How to find out the exact model of Xiaomi smartphone: all ways

Users of the Mi ecosystem often face a situation where it is necessary to accurately identify a device, this may be necessary to find the right case, select the original battery or check compatibility with a particular version of the firmware. However, the marketing name that appears on the box is often different from the technical name used in system files and service centers.

Owners of Redmi and Poco devices are particularly confused about the designations, as the same unit can be sold in different regions under completely different names. For example, the global version may be called differently from the Chinese one. Understanding this difference is critical when ordering parts or trying to flash the gadget.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods of identifying your device, we will look at software methods through the MIUI and HyperOS interface, hardware methods for checking the case and using special engineering codes, you will learn how to distinguish the global versions from the Chinese ones and understand why you need model code for maintenance.

Search for information in system settings

The most obvious and affordable way to find out about your device is to look at the standard settings menu. Xiaomi’s shell interface is quite logical, although the location of items may vary slightly depending on the Android version and the year of release of the smartphone.

Here you're interested in the About Phone section, and this is where you'll find all the basic information, and you'll see a large picture of the smartphone, the current version of the operating system, and most importantly, a line with the model name, but you have to be careful, because it's often the marketing name, not the technical code.

To see more detailed technical information, you need to click on the line with the version. MIUI It's a little bit like HyperOS, or a few times in a row, and it activates a hidden menu or an extended view, where the full technical ID appears, M2101K6G) It is key to finding drivers and firmware.

Also in this section, you can find the build number and the security update date, which is important in diagnosing application compatibility issues, and if you plan to unlock the bootloader, checking this data is a mandatory first step before you start any software manipulation.

• 📱 Open Settings and find the About Phone section at the end of the list.
• 🔍 Press. 7-10 Once on the firmware version to see additional data.
• 🆔 Write down the model code starting with a letter (M, 22, 23, etc.).

⚠️ Note: Do not confuse the model and «SKU». The model is a general type of device and SKU indicates the specific memory configuration and the region for which the device is released.

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If the About Phone menu only lists the MIUI version and there is no model code, try clicking on the Android icon or the MIUI/HyperOS logo.

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The technical code of the model found in the settings is the most accurate identifier for searching firmware in official forums.

Checking the stickers on the case and box

If the smartphone doesn't turn on or the screen is broken, the software methods become unavailable, and in such cases, physical markings come to the rescue, and fine technical information is printed on the back cover of most modern Xiaomi devices or on the frame (depending on the design). Often this data is duplicated on the factory sticker, which can be located under the tray for SIM-card or directly on the box.

There's always a barcode on the box of the device with a few lines of text, and we're interested in a line labeled "Model" or "M/N." Nearby, the color of the device and the amount of internal memory is usually indicated, identical to what's written in the system files, and is "truth of last resort" for service engineers.

Particular attention should be paid to the tray for SIM-Some Redmi Note and Poco F models have the technical code engraved in microscopic font directly on a metal sled tray, and you may need a magnifying glass or a macro shot on another phone to read it. It is a unique identifier that is virtually impossible to change software.

Keeping the original box is a good habit, not only for resale, but also for device identification. There's an IMEI sticker on the end of the box, a serial number and a model, and if the sticker on the case has worn off over time, the box will remain the only reliable source of information about what kind of gadget you're holding.

Use of the engineering menu and USSD-code

For more advanced users who want to access hidden diagnostic options, there is an engineering menu, a special section in the system that is designed to test hardware, and you can log in using universal codes that work on most devices with Qualcomm and MediaTek processors.

To open the menu, open the Phone app and enter the code ##6484##. Some models, especially old or regional ones, may have the code ##4636##. Once you enter the last digit, the menu should open automatically, without having to press the call button. If the menu does not appear, then access to it is blocked by the operator or manufacturer for your region.

The CIT menu that opens up, you can check everything from touchscreen to vibrator, but we're interested in the Version or Info tab, and it'll show you the exact hardware revision, the radio version, and of course the full model of the device, and that's the deepest level of verification that's available without root permissions.

It is worth noting that the engineering menu shows the actual amount of RAM, which sometimes differs from the stated blocks from the reserved system, and also displays the type of screen matrix and the sensor manufacturer, which is useful when comparing modifications of the same model.

• 📞 Enter ##6484## in the Calling Application.
• 🛠 Go to the Version tab to view hardware data.
• 📡 Check status. IMEI radio module in the relevant sections.

⚠️ Warning: Be careful in the engineering menu. Changing the settings in the sections marked as "Debug" or "Test" can lead to unstable network operation or recalibration of the screen.

Model definition through IMEI and online services

If your device is completely unavailable, but you still have a box or check with an IMEI, you can use online services. IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit number assigned to each mobile phone, which provides not only the model, but also the activation history and warranty status.

There are many databases where manufacturers and operators upload information about released devices, and by typing IMEI into the search box of such a service, you will receive a detailed report, which will specify the exact name of the model, color, memory capacity and date of first activation, which is a great way to check whether the case of the smartphone has changed or is not assembled from different parts ("Frankenstein").

Xiaomi’s official warranty verification site also provides model information. Going to the authentication section and entering the IMEI or serial number will show you which region the device is intended for, which is critically important, since global versions (Global) and Chinese (CN) often have different LTE frequency bands and sets of supported languages.

In addition, knowing IMEI allows you to check whether the phone is on the blacklist of lost or stolen devices.When buying a used Redmi or Poco smartphone from hand, this check is a mandatory security procedure, it will save you from purchasing a device that can be blocked by the operator at any time.

Online methods are especially useful when you buy parts remotely. The seller just needs to tell the IMEI or model code to make sure the proposed display or battery will fit your device. A mistake in one letter of the model code can cause the display plumes to not match the connectors on the board.

Differences between the Chinese and Global Version

One of the most important things Xiaomi owners need to understand is the separation of versions for different markets. Chinese versions of smartphones often come out earlier than the global ones and may have more advanced specs or unique colors. However, they run on the Chinese version of firmware, which is devoid of Google services out of the box and has a limited set of languages.

Global versions (Global) adapted for international use: they have Russian language, Google Play, NFC-The models are different, and the Chinese version may have code ending in the same number «CN», a global, on the "G" or «GL».

There are also so-called European versions (EEA) that differ from the global availability of the charger in the bundle (previously) and pre-installed software that meets EU regulations.When reflashing the Chinese version to the global firmware (Global ROM), you may have problems with blocking the bootloader or banking applications.

Visually, it's hard to tell the difference, but there are nuances. SIM-There is often no memory card plug if the model is budget, and the Chinese version box will have all the text in Chinese, while the global version will have a multilingual sticker. The Chinese version settings will have hieroglyphic text in the About Phone menu before the language change.

• 🌏 Global version (Global): full language support, Google services, wide frequencies LTE.
• 🇨🇳 Chinese version (CN): limited languages (often English and Chinese only), other frequencies 4G/5G.
• 🇪🇺 European version (EEA): Compliance with EU standards, often different.

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Before buying a smartphone, always check the model code for the letter G (Global) if you want full compatibility with local operators and services.

Identification of Xiaomi tablets and laptops

Xiaomi's ecosystem includes not only smartphones, but also Mi Pad tablets, as well as Mi Notebook and RedmiBook laptops. The model definition is similar, but there are some features. On tablets, information can be found in the same About section, but the model code may be less obvious, often hidden under Status or General Information.

For Windows laptops, the standard thing is to right-click on the "My Computer" icon and select "Properties." It will show the exact model of the laptop. If the system doesn't boot, look for the sticker on the bottom of the device, which shows the Model Name and Serial Number (S/N).

In the case of Mi Pad tablets running on Android, you can use the same USSD-codes that are for phones, if the tablet has a module SIM. If you have Wi-Fi only, you have a settings menu or a sticker on your body, and it's important to know the model of the tablet for keyboard cases, because the mounts of the Mi Pad are very different from each generation.

For Xiaomi laptops, there is also a special Xiaomi Service app that is pre-installed on the system, which provides detailed configuration information: processor type, screen matrix model, battery capacity and charge cycles, an indispensable tool for diagnosing before buying used equipment.

⚠️ Note: When searching for drivers for Xiaomi laptops, use the exact model code from the sticker, not the marketing name (e.g., look for the model code «XMA1901», Not "Mi Notebook Pro" to avoid compatibility errors.

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For Xiaomi laptops, you can use the WMIC command in the command line: type 'wmic bios get serial number' to quickly find out the serial number and model of the device.