How to find out the version of Android on Xiaomi: complete diagnostic methods

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to clarify the exact version of the operating system installed on their device, which may be required when installing specific applications, finding bug solutions, or trying to flash. The standard path through the settings does not always give the full picture, especially if it is a build number or a security patch date.

There are several ways to get this information, ranging from simple menu actions to the use of engineering codes. The MIUI or HyperOS version is often listed more prominently than the basic Android version, which sometimes leads users astray. Understanding the difference between these parameters is critical to proper diagnosis.

In this article, we’ll break down all the available methods, from basic to advanced, so you can determine exactly which operating system is running your gadget. We’ll also look at the nuances associated with regional firmware and global shell versions.

Standard method through system settings

The most obvious and safe method for the average user is to use the standard system interface, which requires unlocking the screen and finding the Settings app icon, which usually looks like a gear, and in the menu that opens, you should scroll the list to the bottom of the list, where the About phone item is located.

When you go to this section, you'll see the logo of the shell version, like MIUI 14 or HyperOS. However, basic information is often hidden here. To see the Android version number, you need to click on the line with the MIUI version several times in a row (usually 5-7 times), the screen will flash, and a large digit will appear indicating the Android version.

In some cases, especially on older firmware versions, the Android version numeral can be displayed immediately below the MIUI version without the need to click multiple times. If you don't see the data you need, try clicking on the MIUI version to activate the hidden debugging menu or simply switch the view of the information displayed.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t try to click on other items in the About Phone menu (such as the “Core” or “Processor”) in the hope of finding an Android version – this won’t result and may cause an accidental transition to the engineering menu.

Importantly, on HyperOS shell devices, the logic remained the same, but the visual design may have changed. Android version numbers are now often highlighted in a smaller font under the main system logo. For accuracy, check the build number with the official data on the manufacturer's website.

Use of engineering menus and codes

For a deeper diagnosis, including checking not only the OS version, but also the date of the security patch, you can use a special engineering code. Open the Phone app and enter the combination ##4636##. If the code works, the Testing menu will open, where you can find detailed technical information in the Device information or Phone information section.

However, on modern versions of MIUI and HyperOS, this code is often blocked by developers for security reasons, in which case you can try an alternative method through the debugging menu. To activate it, you need to quickly click on the MIUI version in the settings 7 times, after which the option Additional -> Version Information will appear in the menu.

This displays not only the Android version, but also the firmware build date, which is crucial when looking for vulnerabilities or compatibility with banking applications. Sometimes, you need to activate the developer mode via ADB to access the full menu, but standard methods are usually enough.

• 📱 Enter the ##6484## code to enter the menu CIT (Testing of equipment, where you can also see basic information about the system.
• 🔍 Use the search by settings, typing the phrase "version" to quickly get to the desired section without manual search.
• 🛠 Check for updates in the System Update section, where the current version is always listed at the top of the screen.

Some users prefer to use third-party utilities to output this information, but the built-in Xiaomi tools are more reliable and do not require the installation of additional software. Remember that engineering codes may vary depending on the regional version of the firmware (CN, Global, EEA).

Checking through the menu for developers

Developer mode provides advanced access to system settings. To activate it, go to Settings -> About Phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI Version. You will notice that you have become a developer. After that, a new section Additional (or immediately in the settings list) -> For developers will appear in the settings menu.

Inside this menu, you can find the build number line, which contains encoded information about the Android version. For example, in the build bar of the form QKQ1.211001.001, the first letter (Q) often indicates the version of Android (in this case Android 10), Decrypting such codes requires knowledge of letter designations: Q - 10, R - 11, S - 12, T - 13.

This method is especially useful if the system interface is damaged or hidden, but access to the developer settings is saved, and you can also see the status of A/B partitions, which is important when manually flashing the device through Fastboot.

⚠️ Note: In the developer menu, do not change the zoom, animation or debugging settings. USB, If you do not understand their purpose - this can lead to unstable operation of the interface.

For power users, it is possible to output a version of the kernel by clicking several times on the kernel version in the phone section, which will show more technical information about the Linux base on which Android is based.

The table of correspondence of versions of Android and MIUI

Understanding which version of Android matches your version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS helps you navigate the device’s capabilities. Below is a matching table for most current global and European firmware.

It is worth considering that the Chinese versions of firmware can receive Android updates earlier than the global ones, so on the same models with different regions, the Android version may differ by one generation.

Also, some older devices can stay on the older version of Android even after the MIUI update, if the manufacturer has decided not to raise the base board for the sake of stability.Always check the changelog updates.

Third-party diagnostic applications

If the built-in methods seem inconvenient or the information in the settings seems incomplete, you can use specialized applications from Google Play. The leader in this area is the utility CPU-Z or AIDA64. They provide comprehensive information about hardware and software.

Once you install this app, run it and go to the Device or OS tab, which will clearly state the Android version, API level, pixel density, and security patch date, and these data are taken directly from system files, so they are as accurate as possible.

The advantage of third-party utilities is that they show information in a single format for all brands, which is convenient if you are used to a certain data structure. In addition, they often show the real screen resolution and number of cores, which is sometimes hidden in standard Xiaomi settings.

• 📲 The DevCheck app allows you to see not only the OS version, but also the status of root rights and bootloader.
• 📊 AIDA64 Provide a detailed report that can be saved to a text file for sending to the service center.
• ⚙️ CPU-Z It is minimal and shows only the most important technical characteristics.

Using these programs is safe, they don’t require superuser rights to read basic information about the system, but avoid questionable accelerators and cleaners that promise to show a version of Android — they often contain ads.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Users sometimes experience a situation where one version is displayed in the settings and applications require another, or the build number looks suspicious, often due to the fact that the beta version of the firmware or custom build is installed, which masquerades as the official one.

If you were reflashing the phone yourself, it may have been the wrong region or firmware type (China instead of Global). MIUI There may be additional characters or letters indicating modifications. Global versions are characterized by no letters after numbers or by labeling. MIUI Global.

If the system is unstable after an update and you want to check if it rolled out correctly, compare the build number to the official list on the 4PDA forum or Xiaomi website.

⚠️ Warning: If your phone suddenly shows a lower version of Android than it was before the reboot, it could indicate a failed system rollback attempt or a crash in the recovery section.

To solve the problem with version definition, you can try to clear the cache of the Settings application. To do this, go to the Apps -> All Apps -> Settings -> Memory -> Clear. This will not delete your personal data, but reset the menu display settings.

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The fastest way to find out the version is to click 5 times on the MIUI logo in the About Phone section, the Android number will appear on top of the interface.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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Before installing heavy system updates, always back up your data to the Mi Cloud or your computer, as the process may end in error.