How to find out which firmware on Xiaomi: global or Chinese?

You bought Xiaomi hand-held or ordered from abroad, but you're not sure if it's global or Chinese? Not only does the interface language depend on the firmware type, but Google's services, regional limitations, and even mobile compatibility. In this article, we'll look at all the ways to check, including hidden menus and technical nuances that are not covered in the standard instructions.

Chinese firmware (China) ROM) Google Play is often not available and optimized for the local market, while the global market is optimized for the global market. ROM) It supports all languages and services, but there are exceptions: some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) supplied EEA-It's a firmware for Europe, which is also considered "global," but with other pre-installed applications. How do you make sure you check it.

1. Check through phone settings (the fastest way)

The easiest way is to look up the firmware information in the standard menu.

1. Open the settings (cog icon).
2. Go to the About Phone (or About Phone) section.
3. Stick to the MIUI version (or MIUI version) several times until more information is available.

In the window that opens, look at the Stable or Developer bar, and the firmware region will be indicated next to it.

• 🌍 Global — MIUI Global 14.0.5.0 (all languages and Google support)
• 🇨🇳 China — MIUI 14.0.5.0.CN (Chinese version without Google)
• 🇪🇺 EEA — MIUI 14.0.5.0.EEA (rustic GDPR-restraint)
• 🇷🇺 Russia — MIUI 14.0.5.0.RU (Russian localization with Yandex-services)

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5) The name of the firmware can be displayed as ING (India) or ID (Indonesia. These are regional options, but with Google support.

If the MIUI version does not explicitly specify the region (e.g. just 14.0.5.0), then the firmware is modified (castom) or manually reflashed, in which case proceed to the following verification methods.

2. firmware code analysis: what letters and numbers mean

The MIUI version always follows a strict structure: X.Y.Z.W.

• X is the major version of MIUI (e.g. 14)
• Y - Minor version (usually 0)
• Z is the assembly number
• W is the regional code (most important!)

Decoding of regional codes at the end of the version:

If you have CN at the end of the version, but you have Google services installed on your phone, it’s a 100% sign that the firmware has been manually flashed (e.g., via Xiaomi.eu or LineageOS), often referred to as “portable” and can run unstable.

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If you see the 23.12.1 version (without the letter suffix), it's beta firmware from Xiaomi.eu, and it can only be updated manually via Recovery or Fastboot.

3. Check through the engineering menu (for advanced users)

If the standard methods don’t give a clear answer, you can check the engineering menu, which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, but you need to be careful – do not change the settings if you are not sure about their purpose!

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636###.
3. In the menu that appears, select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
4. Scroll down to the Software Information block.

Here, pay attention to the lines:

• 📱 Build Number – if it contains cn, it is a Chinese firmware.
• 🌐 Region – Direct indication of region (e.g. china, global).
• 🔍 MIUI Version – duplicates information from settings, but sometimes more detailed.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra) may have the engineering menu blocked, in which case use the alternative code ##225## (displays calendar information, but sometimes shows the region as well).

Build Number for the presence of cn

Region line (must match the firmware)

Baseband Version (for Chinese firmware often contains CN)

Google Services (if any, the firmware is not Chinese)

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4. Verification through ADB-Teams (for technical specialists)

If you have access to a computer, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to accurately determine the firmware, which is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader or USB debugging enabled.

Instructions:

1. Install Platform Tools from Google.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging in the developer settings.
3. Open the command line in the adb folder and type:

adb shell getprop ro.miui.region

Possible answers:

• China is a Chinese firmware.
• Global, eea, india – the corresponding regional versions.
• Unknown - custom or modified firmware.

You can also request the MIUI version:

adb shell getprop ro.build.version.incremental

If the answer has CN (e.g. V14.0.5.0.TMBCNXM), it confirms Chinese firmware.

5. Visual Signs of Chinese Firmware

Sometimes you can tell the type of firmware by indirect signs before you even dive into the settings.

• 📱 No Google services: no Play Market, Gmail, YouTube (instead of them – Chinese counterparts: Mi App Store, Xiaomi Cloud).
• 🗣️ Limited language list: Chinese firmware often does not have Ukrainian, Polish or Turkish, but there are dialects of Chinese (simplified/traditional).
• 📡 Lack of support LTE-bands: Chinese firmware may not work with European or American carriers (e.g., no Band 20 for Vodafone).
• 🔒 Block bootloader: Chinese devices officially banned unlock bootloader (waiting required) 7-15 days).

Also check the pre-installed applications:

⚠️ Attention: Some sellers install Google Installer on Chinese firmware, masquerading them as global. MIUI through the settings, if it ends with CN, But Google is working, it's an informal update that can fly off after the update.

6.Verification through IMEI and official Xiaomi databases

If the phone is not turned on or you want to know the original firmware (before flashing), you can use IMEI.

1. Find the IMEI on the box or under the battery (for removable batteries).
2. Go to IMEI.info or the official Xiaomi service.
3. Enter the IMEI and check the model and region information.

Please note the Software or ROM Version field:

• 🌍 Global - if the Global or EEA.
• 🇨🇳 China, if it is China or China CN.
• ❓ Unknown – if the data is not available, IMEI It has been modified (which is typical of the "gray" devices).

You can also use the Mi Check app (available from the Mi App Store for Chinese firmware), which shows the original region of the device by serial number.

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IMEI-It shows the original firmware, not the current firmware, and if the phone is being searched, the data may not match the actual state.

7.The difference between firmware: which to choose?

Before you change the firmware, evaluate the pros and cons of each option:

If you are buying Xiaomi for use in Russia or Europe, the best choice is global firmware (or EEA).

• 🛠️ You are ready to manually install Google services.
• 📱 You need exclusive features (e.g. Super Wallpapers on the Mi 11 first appeared only in Chinese firmware).
• 💰 The device is cheaper on 20-30% compared to the global version.

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If you decide to reflash your phone from Chinese to global firmware, use the official Mi Flash Tool and watch the Anti-Rollback version. The wrong firmware can block the device!

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi firmware