How to find out the Xiaomi phone model if it is locked: expert guide

It is quite common for Xiaomi to lock a smartphone and find out its exact model, whether it is a forgotten pattern lock, locking a Mi Account account or buying a device with no full specification information. Owners often find that only the brand logo is displayed on a locked screen, hiding the specific name of the series.

Determining the exact modification is important for finding compatible firmware, buying parts, or checking the device for theft using IMEI. Fortunately, even with a locked interface of the Android operating system, the hardware and system partitions remain accessible through special combinations or external sources of information.

In this article, we’ll look at all the legal and technical methods to know which Xiaomi or Redmi you’re holding, and we’ll look at both the software options through the recovery menu and the physical inspection of the device. The model code (e.g., M2101K7BG) is a more accurate identifier than a marketing name like the Redmi Note 10 Pro.

Search for information on the body and configuration of the device

The easiest and most reliable way to know a model is by physical inspection. Xiaomi manufacturers often put technical information on the back of the device. Depending on the year of release, the data can be laser-engraved directly on glass or metal, or pasted as a factory sticker, usually showing the Model, IMEI number and country of production.

If there's no sticker on the case, it's almost certainly preserved on the original packaging. The smartphone box contains all the information you need on one of the side faces or on the end, and there you'll find barcodes, IMEI, serial number (SN) and the exact model name, which is critical if the phone doesn't turn on completely.

⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to unstick factory stickers with sharp objects if you plan to give the device under warranty or sell it.

It is also worth looking at the slot for SIM-On some models, especially the flagship Mi and Mi Mix series, the tray may be microscopicly engraving with the region or series code. Although the full name is rare, it can help narrow the search when compared with photos on the Internet.

Use the Recovery Menu to identify

If the smartphone screen responds to touch, but the login is blocked by a password, you can try to get into the recovery menu (Recovery Mode). MIUI, It can indirectly point to a model, but more often it has hidden information. + Nutrition.

In the Recovery menu, the navigation is done with volume buttons and the power button is the choice. If you are lucky, the device version may be indicated in the top corner or in the "About" item. However, on global firmware versions, this information is often hidden. More informative is the Fastboot mode, which is called by pressing Volume Down + Power.

In Fastboot mode, the screen almost always displays a large FASTBOOT sign and a hare fixing an android. But most importantly, at the top of the screen, the model code is written in fine print. For example, you can see the line "Model: M2101K7BG." This is the search identifier that you're looking for, and it's easy to find the full name on Google.

Definition of the model through IMEI code

Each mobile phone has a unique IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) identifier, and even if the device is locked, you can find that number by typing a special code on the call screen if you have access to the caller. Type *#06# and a long number will appear on the screen.

If the lock screen doesn't make a call, IMEI is often printed in small print on the back cover (as mentioned above) or on a box. Knowing this 15-digit number, you can use online checkout services. Sites like imei.info or Xiaomi's official warranty check service will let you know the exact model from the code you entered.

Using IMEI is the most reliable way to make sure that software methods fail. The IMEI database contains information about the release date, color and exact modification of the device, which is especially useful when buying a used phone to make sure that you are not sold a restored device with a replaced body.

Visual comparison and search by photo

When software methods are unavailable and labeling is worn out, there's good old-fashioned visual analysis. The design of Redmi, Poco and Xiaomi smartphones often has unique features. Pay attention to the location of the cameras: a vertical module, a round bagel or a square island.

Also important are the interface details: 3.5mm jack, charging port type (Micro-USB or Type-C), infrared port location and speaker. With a high-quality photo of the back and camera unit, you can search Google Images or Yandex, and algorithms are good at finding similar devices.

Compare sizes and materials. Budget series often have a plastic frame that can bend slightly, while flagships are made of metal and glass. The presence of a memory card jack is also an important differentiator, as many new models lack a MicroSD slot.

Use of Mi Account and Cloud Services

If you logged in to Mi Account and synchronize on a locked phone, you can find out the model through your computer. Go to the official i.mi.com cloud service website from any other device, log in under the same account.

The Find Device section will display a map and a list of attached gadgets, often not only the name but also the image of the device, which allows you to visually identify the model, and this works even if the phone is turned off, provided that it has been online at least recently.

⚠️ Note: This method only works if you know the username and password from the Mi Account attached to the device. If the phone is locked because of the forgotten Mi Cloud password, this method will not help unlock it, but the model will let you know.

The mi.com account profile in the My Devices section can also store the history of the activated gadgets, often with the exact model number and date of first activation, which helps to understand the age of the device.

Analysis through PC Connection (ADB and Device Manager)

For more advanced users, there is a method of identification through a connection to a computer. Even in a locked state, a phone can be identified by the system as a media device or debugging device, if USB Debugging was previously allowed.

Connect your phone to a PC. Open Device Manager in Windows. If your phone is defined as Android Composite ADB Interface or something like that, you can use utilities like ADB. Adb shell getprop ro.product.model will return the exact code of the model.

adb devices


adb shell getprop ro.product.model




adb shell getprop ro.product.device

If debugging is not enabled, the phone can be defined as a Qualcomm or MediaTek bootloader in EDL (Emergency Download Mode), but entering this mode often requires disassembling the case and closing contacts, which is not recommended without experience. However, in Fastboot mode (as discussed above), the computer also sees the device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The fastest way to know the model of a locked Xiaomi is the combination of the buttons Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode, where the code is indicated at the top of the screen.

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If you buy a locked phone with your hands, be sure to demand a box.The lack of a box and the ability to name the model only "some Redmi" often indicate a stolen device.