How to check if the global firmware is installed on Xiaomi: official and hidden methods

You bought Xiaomi hand-held or ordered from abroad, but you're not sure which version of the firmware is installed? Global MIUI is not only language-enabled, but also Google services, stability of updates and compatibility with local networks. In this article, we'll look at all the ways to determine the type of firmware, from obvious to hidden, which are not even written in the official documentation.

An error in choosing a firmware can lead to problems with OTA-You can use updates, you can lock your Mi Account or even a brick of your device when you try to reflash it, for example, if you install Chinese firmware on a global smartphone, you can't use Google, and if you replace it, you can unlock the bootloader. MIUI — The first step before any manipulation of the software.

We tested all methods on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO F5 and Xiaomi 13 Ultra (2023-2026) models – instructions are relevant for all devices based on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS. If your gadget is older, some menu items may differ, but the logic of the check remains the same.

1. Verification through system settings: the fastest way

Let’s start with the official method, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones regardless of region, and it doesn’t require a PC connection or special knowledge – just open the settings menu.

Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Here, pay attention to two key parameters:

• 📌 Build number – if there are letters at the end ING (for example, V14.0.5.0.TMCEUXM_ING), It's Indian firmware. RU — Russian, EU — European, CN — Chinese.
• 🌍 Region – Global firmware usually indicates Global, EEA (China versions can show China or characters.
• 🔍 Model code – Global devices have the Global suffix (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ 5G Global and China.

If you don't have Region on your menu, try another way: Settings → Additional → Regional Settings. In Chinese firmware, this section may be hidden or only contain Chinese in the list of available languages.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO X5 Pro) The About phone menu shows "Global version," even if it's Chinese. This is a marketing ploy -- always check the build number!

2. Analysis of the MIUI Assembly Number: Code decryption

The build number is a unique firmware identifier that contains all the necessary information about the type of firmware, and let's look at the structure here.

V15.1.2.0.TMBMIXM

Transcription by symbol:

Global firmware always contains MI in the fifth block (for example, TMBMIXM); Chinese firmware contains CN (for example, TMBMCN); European firmware (EEA) can have EU, and Indian firmware can have IN or ING.

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If there is a suffix in the assembly number _RU (for example, V14.0.4.0.SKLRUXM_RU), This is an adapted firmware for Russia with pre-installed local services (Yandex, Mail.ru, etc.).

3. Hidden engineering menus: a method for advanced

If you don't have a clear answer with standard settings, you can use engineering codes, which are hidden from the general public, but contain detailed information about the firmware.

Open the Phone app and enter the following commands:

• 📱 ##4636## — Opens the Testing menu. Go to the Device Information tab and find the bands version. Global firmware supports bands LTE Band 20 (800 MHz) that are not available in Chinese versions.
• 🔧 ##225## will show the update calendar. Global firmware updates come monthly, Chinese firmware updates weekly (for testers).
• 🌐 ##6484## - menu MTK Engineer Mode (powered by MediaTek processors) In BandMode, check for support TD-SCDMA — This standard is only available in Chinese firmware.

On some models (such as the Xiaomi 13T), the engineering codes may be blocked, in which case, use an alternative method:

1. Install the MTK Engineering Mode (for MediaTek) or Qualcomm Engineering (for Snapdragon).
2. Go to Hardware Testing → RF Test → Band Selection.
3. Check for Chinese bands: TD-SCDMA B34/B39 or CDMA BC0.

⚠️ Attention: Do not change the settings in the engineering menu! Incorrect settings in the BandMode section can lead to network loss. LTE Band 3 will make it impossible to connect to the MTS network in Russia.

4. Verification through ADB: technical

If you have access to a computer, the most reliable way to do this is to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which will show the original region of the firmware, even if it has been modified.

Follow the instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the adb.exe folder.
4. Enter the command: adb shell getprop ro.miui.region The answer global, eea or ru will confirm global firmware. The answer cn is the Chinese version.

Additional useful commands:

adb shell getprop ro.product.locale.region # Shows the localization region


adb shell getprop ro.product.model # Model device with suffix of the region




adb shell getprop ro.build.description # Complete build description

If getprop ro.miui.region returns a blank value, your firmware may be custom (e.g. xiaomi.eu).In this case, check the /system/build.prop file through any root-enabled file manager.

5. Visual differences: what gives Chinese firmware

Global and Chinese firmware have noticeable visual differences that can be detected without technical manipulation.

• 📱 No Google services: No Play Market, Gmail or YouTube are available on Chinese firmware, instead of Mi App Store, Mi Video and Mi Browser.
• 🌏 Interface languages: 20 global firmware available+ Chinese versions offer only Chinese (simplified/traditional) and English.
• 🔍 Search: The main screen of Chinese firmware instead of Google Search shows a search from Baidu or Xiaomi.
• 📊 Theme settings: C Settings → Chinese firmware offers themes with characters and Asian motifs that are not present in global versions.
• 🔔 Notifications: In Chinese firmware, notifications from system applications (Mi Security, Mi Cloud) are in Chinese, even if English is chosen.

Pay attention to the screensaver when you include:

• 🎬 Global firmware shows the Xiaomi logo or POCO coloured.
• 🎭 Chinese versions can have a red background with gold characters or animated with a dragon (especially on the flagship Xiaomi 14).

If your device has xiaomi.eu firmware installed (unofficial European build), it will be visually similar to the global one, but the configuration will display a version of the type 23.12.10 (build date) instead of the standard V15.x.x.x.x.

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Even if the firmware is visually similar to the global, always check the build number through Settings → About Phone. Some vendors install multilingual packages on Chinese firmware, masking them as global.

Verification through IMEI: Determination of the region of the device

Each Xiaomi device is assigned a unique IMEI, which can be used to determine the original region of sale, which is useful if the firmware was changed after purchase.

How to check:

1. Dial on the phone keyboard *#06# and your IMEI (15 digits) will be displayed.
2. Go to IMEI.info and enter the code in the verification field.
3. In the results, look for the Origin Country or Warranty Region bar. For global devices, it's Global, Europe, or a specific country (e.g. Russia). Chinese devices show China.

Alternatively, use the official Xiaomi service:

• Go to the checkout page.
• Enter IMEI and CAPTCHA.
• The results will indicate the warranty region (e.g. Global Version or China Mainland).

⚠️ Attention: If IMEI Global shows, but the firmware is Chinese, which means the device was re-fished after purchase. OTA-Updates and service in official Xiaomi centers.

On some models (e.g. Redmi K60 Pro), the IMEI can be gray (not region-specific), in which case check the serial number on the box or under the battery (if removable), and the series of global devices start with the letters G, E or R, Chinese with C or B.

7. Google Play Compatibility Check: A Test for “Pureness” of the Firmware

One of the most reliable ways to distinguish global firmware is to check the performance of Google services, and the Chinese versions either don’t have them at all or use uncertified builds.

How to check:

• 🔍 Open the Play Market. If it's not there, firmware is definitely not global.
• 🛡️ Go to Settings. → Google → Google Play Services. This section will not be available in Chinese firmware.
• 📱 Install the Device app ID Google, check the status of Google Play Services. If it shows Uncertified, the firmware is modified.
• 🌐 Try logging in to Google. Chinese firmware may have an error saying, "This device is not certified".

For a full diagnosis, use Google Play Console:

1. Go to the console page.
2. Enter your Google account details (should be linked to your device).
3. In All Apps → Devices, find your device. If the Certification column says No, the firmware is unofficial.

If your device is not certified but you want to use Google Play, you can manually get certified:

Frequently asked questions