Have you bought a Xiaomi smartphone from your hands, lost a box or just forgotten what model you have?Without an exact name, it is difficult to find firmware, cases or accessories, and sometimes even contact a service center. In this article, we have collected all possible ways to find out a Xiaomi phone model, including rare methods for broken devices.
Whether you have a Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or an old Mi A1, the instructions will be suitable for any brand model, and we will also explain why the name in the settings sometimes does not match the real model (spoiler: this is the fault of firmware from third-party developers) and how to avoid errors in identification.
If your phone isn't turning on or locked, don't worry. There are ways to identify the model, even by looking at it, or by using a computer. Read on!
1. The easiest way: look in the settings of the phone
The first thing to try is the standard settings menu, which works on all Xiaomi smartphones, regardless of MIUI or Android version.
- Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the desktop).
- Scroll down and select About Phone (or About Device in newer versions of MIUI).
- At the top of the screen you will see the Model line or the Model name.
There may be two options for display:
- π± The full name of the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G or POCO X5 Pro. This is the ideal case where no additional action is required.
- π’ Code designation of the type vili, surya or M2101K7AG. This is the case on custom firmware or some regional versions. To decrypt the code, use the table below.
Check the code in the table below|Compare it to the lettering on the box.|Use the method of setup USSD-code|Please check the application "Mi Support Service"-->
If you see a code name, don't panic. For example, phoenix is Redmi Note 7, and cepheus is Xiaomi Mi 9. For a full list of popular codes, see the next section.
β οΈ Note: Some third-party firmware (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience) may not display the model name correctly.
2. Table of Xiaomi code names: decrypting abbreviations
If your Xiaomi settings display a mysterious set of letters and numbers β like davinci or M2007J3SC β don't be alarmed. These are internal notations that the manufacturer uses for different markets. Below is a table of the most common codes and their corresponding models:
| Code name | Xiaomi model | Year of release |
|---|---|---|
| surya / karna | POCO X3 / X3 NFC | 2020 |
| vili | Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite | 2021 |
| alioth | POCO F3 / Redmi K40 | 2021 |
| M2101K7AG | Redmi Note 10 Pro (India) | 2021 |
| cepheus | Xiaomi Mi 9 | 2019 |
You can find the full list of codes on official Xiaomi forums or sites like Xiaomi Firmware Updater. If your code isn't in the table, try typing it into a search engine that asks Xiaomi [your code] model β usually the first results give an accurate answer.
Fun fact is that sometimes a single code name corresponds to several models, like the POCO F3 and the Redmi K40 for the Chinese market, differing only in the firmware and the set of frequencies supported.
Why does Xiaomi use code names?
3. USSD-Codes and Engineering Menus: Secret Combinations
If for some reason you canβt go into settings (for example, your phone is locked), try special service codes that work even on a locked screen (if emergency calls are enabled).
The most useful combinations for Xiaomi:
- π ##4636## β Opens a menu with phone information, including model and Android version.
- π§ ##225## - shows calendar data (sometimes contains the name of the model).
- π‘ ##6484## - Test GPS sensors where the model can be displayed in the top row.
Once you've typed the code, you'll either see the model information immediately or you'll be taken to the engineering menu, and in the latter case, look for the Device Information or Hardware Info tabs.
β οΈ Warning: Donβt change the settings in the engineering menu unless you know what theyβre going to do! Incorrect settings can lead to loss of network, battery drain or even βbrickingβ of the phone.
If the codes don't work, your firmware may block them, in which case move on to the next way.
Through phone settings|By box or paperwork|With help. USSD-code|Through the computer (Fastboot/ADB)|Another way.-->
4. Determine the model by external features (if the phone is not turned on)
A smartphone is broken, not turned on or locked with a pattern lock? There are several ways to recognize a model without access to the system:
1. Inspect the case and stickers:
- π On the back of some models (especially the old Mi and Redmi) there is a sticker with the name.Look for the fine text under the logo.
- π¦ The box always has the full name of the model (e.g. Redmi Note). 11 Pro+ 5G 8/256GB). Also look at the barcode β the first digits after the letters MD or MZ may correspond to the model.
- π Under the battery (if removable) there is sometimes a sticker with the model code, M2003J15SC β This is the Redmi Note 9 Pro in India.
2. Compare this to the photo on the Internet:
- πΈ Take a picture of the back of the phone (especially the location of the cameras and logo).
- π Upload a photo to Google Image Search or forums like 4PDA β Users will help identify the model.
3. Check the IMEI:
- π± Type on the keyboard *#06# - will be displayed IMEI (even on a locked phone).
- π Enter this number on sites like IMEI.info β the service will show the model and specifications.
π‘
If the phone is disassembled, note the marking on the motherboard β often the model code is listed there (for example, "MSM8953" for the Redmi 5 Plus).
5. Ways for Advanced: Fastboot, ADB and Mi Flash Tool
If you're familiar with Fastboot or ADB, you can recognize the model even on a broken phone, which requires a computer and minimal technical skills.
Method 1: Through Fastboot
- Turn off the phone.
- Press Volume Down + Power before the Fastboot logo appears.
- Connect the phone to your PC and open the command line (Win + R β enter cmd).
- Enter the command: fastboot getvar product The code name of the model will be displayed (for example, product: surya).
Method 2: ADB (if the phone is switched on)
- Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings β About Phone β MIUI version β tap 7 times, then go back to Additional β For Developers).
- Connect the phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb shell getprop ro.product.model The command will return the full model name.
Method 3: Mi Flash Tool (for firmware)
If you plan to flash your phone, the Mi Flash Tool automatically detects the model when you connect in EDL mode. You can download it from the official Xiaomi website.
β οΈ Note: Use of Fastboot and ADB It can cause a data dump if you get the commands wrong. Don't experiment unless you're sure you're doing it!
π‘
Fastboot and ADB are the most reliable ways to identify a model on a broken phone, but they need to be careful. If in doubt, contact the service center.
Applications for Automatic Model Determination
If you don't want to go through the settings, you can use special utilities that not only show the model, but also provide complete information about the hardware.
- π± CPU-Z β It shows the model, the processor, the memory and other features.
- π AIDA64 β more advanced alternative with detailed information about sensors and firmware.
- π οΈ Mi Support is the official app from Xiaomi, where the Device section displays the exact model and serial number.
How to use:
- Install any of the applications.
- Open the Device or System section.
- Find the lines Model, Device or Product Name.
The advantage of these programs is that they show the real model, even if it is hidden by custom firmware, for example, if your Redmi Note 8 Pro is stitched under POCO X2, the CPU-Z will still display the original name.
7 Frequent errors: why is the method not working?
Sometimes users find that none of the methods is clear-cut.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| In the settings, a non-existent model is displayed. | Custom firmware or forgery | Check it with CPU-Z or IMEI |
| USSD codes are not working | The firmware blocks the engineering menu | Use ADB or Fastboot |
| Different models on the box and on the phone | The device is re-interpreted for another region | Compare IMEI to database |
| Fastboot is giving a mistake | Drivers not installed | Install Mi PC Suite |
Regional versions of the same model are especially confusing, for example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro for India and the global version may have different codes and support different 5G networks. If in doubt, check the model through official Xiaomi support by providing IMEI.