How to find out which version of Android is installed on Xiaomi phone: all ways

You bought a Xiaomi smartphone and you want to know which version of Android is installed on it? Or you plan to update the firmware but you're not sure if your model supports the new OS? This information is critical for app installation, game compatibility and even device security. For example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro with Android 11 will not be able to run some applications requiring Android 12+, and the POCO F5 on Android 13 will receive updates longer than the devices on the old version.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 reliable ways to test the Android version on any Xiaomi phone, from budget Redmis to flagship Mis and POCOs. You’ll learn where to look at the information in the settings, how to use secret codes, and why the data in MIUI and Android may differ. And also what to do if the phone does not turn on, but you need to urgently find out the firmware version.

Spoiler: The quickest way is to go to Settings → About the phone, but there are deeper methods for power users. Let's start with the simplest one!

1. Verify the Android version through Xiaomi’s standard settings

This is a basic method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones, regardless of the model and version of MIUI. Suitable even for devices with custom firmware (for example, Xiaomi.eu or PixelExperience).

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings app** (the gear icon on the home screen).
• 🔍 Scroll down and select About Phone (on some versions) MIUI It can be called About the device or Phone Information).
• 📋 Find the line “Android Version”** – here will be the current version of the OS (for example, Android 13 or Android 14).

On some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra or the POCO X5 Pro), the path may be slightly different:

Settings → System → About the phone → Information about the software

⚠️ Note: If there is no Android version line in the About section, your device may run on custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS (android-13.0.0_r52).

2.Use of secret codes to verify Android version

If the settings menu is not available (for example, due to a system failure) or you prefer quick commands, you can use service codes. These work on all Xiaomi smartphones, including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark.

Basic codes:

• 🔢 ##4636## — Opens the Phone Information menu** with Android version, baseband, network and battery.
• 📱 ##225## – will show the update calendar, which indicates the current and latest available version of Android.
• 🔍 ##7780## – Resets settings (do not use unnecessarily!), but will show the current version of the software before resetting.

How to enter codes:

1. Open the phone application** (keyboard set).

Example of the version in the menu ##4636##:

⚠️ Note: Codes ##7780## and #7378423## can cause resets or hardware testing!

3. The Difference Between MIUI Version and Android: Which Is More Important?

Many users confuse the version of MIUI (the shell from Xiaomi) with the version of Android (the main OS from Google).

MIUI is a corporate shell that defines:

• 🎨 Interface design (icons, animations, themes).
• 🔧 Additional features (e.g. Game Turbo, Second Space).
• 🔒 Optimization level for a particular model (e.g. Redmi Note 12 on the MIUI 14 works faster than the one on MIUI 13).

Android is the basic OS on which it depends:

• 📱 App compatibility (e.g. WhatsApp requires Android 5.0)+).
• 🔒 Security (security updates come via Android, not Android) MIUI).
• 🔄 The ability to install custom firmware (for example, Android 14 supports new ones) API camera-wise).

Example of the difference on Xiaomi 12T Pro:

• MIUI version: 14.0.5.0 (shell).
• Android Version: 13 (Basic)

Why does it matter? Because Xiaomi can update MIUI (for example, from 13 to 14), but keep the same version of Android. Or vice versa: upgrade Android from 12 to 13, but leave MIUI 13.

4. Verify the Android version through apps (if the phone doesn't turn on)

What if Xiaomi doesn't turn on, but you need to know the Android version urgently? For example, to choose the right firmware when recovering via Fastboot or Recovery. There are several ways:

Method 1: View on a box or in documents

The original Xiaomi box (especially the Redmi and POCO models) often features the Android version at the time of release.

• 📦 «Android Version (e.g. Android 11).

Method 2: Use a PC and ADB (for power users)

If the phone is turned on but the screen is not working, you can connect it to your computer and use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

Instructions:

1. Install Platform Tools from Google.
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (turn on USB Debugging in advance!).
3. Open the command line and type: adb shell getprop ro.build.version.release This will display the Android version (e.g. 13).

Method 3: Remove the back cover (only for repairable models)

Some models (like the Redmi 9A or POCO M3) have a sticker with firmware information under the battery or on the motherboard, but this method is risky - you can damage the plumes or lose the warranty!

⚠️ Note: If you are not sure about your skills, do not disassemble the phone yourself. contact the Xiaomi service center or use the method with the help of the phone. ADB.

💡

If the phone is not turning on but is responding to charging (the indicator vibrates or lights up), try pressing Power button + Volume up for 10 seconds to enter Recovery Mode. There, the Android version will be listed at the bottom of the screen.

5. How to find out the latest available version of Android for your Xiaomi model

Finding out the current version of Android is only half the battle, and it’s also important to know which version is the best for your device, like the Redmi Note 8 Pro will never get Android 13, and Xiaomi 13 is already upgrading to Android 14.

Where to check:

Example of model constraints:

If your model is older than 2020, it’s likely not to get Android 14. Xiaomi usually supports Android updates for 2-3 years from release, and then only updates MIUI (without changing the OS version).

💡

Even if your phone doesn’t get newer versions of Android, MIUI updates are still important — they fix bugs, add features, and improve performance.

6. Frequent errors when checking the Android version on Xiaomi

Many users make mistakes that lead to incorrect definition of the OS version.

• 🔄 They're messing. MIUI Android: only the shell version is viewed (e.g, MIUI 14) and think it's a version of Android. MIUI 14 can be both Android 12 and Android 13.
• 📱 Use incorrect codes: Enter #06# (shows) IMEI), 4636###* (Shows Android version).
• 🔍 Watch the kernel version: In settings, there may be a kernel version string (e.g. 4.19.157), but this is not an Android version!
• 📦 Trust the box: The Android version on the box is only relevant when you buy it. If the phone is updated, the data is outdated.

How to avoid mistakes:

1. Always check both MIUI and Android in your settings.
2. If the data is conflicting (for example, in Android 12 settings, and in Android 13 codes), trust the ##4636## menu - it shows the real version of the OS.
3. For older models (like Redmi 5), the Android version can be displayed in 7.1.2 (not just 7).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions