Smartphone owners of a popular brand often face the need to know the exact name of their device, such as when searching for drivers, selecting a case or running a gadget, and identifying a model is the first step to solving many technical problems.
To make matters worse, marketing names are often different from the manufacturer’s internal codes, such as the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10, which can cover different modifications for different markets, and understanding this difference is critical to the software’s proper performance.
There are many ways to get this information, from simple visuals to engineering codes, and we’ll break down each of them below so you can choose the most convenient option for your situation.
Search for information in system settings
The most obvious and accessible way is to look at the menu of the smartphone itself: the MIUI or HyperOS operating system stores hardware data in the public domain, and you don't need third-party apps or access to your computer.
To start, open the main menu and find the gear icon. Follow the Settings → Phone path, and this is where the basic information that the average user sees when they first set up is displayed.
Note the line "Device model." Often, it's code starting with the letter M. This is the technical identifier you need to find firmware. The marketing name (e.g., "Redmi 9C") can be written just below or displayed in large print.
⚠️ Note: If you have reflashed your phone to the global Chinese version, the name on the menu may not match the actual hardware, M2006C3LG), Not a pretty name.
In some versions of the firmware, detailed information is hidden in the "All Specifications" section. By clicking on the MIUI version several times in a row, you can get into an extended menu that lists the CPU codes and the display type.
☑️ Checking the data in the menu
Use of the USSD-codes and engineering menus
When the screen is broken or the sensor is not working properly, navigation on the menu becomes impossible, in which case the engineering codes that are entered through the Phone app come to the rescue, which is a universal method for all Android devices.
Type the combination ##6484## on the keyboard. This command opens CIT-Check Item Test, which is designed to test components, and at the top of the screen, you'll see the exact Project Name and model code that you can't change software.
An alternative is to use the standard code *#06#. It displays information about IMEI. Although the main purpose is to obtain SIM IDs, the bottom of the list is often indicated as a Model that corresponds to hardware revision.
- 📱 Enter the codes carefully, without spaces and unnecessary symbols.
- 🔧 CIT-Menu allows you to check the performance of the sensor and cameras.
- 👁️ The data in the engineering menu is displayed even on a locked screen (if the input works).
There's another hidden code ##4636## that opens the test menu, and if you go to Phone Information, you can see not only the model, but also the network status, which is useful if you're trying to figure out if your Redmi supports certain 4G frequencies.
What do I do if the codes don't work?
Analysis of markings on the case and box
Physical tags are the most reliable source of truth, because they can't be changed by software. If your smartphone is turned off or not on at all, check out its case. On budget Redmi models, information is often printed on the back cover in fine print.
Look for the line "Model" on the global versions, it may be hidden under the carrier data sticker or not at all due to EU law requirements, in which case, flip the device: sometimes the data is duplicated at the bottom.
The original package stores all the information you need, and the side or end of the box has a barcode sticker, and it always has the full model code, color, memory and region, and it's useful not only for identification, but also for warranty repairs.
| Where to find | What to look for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Settings | Model code | M2101K7BG |
| CIT menu | Project Name | merlin |
| Box | Barcoded sticker | P/N: M2101K7BGG |
| Back cover. | Small text Model | M2101K7BG |
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Take a picture of the sticker from the box right after you buy it, and in a year, when the colors fade and the sticker peels off, it's going to be very difficult to find the code.
Model definition through computer and ADB
For advanced users who are engaged in flashing, the ideal option is to connect to a PC. Using the ADB debugging bridge allows you to get comprehensive information about the hardware directly from the system.
You need to turn on USB debugging mode in the Developer menu. Once you connect the cable to your computer and install the drivers, execute the command at the terminal, and this will give you a guaranteed accurate result, even if the system is damaged.
adb shell getprop ro.product.modelIf you want to know a codename that is often used in development communities (such as lmi for Redmi K30 Pro), use the following query:
adb shell getprop ro.product.deviceThis is especially true for devices only released for the domestic market in China, where names may be completely unknown in Europe.
Differences between the Chinese and Global Version
One of the main reasons for the confusion is the existence of different versions of the same model. Chinese versions (CN) are often more powerful, but lack some of the communication frequencies and services of Google out of the box.
Visually, they may be identical, but the model codes will differ by the last letter or number, for example, the Indian version may have an IM mark at the end of the code, and the European version may have a G or GL. This affects support for NFC and 4G bands.
⚠️ When buying a phone on Chinese sites, make sure you buy Global Version, not Global Version. ROM. In the second case, a Chinese phone is software installed global firmware, which often leads to problems with notifications and Widevine. L1.
You can check the version by region code in settings or by supported frequencies in the engineering menu. For Xiaomi, this is a critical parameter, since reflashing the CN version in Global requires unlocking the bootloader.
Use of third-party applications
If the built-in tools don't seem informative enough, specialized tools will come to your aid, and they read data from system files and present it in a convenient way, and this is the best way to learn the detail of components.
The popular CPU-Z or AIDA64 app will show not only the model, but also the revision of the processor, the type of screen array and the memory manufacturer, which is useful when buying a used device to make sure that the characteristics are consistent with the declared.
- 📲 CPU-Z — Shows the exact code name of the device in the Device tab.
- 🛠️ AIDA64 — Provides a detailed report on all sensors and sensors.
- 📦 Device Info HW — Specializes in determining the camera and screen model.
However, it is worth remembering that software data can also be forged by fraudsters. If you buy a phone from your hands and the application shows suspicious characteristics (for example, 16 GB of RAM on a budgetary device), it is better to double-check the information through a computer.
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The most reliable way is to combine checking the code in the settings and checking IMEI on the official website, so don't just trust the seller's words or stickers on the tape.