How to know exactly the model of the Xiaomi smartphone and not get confused in the names

Owning a device from the Chinese tech giant often puts users in a sudden riff: documents, checks or a box contain some numbers, and menus contain completely different numbers. This is not a mistake, but a feature of the company's marketing strategy, which produces thousands of modifications for different markets. Understanding how to recognize a Xiaomi smartphone model is critical when searching for firmware, cases, glass or when trying to unlock a bootloader.

To make matters worse, the same device may be called differently in China, Europe, and Russia, such as what is marketed in Europe as the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro, which in China may be called the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Max, and the technical code will be the same. If you try to flash a device that is only picked up by a commercial name, there is a risk of turning the phone into a brick.

In this article, we will look at all the ways that you can identify your gadget in detail, from the simplest, accessible in a couple of touches of the screen, to professional, using engineering codes and a computer. The technical code of the model (for example, M2101K7BNY) is the only guaranteed reliable identifier for finding compatible software.

Verification through system settings of the device

The most obvious and accessible way is to look inside the operating system. The MIUI or HyperOS interface provides the user with all the information they need, but hides it behind several menu levels. You don't need third-party apps or a computer connection, just unlock the screen.

To access the data, go to the main menu and find the Settings icon. In the list that opens, scroll to the bottom and select About Phone. This is where the commercial name you saw when you bought is displayed. However, for accurate identification, you need to click on the model name line several times in a row until the extended technical data menu opens.

In the extended menu, you'll see the Model line, which is a code of letters and numbers (like 2201123G) that's key, doesn't change depending on the region of sale and the firmware version, and it's often the Android version and the MIUI build number, which is useful for diagnostics.

If you have global firmware installed, the information will be in English or Russian, if you bought a device imported from China (CN Version), the menu may be in Chinese, in which case, look for the characters corresponding to the "About Phone" section, or switch the system language.

In some cases, especially on custom firmware or after a failed update, the About Phone menu may not display data correctly, then it is worth checking the information using alternative methods described below.

Identification by stickers on the case and box

If the phone doesn't turn on or the screen is broken, physical inspection becomes the only option available, and the back of the device usually has a factory sticker on it. SIM-maps or apply in small print directly to the body in the lower part.

This label shows you the Model field, the code here must match what you saw in the settings (if the phone was in a drain state), and it also shows IMEI, a unique identifier that you can use to break through the device in databases.

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If the sticker on the body is erased, carefully examine the tray for SIM-On some Xiaomi models (especially Redmi) the model code and IMEI printed in small print directly on the metal frame of the tray.

Smartphone packaging is another reliable source of information. There's always a white barcode label on the end of the box, duplicated model, IMEI, serial number (S/N) and color of the device, and keeping the box is especially important for warranty cases.

Note that stickers can be damaged by moisture or mechanical stress. If you buy a used device, compare the code on the box to the code in the system. A mismatch may indicate that the case or motherboard has been replaced at the service center.

For non-removable devices (which are now 99%), the only physical method is to inspect the back cover, and on older Xiaomi models, information could be found under the battery, but this format has disappeared.

Use of the engineering menu and USSD-code

For more advanced users or service center engineers, there is access to hidden parts of the system through special codes, entered through a standard "bell ringer" like a regular phone number, and it's a quick way to access technical information without digging deep into the menu.

Type ##64663## on the keyboard, and this code opens the CIT (Customer Integration Test) menu, where you can check all the modules on the phone. To find out the model, go to Version (usually at the bottom of the list), which will show the exact code of the model, MIUI versions and other technical statistics.

Another useful code is *#06#. It displays information about IMEI. Although the model name may not be written directly here, you can identify the device using IMEI through online services. If you have a dual-symbol phone, there will be two IMEI codes, but they are related to the same device.

If the code doesn't work, the system can either reset the challenge or do nothing, so try the ##4636## code, which opens the test menu, where you can also find model data in the Device information section.

Checking the model through a computer and ADB

If the smartphone screen does not respond to touch, but the phone is turned on and determined by the computer, you can use debugging over USB. This method requires pre-activation of the developer mode, but gives the most accurate and “raw” data of the system.

For this you will need a PC, USB-cable and installed drivers ADB (After connecting your phone and allowing debugging on the screen (if you see the image), open the command line on your computer and enter a command to obtain device properties.

adb shell getprop ro.product.model

This command will return the exact technical code of the model, and you can also use the adb shell getprop command, which will display a complete list of all system variables, where you can find information about the manufacturer (ro.product.manufacturer), brand and even the firmware region.

This is a method that is indispensable for flashing bricks, or when the interface is completely inoperable, but the bootloader is functioning, and it makes sure that you are trying to install firmware for this particular hardware.

Definition of the model by IMEI code

The unique IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) code is your smartphone's passport, and knowing it, you can learn the device model through specialized online services, even if the phone itself is not available, you can find it on the box, under the battery (on older models), or you can knock it out on the keyboard with the code *#06#.

There are a lot of sites like miui.com or third-party IMEI databases that will give you an exact model for that number, which is especially useful if you're buying a phone from hand and want to check its origin and claimed specs.

But beware: fraudsters can interrupt IMEIs or use emulator programs, so IMEI testing is a good tool, but not an absolute guarantee, especially when combined with visual inspection and settings check.

The table below gives examples of commercial names and technical codes matching for popular models so you understand the difference:

Specificity of Redmi and POCO models

The sub-brands Redmi and POCO deserve special attention. POCO was for a long time simply renamed Redmi models for the global market, but now it is a standalone lineup.

For example, the popular POCO X3 NFC is technically a clone of the Redmi Note 9 Pro (code M2003J6A1G), but has a different design and logo.If you search for firmware for the Redmi Note 9 Pro on a POCO X3 NFC device, you may encounter compatibility errors with camera drivers or sound.

⚠️ Warning: Never flash a device with firmware from a "brotherly" brand, even if the processor codes match.Differences in Wi-Fi modules and sensors can lead to functionality being inoperable.

Redmi’s lineup also features 4G and 5G models, which may be identical on the outside, but have completely different brains inside. The 5G model will have code other than the 4G version and require its own firmware.

So when you ask, “How to know the Xiaomi model,” always check for 4G/5G/NFC in the technical code.

Frequent errors and important nuances

One common mistake is to ignore the last letter in the model code, such as.G,.C,..I denoting a region (Global, China, India), and the firmware from the global version (G) may not be able to stand on the Chinese (C) without the complicated manipulation of unlocking the bootloader.

Also, users often confuse the processor model and the phone model. The specs may say Snapdragon 865, but it is not a phone model. The model always has an alphanumeric code, usually starting with a letter (M, 2, 1, etc.).

If you use custom launchers or modified versions of Android, the path to information may be different, and in such cases it is better to use universal applications from Google Play, such as Device Info HW or AIDA64, which read data directly from the core of the system.

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Always use the full model technical code (e.g. M2101K7BNY) to search for firmware and accessories.The commercial name (Redmi Note 10) is too general and can lead to an error.