How to accurately determine the model of the Xiaomi smartphone: from the box to the engineering menu

Did you buy a used Xiaomi without a box, lose your ID, or just forget your model name? This is a familiar situation for many people — especially when it comes to the budget line of Redmi or POCO, where the devices are almost identical on the outside. Misdefining the model can be expensive: the wrong firmware will turn the phone into a brick, and the wrong case will not fit in size.

In this article, we will analyze all possible ways - from the obvious (look at the box) to the hidden (engineering codes and the most important ones). ADB-You'll learn how to distinguish the Redmi Note 11 from the Note 11 Pro, why some models don't have the back of the phone and what to do if the phone doesn't turn on, and at the end, you'll find a codename matching table (e.g. tucana). = Redmi Note 8 Pro for advanced users.

1. The easiest way: look at the box or documents

If you have the original packaging, it can be solved in 10 seconds.

• 📦 On the front side - in large font (for example, Xiaomi 13 Lite or Redmi). 10C).
• 🏷️ On the side of the sticker, along with IMEI, Serial number and firmware version (see Model or Type line).
• 📄 In a warranty card or check – usually at the top of the document.

⚠️ Warning: Be careful with aftermarket shopping! Fraudsters sometimes fake box stickers, replacing the model with a more expensive one. 9A Redmi Note 9 Pro can be specified. Always check the data with other sources (about them - below).

If there is no box, check the complete accessories:

• 🔌 The charger is sometimes given a model (e.g., a model, MDY-12-EQ Xiaomi 12).
• 🎧 In the headphone box from the set may be a mention of compatible devices.

2. Check through phone settings

If the phone turns on, the most reliable way is to look at the system settings.

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to About Phone (or About Device in MIUI 14+).
3. Find the device model or model name.

There’s a nuance here: some devices display a codename (like surya instead of POCO X3) or a marketing name (like Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G without specifying the exact modification).

🔍 How do you tell the difference between modifications? 10 Pro comes with a Snapdragon processor 732G (Sweet model and Dimensity 1100 (model sweet_k60). To find out the exact version:

1. In the same section About phone tap 5 times on the line version MIUI.
2. A menu will open with detailed information, where the full model name and code name will be indicated.

3.Using IMEI: a universal method for any device

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is your phone's unique identifier, which can tell you what your phone is like even if it's not turning on. There are three ways to know the IMEI:

• 📱 Type *#06# on the phone keyboard and the screen will display a 15-digit number (or two dual-SIM numbers).
• 🏷️ Look at the sticker under the removable battery (relevant for older models like Redmi). 4A).
• 📦 Find it. IMEI on the box or in the documents (see the first section).

When the IMEI is known, check it through one of the services:

• 🌍 IMEI.info – show the model, year of release and specifications.
• 🔍 IMEI24.com — Provides expanded information, including country of origin.
• 📱 Xiaomi’s official tester will confirm the authenticity of the device.

⚠️ Attention: If during the inspection IMEI The service shows a model that does not match the appearance of the phone (for example, Redmi 9 instead of Redmi Note 9), this may mean that the phone is not a model of the phone:

• 🛠️ The phone will be reflashed with unofficial firmware (for example, with Redmi Note 8 on the phone). POCO X2).
• 🔄 The device is assembled from spare parts (the so-called "Frankenstein»).
• 🚨 This is a fake (especially relevant for popular models like the Redmi Note 12).

4. Visual inspection: where to look for the inscriptions on the phone

On most Xiaomi smartphones, the model is listed on the back or under the removable cover.

🔎 How do you decode a model? For example, it says on the back. M2007J22C. This is the manufacturer's code, which can be used to determine the exact model:

• The first figures (2007) are the year and month of certification (July 2020).
• The letters (J22C) are the internal index of the model.

To find a match, enter this code in the search engine along with the word Xiaomi or use the CMI (China Mobile) database.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F3) The back panel only shows the ruler (POCO), Not a specific model. In this case, use other methods.

💡

If the phone's text is erased, try to light it up with an angled flashlight or zoom in, and sometimes the text is only visible in a certain light.

5. Special engineering codes for advanced users

If the standard methods didn’t work, you can use service codes, which work on most Xiaomi devices (except the newest models with MIUI 14+):

• 📱 ##4636## – opens the Test menu, where the model is specified in the Device Information section.
• 🔧 ##225## - shows the production calendar (useful for determining the year of release).
• 📡 ##6484## - Test GPS, where the model can be displayed at the top of the screen.

🛠️ How to enter codes?

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the code as a phone number (without spaces).
3. Press the call button and the menu will open automatically.

⚠️ Note: Not all codes work on new devices (e.g., Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro)+). If nothing happens after entering the code, then the manufacturer has disabled this feature in your version. MIUI. In this case, use the method of ADB.

🔍 What do you do if the codes don't work:

• 🔒 Is there a lock engineering menu (relevant for phones purchased from telecom operators).
• 📱 Is the firmware updated to the latest version (in older versions) MIUI codes could have been disabled).

6. ADB-Commands: for cases where the phone is not turned on

If the phone doesn't respond to the power button, but is determined by the computer when connected via USB, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires minimal technical skills.

📌 Instructions:

1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools.
2. Connect your phone to your PC turned off (if it doesn’t turn on) or in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down).
3. Open the command line in the adb.exe folder and type:

fastboot getvar product

And you'll get a line like product: tucana is the code name for your model. To decipher it, use the table below.

🔧 Alternative teams:

• fastboot getvar all – will show all the parameters, including the bootloader version.
• adb shell getprop ro.product.model – will work if the phone is on and unlocked debugging over USB.

⚠️ Note: If you see a waiting for device error when you enter the command, check:

• 🔌 Cable USB (Use an original or certified).
• 🖥️ Are Xiaomi drivers installed.
• 🔒 Is debugging unlocked by USB (developer-setting).

💡

ADB is the only way to know the model if the phone is not turned on but is determined by the computer, but it requires pre-tuning (only USB debugging on the working device).

7. Xiaomi Online Services and Databases

If you know the serial number or model code (e.g., M2004J19C) but can’t decrypt it yourself, use the official and unofficial databases:

• 🌐 CMI (China Mobile – Xiaomi’s most comprehensive codebase (in Chinese, but works through a translator).
• 📱 Kimovil – enter the model code in the search and the service will show all the characteristics.
• 🔍 Xiaomi's official service, which will help avoid fakes and devices with "grey" firmware. Xiaomi codename table (2018-2026) Many Xiaomi models have code names that appear in the engineering menu or in the design of the new model. ADB. Below are the current correspondences for popular devices: Codename Model Release Year Note Tucana Redmi Note 8 Pro 2019 First smartphone with Helio G90T surya POCO X3 NFC 2020 is also known as the Redmi Note 9 Pro for India. POCO F3 / Redmi K40 2021 The same platform, different firmware lmi POCO F2 Pro / Redmi K30 Pro 2020 Flagship with Snapdragon 865 Vili Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE 2021 Mi 11 Lite Thor Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 2022 First Redmi with 200MP camera 🔍 How do you use the table? ADB or the engineering menu you see code alioth, so you have either POCO F3, redmi K40 (depending on the region). To get a better idea, check the firmware version in the settings. Important: Codenames are often repeated in different regions! For example, ginkgo is the Redmi Note. 8T (Europe, and Redmi Note 8 (India) Always check with other data. FAQ: Frequent questions about defining Xiaomi model Can you recognize a model if the phone is broken and doesn't turn on? Yes, there are three ways: See the model IMEI on the box or sticker under the battery (if removable) and check it through IMEI.info. ADB You can go to the service center, they can identify the model by the board. Why is there one model on the back and another model on the settings: 🔄 Re-enhanced devices (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro stitched under the POCO X3 Pro). 🌍 Regional versions (e.g. Redmi) K40 china = POCO F3 Europe). 🛠️ Collected from phone parts ("Frankensteins"), in which case, focus on the data from the Settings → The phone or IMEI. How to distinguish the Redmi Note 11 from the Note 11 Pro? They are almost identical on the outside, but there are key differences: 📸 Note 11 Pro has a 108-MP camera (note 11 — 50 MP). 🔋 The Pro version has fast charging. 67W (basic — 33W). 🖥️ Note 11 Pro screen — AMOLED 120Hz, the Note 11 — AMOLED 90Hz To accurately determine the model, check in the settings or through IMEI. What if all the ways show different patterns: 🚨 Counterfeiting (especially if the phone is cheaper than the market). 🔧 Unofficial firmware (e.g. Global firmware) ROM Chinese-phone). 🔄 Replacement of the motherboard (for example, after repairs) Solution: contact the official Xiaomi service for diagnostics. Can you use the model to find out if the battery in the phone is original? No, the phone model doesn't give you battery information. To check the originality of the battery: Type ##4636## into the phone. Go to Battery Information. Compare capacity and temperature to passport data. The original battery should show a capacity of at least 90% of the declared capacity (for example, 4800 mAh out of 5000 mAh).