How to find out if Chinese firmware on Xiaomi or global: 7 proven ways

Why it is important to know the type of firmware on Xiaomi

You bought a Xiaomi smartphone and you wonder if it has Chinese or global firmware installed, and it's a question that many people, especially those who have purchased it in the secondary market or have ordered it from abroad, are concerned about, not only does the firmware type affect the interface language, but also the availability of Google services, compatibility with local networks, and the ability to get official updates.

Chinese versions of MIUI are often stripped of Play Market, Gmail and other Google services due to restrictions in China, instead pre-installed local counterparts - Baidu, WeChat, AliPay. Global firmware, on the contrary, is adapted for the international market: they support several dozen languages (including Russian), have a full set of Google applications and optimized for European communication standards (for example, 4G Band 20, which is important for work in Russia).

Another critical aspect is security updates: Chinese devices take longer to patch, and some models are not supported outside China at all. If you plan to use a smartphone in Russia or Europe, global firmware will be preferable. But how do you identify it? Next, we'll look at all the ways available, from simple to advanced.

Method 1: Checking through smartphone settings

The fastest method is to look at the standard MIUI settings, which do not require an Internet connection or additional programs.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone (or About Phone).
3. Find the line MIUI (or MIUI version).
4. Notice the last characters in the version. They indicate the region of the firmware.

Decoding of symbols:

• 🇨🇳 CN — Chinese firmware (e.g., Chinese firmware, MIUI 14.0.5.0.TKHCNXM).
• 🌍 Global or EEA — global version (MIUI 14.0.4.0.TKHEUXM).
• 🇷🇺 RU — firmware (MIUI 14.0.3.0.TKHRUXM).
• 🇮🇳 IN — Indian (MIUI 14.0.2.0.TKHINXM).

If the version does not explicitly indicate a region (e.g. only MIUI 14.0.1), it is likely a modified firmware.

💡

On some models (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the firmware name may be hidden in the submenu of All Specifications → MIUI version.

Method 2: IMEI analysis through Xiaomi's official service

If access to settings is limited (for example, a smartphone is blocked), you can determine the firmware region by IMEI. This method works even without turning on the device - just know its serial number.

Instructions:

1. Find the IMEI on the device box or under the battery (if removable). Alternatively, dial *#06# on the phone keyboard and the number will appear on the screen.
2. Go to the official website of Xiaomi Device Verification.
3. Enter the IMEI in the checkout box and confirm that you are not a robot.
4. The system will show the model of the device and the region of sale (for example, China, Global, Russia).

Note that the service shows the original region of the device, not the current firmware. If the smartphone was reflashed, the data may not match. For example, the Chinese Xiaomi 13 Pro with rooted global firmware will appear as China.

Method 3: Verification through engineering menu (codes)

For power users, there is a service code method that allows you to get advanced information about the firmware, including the region and the version of MIUI.

Follow the following steps:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
2. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information (or Phone Information).
3. Scroll down to the MIUI Version block, and you'll see the region (e.g., CN, Global).

Alternative codes for different models:

• 📱 For Redmi and POCO: ##7594## (opens the Engineering Mode menu where you need to select Software Info).
• 🔧 For flagships (Xiaomi) 12/13/14): ##284## (The firmware version and region will be shown in MIUI-Global format 14.0.5).

⚠️ Note: Not all service codes work on new Xiaomi models (starting with the new Xiaomi models). MIUI If nothing happens after you enter the code, your device may be blocked from the engineering menu.

Method 4: Checking through Fastboot (for advanced)

If your smartphone doesn’t turn on or you suspect that the firmware has been changed, you can determine its type through Fastboot mode, which requires a computer and installed ADB/Fastboot drivers.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone. Press the Volume buttons down. + Power before the appearance of the Fastboot logo (robot with the inscription) FASTBOOT).
2. Connect the device to the PC through USB-cable.
3. Open the command line (cmd) and type: fastboot getvar all
4. In the output, find the version-bootloader or version-baseband string. It will contain a region (e.g., cn, global).

Example of output for Chinese firmware:

(bootloader) version-bootloader: miui_HOPCNGlobal_V14.0.5.0.TKHCNXM


(bootloader) version-baseband: MOLY.LR12A.R3.MP.V19.P38-00059-QGSMZ-1

The keyword here is CN in the version-bootloader bar. For the global version, it's Global or EEA.

Method 5: Visual Signs of Chinese Firmware

Sometimes you can tell the type of firmware by the outside without going into the technical details.

If your smartphone has Chinese apps but Russian, it may have been modified (e.g., via Xiaomi.eu), which often combine global features with a Chinese-based one.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5) Chinese firmware can look like a global one, with support for English and even Russian. MIUI through settings (Method 1).

Method 6: Verification through third-party applications

If you don't want to go through the settings, you can use specialized utilities that automatically determine the type of firmware and provide additional information about the device.

Top.-3 check-in:

• 📱 MIUI Version Checker (available on Play Market) – shows version MIUI, region and date of last update.
• 🔍 DevCheck – analyzes hardware and software, including firmware type and supported networks.
• 🛠️ AIDA64 — Provides complete system information, including Build Number, with region indication.

Example of a report from DevCheck for global firmware:

MIUI Version: 14.0.5.0.TKHUXM (Global)


Android Version: 13 (TKQ1.221114.001)




Baseband: MOLY.LR12A.R3.MP.V19.P38-00059-QGSMZ-1

The advantage of this method is visibility. Apps will not only show the type of firmware, but also warn about possible problems (for example, the lack of support for VoLTE for your operator).

💡

Third-party apps may not recognize custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu or LineageOS), in which case, focus on visual cues or check through Fastboot.

Method 7: Serial number (S/N) check

Serial number (S/N) is another unique identifier that can be used to determine the region of the device, and it is listed on the box, under the battery, or in settings (About the phone → Serial number).

How to decipher S/N:

1. The first 3 characters represent the manufacturer's code.
2. The next 2 characters are the year and month of production (e.g. 20 = 2020, 05 = May).
3. 5th and 6th characters - region code: 🇨🇳 CN — China; 🌍 GM or GL — global; 🇷🇺 RU — Russia; 🇮🇳 IN — India.

Example of the serial number for the global version of Redmi Note 11:

ZYB2205GM1A4567

Here GM points to the global market.

If the serial number starts with CN, but the settings show global firmware, it is likely that the device was reflashed after purchase.

What to do if the firmware is Chinese?

If you find out that your Xiaomi has Chinese firmware installed, you have several options:

• 🔄 Reflash to the global version via the Mi Flash Tool (official way, but requires unlocking the bootloader).
• 📱 Install custom firmware (for example, Xiaomi.eu or LineageOS) – gives global features, but deprives official support.
• 🌐 Route your device and manually install Google services (e.g., through Open). GAPPS).
• 🛒 Sell/exchange for a global firmware model, if you do not want to mess with flashing.

Before you start re-flashing, consider:

• 🔧 Unlocking the bootloader resets all data.
• ⚠️ The wrong firmware can turn a smartphone into a “brick».
• 📵 Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) does not have global firmware.

⚠️ Warning: Flashing from Chinese to global on devices with MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi Note 11) SE) is fraught with problems with the modem (network may disappear). 4PDA or XDA-Developers.

💡

If you are not sure of your abilities, contact the Xiaomi service center - some models can be officially reflashed for the global version (paid, but with a guarantee).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi firmware