How to find out the Android version on Xiaomi phone

Owning a smartphone from Xiaomi often involves the need to regularly update software or solve specific problems that require accurate knowledge of the current configuration of the system. Users often confuse the version of the proprietary shell MIUI with the version of the underlying Android operating system, which can lead to errors in installing applications or trying to gain root rights. Understanding the differences between these two parameters is a fundamental skill for any device owner.

The relevance of software build information becomes critical when there are compatibility issues with Google Play programs, banking applications or services. In addition, knowing the exact build number is necessary when contacting technical support or when searching for solutions in specialized forums such as 4PDA or XDA Developers. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to obtain this information, from standard settings to advanced methods through the engineering menu.

Whether you’re a first-time Redmi Note novice or a POCO proficient with the latest flagships, the methods below will help you navigate quickly. We’ll look at the standard interface tools, hidden diagnostic codes, and even working with the file system to get the most complete data about your device.

Basic method through device settings

The most obvious and safe method available to every user without exception is to use the standard settings menu. The interface of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS may vary slightly depending on the region and version, but the navigation logic remains the same for all models. You need to open the Settings app and find the About Phone section, which is usually located at the top of the list or at the bottom of the menu depending on the orientation of the interface.

Inside the About Phone section, you'll see a large digit for the MIUI version, but it's not the Android version. You'll need to click a few extra clicks to get the data you want. Click on the line that shows the MIUI version (like MIUI 14 or HyperOS 1.0), several times in a row -- usually 5-7 quick clicks are enough. Then you'll see the additional Android version menu, where you'll see all the technical details.

In the window that opens, you will see not only the operating system version, but also the security patch level, which is crucial for assessing the security of a device against known vulnerabilities, and you can also display the internal code name of the version of Android (for example, "Tiramisu" for Android 13), which is used by developers when creating firmware. Remember or write this data, as you may need it in the future.

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If clicking on the MIUI version does not open the Android menu, try quickly clicking on the area with the MIUI logo or the firmware version digit itself – the interface reaction may differ in different shell modifications.

Use of the engineering menu and USSD-code

For a deeper diagnosis of the device, there are special service codes that allow you to get into hidden parts of the system. Entering the combination # # #64663## in the Phone application (Director) automatically opens the CIT (Customer Integration Test) engineering menu, this section is designed to test hardware components, but also contains information about the software.

When you’re in the engineering menu, look at the top of the screen or select Version if it’s available in your region, and it often duplicates the Android version, and displays the versions of the drivers and communication modules, which is especially useful if the GUI is damaged or unstable, but the dialer is functioning correctly.

⚠️ Warning: Be extremely careful in the engineering menu. Changing settings in non-viewing sections (such as resetting the screen calibration or radio module tests) can lead to phone malfunction or loss of warranty.

Another code that may be useful is *#06#, although it primarily shows IMEI, some firmware modifications may display a brief summary of the software below or next to it. However, the main emphasis should be placed on the CIT code, since it is a standard diagnostic tool for Xiaomi and Redmi devices.

Analysis of the build.prop file for advanced users

For those who prefer to get information from the source, there is a system configuration file called build.prop. This text file contains key parameters on which the Android operating system identifies itself and configures the operation of applications, accessed through root file managers or through USB debugging (ADB).

If you have access to the file system, follow the path /system/build.prop. Opening the file with any text editor, find lines starting with ro.build.version.release (the Android version) and ro.miui.ui.version.name (the MIUI version).This method provides the most accurate information, since the data in the file is the defining for the system, unlike the graphical interface, which can be changed by the themes.

ro.build.version.release=13


ro.build.version.sdk=33




ro.product.device=vili




ro.product.model=2107113SG

Using the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) computer utility, you can read this data without root rights if you have USB debugging on your phone. If you connect your smartphone to your PC, follow the command adb shell getprop ro.build.version.release, and the system will give you the exact version number, which is a professional approach that developers and testers use.

Third-party diagnostic applications

If standard methods seem inconvenient to you or you want to get the most advanced information about hardware and software, you should use specialized applications from Google Play. The leader in this category is the CPU-Z program, which displays detailed information not only about the processor but also about the software platform.

Once you install and run CPU-Z, go to the Device tab. Under System, you’ll see the exact version of Android, the API layer, and the system kernel information. Similar data is provided by AIDA64, which groups information into OS, Display, Memory, and more categories, creating a full device profile.

The advantage of third-party utilities is that they show not only the version, but also the processor architecture (arm64-v8a), which is critical when searching and installing modified versions of applications or system updates manually. They also display real screen resolution and pixel density, which may differ from the marketing specifications claimed.

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Applications like CPU-Z or AIDA64 provide the most complete and structured information about a device, combining hardware and software data in one place.

Comparison of MIUI and Android versions

It is important to clearly distinguish between the operating system version and the user shell version. MIUI (or HyperOS) is a Xiaomi add-on that changes the look and feel, whereas Android is Google's base platform. It often happens that a device with a new version of MIUI still has an old version of Android installed, and vice versa.

Below is a table of matching popular MIUI versions and basic Android versions for current devices. Note that the same device in different regions (Global, CN, EEA) can receive updates at different speeds, so the Android version may differ even with the same version of MIUI.

Understanding this difference helps avoid confusion when looking for instructions: If the manual says “update Android,” it’s a major system update that comes in less frequently, and if it says “update MIUI,” it could be a monthly security patch or adding new shell features.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to install firmware designed for another version of Android via_recovery_This is guaranteed to result in data loss and possible device failure (bootloop).

Frequent questions and problems of version definition

Users often experience a situation where the version number in the settings has changed after the update, but nothing has changed visually in the system. This is normal practice for background security updates that do not carry new features but close vulnerabilities.

Sometimes there is a problem when apps require a newer version of Android than you have installed, although the manufacturer promised an upgrade, in which case it is worth checking the beta status for your model or considering installing global firmware if you are using the Chinese version of the device.

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When searching for information about your device on the Internet, always use the full code name of the model (for example, “vili” for Xiaomi 11T Pro), not just the marketing name, since different modifications with different software can be hidden under the same name.

Knowing the exact version of software is the first step to smart smartphone use, not only to install compatible apps, but also to understand what security features are available to your device right now. Regularly checking for updates and understanding the current system configuration prolongs the life of the gadget and ensures its stable operation.