Why it is important to know the firmware version on Xiaomi
The firmware version on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO devices is not just a set of numbers, but the key to understanding your gadget’s capabilities. It depends on the availability of new features, app compatibility and even data security. For example, outdated firmware can contain vulnerabilities that attackers use to steal personal information. And the latest version of MIUI or Android often brings battery optimizations, improved camera performance and fix critical bugs.
But how do you know which firmware is installed on your device? There are several ways, from simply browsing in the settings to using engineering commands. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, including those that work even on locked or “bricks” (which do not work after a failed update), special attention will be paid to the nuances for different lines: Xiaomi 13T Pro, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 and other popular models.
Important: if you plan to unlock a bootloader, install custom firmware or sell a device, knowing the exact version of the software is the first step. Some operations (for example, downgrade firmware) require strict version matching, otherwise the risk of getting a brick increases significantly.
Method 1: Checking through phone settings (the easiest one)
This is a basic method that works on all Xiaomi devices regardless of the model and version of MIUI. It requires no additional tools and takes less than a minute.
- Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
- Scroll down and select the About Phone section (on some firmware - About the device).
- Tap on the item MIUI version - here you will see the current firmware in the format V14.0.5.0.TMBCNXM.
- For more information, click several times in a row on the line with the version – an extended menu with data about Android, the kernel and the security patch will open.
What do the numbers and letters in the MIUI version mean?
- 📌 V14.0.5.0 — The main version of the shell (here) MIUI 14).
- 📌 T is the code name of the model (for example, T for Xiaomi) 13T, S for Redmi Note 12S).
- 📌 CN — firmware (CN — China, RU — Russia, EU — Europe, IN — India).
- 📌 XM — firmware (XM — global, XM_CN — Chinese).
💡
If you see DEV letters in the MIUI version (e.g. 23.12.11 DEV), it means you have a firmware installed with weekly updates, which may contain bugs and are not recommended for everyday use.
On some devices (e.g., the POCO F4 GT), the path may be slightly different: Settings → System → System Update → I icon in the upper right corner. Also in this section, you can see the date of the last update and the status of the new version verification.
Method 2: Use of engineering codes (USSD-request)
If for some reason the settings menu is not available (for example, due to a shell failure), you can find out the firmware version through secret codes. These combinations work on all Xiaomi devices, but require input in the Phone application.
The basic codes for version verification:
- 📱 ##4636## – opens the Testing menu, where the version is specified in the Phone Information section MIUI Android.
- 📱 ##225## - shows information about the update calendar (relevant for devices with MIUI 12+).
- 📱 ##7780## - displays firmware version and module data (not working on new Android 13 models)+).
How to enter codes:
- Open the standard phone application.
- Enter the combination as if you were dialing a number (without spaces).
- Press the call button and the engineering menu will open.
What if the code doesn't work?
Note: On Android 12+ devices, some codes may require confirmation through a graphical key or password, a security measure to prevent unauthorized access to system information.
Method 3: View the version through Recovery Mode (for locked devices)
If Xiaomi’s smartphone doesn’t turn on or hangs on the logo, but it goes into Recovery Mode, you can recognize the firmware version in this mode, too. This is true for devices that don’t flash through Fastboot due to version mismatches.
Instructions:
- Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10+ seconds).
- Press the combination of Loudness up + Power and hold until the Mi logo appears.
- From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese).
- Go to the Reboot → System section (don’t click, just look at the bottom of the screen).
At the bottom of the screen will be a line of view:
MIUI Global 14.0.3 Stable
Android 13 TKQ1.221114.001This is the current firmware. Write it down or take a picture, and that data is going to be useful for choosing the right version when you flash it over the Mi Flash Tool.
Download the correct version of MIUI for your model
Check integrity ZIP-archive (MD5-hash)
Reset your data (Wipe Data) before installation
Do not turn off your phone during the process
-->
Critical! If Recovery displays a version of Fastboot (e.g. Fastboot: 1.0.3.0), it means the device is in bootloader mode, not recovery mode, in which case a PC connection and the Mi Flash Tool will be required to verify the version.
Method 4: Checking through ADB (for power users)
The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method is suitable for those who have already worked with debugging tools or are planning to deepen the system, and allows you to get the most complete information about the firmware, including hidden parameters.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
- 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 🛠️ Installed drivers Xiaomi and ADB Tools.
Step-by-step:
- Turn on the phone Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in the settings).
- Activate Debugging by USB in the Developer section.
- Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line (or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
- Enter the command: adb shell getprop ro.miui.ui.version.name The current version of MIUI (e.g. V14.0.5.0.TMBCNXM) will be displayed.
- For Android, use: adb shell getprop ro.build.version.release
Additional useful commands:
| Team team. | What shows |
|---|---|
| adb shell getprop ro.product.model | Device model (e.g. 22101320C for Xiaomi 13) |
| adb shell getprop ro.build.date.utc | Firmware assembly date (in timestamp format) |
| adb shell getprop ro.miui.region | Firmware region (CN, RU, EU, etc.) |
| adb shell getprop ro.boot.bootloader | bootloader version (critical for unlocking) |
1. whether Xiaomi drivers are installed (you can download on the official website).
2. have you allowed debugging on the phone (a request will appear when connecting).
3. whether you use the original cable (cheap cables often do not support data transmission).-->
Method 5: Verify the version through a box or label (for new devices)
If the phone is not yet unpacked or is not turning on at all, you can recognize the firmware version by labeling it on the box or under the battery (for models with a removable back cover), which does not give an accurate current version, but shows the original firmware with which the device went on sale.
Where to look for information:
- 📦 On the box sticker (usually under a barcode) - a line SW: V14.0.1.0.TLCCNXM.
- 🔋 Under the battery (for Redmi) 4A, Redmi 5 and other older models – label with the inscription MIUI Version.
- 📄 In the warranty card - sometimes the version of the software at the time of sale is indicated.
Example of the label on the box Xiaomi 12T Pro:
Model: 22081212C
SW: V13.2.5.0.TLCCNXM
Android: 12Note that if the device has already been upgraded by air (OTA), the current version will be newer than the box indicates, and this method is only suitable for determining the start firmware from which the phone left the factory.
Current version of MIUI
Android version
Date of last update
Firmware region (CN/EU/RU)
Other-->
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When checking the firmware version, users often encounter typical problems that can lead to incorrect conclusions or even damage to the device, the most common of which are:
⚠️ Attention, if you see the version MIUI In 23.12.11 (no letter code), this is a development firmware, and you can't install a stable version over it with Recovery, which will lead to a bootloop).
Mistake 1: Mistakes the MIUI and Android version
For example, a user sees Android 13 and thinks it's a firmware version. In fact, MIUI and Android are updated independently: you can have a MIUI 14 based on Android 12 (as some Redmi Note 11).
Mistake 2: Ignoring the firmware region
Firmware for China (CN), Europe (EU) Russia (RU) For example, Chinese versions often do not have Google Services, and European versions do not have local services (like Mi Pay in India). MIUI:
- 🌏 XM — global (international).
- 🇨🇳 CN — Chinese (requires manual installation of Google).
- 🇷🇺 RU — Russian (with pre-installed local services).
- 🇪🇺 EU — European (often with European) GDPR-restraint).
Error 3: Not taking into account the bootloader version
When you run through Fastboot, it's critical that the bootloader version matches the firmware you install. For example, if the Xiaomi 11T Pro has a bootloader 1.0.6.0 and you're trying to install firmware with 1.0.4.0, the device locks. You can find out the bootloader version through ADB:
adb shell getprop ro.boot.bootloader