Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often wonder about the technical specifications of their device, especially when it comes to wireless connectivity. The Bluetooth version of the protocol directly affects data transfer speed, energy efficiency and sound quality when using wireless headphones. Understanding which module is installed in your gadget helps you choose the right periphery and adjust the optimal connection.
Unfortunately, in the standard MIUI or HyperOS settings menu, this information is often hidden from the eyes of the average user. The system can show just the status of "On" or the device name, but not the specification of the chip. This creates confusion, especially when you need to understand whether the phone supports an aptX HD codec or LDAC, which require more modern versions of the protocol.
There are several proven ways to access this data, from using specialized apps from Google Play to running system tests through an engineering menu. In this article, we’ll take a look at each method in detail, explain the difference between versions, and help you pinpoint your smartphone’s capabilities.
Why is it important to know the Bluetooth version?
Many users ignore the technical specifications of wireless modules until they encounter connectivity issues. The Bluetooth version determines not only the range of the signal, but also the channel bandwidth. For example, support for modern standards such as Bluetooth 5.0 and higher is critical to transmit high-resolution audio without delay.
If you’re planning to buy new wireless headphones, smartwatches or a fitness tracker, knowing the protocol version on your Xiaomi smartphone will avoid unpleasant surprises. Older versions may not support the connectivity feature (simultaneously connecting to multiple devices) or have a limited range.
- 📶 Transfer speed: Newer versions provide significantly higher data exchange rates between devices.
- 🔋 Energy efficiency: modern standards such as BLE (Low Energy, which allows gadgets to last longer on a single charge.
- 🎧 Sound quality: Support for advanced codecs directly depends on the capabilities of the Bluetooth module of the smartphone.
⚠️ Note: Do not confuse the Bluetooth software version with the hardware module version.Software updates may add features, but cannot change the physical version of the chip.
This is especially true for owners of budget Redmi models or old Mi flagships, where manufacturers could save money on installing the latest module.
Use of analytical applications
The easiest and most secure way for the average user is to install a specialized application from the Google Play store. There are many utilities that read system information and output it in a convenient way. One of the most popular and reliable tools is the Bluetooth Version or AIDA64 application.
Once installed, you don’t need to have superuser rights (Root) and the app asks for standard permissions to access device information and instantly displays data about the Bluetooth adapter. The “Network” or “Bluetooth” section will specify the exact version, such as 4.2, 5.0, 5.1 or 5.2.
Also worth paying attention to is Device Info HW. It provides more detailed information not only about the protocol version, but also about the profiles and codecs supported. This is useful if you are an audiophile and it is important for you to know if aptX Adaptive works on your device.
- 📲 Simplicity: No complex settings, just download and run.
- 📊 Details: Not only does it show the version, but it also shows the MAC-address, connection status.
- 🛡️ Security: Apps from the official store do not pose a threat to the system.
⚠️ Note: Some "light" versions MIUI (China ROM) They can restrict applications from accessing a full list of features, so try an alternative method through the engineering menu.
Using third-party software is a quick way to get an answer, but it doesn't always guarantee 100% accuracy if the drivers on the system aren't working properly, but in 95% of cases, the data provided by such tools is true and helps you navigate quickly.
Checking through CIT's engineering menu
Xiaomi smartphones have a hidden diagnostic section known as CIT (Customer Integration Test) that allows you to access the deep hardware settings. To get there, open the Phone app and type in the ##6484## command. If the code doesn't work, try ##4636##, which opens the testing menu.
You'll find a Bluetooth-related item in the menu that opens, usually called the Bluetooth Test, the BT Loopback Test, or simply the Bluetooth. You'll click on it and take it to the submenu, where the firmware Bluetooth chip version and hardware revision often show up. The interface may vary depending on the version of MIUI.
☑️ Actions in the Engineering Menu
Inside the test mode, you can often see a line "Version" or "Firmware." Write this data down and type it into a search engine to see which version of the standard it meets. For example, firmware version 1.2 may correspond to Bluetooth 5.0, but it is better to look for a specific match table for a specific processor (Snapdragon, MediaTek).
| Version of the standard | Year out | Speed (Mbps) | Range (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2 | 2014 | 1 | ~50 |
| 5.0 | 2016 | 2 | ~200 |
| 5.1 | 2019 | 2 | ~200 |
| 5.2 | 2020 | 2 | ~240 |
Be careful when pressing buttons in the engineering menu. Do not run the Start Test or Loopback tests unless a dedicated Bluetooth test module is connected to your phone, otherwise the phone may freeze or go into endless search.
What if the code doesn't work?
Version definition through ADB teams
For advanced users who are not afraid of the command line, there is a method of checking through Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This is the way that you get the most accurate technical information right out of the system, bypassing the graphics shells, USB-cable and on-debugging USB smartphone.
First, activate Developer Mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press MIUI Version seven times. Then, in the advanced settings, turn on USB Debugging. Connect the phone to your PC and enter a command to check Bluetooth logs into the console.
adb shell dumpsys bluetooth_managerIn the output of the command, you need to look for lines containing "version" or"hci_version". You can also use the adb shell getprop command. | grep bluetooth, which will display all system properties associated with.Look for values starting with ro.bluetooth.
💡
To work with ADB, install Platform Tools from Google’s official website, which ensures that the commands are compatible with your operating system.
Log analysis can be tricky for a beginner because it's raw, but it's a method that engineers often use when debugging drivers, and if the logs feature a version of HCI (Host Controller Interface), it can be matched to the Bluetooth SIG specification table.
- 💻 Accuracy: Direct query to the system gives unaltered data.
- 🔧 Universality: Works on any Android device, regardless of shell.
- ⚙️ Depth: Allows you to see driver status and connection errors.
If you don’t see an explicit version indication in the logs, look for the name of the chipset (e.g. Qualcomm QCA6421).
Analysis of the model of the processor and smartphone
You often don’t have to get into the wilds of settings if you know what processor your Xiaomi has installed. Smartphone manufacturers clearly regulate which communication modules are paired with specific SoCs (System on Chip). For example, flagship Snapdragon 8-series processors almost always have Bluetooth 5.0 and higher.
You can find an exact model of your CPU in the About Phone app or through sites like GSMArena. Knowing the CPU model (like the Snapdragon 732G or Dimensity 1200), it's easy to find the official specification on Qualcomm or MediaTek, and it will clearly state: "Integrated Bluetooth 5.2."
It is critical to understand that the Bluetooth version is rigidly tied to the processor model, not the Android or MIUI version.
💡
The Bluetooth version is dependent on the hardware platform (processor) and cannot be changed by software updates.
This method is especially useful when buying a used device or choosing a phone in a store when you can not turn on the device. You need to know the model to understand its capabilities. Budget Helio chips or older Snapdragon 4-series is often limited to version 4.1 or 4.2.
⚠️ Note: In rare cases (usually in Chinese firmware versions), the same processor may be configured differently. Always double-check the data on a particular device if the issue is critical.
Comparison of capabilities of different versions
Understanding the difference between Bluetooth generations helps to assess whether the upgrade device is worth it.Older versions like 4.0 and 4.2 are still found in Xiaomi's budget segment, but they have significant limitations compared to today's 5.x standards.
The main difference lies in the technology Low Energy (BLE) and transmission speeds. whereas Bluetooth 4.2 allowed data transfer at 1 Mbps, version 5.0 doubled this figure, and version 5.2 added support for LE Audio, which revolutionizes the sound quality in wireless headphones.
- 🚀 New versions transmit large amounts of data faster.
- 📡 Stability: Improved protection against interference in congested air.
- 🔗 Multipoint: Only newer versions are stable in communication with two headphones at the same time.
For Xiaomi smart home users, the difference is also palpable: the new generation of sensors and lamps are more stable and respond faster to commands through Bluetooth 5.0 gateways. If you have a smart home growing, an old phone can become the bottleneck of the entire system.