How to find out the Android version on Xiaomi phone: the complete guide

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to clarify the exact version of the installed operating system, which may be required when installing specific applications, obtaining root rights, flashing the device or simply to understand the relevance of security gadget. MIUI shell or the new HyperOS can hide the basic version of Android in the depth of the menu, making the search for this information is not obvious to beginners.

There are several proven methods of obtaining this information, ranging from standard settings to the use of engineering codes. Some methods allow you to see not only the build number, but also the level of a security patch, which is critical to assessing the vulnerability of a system. Below we will discuss in detail each option available so that you can choose the most convenient for your situation.

Knowing the exact version of software is also necessary when contacting technical support or when searching for solutions to problems in specialized forums. A single-digit error can lead to incompatible firmware installation, which can lead to data loss or turn the smartphone into a brick, so it is important to learn how to determine these parameters yourself and quickly.

Checking through the standard settings menu

The easiest and safest way to know the operating system version is to use the smartphone’s built-in interface, which doesn’t require a computer connection, third-party software installation, or root rights. It’s universal and works on all current models, whether it’s a budget Redmi Note or a flagship Xiaomi 14.

First, you need to unlock the screen and find the Settings app icon, which usually looks like a gear. The list you open should scroll down to About Phone (sometimes called About Device), and that’s where all the basic technical information about your gadget, including the processor model, RAM, and serial number, is concentrated.

At the top of the screen, you'll see the logo of the shell version, like MIUI 14 or HyperOS 1.0. To see the Android version number, click on the line with the MIUI version several times in a row (usually 5-7 quick clicks), and then an additional menu will open, which will indicate:

• 📱 Android version – the base operating system (e.g. 11, 12, 13, 14).
• 🛡️ Security patch level – date of last security database update.
• 🔢 Assembly number MIUI — Specific version of the shell for your region.
• 🌍 Firmware region – global (Global), European (EEA) Chinese (CN).

⚠️ Note: Don’t confuse the shell version MIUI Android version. MIUI — It is just an interface on top of an Android, and the numbers may not match (e.g, MIUI 13 can run on Android 11 or Android 12 depending on the model).

If the standard menu doesn’t display detailed information after multiple clicks, it may be that the manufacturer has limited this functionality to your version of the software, in which case it is worth resorting to alternative methods described below. It is also worth noting that some older models with MIUI 10-12 information may be arranged slightly differently, but the principle remains similar.

Use of engineering menus and hidden codes

For more advanced users who don't have a standard menu, there are special engineering codes, and entering these combinations in the Phone app opens up hidden parts of the system that contain detailed technical statistics, a method that is especially useful if the system interface is damaged or not responding.

To use this method, open the call app and enter the code ##4636##. Immediately after entering the last star (or grille), the Testing screen should open. Here you are interested in the Phone information section. This menu displays much more data than in the usual settings.

Inside the engineering menu, you can find not only the Android version, but also:

• 📶 Status SIM-maps and signal level in real time.
• 📶 Network information (LTE, 5G, WCDMA).
• 📊 Statistics on the use of Wi-Fi connection.
• 🔋 Detailed battery status (for some models).

It's important to understand that the engineering menu is primarily for developers and testers, and changing the settings in this section without proper experience can lead to unstable network performance or data loss, and be very careful not to change parameters that you don't know what they mean.

⚠️ Note: Some global firmware versions may have the engineering menu closed by the carrier or the manufacturer, in which case the code simply won’t work.

Analysis of information through computer and ADB

If the smartphone screen is broken, does not respond to touch, or you need to get information about many devices at once, the best solution is to use a computer and debug over USB. The ADB method (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to get complete information about the system, bypassing the graphical interface.

To start, you need to activate the developer mode on your phone. To do this, go to Settings → About your phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI build number. After the “You became a developer” notification appears, go back to the main settings menu, find the option “Additional Settings” (or simply “Advanced”) and select “Developers” there, you need to activate the debugging slider over USB.

Connect your smartphone to your computer with a cable. You'll see a request for debugging permission on your phone screen, make sure you click "Allow." Then on your computer, open the command prompt (CMD) or PowerShell in the folder with the ADB installed and type the following command:

adb shell getprop ro.build.version.release

This command will only display the Android version number (e.g., 13). If you need more complete information, including the build number and kernel version, use the command:

adb shell getprop | grep "ro.build"

The result of the command will provide an exhaustive list of system properties. Among the lines you will find ro.build.version.release (the Android version), ro.build.version.incremental (the build version), and ro.build.host (the build server), which is the most reliable way to get clean data that is not distorted by the visual shell.

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Use the adb device command before typing in queries to make sure the computer sees your device. If the list is empty, check. USB-cable.

Comparison of MIUI and Android versions

Users are often confused about the numbering, as versions of the MIUI shell (or HyperOS) and the base Android are updated independently. Understanding this difference is critical when searching for firmware or modifications. MIUI is an add-on that can have one version running on different versions of the "base."

Below is a version match table for popular models so you can navigate the relevance of your software:

As you can see from the table, even the same shell version (e.g. MIUI 14) can be based on different versions of Android depending on the hardware of the smartphone. Older devices often can not get a new Android due to the limitations of the processor drivers, even if the MIUI interface is updated.

When installing custom recavators (TWRP) or firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience), you must strictly comply with version compliance. Attempting to install the recavators assembled for Android 13 on a device with Android 11, with a high probability will lead to a bootloop error.

Why it is important to know the exact version of the software

Many users ignore the build number until they encounter compatibility issues. However, knowing the exact version of Android and the security patch is the foundation of digital hygiene. Banks, government services, and enterprise messaging apps often require a minimum level of security.

If your smartphone has stopped receiving updates, it becomes vulnerable to new viruses and exploits. Knowing the exact date of the security patch (which can be found in the About Phone menu), you can assess the risk. If the last update date was more than a year ago, using such a device for financial transactions becomes risky.

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Regularly checking the software version and the level of security patches is a must-have habit to protect personal data from modern cyber threats.

Also, when selling a used device, a customer often asks for a version of the software. Having a fresh version of Android increases the liquidity of the gadget in the secondary market. This is a signal that the device is supported by the manufacturer and is not obsolete.

⚠️ Note: If you see a strange version of the build in the About Phone menu (e.g., with the letters V, N, O at the beginning, typical of Chinese firmware), this may indicate a flashed phone.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)