How to find out the exact model of Xiaomi phone: a detailed guide

The Chinese giant’s device owners often face confusion over the names of gadgets: Redmi, POCO and Mi have many versions that may be identical but differ in internal specs. Understanding how to recognize a Xiaomi phone model is essential not only when buying accessories, but also to finding the right drivers or firmware.

Complicating matters, a single device can have multiple names: a marketing name for a global market, an internal code name for developers, and a serial number for service centers. Identifying a particular device becomes critical when it comes to recovering from a crash or unlocking a bootloader. A file selection error can cause a gadget to fail.

In this article, we will discuss all the available methods for determining the exact modification of your device, we will consider the standard tools of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system, the use of special engineering codes, as well as methods of checking through a computer, this knowledge will help you avoid errors in maintenance of equipment.

Search for information in system settings

The most obvious and secure way to get device data is to look at the settings menu. The MIUI Operating Shell stores detailed hardware information in the public domain. To find this data, the user needs to go to Settings and select About Phone, and it displays the marketing name that is usually listed on the box.

However, for technical professionals and advanced users, this is often not enough: you need to click several times in a row on the line MIUI Version or OS Version. This action will open an extended menu where the full model code (for example, M2101K7AG) will be indicated.

It is important to distinguish between the global and Chinese versions, as they can have different frequencies of radio modules. In the extended menu, you can also see information about the processor and the amount of RAM, which helps distinguish, for example, the basic version from the Pro or Ultra modifications, which is critical when looking for compatible accessories.

⚠️ Note: Don’t try to edit system files or use root rights just to see the model. The standard settings menu is enough to get all the information you need without risking damage to the system.

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If the settings only show the build number, try tapping the MIUI logo 7-10 times in the center of the screen – this often opens a hidden menu with the full device code.

Use of the engineering menu and USSD-code

If you have limited access to the settings menu or the device is unstable, you can use engineering codes. There is a special command built into the telephony that displays the full technical help. To do this, you need to dial the combination ##64663## in the Phone application. This command opens the hidden CIT test menu (Customer Information Test).

In the menu that opens, you can select Version or Version Information, and you can see the full list of all components, from the Android kernel version to the specific Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module, which is the most accurate way to understand what kind of board is installed inside the case, especially if the phone was assembled from different parts.

There's also a generic code called *#06# that displays IMEI and serial number, and although it doesn't show the model name directly, the combination of IMEI and serial number allows you to break through the device in manufacturers' databases, which is especially useful if the sticker on the case is erased and the phone can't turn on.

Model definition via IMEI and serial number

Every legal Xiaomi device has a unique IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number that is assigned in the factory and does not change over its lifetime. Knowing the IMEI, you can accurately determine the model, color, memory capacity and delivery region, and find this number on the box, under the battery (if it is removable), or on the back of the case.

To check, use official services or verified databases. Enter the 15-digit code in the appropriate box on the manufacturer's website or in specialized verification services. The system will give the exact model name, for example, Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro, and the warranty activation date. This is the best way to check the originality of the device before buying from hand.

The serial number (S/N) also contains encrypted information, and the first characters often indicate the manufacturer and the year of release, and by combining IMEI and S/N data, you can reconstruct the complete history of the device, even if it has been re-flashed or has a modified software part.

Use of ADB and Fastboot commands

For computer users, the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) will be an indispensable tool, allowing access to system variables even if the phone screen is broken or unresponsive to touch, requiring an installed driver and a minimum set of ADB tools on a PC.

Connect your phone to your computer in USB debugging mode. Open the command line and type the following command to get a complete list of system properties:

adb shell getprop | grep "ro.product"

The system will respond by giving you a few lines, and we're interested in ro.product.model or ro.product.device, and the first will show you a marketing name (e.g., M2102J20SG), and the second will show you a code name (e.g., lmi for Mi 10 Pro), which is the most reliable data, because it's read directly from the firmware.

Comparison of models in the characteristics table

Often, users confuse models because of similar names, such as Lite, SE or Global, and here is a table that helps you distinguish popular series by their internal codes and key features, which will help you quickly navigate the variety of devices.

Note the suffixes in the model name. Global versions often end with G in the code, while Chinese versions have C or N. Indian versions can be marked with an I. These differences affect support for LTE bands and the presence of NFC.

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Knowing an internal code name (such as ‘alioth’ or ‘venus’) is often more important than a marketing name when searching for firmware and modifications on developer forums.

Frequent identification issues and problems

Despite the many ways in which users can use it, users often encounter conflicting information, such as one name in the settings and another on the box, which is normal for cross-stitched devices or devices that are intended for other markets, and the main thing is to navigate the model code in the About Phone menu.

Sometimes, after a system update, some fields may not display correctly, in such cases, it helps to reset the settings to the factory or recheck through ADB. If the device is bought from hand, always check the IMEI on the case and in the system - their mismatch indicates a serious repair in the past.

⚠️ Attention: If IMEI The device may have been assembled from different parts or have a changed identifier.The purchase of such phones carries the risk of locking on the part of the operator.

Understanding Xiaomi’s naming structure makes life much easier for the owner, knowing which gadget you have in your hands and finding the right software for it, especially in light of frequent security updates and new versions of HyperOS.