How to find out the version of Android on Xiaomi: all the ways and nuances

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones regularly need to recognize the version of Android — whether it is to install applications, check firmware compatibility or diagnose problems. However, the MIUI interface often hides this information behind several menu layers, and in some cases (for example, on custom firmware) data may not be displayed correctly. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to check the version of Android, from standard to hidden, and explain why sometimes the numbers in the settings do not match the real version of the kernel.

Xiaomi devices are powered by a proprietary MIUI shell that can mask the Android version under its own build numbers (e.g. MIUI 14.0.5).This often misleads users: the same MIUI number can match different versions of Android on different models, and we will show you how to distinguish the real version of Android from the shell number and where to look for hidden technical data.

1. Standard method: through MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in MIUI menu.It is suitable for 99% of Xiaomi devices, including older Android 6-10 models and new flagships with Android 13-14. The instruction is universal for all lines: Mi, Redmi, POCO and even Black Shark.

Open the Settings app (cog icon) and follow the following steps:

1. Scroll down and select About Phone (on some models – About Device).
2. At the top of the screen you will see basic information: smartphone model, version MIUI And the Android version: 📱 Model: Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G 🔄 Version. MIUI: 14.0.8.0.TMOCNXM 🤖 Android Version 13 (or Android 13) TKQ1.221114.001)

MIUI

Developer mode

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU or custom LineageOS) may display Android incorrectly. If you see a number that doesn’t match the official data for your model (for example, Android 12 on the Redmi Note 11, which should run Android 11), use the alternative methods in the following sections.

Check for updates in Settings → System Update

Reboot your smartphone

Use the method through Developer Mode (Section 3)

Install the AIDA64 application (Section 4)-->

2. Through the System Update menu

This method is useful if you want to not only know the current version of Android, but also check the availability of updates. The update menu interface in MIUI often contains detailed information about the firmware, including the Android kernel version.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Update the system.
2. Click on the icon. ⋮ (three dots) in the upper right corner and select firmware updates.
3. The Current version will show the full firmware bar, such as V14.0.8.0.TMOCNXM [MIUI 14] Android 13. Here Android 13 is the version of the system.

💡 Useful tip: If you see the words "Stable version" or "Beta" on this menu, it means that your device is running the official Xiaomi firmware. On custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience), this section may be missing or display data incorrectly.

3.Use of the Developer Mode

If standard methods don’t work (for example, on custom firmware or after resetting), you can use the developer menu, which contains technical data, including the version of the Android SDK and the build number.

How to turn on and use:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on the MIUI Version line (you will be notified you have become a developer!).

Settings

For developers

Additionally.

System system

Device information

Android version

13 TKQ1.221114.001

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO F5 s MIUI 14) only the build number can be displayed in the developer menu without explicitly specifying the Android version. In this case, use the diagnostic applications (section 4) or the command ADB (section).

Android 10 or older

Android 11

Android 12

Android 13

Android 14 or newer

I don't know.-->

4. Diagnostic applications: AIDA64, CPU-Z, DevCheck

If the system menus don't give a definitive answer, third-party utilities will come to the rescue, analyzing the core of the system and displaying the real version of Android, regardless of the MIUI shell. We recommend three proven applications:

• 📊 AIDA64 — Shows Android version, build number, kernel compilation date, and even security patch information.
• 🖥️ CPU-Z — Systems displays Android Version and Build Number.
• 🔍 DevCheck is a user-friendly interface with the Software section, which lists the Android version and MIUI.

Example of data from AIDA64 for Xiaomi 13 Pro:

💡 Useful tip: If the app displays a version of Android that doesn’t match the official data for your model (like Android 9 on the Redmi Note 10 Pro, which should run Android 11), this could mean that you’re not using Android 9:

• Custom firmware with downgrade installed.
• There was a failure when updating (reset via Fastboot).
• The device is fake (found on Xiaomi clones from China).

5. Advanced Method: ADB Team

For power users who have access to ADB (Android Debug Bridge), there is a way to know the Android version through the command line.This is true if the smartphone does not turn on normally (for example, stuck on the MIUI logo), but reacts to ADB.

Instructions:

1. Install Platform Tools on your PC.
2. Connect your smartphone to your computer and enable USB debugging in the developer menu.
3. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type: adb shell getprop ro.build.version.release The answer is Android version, for example: 13.
4. For full build information, use: adb shell getprop ro.build.version.incremental adb shell getprop ro.build.version.security_patch

⚠️ Note: If the adb shell command returns a device unauthorized error, you must confirm the connection on the smartphone screen (allow debugging for this computer). This method will not work on locked devices - you will need to unlock the Bootloader.

💡

Adb shell getprop ro.build.version.release shows the real version of Android, even if it is hidden or modified by custom firmware.

6. Hidden engineering menus (for power users)

Xiaomi devices have hidden engineering menus that contain low-level system information, one of which is ##4636## (or ##INFO##) that displays Android version, battery status and network data, but access to it may be restricted on new models.

How to use:

1. Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##4636## (some devices may require ##4636###).
2. Select the tab Phone Information.
3. Scroll down to the Android version block – the current version (e.g. 13) will be listed here.

💡 Useful tip: On new devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) The engineering menus may be blocked. ADB diagnostics.

⚠️ Warning: Do not change the settings in the engineering menus unless you are sure of their purpose! Incorrect settings can lead to network loss, overheating or even a device blink.

💡

If the engineering menu doesn’t open, try entering the combination through the Secret Codes app from Google Play.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the Android version on Xiaomi