How to find out what firmware is on the Xiaomi phone: all the ways

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones will sooner or later face the need to know the current version of the firmware, which may be necessary to update the system, install custom firmware, diagnose problems or check compatibility with applications, but not all users know exactly where this information is hidden — especially if it is older models or devices with modified software.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to check firmware, from standard menus in settings to hidden engineering codes and techniques for advanced users, how to distinguish MIUI from Android, what is stable/beta builds, and why some devices may display incorrect data, and if your phone doesn’t turn on, we’ll tell you how to pull out the firmware information even then.

1. Method: through the standard settings of the phone

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in About Phone menu, which works on all Xiaomi models, regardless of MIUI version or firmware region.

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone (on some versions About Device).
3. Tap on the MIUI version – the current firmware (e.g. MIUI Global 14.0.5 Stable) will be displayed here.
4. For more information, click on the Android version bar and it will show the underlying OS (e.g. Android 13 TKQ1.221114.001).

On some devices (such as the POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the path may be slightly different: Settings → System → About Device → MIUI version.

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If you have Xiaomi with custom firmware (like LineageOS), only the Android version can be displayed in the About Phone section, and MIUI data will be missing.

What do the numbers and letters in the MIUI version mean?

• 📌 Global/China/EU — Firmware region (global, Chinese or European).
• 📌 Stable/Beta/Developer — build type (stable, beta test or developer type).
• 📌 14.0.5 - version number (first number - version) MIUI, The rest are patches).

2. Method: through the engineering menu (USSD codes)

If access to settings is limited (for example, due to a system failure), you can use secret codes. They work on most Xiaomi devices, but on some models can be disabled by the manufacturer.

Enter the following combinations in the Phone application:

• 📱 ##4636## – opens the Testing menu, where the firmware version will be specified in the Phone Information section.
• 📱 ##225## - will show the update calendar (does not work on all devices).
• 📱 ##7378423## - Service menu (for some Redmi models).

⚠️ Warning: Not all codes are safe! Avoid combinations with ##3646633## or ##7780### - they can cause resets or system damage.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14 for Xiaomi 13), the engineering menu may be hidden, in which case try an alternative method:

1. Install the Developer Settings Enabler app from Google Play.
2. Activate the developer mode (if not already enabled).
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and find the kernel version item – there may be a firmware assembly specified.

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

If your Xiaomi doesn’t boot or is stuck on the logo, you can get firmware information through Fastboot mode.This method requires a connection to your computer and installed ADB/Fastboot drivers.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (if it freezes, press the power button for 10+ seconds).
2. Press the Power Button + Volume down until the Fastboot logo appears.
3. Connect the device to the PC via USB.
4. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) and type:

fastboot getvar all

In the conclusion, find the lines:

• version-bootloader is the version of the bootloader.
• Version-baseband is the version of the modem.
• Miui-version is the current MIUI firmware.

Install ADB/Fastboot drivers (download from [Xiaomi official website](https://new.c.mi.com/global/miuidownload/index))

Disable driver signatures in Windows (if the system blocks installation)

Use the original. USB-cable (cheap cables may not transmit data)

Charge your phone at least 50% (discharge during the procedure can “brick” the device)-->

⚠️ Note: If the quickboot getvar all output is missing miui-version, it may mean that:

• The device runs on custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience).
• The bootloader is locked and some of the data is hidden.
• The firmware is damaged (reflashing through the Mi Flash Tool is required).

4. Method: via Recovery Mode (if Fastboot is not available)

If the phone doesn’t boot, but the Fastboot doesn’t work either (for example, because of a damaged bootloader), try Recovery Mode. It’s available even on locked devices.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the menu appears in English or Chinese.
3. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.

In the Recovery menu, the firmware version can display:

• 📄 At the top of the screen (e.g, MIUI 13.0.4.0 SKCMIXM).
• 📄 In the Apply update paragraph → Choose update package (when selecting a firmware file, the system will show the current version).

On some devices (e.g. Redmi 9A), Recovery only displays the Android version, not MIUI, and you’ll have to use Fastboot or a PC connection.

5. Method: via a computer (Mi Flash Tool or ADB)

For advanced users, there is the option of checking firmware through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or Mi Flash Tool. This method is useful if you want to know the exact firmware assembly for flashing or unlocking the bootloader.

Instructions for ADB:

1. Turn on Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in the settings).
2. Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and enter in the terminal:

adb shell getprop ro.miui.ui.version.name

To check the Android version:

adb shell getprop ro.build.version.release

Using the Mi Flash Tool (if the phone is not turned on):

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
3. In the program, click Refresh - the list of devices will display the model and the current firmware.

Through phone settings

Engineering codes

Fastboot/Recovery

ADB or Mi Flash Tool

Never checked.-->

Method: through third-party applications

If you need advanced firmware information (such as build date, kernel type, or modification list), you can use specialized applications. These are suitable for devices with unlocked bootloader or root rights.

Top.-3 firmware:

• 📱 Kernel Adiutor – shows the kernel version, processor parameters and firmware data.
• 📱 MIUI Version Info – a specialized application for Xiaomi devices.
• 📱 DevCheck – displays the version MIUI, Android and Iron Data.

⚠️ Note: Apps from third-party sources (not Google Play) may contain malicious code. APK Only from trusted sites such as APKMirror.

What to look for when using applications:

• 🔍 Some programs require root rights to show full information.
• 🔍 Firmware data may differ from official data (for example, if a Magisk patch is installed).
• 🔍 On Chinese firmware (China) ROM) Some of the information may be hidden.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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

1.The settings display an irrelevant version of MIUI

This happens if:

• 🔄 The update has been interrupted (check in Settings). → Update the system, is there an underloaded file).
• 🔄 Custom firmware is installed, but cache memory is not cleaned (you need to make Wipe) Dalvik/Cache recover).

2. USSD codes are not working

Possible causes:

• 📵 The operator blocks the engineering menus (try another one). SIM-card).
• 📵 The firmware is modified (for example, a file is deleted). /system/bin/engineermode).

3.Fastboot doesn't display MIUI version

It's normal for:

• 🛠️ Custom Recaveri devices (TWRP).
• 🛠️ Phones after reset to factory settings (data reset).

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If neither method worked, the firmware is likely heavily modified or damaged, in which case the only way out is to scour the device through the Mi Flash Tool with a complete clean all.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions