You bought Xiaomi and you wonder if it's a global version or a Chinese version? It's not just the price of the device, it's also the stability of the device, language support, Google services, and even the possibility of official updates. Chinese versions (China ROM) are often cheaper, but without Google Play, with limited localization and the risk of blocking when used outside of China. Global ROMs are adapted for the international market, but can cost 15-30% more.
In this article, we’ll look at 7 reliable ways to identify your Xiaomi version, from checking the box to analyzing firmware through hidden menus, what labels point to a global model, how to decrypt codes in settings, and what to do if the seller hid the truth, and a unique map of compliance of region and firmware versions that most sites don’t have.
1. Labeling check on box and phone
The fastest way is to examine the labels on the package and the device itself, and Xiaomi's global versions have distinct designations:
- 📦 Look for the inscriptions on the box: Global Version, Global Model or abbreviation EEA (Chinese boxes usually contain only characters or the inscription China.
- 📱 The back of the phone may include: Made in India (global build), Made in China (not always Chinese!), or the G-suffixed model code (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro). 5G → 23049RAC4G).
- 🔍 Model code: latest 1-2 Letters point to a region. For example, C is China, G is global, I is India, R is Russia.
⚠️ Warning: Some vendors put "Global Version" stickers on Chinese boxes! Always check the model code against official data on Xiaomi's website.
2.IMEI Analysis: Hidden Version Data
Each smartphone has a unique IMEI, which can identify the country of origin and the firmware version.
- Type the code on the phone keyboard: *#06# - a window with IMEI will appear.
- First 8 digits (TAC-code, which will indicate the model and region, for example: 🇨🇳 86xxxxxx — China (but not always the Chinese version!) 🇮🇳 8901xxxx — India (global assembly) 🇷🇺 8917xxxx — Russia/CIS
IMEI.info
⚠️ Note: Some Chinese versions (China) ROM) They may have a "global" IMEI, If you have been re-flashed, then check the firmware (see next section).
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If the phone's 2 SIM-He'll have 2 cards. IMEI. Check both – they may point to different regions!
3. Checking firmware through settings
Firmware (MIUI) is the main version indicator, and global and Chinese firmware have different designations:
- Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version.
- Pay attention to the format of the version: 🌍 MIUI Global or the suffix...G... (e.g, V14.0.4.0.TMKEUXM → UXM = global). 🇨🇳 MIUI China or the suffix...C... (e.g, V14.0.3.0.TMCCNXM → CN = China).
Google Play
Gmail
YouTube
| Firmware suffix | Region | Type of version | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN | China | Chinese (without Google) | V13.0.9.0.SKCCNXM |
| G / Global | International | Global (with Google) | V14.0.2.0.TKFMIXM |
| EEA | Europe | Global (EU) | V13.0.12.0.SJFEUXM |
| IN | India | Global (assembly for India) | V14.0.1.0.TKFINXM |
| RU | Russia/CIS | Global (adapted for the Russian Federation) | V13.0.8.0.SJFRUXM |
🔹 How else do you check? Type the code in the settings: ##4636## → If there's no mention of Google in the Android version bar, it's Chinese firmware.
☑️ Xiaomi firmware check
4. Hidden menus and engineering codes
For power users, you can get detailed information about the version of the device through the engineering menu.
- 📱 ##4636## → Phone information → Baseband version field, if there is one CN — Chinese.
- 🔧 ##225## – displays the update calendar (in Chinese versions it can be empty).
- 🌐 ##6484## - MiuiVersion test (shows the firmware region).
⚠️ Note: Not all codes work on new Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 or Poco) F5). If the code doesn’t work, use the alternative methods in this article.
What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
5. Check through Fastboot (for advanced)
If the phone doesn’t turn on or you suspect a firmware swap, check the version through Fastboot mode:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press Volume Down + Power before the Fastboot logo appears.
- Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: fastboot getvar product will display the model code (for example, the model code will be displayed, tucana_global — Redmi Note 8 Pro).
🔹 Code decoding:
- 🌍 _Global, eea, in - Global versions.
- 🇨🇳 _cn, china - Chinese.
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The Fastboot method is the only way to check the version on a broken phone or with a damaged firmware.
6. Online Serial Number Check
On the official website of Xiaomi you can check the authenticity of the device and its version by serial number (S/N):
- Find S/N on the box or in settings (Settings → About Phone → General information).
- Go to mi.com/global/verify.
- Type in the serial number and the captcha, and the system will show the model and the region.
⚠️ If the site is making a “Device not found” error, it may mean:
- 🔄 The device is fake (often in Poco clones) X3 or Redmi 9A).
- 📦 The phone is only for the Chinese market and is not registered in a global database.
- 🔧 Serial number faked (check it through other methods).
7. Visual differences: what should alert
Sometimes the global and Chinese versions differ in appearance:
- 📶 Network support: Chinese versions may not have ranges LTE Band 20 (800 MHz) or 5G n28, Check it out in ##4636## → Phone information → Information on SIM-map.
- 🔋 Charger: Global kits include an adapter with a Type-C or EU-plug plug. Chinese - with a flat plug under the sockets of the PRC.
- 📄 Documentation: The global version box should contain instructions in English or the language of your region.
🔹 Example: Xiaomi 13 Pro in the global version has support 5G n78, And the Chinese is just n41/n79. This is critical for working on MTS or Beeline networks.