Determining the exact version of the operating system on Xiaomi devices is often a critical step before installing applications, flashing or diagnosing compatibility issues. Redmi and POCO smartphone owners face the need to know this parameter when game developers specify minimum requirements or when it is necessary to confirm the relevance of security patches. The standard path through settings can vary depending on the MIUI shell installed or the new HyperOS.
The software is not hidden, but the interfaces of Chinese manufacturers are often overloaded with marketing data that hides a dry technical fact: you need to find not just a beautiful shell name, but a kernel digital designation, for example, Android 13 or Android 14. This is the basic level on which the entire application ecosystem is based.
In this guide, we will look at all the existing methods of obtaining this information, from regular menus to the use of hidden engineering codes. You will learn to distinguish between the platform version and the interface version, which is a common cause of confusion among users. The exact build number is the unique identifier of the specific firmware installed on your device right now.
Standard method through the settings menu
The most obvious and safe way to know the current version of the software is through the main configuration menu of the device. Xiaomi’s interface has been changing for years, so the location of the items may differ on old and new models. In most cases, the algorithm of actions is the same and does not require a connection to a computer or install third-party software.
You need to open the Settings app and find the section that handles general information about the gadget. On modern shell versions, this item is usually called "About the Phone" and is located at the top of the list or in the "General" group. This is where all the passport data of your smartphone is contained.
- 📱 Open the Settings menu on your desktop or in the notification curtain.
- 🔍 Find and click on the "About the phone" (sometimes "About the device").
- 👆 Click several times on the line "Version" MIUI" or a system logo to see hidden data.
After you go to the About Phone menu, you will see a large digit of the shell version, such as MIUI 14. To see the Android version, you often need to make an additional click on this line or on the system logo. The window that opens will indicate: Android Version: 13 and below - the date of the security patch update.
Differences between MIUI and Android
Users often confuse the Android version with the MIUI or HyperOS version of the user shell. These are fundamentally different things: Android is the core core that provides the core features, and MIUI is Xiaomi’s add-on that changes the look and add services.
For example, an app might require Android 12, but it’s great to run on the shell of MIUI 13, which is based on the older Android 11 core, if the developers have optimized the code. However, if the requirement is rigid, then the version of the interface won’t matter, you need to look strictly at the number after the word Android. Updating the shell does not always mean updating the underlying system.
⚠️ Note: When searching for instructions online, always check which version of Android they are written for. Methods running Android 10 may not work on Android 13 due to changes in security policy.
The table below shows the correspondence of popular versions of shells and basic versions of Android for current models:
| Shell | Basic Android | Examples of models | Status of support |
|---|
| MIUI 12.5 | Android 10 / 11 | Redmi Note 9, Mi 10 | Completed. |
| MIUI 13 | Android 11 / 12 | Xiaomi 11, Redmi Note 11 | Limited. |
| MIUI 14 | Android 12 / 13 | Xiaomi 13, POCO F5 | relevant |
| HyperOS 1.0 | Android 13 / 14 | Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 | relevant |
Use of engineering menus and codes
For more advanced users or in situations where the settings menu is not available (for example, when the interface freezes), you can use special settings. USSD-These commands give you access to hidden parts of the system, where technical information is presented in raw but accurate form.
To use this method, open the Phone app and type in the command ##4636##. If the code is supported by your model and region, the Check menu will automatically open. Select Phone Information where you will see the full software information, including the Build Number and SDK version.
What if the code doesn't work?
Not all codes work on global firmware versions. If ##4636### doesn't respond, try installing the Activity Launcher app from Google Play, finding Activity"Testing" there, and running it manually. That'll give you the same result. Another code that may work on some models is *#06#, although it is mostly intended for output. IMEI, In some versions of the interface, the software version is also displayed there. However, you should not rely on this method, since Xiaomi often blocks such requests at the modem level. If standard methods don't seem informative enough, you can activate the extended developer menu. This section is designed to debug applications, but contains comprehensive technical data about the system. Activation requires a series of quick taps. Go to Settings. → The phone. Find the line "Version" MIUI" (or "Version." OS") And press it fast. 7-10 It'll pop up, "You're a developer," and then you'll see a new "Additional" or "Extended Settings" in the main settings menu, and inside, "Developers". ⚙️ In the developer menu, find the "Debugging" or "Information" section". 📄 There will be a detailed version of the Linux kernel, which is based on Android. 🔧 You can also see the build number. AOSP (Android Open Source Project. In this menu, you can see a more technical language, and you can see lines like ro.build.version.release, which is the version of Android you want to see, which is especially useful if the shell interface is heavily modified to hide the underlying data. Third-party diagnostic applications When built-in tools fail to obtain information or require a detailed hardware specification in relation to the software version, applications from Google Play come to the rescue. CPU-Z or AIDA64. They read data directly from system files. Install the application, launch it, and go to the "Device" or "System" tab. The Android Version field will show the exact version. The advantage of these programs is that they also show the CPU architecture (ABI), What is important when choosing application versions (arm64-v8a or armeabi-v7a). ⚠️ Note: Download diagnostic ulites only from the official Google Play Store. APK-files may contain malicious code masquerading as system tools. Use of the AIDA64 It also allows you to see the temperature of the sensors and the load on the cores in real time, which in conjunction with the Android version gives a complete picture of the state of the smartphone, this is especially true for older devices that may work unstable on new versions of firmware. 📊 What is the best way to check the Android version? USSD-Code Through the annex CPU-ZSometimes users are faced with a situation where the menu indicates one version and the applications write another, or the field (Version) is empty. This may indicate damage to system files or incorrect updates through the air. In such cases, the system can behave in an unpredictable way, and the first thing you need to do is check the integrity of the system through the Recovery Recovery menu. To do this, turn off the phone and press the button combination Volume Up. + Power: Recovery menus often display the current version of the installed firmware, which may be different from the one that was "stuck" in the interface. If discrepancy is large, it is recommended to reset or flash through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility. Ignoring such discrepancies could cause Google’s banking apps or services to stop working due to breach of the security chain of trust. 💡The discrepancy between the menu version and the real kernel version is a sign of a critical system error requiring reset or flashing. FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions: Can I upgrade Android to Xiaomi if there are no official updates? Officially no. Xiaomi only provides updates within the stated support model. But there are custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) that allows you to install a fresher Android, which requires unlocking the bootloader and voids the warranty. Why did the Android version disappear in the settings after the update? It's a rare shell interface bug. Try clearing the cache of the "Settings" application through the "Applications" menu" →"All applications" →"Settings" →"Memory" →"Clean up. The data will not be deleted, only temporary interface files. Does the Android version affect Xiaomi's speed? Yes, newer versions of Android are often heavier for older processors. POCO It's been slow since the update, and maybe the new version of the OS is too demanding on your hardware. How do I know if my Android has 32 or 64 bits? CPU-Z. The "System" tab will be indicated"64-bit capable: Yes" or similar inscription. Modern Xiaomi smartphones use 64-bit architecture, starting with Android 5.0.