Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones are complex devices where software plays a key role. Users often face the need to know the exact version of the operating system installed on their gadget, this may be necessary when installing specific applications, finding solutions to technical problems or simply out of curiosity.
In the MIUI ecosystem and the new HyperOS, software information is structured in a special way, and the average user can get confused by the numbers, as it displays not only the Android version, but also the manufacturer’s shell version, and understanding these differences is critical to properly diagnosing the device.
In this article, we will discuss all the ways to get information about software, learn how to distinguish between build number, security version and the relevance of patches, and discuss compatibility issues and explain why this data is so important for the stable operation of your smartphone.
Why you should know the version of the operating system
The current version of Android is not just for enthusiasts, but for regular users, and many apps on Google Play have minimal system requirements, and if your device runs on the older version, some programs may not install or work properly.
Knowledge of the software version also helps with the search for solutions on the Internet, forums and knowledge bases are full of instructions tied to specific versions of MIUI or Android, trying to apply the solution for one version on another can lead to errors or even loss of data.
⚠️ Note: Installing applications from unknown sources for other versions of Android may result in system instability or security vulnerabilities.
It’s also important to keep track of security updates. Xiaomi regularly releases patches that close security holes, and Verification shows how relevant your phone is to protecting personal data from viruses and hacker attacks.
The classic way through smartphone settings
The easiest and most reliable way to know the Android version is to use the standard settings menu, which does not require you to connect to a computer or install additional software. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic remains the same.
To start, unlock your Redmi screen and find the Settings icon, which usually looks like a gear and is located on the home screen or in the notification curtain.
- 📱 Click on About Phone, which is usually at the top of the settings list.
- 🔍 In the window you will see the logo. MIUI Xiaomi and the large digit version of the shell.
- 🤖 To see the Android version, you need to find the Android version bar below the logo or click several times on the version logo. MIUI.
In some cases, especially on older versions of firmware, you need to click 5-7 times in a row on the MIUI logo to open a hidden menu with additional information, which will clearly indicate the Android version, the kernel number and the date of build of the security patch.
☑️ Checking the information in the menu
Note the recording format. The Android version is usually indicated by one or two digits (e.g. 11, 12, 13), whereas the MIUI version has a more complex format, including region and build type.
Decoding of the Assembly Number and MIUI Versions
The numbers you see on the menu are not just random character sets, each piece of version code carries important technical information, and understanding this structure will help you better navigate the firmware world of Xiaomi.
The shell version usually looks like V12.5.3.0.RGDRUXM. Let's take a look at what's behind these characters. Part one (V12.5.3.0) points to the interface version and functional updates. The following characters encode the Android version and region.
| Symbol in code | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| First letter | Android version | O = Android 8, Q = Android 10, R = Android 11 |
| Second letter | Device series | G = Global, E = Europe, C = China |
| Third letter | Type of device | D = Redmi, M = Mi, X = BlackShark |
| Last 3 letters | Firmware region | RUX = Russia, EUX = Europe, MI = Global |
Knowing this table, you can easily determine which version of Android is on your Redmi, even if it is not written in explicitly large letters. For example, the letter R at the beginning of the version code clearly indicates Android 11, and the S – Android 12.
Android encoding table
Regional binding is also important: China firmware (CN) and Global versions (Global) may have different feature sets and update rates; Global versions often receive updates later than Chinese ones, but they are fully adapted for use outside China.
Use of engineering menus and codes
For more advanced users, there is a way to get technical information through the engineering menu, which is a hidden part of the system, designed for testing equipment and diagnostics. USSD-code.
Open the Phone app and enter the code ##64663##. The CIT menu should appear on the screen, where you can check the operation of all modules, but the version information is also available in the relevant sections, often marked as Version or Software.
⚠️ Warning: Be careful in the engineering menu. Changing unknown parameters can cause sensor calibration resets or radio modules to malfunction.
Another code that might be useful is ##4636##. It opens the test menu. Going to Phone Information, you can see more detailed system data than you would in your normal settings, and it shows up time, usage statistics, and the exact version of the firmware.
It is worth noting that on some new HyperOS models, access to the engineering menu through codes can be limited or modified by developers for security reasons, in which case it remains to rely on standard settings or third-party applications.
Verification through third-party applications
If standard methods don’t seem informative enough, Google Play apps will come to your aid. There are many utilities that collect complete information about the hardware and software of your Redmi.
One of the most popular and reliable tools is the CPU-Z or AIDA64 app. Once installed and launched, these programs automatically scan the system and issue a detailed report. You are interested in the Device or System tab, where the desired digit will be indicated in the Android Version bar.
- 📲 CPU-Z — It shows not only the OS version, but also the load on the processor in real time.
- 📊 AIDA64 — Provides the most detailed report, including sensor temperature and accurate screen model.
- 🛠️ DevCheck is a convenient tool for monitoring the system with widgets on the desktop.
The advantage of these apps is that they show an "honest" version of the kernel, which is sometimes tried to hide or modify in custom firmware, and they also allow you to copy information to the clipboard or save it as a report, which is convenient when you contact customer support.
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Use apps like CPU-Z not only to check the Android version, but also to monitor the processor’s trotting during heavy gaming.
Compatibility issues and software updates
Often the question of the Android version arises when the application refuses to work. Software developers set a minimum threshold for the OS version. If your Xiaomi runs Android 9 and the application requires Android 11, you will not be able to install it legally.
In this case, the only correct solution is to update the system. Xiaomi has been keeping its devices updated for several years. To check for an update, go to Settings → About Phone and click on the MIUI version logo.
The system will contact the server and check the relevance. If the update is available, a Download and Install button will appear. The process may take time, so make sure the battery is at least 50% charged and the Wi-Fi connection is stable.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the upgrade process or turn off the phone until the progress bar reaches 100.
💡
Regular system updates are not only new features, but also critical security patches that protect your banking data.
If the official update no longer arrives, it means that the model has moved to the status of “End of Life”, in which case the use of the device for important operations (banking, personal photos) becomes risky, as the vulnerabilities are no longer closed.