How to find out the version of the firmware Xiaomi by IMEI: official and alternative methods

Why you need to know the IMEI version of the firmware and when it is relevant

The unique IMEI identifier of your Xiaomi smartphone is not just a set of numbers for carriers; it is the key to hidden information about the device, including update history, regional settings and even firmware originality. But can it tell you the current version of MIUI or Android? The answer is ambiguous: the IMEI version is not directly stored, but there are workarounds.

There are a few situations where this method becomes critical, like if you bought a Redmi Note 12 from hand and you want to check if it's running custom firmware with potential vulnerabilities, or if it doesn't turn on after a failed update, and there's no version sticker on the box, or if you're planning to unlock the bootloader and make sure the firmware is no older than the one you want to use, IMEI can be your primary assistant in each of these cases.

It’s important to understand that IMEI itself does not contain firmware version data, but it allows you to access Xiaomi services, where this information is stored tied to the serial number of the device, and then we will analyze all the working methods, from official tools to engineering tricks that service centers use.

Method 1: Check through the official website of Xiaomi by IMEI

The most reliable and safe method is to use the manufacturer's Mi Verify service, which works for most Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models released after 2018.

1. Go to the authentication page.
2. Enter your device’s IMEI (can be found on the box, under the battery, or via the *#06# command).
3. Pass the captcha and press Submit.
4. Look for the Software Version or MIUI Version.

What is important to consider:

• 🔹 The service may not show the current version if the device has not been connected to the Internet for a long time (data is updated when synchronized with Xiaomi servers).
• 🔹 For some regions (e.g. India or China) information may be restricted.
• 🔹 If the device was re-flashed on custom firmware, the service will show the latest official version installed before the modification.

⚠️ Note: If a site is experiencing a Device Not Found error, it may mean that IMEI locked, the device is not original or its data is not synchronized with Xiaomi servers for more than 6 months.

Method 2: Use of an engineering menu (for power users)

If the official service failed, you can try to extract information through the Engineering Mode, which requires access to a working device and works even on locked smartphones.

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
2. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information.
3. Scroll down to the Software Information block.
4. Note the lines: MIUI Version - shell version (for example, MIUI Global 14.0.5), Android Version - OS version (for example, Android 13), Baseband Version - modem version (indirectly indicates firmware).

The advantage of this method is that it shows the current firmware version, not the one registered on Xiaomi servers.

• 🔧 In some models (for example, POCO F5) The engineering menu can be blocked by the manufacturer.
• 🔧 If the device does not turn on, this method is useless.
• 🔧 The data in the engineering menu can be displayed in English or Chinese depending on the region of the firmware.

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If the ##4636### combination doesn’t work, try the alternative: ##284### (to check the Bluetooth version) or ##283## (for information about the Bluetooth version). SIM-map).

Method 3: Checking with Mi Flash Tool (for PC)

If you have access to a computer, you can use the Mi Flash Tool, Xiaomi's official firmware tool, which can read current firmware through IMEI, even if the smartphone doesn't turn on.

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool (version no lower than 2023.4.1).
2. Connect the device turned off to the PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume down + Power when turned on).
3. In the program, click Select and select any official firmware for your model (for example, for Redmi Note 11 - vili).
4. Press Refresh – your IMEI will appear in the list of devices.
5. At the bottom of the window, the current firmware version in V14.0.3.0.TKCCNXM format will be displayed.

Transcription of the Mi Flash Tool:

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Flash Tool shows a different version than what you see in the smartphone settings, this may mean that the device has been flashed to custom or ported firmware.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Download the latest version of the Mi Flash Tool|Prepare. USB-cable (preferably original)|Charge your phone at least 50%|Check that the device is identified in Device Manager-->

Method 4: Online Third Party Services (with Care!)

There are several third-party services that promise to show the firmware version on IMEI.among them - IMEI.info, IMEI-Pro and SNDeeper.

• 🛡️ Privacy: Some services retain the inputs IMEI in their databases, which can be used for fraud.
• 📊 Inaccurate data: information is updated less often than in official sources Xiaomi.
• 💰 Hidden payments: some services require payment for an “extended report".

If you still decide to use this service, follow the safety rules:

1. Use VirusTotal to check your site for malware.
2. Do not enter additional data (such as serial number or email).
3. Check out reviews on forums (e.g. 4PDA).

Example of a report from IMEI.info:

Device: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (sweet)




IMEI: 861234567890123




Software: MIUI 13.0.8 (Android 12)




Region: Global (EEA)




Last Update: 2023-05-15

Method 5: Reading Logs Through ADB (for Developers)

If you're familiar with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can extract the firmware version directly from the device's system logs, and this method works even on locked smartphones if USB debugging is enabled.

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Connect the device and execute the command: adb shell getprop ro.miui.ui.version.name (for the MIUI version) or adb shell getprop ro.build.version.release (for the Android version).
3. For full firmware information, use: adb shell cat /system/build.prop | grep "ro."

Example of conclusion:

[ro.miui.ui.version.name]: [V14.0.4.0.TKCRUXM]




[ro.build.version.release]: [13]




[ro.product.model]: [Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G]

This method is as accurate as possible because it reads it directly from system files, but it requires:

• 🔌 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Installed drivers ADB PC-only.
• 🔌 Access to a working device (not suitable for "bricks").

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ADB is the most reliable way to get a firmware version, but it requires technical skills. If you've never worked with the command line, you'd better use official methods (Mi Verify or engineering menus).

What to do if none of the methods worked?

If all of these methods have not yielded results, there are three options:

1. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center: 📍 Please. IMEI and purchase check (if any). 📍 Service centers have access to Xiaomi’s internal databases, which store the complete history of the device. 📍 The service can be paid (from 500 to 1500 rubles depending on the region).

Use JTAG or ISP

If the device is not turned on (hard brick), you can connect to the motherboard through special connectors and read the firmware data, this method requires soldering skills and equipment (for example, Medusa Pro or EasyJTAG).

Try to restore the device with Mi Flash

If the goal is not just to find out the version, but to bring the smartphone back to life, you can flash it with the latest official version of the software.

1. Download the firmware for your model from the official website.
2. Use the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All mode.
3. After the firmware version of the software will be visible in the settings.

⚠️ Warning: If you suspect that a device has been stolen or blocked by a previous owner, don't try to stitch it yourself.This could result in a final lock through Xiaomi servers (Find Device feature). In this case, the only way out is to appeal for support with evidence of purchase.

FAQ: Frequent questions about checking the firmware version by IMEI