How to find out the version of Xiaomi: the complete guide

Owning a modern smartphone requires understanding its technical specifications, especially when it comes to software or the need for flashing. Xiaomi’s version is not just a number in settings, but a key identifier that determines firmware compatibility, the availability of specific security features and the ability to install updates. Many users confuse the Android operating system version, the MIUI shell version and the exact hardware model, which often leads to errors in choosing files for recovery.

Making matters worse, Chinese and global versions of devices may have different designations, and they are often hidden under the same names on menus. Xiaomi uses a complex encoding system where the same model can be called differently depending on the region of sale. Knowing the exact modification is critical if you plan to unlock a bootloader or install custom firmware, as a mistake in choosing a file can turn a device into a brick.

In this article, we will explore all the available ways to identify your device, from simple methods through the interface to advanced techniques using ADB and engineering menus. You will learn to distinguish between stable and virgin versions, understand the difference between Global and China ROM, and also learn where the real hardware revision of the board hides, this information will become the foundation for competent maintenance of your gadget.

Determining the MIUI version through system settings

The most obvious and safe way to know the firmware version is to look at the standard menu of the device. However, many users stop at the first screen and see only a large number, such as MIUI 14 or HyperOS 1.0. To get detailed technical information, you need to click on this number several times in a row. After 7-10 fast taps, the interface will change, and you will see a hidden menu with the full build number.

The window that opens will show a line of 14.0.3.0.TNLMIXM. This code provides comprehensive information about your device, if you can read it. The first digits indicate the version of Android or the base system, the letters indicate the code name of the processor(s), and the last three characters indicate the firmware region. For example, the end of MIXM indicates the global version, CNXM indicates the Chinese version, and RUXM indicates the Russian one.

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to manually modify system files based on version only MIUI. Different regions may have different partition structure, and flashing the Chinese version with global firmware (or vice versa) without first unlocking and resetting data will lead to a cyclical reboot.

For those who are used to visual perception, it is most convenient to navigate the table of correspondence of the region codes. This will help you instantly understand what modification is installed on your Xiaomi smartphone.

Understanding the code structure avoids installing inappropriate software. If you see code ending in CNXM but living in Europe, you should consider changing your region to get full service and notifications working properly.

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Remember the full build number before any manipulations. In case of resets or upgrade issues, knowing the exact previous version will help you find a solution faster or roll back.

Using engineering code for accurate identification

When standard settings don't give you a full picture or the interface is damaged, an engineering menu comes to the rescue. This is a hidden partition of the system, accessible through a special set of characters in the phone book. For Xiaomi devices, the primary code is ##64663## or the shorter version ##4636##. Entering these combinations automatically opens the diagnostic interface without having to press the call button.

Phone Information contains detailed technical statistics, and you can see not only the software version, but also the network status, IMEI, and the actual code name of the device in the system. Often, for marketing purposes, the phone is called, for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro, and on the system it is listed as ruby or garnet, and it is the code name that you need to look for when searching for firmware on forums.

• 📱 Device Model: Displays the exact model number (e.g, 22101320G).
• 🔢 Build Number: Complete build number similar to what is in the settings.
• 📶 IMEI: Unique Equipment Identifier Important for Verification of Warranty.
• 📡 Signal Strength: Signal level useful for antenna diagnostics.

The use of engineering code is especially important when buying a used device, where vendors can programmatically change the model name in the interface, but it is much more difficult to hide the real code name in the engineering menu, which allows you to identify regurgitated housings or devices recovered from different parts.

⚠️ Attention: The engineering menu contains critical radio settings. It is strongly advised not to change settings in the Set Preferred Network Type or Radio Information sections unless you understand their purpose.

If the code doesn’t work, it may be that the manufacturer has blocked access to it in your shell version, so you should try alternative methods or use third-party applications that have special permissions to read system logs.

Verification of model and version via computer (ADB)

For advanced users and professionals, the most reliable source of information is the connection to the computer. Using the ADB debugging bridge (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to access system files that are not visible through the usual interface. This method is indispensable if the phone does not turn on fully (boots only before the logo) or if the touch screen does not respond.

To get started, you need to turn on USB Debugging mode in the Developer menu. Once you connect the cable to your PC and install the drivers, the command line querys. The adb shell getprop ro.build.fingerprint command will give you a unique string containing the brand, model, Android version and build date, and this is the most reliable way to know the hardware of the device.

adb shell getprop ro.product.model


adb shell getprop ro.build.version.incremental

The first command will show the exact model number (e.g., M2101K7BG), and the second will show the full firmware number of the current firmware, the advantage of which is that it works even in Recovery mode (with ADB support in the Recovery), which often saves you when trying to recover from a failed firmware.

The ADB also lets you know if the bootloader is unlocked, which is critical for custom reboots. The adb reboot bootloader team will put the device into Fastboot mode, where the Device State: unlocked status will be displayed on the screen or in the console.

Hardware version: how to find out the revision of the fee

In addition to the software, each Xiaomi device has hardware revisions. Smartphones of the same model released at different times can have different screen arrays, camera modules or even processors (as is the case with different versions of the Redmi Note 10 Pro).

This information often requires access to kernel logs or specialized applications like Device Info HW. In the Module or Screen section, you can see the display manufacturer (Samsung, Tianma, Huaxing) and its code name. This is important when replacing the screen: a module purchased from another revision may not work or work correctly.

Also, the hardware version is important when looking for drivers or cores for flashing. If you install the kernel designed to revise v1.0 on a v2.0 device with another touchscreen controller, the sensor will stop responding. Always check the production date and internal markings if you plan to make deep modifications to the system.

⚠️ Warning: When buying repair parts, always check the module codes against those on your device. Even within the same Xiaomi model, components from three different suppliers can be used that are not compatible with each other.

Differences between Global, China and EU firmware

Understanding the differences between regional versions of the software is key to making a smartphone more comfortable. China ROM (Chinese version) is often the first to come out and contains the latest features, but it lacks Google Play Services, has an aggressive power saving system that blocks notifications, and there is no Russian language (only English and Chinese), and may also lack important bandwidths (Band 20), which is critical for suburban communication in Europe and Russia.

Global ROM (global version) is adapted for the international market: it has all the necessary languages, preinstalled Google service, unlocked Face Unlock (in some models) and configured the correct LTE frequencies. However, updates to the global come with a delay of 1-2 months after the release in China. EU ROM (European) is often modified by enthusiasts version of Chinese firmware, which sewn Russian and Google services, maintaining the speed of updates.

• 🌏 Global: Stability, availability NFC Google, but there are a lot of updates.
• 🇨🇳 China: The latest features, but no Russian language and Google, a lot of junk software.
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