Xiaomi: How to find out the version of Android and MIUI

Owning a modern Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone often requires understanding which software controls the device. Users are faced with having to check the relevance of the system when installing specific applications, games or when there are problems with the compatibility of accessories. Often it is knowing the exact build number that helps find a solution in forums or in technical support.

There is some confusion in the Chinese manufacturer’s ecosystem, as the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS can visually hide the basic version of the Android operating system.This is done for branding, but creates difficulties when developers require the number “10”, “11”, “12” or “13”.

There are several reliable ways to get this information, from standard settings to using an engineering menu. In this article, we will break down all the methods that will allow you to accurately determine which version of the OS is installed on your gadget right now without installing third-party software.

Standard way through the settings menu

The most obvious and safe method that any smartphone owner can use is in the system menu, so you don't have to have super-user rights or connect the cable to your computer, you just unlock the screen and find the Settings icon.

In the settings that open, you need to scroll to the bottom of the page. It usually contains the "About Phone" item. When you click on it, you will be taken to a screen with basic information about the device. However, depending on the regional firmware (Global, EU, China), the data displayed may differ.

At the top of the screen, the large-digit version of the shell logo, such as MIUI 14 or HyperOS 1.0, is often displayed. It's the marketing name of the interface, not the Android kernel version. To see the base, you need to carefully examine the list of characteristics below the logo.

Look for a line called the Android version, and the number next to it is the number that most apps require, and if you use the Chinese version of the firmware, the information may be hidden deeper or require additional decryption.

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The Android version is on the About Phone menu, but is often hidden under the MIUI/HyperOS shell logo.

Extended information and assembly number

For a deeper diagnosis or when communicating with technicians, the usual Android 12 may not be enough, often requiring a complete build ID that contains information about the compilation date, region, and firmware type (stable or beta).

To access this data, you need to find the MIUI Version (or HyperOS Version) line from the About Phone menu, and you need to tap it 7-10 times in a row.

After a series of taps, a pop-up notification will appear on the screen, "Additional Features Enabled," which unlocks access to hidden technical data, and a new line will appear in the list of parameters, or an existing one will expand, where the full build code will be indicated.

The build code looks like a complex set of characters, for example, V14.0.5.0.TKGMIXM. Decoding this code gives insight into the device model, release region and software development stage. Knowledge of this code is critical when searching for patches or manually updating.

Using the Engineering Menu for Diagnostics

If standard menus are not available or the system is unstable, you can use the engineering menu, which is a special diagnostic interface built into the firmware for testing equipment by support services, and you can log in through a set of code in the Phone application.

Open a standard caller and dial the combination ##6484##. If the code is correct, the CIT (Customer Inspection Test) menu will open. Here are the tests for all the modules of the smartphone: screen, speakers, sensor, cameras and communication modules.

Although this menu is designed to check hardware, some versions of the shells in the Version or Info section provide detailed information about system libraries, but it is worth remembering that the interface here is minimal and designed for engineers.

⚠️ Note: Do not change the settings in the engineering menu unless you know exactly what the specific parameter is responsible for. Resetting the screen or sensor calibration may cause the device to malfunction.

For most users, this method is useful because it works even with a locked screen or minimal system load, allowing you to quickly check the hardware revision with the installed firmware.

Checking through ADB and computer

For advanced users who want to get the most accurate and raw information directly from the kernel, the best choice is to use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) debugging bridge.

To start, activate Developer Mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press 7 times on the MIUI Version. Then go to Additional → For Developers and turn on the USB Debugging Toggle.

Connect your smartphone to your computer through high-quality USB-The PC needs drivers installed. ADB. Open the command line or terminal in the tool folder and type the following command:

adb shell getprop ro.build.version.release

The system will return the exact version number of Android. If you want the SDK version (important for app developers), use the command:

adb shell getprop ro.build.version.sdk

This method also allows you to know the exact kernel build date and security patch level, which is impossible to do through the standard one-click settings menu.

Third-party applications for system monitoring

If you don't want to mess with command lines, and the standard menu doesn't seem informative enough, specialized utilities from the Google Play Store will come to the rescue. There are many free apps that collect the full specification of the device.

Some of the most popular and time-tested are CPU-Z, AIDA64, and DevCheck. Once installed and launched, any of these applications instantly scan the system and issue a detailed report.

• 📱 CPU-Z: It shows not only the Android version, but also the real processor frequency, core load and temperature.
• 🛠️ AIDA64: Provides comprehensive information on all sensors, codecs and system libraries.
• 📊 DevCheck: It is convenient to immediately mark whether certain functions are supported by the kernel or blocked by the manufacturer.

The advantage of these programs is that they display real-time data, and you can see how the memory load or the CPU temperature changes while you check the OS version, which is especially useful when you're diagnosing overheating or lag.

However, it is worth considering that such applications require access to a variety of system resolutions. Although the above utilities have a good reputation, it is always worth downloading them only from the official app store.

The table of compliance of Android versions and MIUI/HyperOS

Understanding the relationship between the shell version and the base Android is often questionable. Xiaomi doesn't always update Android when a new version of MIUI is released. Below is a matching table for current and recent versions so you can navigate compatibility.

It’s important to understand that different versions of Android can be on different phones in the same shell version (e.g. MIUI 14), and flagships get fresher cores, while budget models can stay on the previous version for stability.

Applications that require a certain level of API will focus on the Android number listed in the table, ignoring the version of MIUI. So if the game does not start, look at the column "Basic Android".

Frequent problems and their solution

Users often face situations where the phone writes one version and apps require another, or when the update doesn't come officially, and in such cases it's important to understand what type of firmware you're dealing with.

If you have a Chinese version of a smartphone (CN), global apps may not correctly define the region or require Google services to be installed separately, in which case the information on the menu may be in Chinese.

To determine the Chinese version, you can use the gear icon and the position of the items. Usually, the Android version is in the second or third item on the About Phone menu.

⚠️ Warning: When you flash from Chinese to global through the bootloader unlock, all data will be deleted.

Another common problem is the frozen version: some carriers or vendors block software updates on their custom firmware, in which case the standard Settings path → About Phone → Update may not find new versions, even though they are already out.

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If the automatic update does not work, try the update menu to click on the tri-points and select "Select a firmware file", downloading the current ZIP-archal from the official site.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions