How to find out the model of your phone Xiaomi: the complete guide

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.

  1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the desktop).
  2. Scroll down and select About Phone (or About Device in newer versions of MIUI).
  3. At the top of the screen you will see the Model line or the Model name.

There may be two options for display:

  • πŸ“± 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.
  • πŸ”’ 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.

⚠️ 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 nameXiaomi modelYear of release
surya / karnaPOCO X3 / X3 NFC2020
viliXiaomi Mi 11 Lite2021
aliothPOCO F3 / Redmi K402021
M2101K7AGRedmi Note 10 Pro (India)2021
cepheusXiaomi Mi 92019

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?
Codenames make it easier to develop firmware for different regions, such as the same hardware platform might be sold as Redmi Note 10 in Europe, POCO M3 in India, and Mi 10i in China, but inside they will all have the same codename (e.g., mojito), which allows you to release updates faster without confusing users with different names.

3. USSD-Codes and Engineering Menus: Secret Combinations

If for some reason you can’t 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:

  • πŸ“ž ##4636## – Opens a menu with phone information, including model and Android version.
  • πŸ”§ ##225## - shows calendar data (sometimes contains the name of the model).
  • πŸ“‘ ##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.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t change the settings in the engineering menu unless you know what they’re going to do! Incorrect settings can lead to loss of network, battery drain or even β€œbricking” 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:

  • πŸ” 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.
  • πŸ“¦ The box always has the full name of the model (e.g. Redmi Note). 11 Pro+ 5G 8/256GB). Also look at the barcode – the first digits after the letters MD or MZ may correspond to the model.
  • πŸ”‹ 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:

  • πŸ“Έ Take a picture of the back of the phone (especially the location of the cameras and logo).
  • πŸ”Ž Upload a photo to Google Image Search or forums like 4PDA β€” Users will help identify the model.

3. Check the IMEI:

  • πŸ“± Type on the keyboard *#06# - will be displayed IMEI (even on a locked phone).
  • 🌍 Enter this number on sites like IMEI.info – the service will show the model and specifications.

πŸ’‘

If the phone is disassembled, note the marking on the motherboard – 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

  1. Turn off the phone.
  2. Press Volume Down + Power before the Fastboot logo appears.
  3. Connect the phone to your PC and open the command line (Win + R β†’ enter cmd).
  4. 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)

  1. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional β†’ For Developers).
  2. 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.

⚠️ 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!

πŸ’‘

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.

  • πŸ“± CPU-Z β€” It shows the model, the processor, the memory and other features.
  • πŸ” AIDA64 β€” more advanced alternative with detailed information about sensors and firmware.
  • πŸ› οΈ Mi Support is the official app from Xiaomi, where the Device section displays the exact model and serial number.

How to use:

  1. Install any of the applications.
  2. Open the Device or System section.
  3. 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 causeDecision
In the settings, a non-existent model is displayed.Custom firmware or forgeryCheck it with CPU-Z or IMEI
USSD codes are not workingThe firmware blocks the engineering menuUse ADB or Fastboot
Different models on the box and on the phoneThe device is re-interpreted for another regionCompare IMEI to database
Fastboot is giving a mistakeDrivers not installedInstall 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.

Can I recognize a Xiaomi model by serial number?
The serial number (S/N) itself does not contain model information, but it can be used with IMEI on sites like IMEI.info or Xiaomi's service center to clarify the data.
Why does my POCO display as Redmi?
POCO is a sub-brand of Xiaomi, and many models (like the POCO X3 and Redmi K40) are built on the same platform. In some firmware, the name may change, but the hardware remains the same. To find out the exact model, use the methods in this article.
How to distinguish the original Xiaomi from a fake model?
Counterfeits often have fake names (e.g., Xiaomi Mi 15 Ultra, which doesn't exist) or copy the design of older models. Check: IMEI on IMEI.info, which is often invalid for fakes. The model is in the official Xiaomi catalogue. The build quality and materials (the originals do not have backlashes and cheap plastic).
Can I find out if my phone is in the water and not turning on?
Don't plug your phone into charging, check the case for stickers (usually under the battery or on the battery). SIM-If the water didn't damage the tray. IMEI (printed on a box or under a battery, use it to identify through online services.
Where in Xiaomi to see the firmware version?
Go to Settings β†’ About β†’ MIUI. It will indicate: Stable / Development version (e.g. MIUI Global 14.0.5). Android version (e.g. Android 13). Build code (e.g. V14.0.5.0.TKOMIXM). This information will come in handy if you want to update your firmware or check for custom ROM compatibility.