Why itโs important to know the Android version of your Redmi Note
Xiaomi Redmi Note smartphones are among the most popular devices on the market due to their combination of price, performance and functionality. However, many users are faced with the need to know the exact version of Android installed on their device, this information is critical when installing applications, checking for game compatibility, diagnosing problems or preparing for a firmware update.
For example, if you want to install an app that requires Android 12 and above, and your Redmi Note 10 Pro has Android 11, the program simply wonโt start. Or you plan to unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool โ this requires an up-to-date version of MIUI tied to a specific Android build. Not to mention the cases when after a failed update the phone starts to โglutโ, and the first thing experts ask is, โWhat version of Android and MIUI?โ
In this article, weโll look at all the ways you can check the Android version on Xiaomi Redmi Note smartphones, including models from the Redmi Note 4 to the latest Redmi Note 13. Youโll learn how to find this information through standard settings, hidden menus, and also with your computer โ even if the phone is not turned on or locked.
Method 1: Using the standard phone settings
The easiest and fastest method is to use the built-in settings menu, which works on all Redmi Note models, regardless of MIUI or Android version.
- Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen or in the application menu).
- Scroll down and select About Phone (sometimes called About Device).
- In the window that opens, look for the MIUI version section, where the current firmware (e.g. MIUI Global 14.0.5) will be listed.
- Below or next you will see the line "Android Version" - this is the information you need (for example, Android 13 TKQ1.221114.001).
On some models (such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro or Redmi Note 9S), the path may be slightly different:
- ๐ฑ Settings โ System system โ The phone. โ Android version
- ๐ง Settings โ Additionally. โ About the device โ Version. MIUI (older versions MIUI)
โ ๏ธ Note: If the About Phone menu does not have a line with the Android version, then your device is running on custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience). โ System system โ System updates or special applications.
Check if your system settings are hidden (sometimes viruses do this)
Restart your phone โ sometimes the interface glitch hides information
Update MIUI to the latest version via Settings โ System Update
Use alternative methods (see below)
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Method 2: Through the System Update menu
Another reliable method is to look at the updates section, which shows not only the current firmware version, but also the available updates.
- Open Settings.
- Go to System Update (or MIUI Update on older versions).
- At the top of the screen, you'll see the current firmware version. Click on the three-point menu (โฎ) top-right.
- Select โPackage Updateโ or โUpdate Checkโ โ the window that appears will provide detailed information, including the Android version.
For example, on the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G, it might look like this:
MIUI Global 14.0.8.0 (TKLCNXM)
Android Version: 13 TKQ1.221114.001This is useful if you are planning to update your firmware, which is where you can download the latest version of MIUI for your model, but beware: continuous updates through OTA can lead to data loss if you do not back up.
Android 12 (stable)
Android 13 (new features)
Android 14 (last version)
I don't care as long as it works.
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Method 3: Use of the USSD code or engineering menu
Few people know, but on Xiaomi smartphones (as well as on other Android devices) you can call a hidden engineering menu, which displays detailed information about the system.
- Open the application "Phone" (keyboard dialing).
- Enter the combination: ##4636###.
- In the menu that appears, select "Phone Information".
- Scroll down to the Android Version block โ the current build will be listed here.
Some Redmi Note models (such as Note 7 or Note 8T) may need to enter a different code:
- ๐ ##225## - Calendar and software version information
- ๐ฑ ##6484## - hardware test (there is also data on firmware)
โ ๏ธ Attention: Not all USSD-codes are working on new versions MIUI (starting MIUI If nothing happens after entering the combination, the manufacturer has blocked access to the engineering menu through dialing.
What if the code doesn't work?
Method 4: Through ADB (for power users)
If your Redmi Note is not turned on, locked, or you just prefer to work through a computer, you can find out the Android version using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires minimal technical skills, but gives the most accurate information.
You'll need:
- ๐ฅ๏ธ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools (you can download from the official Google website).
- ๐ฑ USB-cable (preferably original).
- โ๏ธ Included debugging by USB on the phone (if it is switched on).
Instructions:
- Connect the Redmi Note to your computer via USB.
- Open the command line (Win + R โ cmd) and type:
adb devicesIf the device is determined (its serial number will appear), enter:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.releaseThe screen will display the Android version (e.g. 13). To see the full build, use:
adb shell getprop ro.build.idFor models with blocked debugging (for example, if the phone does not turn on), you can use Fastboot mode:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the Power button + Volume down before the Fastboot logo appears.
- Connect to the PC and type in:
fastboot getvar allFind the final version-release or version-baseband.
โ ๏ธ Attention: Use ADB On locked devices, it can cause a data reset if you accidentally execute a formatting command (e.g., fastboot erase userdata!
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If ADB does not recognize the device, try installing drivers manually through the Mi Flash Tool (the official utility from Xiaomi) or disable the driver signature in Windows (to do this, type bcdedit /set nointegritychecks on and restart the PC).
Method 5: Using third-party applications
If you don't want to dig into the settings or connect your phone to your computer, you can use specialized applications that not only show you the Android version, but also provide additional information about hardware, firmware and even the temperature of the processor.
Top.-3 Apps to check the Android version on Redmi Note:
| Annex | What shows | Download link |
|---|---|---|
| AIDA64 | Android version, MIUI, processor model, sensors, battery information | Google Play |
| CPU-Z | OS version, kernel architecture, chipset and memory information | Google Play |
| DevCheck | Details of the firmware, including the kernel version and security patch | Google Play |
How to use (in the example of AIDA64):
- Install the app from Google Play.
- Open it and wait for the system scan.
- Go to the "System" or "Android" tab.
- The Android Version block will show the current build (e.g., Android 12 SP1A.210812.016).
The advantage of this method is that apps often show hidden details that don't show up in standard settings, such as not only the Android version, but also:
- ๐ Security patch version (important for protection against vulnerabilities).
- ๐ The firmware assembly date (helps you know how fresh you are) MIUI).
- ๐ ๏ธ Type of bootloader (unblocked or locked).
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The side of the app can show the Android version even on custom firmware, where standard settings are hidden or changed.
Method 6: Verification through the recovery menu
If your Redmi Note doesnโt turn on or is stuck on the logo but goes into recovery, you can still recognize the Android version, which comes in handy if your phone is locked, your screen is broken, or you have an update error.
Instructions:
- Turn off the phone (if it freezes, press the Power button for 10-15 seconds).
- Press the Power Button + Volume Up combination before the Mi Recovery logo appears.
- In the recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese).
- Go to the Reboot or System Info section (the name may vary depending on the recovery version).
- The screen will display firmware information, including the Android version (e.g. Android 11 RKQ1.200826.002).
On new Redmi Note models (like the Note 12 Pro+), the recovery menu may look different. If you see an orange robot with an exclamation mark, you have stock recovery from Xiaomi.
- ๐ Press the power button. + Increase the volume again to open up additional options.
- ๐ฑ Select Connect with MiAssistant โ when you connect to your PC, the Mi Flash Tool will display a firmware version.
โ ๏ธ Note: If you see items like "Install" in the recovery menu ZIP" or "Wipe Data", which means that the phone has custom recovery installed (TWRP, In this case, the Android version may be listed under "Advanced" โ File Manager โ /system/build.prop".
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When trying to learn the version of Android on Xiaomi Redmi Note, users often face typical problems, letโs analyze the most common ones and how to solve them.
Problem 1: The settings donโt show the Android version, only MIUI.
- ๐ Reason: Custom firmware installed (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS).
- โ Solution: Use applications like AIDA64 or check the file /system/build.prop Root Explorer (root rights required).
Problem 2: USSD-codes don't work.
- ๐ Xiaomi has blocked access to the engineering menu in new versions MIUI (starting MIUI 12.5).
- โ Solution: Use ADB third-party.
Problem 3: ADB does not recognize the device.
- ๐ Reason: Drivers are not installed, debugging is disabled USB or using a non-original cable.
- โ Solution: Install Mi PC Suite, enable debugging in Settings โ The phone. โ Version. MIUI (Press 7 times on the line to activate the developer mode, then allow debugging in Settings โ Additionally. โ For developers.
Problem 4: There is no update on the Android version in the recovery menu.
- ๐ Reason: Unofficial recovery (e.g., unofficial recovery, TWRP) or the firmware is damaged.
- โ Solution: Connect your phone to your PC and use Fastboot (see Method 4).
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If none of these methods worked, try resetting your phone to factory settings through recovery. Select Wipe Data โ Wipe All Data. Attention: This will delete all your data, including photos and apps!