How to find out what firmware is on the Xiaomi device: from a smartphone to a smart light bulb

Have you bought a used Xiaomi smartphone, a Mi TV or a smart speaker — and now you want to know what firmware is installed on it? Or are you planning to upgrade but not sure if the current version is up to date? The firmware version (or build number) is your device’s “passport” that determines its capabilities, stability and compatibility with applications. Without this information, you can’t properly pick up an update, roll back on the old version or diagnose problems.

In this article, we will discuss all the official and hidden ways to find out the firmware version on Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Mi TV devices – from a simple settings menu to commands via ADB. And also explain why sometimes the build number in the settings does not match the real firmware, and what to do with it.

1. Method: through the standard settings menu (for smartphones and tablets)

The fastest and safest method is to look at the firmware version in the system settings. It works on all Xiaomi smartphones and tablets (including Redmi and POCO), regardless of the MIUI or HyperOS version.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone (or About Tablet) section.
3. Slip on the item MIUI version (in new versions - HyperOS version).
4. Full information will be displayed here: 📱 Version. MIUI/HyperOS — for example, HyperOS 1.0.5.0.UMBMIXM. 📅 Android version – for example, Android 14. 🔧 Assembly number - for example, UMBMIXM (regional code) or 23.12.10 (build-date).

⚠️ Warning: If you see the label Stable/Beta on this menu, it's a firmware type. Stable is for daily use, and beta may contain errors!

MIUI/HyperOS version (e.g. 14.0.5)

Android version (for example, 13)

Build number (e.g. TKRUXM)

Firmware type (Stable/Beta)

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2. Method: through the hidden menu of engineering settings (for advanced)

If the standard menu doesn’t show the full information (e.g. on custom firmware), you can use the engineering menu, which is available on all Xiaomi devices, but requires you to enter a secret code.

How to open it:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636##
3. Select the item Phone Information.
4. Scroll down to the Software Version block – the full build number will be indicated here, including the compilation date.

🔍 What do the symbols in the assembly number mean?

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO F5) The engineering menu can be blocked. ADB (4).

Stable (official)

Beta version (with new features)

Custom (e.g. Pixel Experience)

I don't know what that is.

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3. Method: via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If Xiaomi’s smartphone doesn’t load or is stuck on the logo, you can find out the firmware version through Recovery mode, which works even on “bricks” (defaulting devices).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Hold the combination: 📱 Power button + Loudness up (for most models). 🎮 On Black Shark: Nutrition + volume-button.

Mi Bunny

Recovery

Reboot to Fastboot

Version Info

MIUI Version

Build Number

💡 Tip: If you see Fastboot Mode instead of Recovery, then you have custom recovery installed (for example, you have a custom recovery, TWRP). In this case, the firmware version can be displayed in the Install section. → Select Zip (but not always).

4. Method: through ADB (for developers and experienced users)

If you need to know the firmware version remotely (for example, for diagnostics) or standard methods do not work, Android Debug Bridge will help (ADB). This method requires a computer and enabled debugging. USB.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

Command line.

Terminal

adb shell getprop ro.build.version.incremental

It will display the build number (e.g., V14.0.5.0.TKRUXM).

adb shell getprop | grep "ro.build"

📌 Example of inference:

[ro.build.version.incremental]: [V14.0.5.0.TKRUXM]


[ro.build.version.release]: [13]




[ro.build.version.security_patch]: [2023-12-05]

⚠️ Attention: If ADB Does not recognize the device, check it out:

• 🔌 Are Xiaomi drivers installed on PC (download from the official website).
• 🔄 Is the phone connected in File Transfer (not Charging) mode).
• 🔐 Have you allowed debugging on your phone (a request will appear when you connect).

💡

If ADB issues a device unauthorized error, disconnect and reconnect the cable, then confirm the permission on the phone.

5. Method: for Xiaomi smart devices (lamps, speakers, routers)

Xiaomi smart devices (e.g. Mi Smart Speaker, Yeelight, Mi Router) also have firmware, but they are tested differently.

For smart speakers and lamps (Mi Home/Yeelight):

1. Open the Mi Home app.
2. Select the device you want.
3. Put three points on it (⋮) → Settings → About the device.
4. Find the firmware version (for example, 1.5.6_0034).

For routers (Mi Router, Redmi Router):

1. Connect to the Wi-Fi router.
2. Open your browser and type 192.168.31.1 (or miwifi.com).
3. Log in (login and password from the sticker on the router).
4. Go to Status. → Firmware version.

🔧 Important: Smart firmware is updated automatically via Mi Home. If the version is outdated, the app will prompt you to update. Do not interrupt the process of updating smart lamps or routers - this can lead to loss of functionality (for example, the lamp will stop turning on).

6. Method: through the file system (for experienced users)

If none of these methods worked, you can manually find firmware information in system files, which requires root rights or access to ADB.

How to check:

1. Connect to your device via ADB or a root-access file manager (such as Root Explorer).
2. Go to /system/build.prop
3. Open the build.prop file with any text editor.
4. Find the lines: ro.miui.ui.version.name=V14.0.5.0.TKRUXM ro.build.version.incremental=2312100005

⚠️ Attention: Editing a build.prop file without knowledge can cause a device to fail. Do not change it unless you are confident in your actions!

💡

The build.prop file contains all the information about the firmware, but editing it without a backup is dangerous. Use this method for reading only!

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When checking firmware, users often encounter typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

1. the build number in the settings does not match the real firmware

This happens if:

• 🔄 The device was updated via Fastboot, but recovery was not reflashed.
• 🛠️ Custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS) is installed, but build.prop is not changed.
• 📦 The firmware was “swapped” through the Mi Flash Tool with errors.

Solution: Use ADB or check the build.prop file (method 6).

2.Recovery Mode has no version information

This is typical of:

• 🔧 Devices with damaged recovery (reflashing required).
• 📱 Smartphones with custom TWRP (Information may be displayed in another section).

Solution: Try booting into Fastboot Mode (Power button + Volume down) and use the command:

fastboot getvar all

3 ADB does not see the device

Reasons:

• 🔌 Xiaomi drivers are not installed (download here).
• 🔐 No debugging allowed. USB (Check the developer’s settings).
• 📵 Use a non-original cable (try another one).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions