | M2101J7SC | sweet |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 | M2011K2G | M2011K2C | venus |
| POCO F3 | M2012K11AG | M2012K11AC | alioth |
| Redmi Note 9 | M2003J15SG | M2003J15SC | merlin |
As you can see from the table, the last letters in the model code often point to the region: G - Global (Global version), C - China (Chinese version). There are also codes for India (I), Russia (R) and Europe (E). The firmware from the Chinese version (C) will not stand on the global (G) without unlocking the bootloader and complex manipulations.
Knowing a code name (such as "venus" or "alioth") is especially useful when searching for files on forums like 4PDA or XDA Developers.
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When searching for firmware online, always use the technical code (M2101J7SG) rather than the name "Redmi Note 10 Pro." This ensures that you download a file that is compatible with your hardware.
Visual Identification and External Signs
If software methods are not available and the box is lost, you have to rely on external features: the design of the back cover, the location of the camera module, logos and even color can tell the model, but this method is less accurate, because different models often have the same design.
Notice the labels on the back, and the bottom part of the box is often in small print, "Designed by Xiaomi," the model, the voltage inputs, and the assembly country, and sometimes it's the specific code of the model, although new devices often remove this information.
Compare the location of the cameras. The number of lenses, the shape of the camera's "island," the presence of a flash under or near the logo are all important details. For example, the Redmi Note series often changes the design of the camera module every year, which allows you to roughly determine the generation of the device.
- 📷 Look at the shape of the main camera module (square, round, elongated).
- 🔌 Pay attention to the type of charging connector (Micro-USB or Type-C).
- 🔊 Find the location of the speaker and main microphone.
You can use services like Google Lens to identify your photos accurately, and point the camera of another phone to the back of your device, and the searcher will try to find visually similar models on the Internet.