Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to know the exact name of their device, which may be required when searching for a suitable case, ordering the original battery, or trying to refashion the gadget. In the Chinese electronics world, the marketing name listed on the box is often different from the real model code used in system files.
There are several reliable ways to identify your device, from simply inspecting the case to using special engineering codes. Understanding the difference between a marketing name and a model code will save you from buying incompatible accessories or erroneous firmware versions. Let's take a look at all the methods available from the simplest to the most advanced.
In this article, we will look in detail where to look for hidden information in the settings menu, how to decrypt complex alphanumeric notations and why the data in About Phone can sometimes be changed by the user. You will learn to accurately determine which modification of Mi or Redmi is in your hands.
Verification of information in system settings
The most obvious and affordable way to learn a device model is to look at the standard settings menu of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system. This method does not require connecting to a computer or installing additional software. However, it is worth considering that it often displays a beautiful name for the consumer, rather than the technical code.
To find this data, you need to go to Settings, then scroll down and select About Phone. At the top of the screen, the model logo usually flaunts, such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro. If you click several times in a row on the line with the version of MIUI or the model name, an extended menu with more detailed technical information can open.
In some cases, especially on global firmware versions, the real code name is hidden. To see it, you sometimes have to go to All Parameters or Details, and that's where you'll find the "Device Model" line, which will look like a set of letters and numbers, like 22101316G.
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Note the last letter in the model code: G stands for Global (global), CN stands for China (Chinese), E stands for Europe, and T stands for Taiwan.
Use of the engineering menu and USSD-code
If you can't get the data you want through the standard menu or it seems incomplete, you can use the engineer's secret codes. Introducing special combinations in the Phone app allows you to access hidden diagnostic sections, where information about the hardware is displayed in its original form.
The most universal code for Xiaomi devices is ##64663##. Once you enter this combination, the CIT menu will automatically open. Here, at the top or in the Version section, the exact model code is often indicated, which is the same as what is sewn into the memory chip.
Another useful code is *#06#, although its main function is to display the code. IMEI-And when you look at the bottom of the screen or scroll through the list, you can see a line with the model. IMEI It may be restricted for security reasons.
- 📱 Enter ##64663## in the test menu call.
- 🔍 Find Version or Hardware Info to view the code.
- ⚙️ Use the *#06# code to check IMEI and box-checking.
- 📝 Write down the model code before visiting the service center.
☑️ Checking through the Engineering Menu
⚠️ Note: Do not change the settings inside the engineering menu CIT, If you don't know exactly what each parameter is responsible for, randomly resetting the calibration of the sensors or the screen can cause the device to malfunction.
Label analysis on the body and packaging
Physical labeling is the most reliable source of truth, as it is printed in the factory and cannot be modified by software. On older Xiaomi models, the information sticker was often placed under a removable back cover, next to the battery. On modern monolithic smartphones, it can be found on the back of the device (sometimes under the factory film) or on the box.
The factory box is the most complete, and you should be interested in the white barcode sticker, which usually says IMEI, serial number (SN), and most importantly, model, and look for the Model string, followed by code like M2101K7BG.
If the sticker on the case is erased or there is no box, you can try to carefully remove the tray for SIM-On some models (especially the Mi and Mi Note series) in small print directly on a metal frame or under a tray. SIM-The card has been stamped with a logo and a model, and it's also worth looking at the documentation: the warranty card or the instructions always contain the exact name of the device.
What to do if there are no stickers anywhere?
Decoding of Xiaomi model codes
Xiaomi model codes look like a rambling set of characters, but they actually have a very clear structure. Understanding this logic helps you instantly identify the region and generation of a device. 10-11 symbols, for example, 2201123G.
The first two digits (in this case 22) indicate the year of the start of development or release of the series. The following digits indicate the serial number of the model in the line. The last letter, as mentioned earlier, indicates the region. However, there are exceptions, especially for devices released before 2018, where the encoding may have differed.
Below is a table that helps you decipher the last letters in the model code, which is critical when choosing firmware or parts:
| Code letter | Region / Version | Features |
|---|---|---|
| G | Global | Global version, support for all frequencies, multilingualism |
| CN | China | Chinese version may be missing some 4G/5G frequencies |
| E | Europe | European version (often analogue of Global) |
| T | Taiwan | Taiwan version, specific network settings |
| I | India | India version, often preinstalled with local software |
Knowing these codes avoids a situation where a user buys a "Chinese" (CN) in the hope of global firmware, but faces Band 20 lock or notification issues.The model code is the only immutable identifier that remains relevant even after flashing or resetting settings.
Application of third-party applications
When the built-in system is impossible to use or information seems suspicious (for example, a phone is bought from hand and could be re-flashed), specialized applications come to the rescue, they read data directly from system files and output a detailed report on the hardware.
One of the most popular tools is CPU-Z or AIDA64. Once installed and launched, these utilities show not only the processor model, but also the exact code name of the device in the Device or System section. They also display screen resolution, RAM and sensors, which helps to detect counterfeiting.
Another powerful app is Device Info HW. It specializes in cameras and screens, but it also defines the model perfectly. If you see that the settings say Xiaomi Mi 11 and the app shows Unknown Device or a model of a completely different brand, then you have either a deep modification of the system or a clone.
- 📥 Download. CPU-Z or AIDA64 Google Play Store.
- 🚀 Launch the application and go to the “Device” tab (Device).
- 📋 Find the “Model” line to view the real code.
- 🔍 Compare the data with the characteristics on the official website.
The use of such software is especially relevant when buying used technology. Fraudsters often change software identifiers to sell the old Redmi under the guise of a new POCO. Apps like AIDA64 show the real architecture of the processor, which is extremely difficult to change software.
Identification through computer and ADB
For advanced users who are not afraid of the command line, the most reliable method is to connect to a computer. Using the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) debugging bridge allows you to access system properties of the device that can not be hidden by conventional methods.
To do this, you need to enable debugging mode via USB in the Developer Menu (to activate this menu, you need to click on the build number in About Phone 7 times), then the phone connects to the PC, and a request is entered in the command line.
adb shell getprop ro.product.modelThis command will return the exact code name of the model, and you can also use the adb shell getprop command, which will display a huge list of all the system properties where you can find information about the manufacturer, brand and hardware platform, a method often used by service center specialists for diagnostics.
⚠️ Attention: To work with ADB If the computer can't see the phone, check if you've selected File Transfer or Debugging mode. USB» in the notification when connecting the cable.
Frequent problems and nuances of definition
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where different methods show different results, for example, one thing is written on the box, another is written in the settings, and the applications write a third, often due to the fact that the phone was reflashed from the Chinese version to the global (or vice versa) by the method of cross-plated chip or software replacement of IDs.
Redmi and POCO are often confused by rebranding: The same phone in China can be sold as the Redmi K50, and in Europe as the POCO F4. Technically, they are the same model (code 22021211RG), but the marketing names are different, so it is better to focus on digital code when looking for firmware or accessories.
It’s also worth remembering that there are replicas. If you see a phone that looks like a Xiaomi 13 Ultra, but in the settings it weighs 150 grams (the original weighs 220+g) and costs three times less — no codes will help, it’s a fake, and its internal stuffing does not match the stated model.
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The most reliable way to avoid error is to check the model code from the official Xiaomi website in the support section by entering the IMEI or serial number.