How to find out the version of the Xiaomi modem: a detailed guide

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a situation where the device suddenly ceases to see the network, loses the signal in familiar places or shows unstable data transfer speeds. SIM-They're talking to the operator, or they're talking to the operator, and they're not really thinking about the key component, the radio module, and it's the software that's in that module, known as the modem firmware or the baseband, that's responsible for the proper communication, GPS and Wi-Fi.

Knowing the current version of baseband is essential not only for diagnosing communication problems, but also for custom firmware installations, as incompatibility between MIUI and modem versions can lead to call inoperability. In this article, we will break down all the validation methods available, explain what the numbers in the title mean, and help you understand when it’s time to update this critical component.

The differences between versions can be minimal, but they often determine whether your phone will catch 4G in the area of uncertain reception.We will look at both standard methods through the settings menu, and more advanced ways for power users to get comprehensive technical information about the status of your device's radio module.

Why it is important to follow the modem version

Modem firmware is a low-level software that manages the smartphone’s RF modules. Unlike the main Android operating system or MIUI shell, this component operates independently and provides physical communication with cell towers. Baseband controls network search, switching between communication standards (2G/3G/4G/5G) and signal power.

A malfunctioning modem version of the firmware version is one of the most common causes of floating bugs. For example, after a system update, you may notice that the battery runs out faster in standby mode, because the new MIUI energy saving algorithm conflicts with the old code of the radio module, which does not know how to sleep properly.

In addition, carriers periodically change the frequencies or encryption standards. The updated baseband contains up-to-date profiles that allow the device to correctly register with the network. If you use a device purchased in another region (Global version in China or vice versa), checking the modem version becomes a mandatory procedure to ensure stable operation.

⚠️ Warning: Never try to manually flash the modem if your device is stable. An incorrect version of baseband can completely deprive the phone of the ability to make calls, and it will be extremely difficult to restore it.

Method 1: Check through the standard settings menu

The easiest and safest way to learn about a radio module is to use the built-in Android interface.This method does not require the installation of additional software and is available on any Xiaomi device regardless of the version of MIUI. However, it is worth considering that in some cases, it does not display the full version, but only a common identifier.

To get data, you need to open the Settings app and scroll to the bottom. We are interested in the About Phone section. In the menu that opens, find the "All options" line or immediately look for the "Basic CPU version" item (sometimes it is put in a separate line depending on the localization).

The value in this field is the version you want, and it can look like a set of numbers and letters, like MPSS.JO.3.0.c2-00128-M8960AAAAANZL-1 or a shorter code, and write down or screenshot that value if you plan to compare it to the current versions for your model.

• 📱 Open "Settings» → «The phone» → «All parameters».
• 🔍 Find the line "Baseband version" (Baseband version).
• 📝 Copy or write down the displayed code for further analysis.
• 🔄 Compare the number to the version in the engineering menu for rechecking.

If you find the information incomplete in the standard menu or want to verify the integrity of the data, you should move to more detailed methods of verification. Often users notice that after updating the system, the version number in this menu does not change, although the system logs already contain a new identifier.

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The standard menu shows the general version, but for deep diagnostics it is better to use engineering codes or third-party utilities.

Method 2: Use of the engineering menu and USSD-code

To get more technical information hidden from the average user, Xiaomi smartphones have a special engineering menu, accessed through the dialed combinations of characters in the Phone application, which allows you to see not only the version, but also the status of the modules, antennas and test results.

The most universal code for Qualcomm-based devices (which is most of today’s Xiaomi) is ##3646633#. Once you dial the last digit, the menu will open automatically. You need to go to the Telephony tab and select “Phone Debugging” or “Miscellaneous Information.”

In the "Miscellaneous Information" section, look for the "Baseband Version" line, where you can provide more information, including the protocol version and compilation date. If the code ##3646633## doesn't work, try the alternative ##4636##, which opens the Android testing menu, and you need to select "Phone Information" where Baseband version will also be specified.

#3646633## - Engineering Menu (Engineer Mode)
#4636### - Android Test Menu

Using the engineering menu gives you access to hidden settings that can affect network operation. Be extremely careful: changing the parameters in the BandMode or CDS Information sections without understanding their purpose can lead to signal loss.

Method 3: Third-party applications for diagnosis

If the built-in tools don't seem informative enough, Google Play will come to the rescue, aggregate data from system logs and provide it in a convenient, structured way, the best option for those who want to get the most information without going deep into the technical jungle.

One of the most popular tools is the CPU-Z application or Device Info HW. After installation and launch, you need to go to the "Device" or "System" tab, where you will find the "Baseband" field, where you will find the exact version of the modem firmware.

The advantage of these apps is that they show not only the version, but also information about which modem is physically installed (for example, XMM7560 or MDM9655), which is especially useful when buying a used device or rechecking performance after soldering components in the service center.

• 📲 Install the app CPU-Z or AIDA64 Play Market.
• 🚀 Start the program and wait for data collection.
• 📡 Go to the "Device" or "Android" section».
• ℹ️ Find the "Baseband" line to view the version.

Another powerful tool is the MTK Engineer Mode app (for MediaTek devices) or Qualcomm analogs. They allow not only to view information, but also to conduct communication tests, forcibly switch network modes (LTE only, 3G only) to check the stability of the signal with the current version of the modem.

Decoding of designations and compatibility table

The modem version is not just a random set of characters; it encrypts the chip maker, protocol version, and regional binding, and understanding the name structure helps determine if it's appropriate for your region and carrier.

Usually, the code is in multiple parts. The first part points to the platform (e.g. MPSS for Qualcomm). The following numbers indicate the major and minor versions. It's important to know that the recording format will be radically different for MediaTek and Qualcomm processors.

Below is a table that helps you navigate the main types of notations that can be found on Xiaomi devices:

When comparing versions, look for the latest characters. These often indicate regional modification. For example, the presence of the letters EU or GL at the end of a line (if format allows) may indicate a European build optimized for local LTE frequencies.

⚠️ Warning: Modem firmware from the Chinese version of the smartphone to the global (and vice versa) can lead to the inoperability of some bands (Band), which will stop the phone catching 4G in your region.

Update and reset modem settings

If you find that your version is outdated or causing problems, the first step should be to update the system. Xiaomi delivers baseband updates along with the main MIUI packages. Separately update the modem through the standard System Update menu, it is updated automatically when you install a new version of the OS.

However, if the connection problem persists after the update, you can try resetting your network settings. This action will return the modem settings to factory values without affecting your personal data (photos, contacts). To do this, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth.

In more complex cases, especially after a failed flashing of the device, it may be necessary to flash the modem partition through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool or QPST utility. This requires an unlocked bootloader and an accurate modem image for a particular model.

A common mistake is to try to "improve" the signal by installing a modem from another model, which is guaranteed to lead to a software conflict. The radio module is rigidly tied to the hardware platform, and there are no universal solutions here.

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If the system is gone after the system update IMEI status SIM-The card became "Unknown", most likely damaged section EFS In this case, only the flashing of a full dump through the EDL service-centre.

Frequent problems and their solution

One of the most common problems is when the modem version appears as Unknown or N/A in the settings, which means that the operating system has lost communication with the radio module. The reasons may be software (failure after the update) or hardware (flying antenna, damage to the board).

Another symptom is a constant search for the network or switching between 3G and 4G without the possibility of stabilization, often solved by manually selecting the network in the engineering menu or resetting the network settings mentioned above, if the problem is version incompatibility, a full reset of the device (Wipe All Data) and then a clean installation of the current firmware will help.

Owners of custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) should remember that when switching from official MIUI to cast, the modem section is usually not affected. However, if you are doing a clean installation (Clean Install), make sure that the firmware archive has the current modem.img file or that you have previously updated to the latest official MIUI.