Users of modern smartphones are often faced with a situation where standard information about the device is not enough. You may know the model name, but solving complex technical problems, flashing firmware, or diagnosing faults requires deep data. Knowing how to find parameters on an Android phonebecomes critical when buying a used gadget or setting up specific software.
The Android operating system provides many levels of access to information, from simple settings in the menu to hidden engineering tests. In this article, we will examine in detail all the ways to obtain comprehensive data about your device, using both built-in functions and special commands. This will allow you to fully control the understanding of what exactly is in your hands.
Basic information through the settings menu
The most obvious and safe way to find out the basic characteristics is the standard system menu. Here you will find general data that is necessary for everyday use and primary identification of the gadget. To get there, open the application Settings and scroll the list to the very bottom.
Depending on the version of the shell (MIUI, One UI, Pixel UI), the item may be called differently: “About phone”, “Information about phone” or “About device”. By clicking on this section, you will see the model name, build number and operating system version. However, more detailed information is often hidden here and is only available with an additional click.
To get expanded data, try clicking on the “Build number” or “MIUI/One UI version” item several times in a row. This action activates developer mode, which gives access to additional debugging options. Also in this menu, information about the processor and amount of RAM is usually duplicated, although sometimes this data is presented in a marketing rather than a technical format.
⚠️ Attention: Do not change the settings in the “For Developers” menu that just opened if you are not sure of their purpose. Disabling certain options may lead to unstable system operation or reset security settings.
If you cannot find the “About phone” item, use the search inside the settings menu by entering the phrase “About device” or “Android version.”
Using engineering codes for diagnostics
A more advanced method that allows you to find out hidden parameters on Android involves the use of special USSD codes. These commands provide access to the engineering menu, which presents technical information in raw form, directly from the modem and the system kernel. Enter the code in the Phone application as if you were dialing a number.
The most universal code for checking IMEI and serial numbers is *#06#. After entering, the screen will instantly display a list of identifiers for all SIM card slots, as well as the IMEI of the device. This data is necessary to check the phone against stolen device databases or when registering in operator networks.
To access the full engineering menu, the combination ##4636##is often used. This code works on most "pure" versions of Android and many custom ROMs. The “Testing” menu that opens contains the “Phone Information”, “Usage Statistics” and “Wi-Fi Information” tabs. Here you can see the signal level in dBm, network type and battery status in real time.
What to do if the code does not work?
Many manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei) block standard engineering codes in their shells. In this case, try specific brand codes, for example #0# for Samsung or ##6484## for Xiaomi.
It is worth remembering that the functionality of the engineering menu greatly depends on the chipset manufacturer and phone model. On some devices, these codes may be disabled by the manufacturer for security purposes or to prevent unauthorized intervention in the operation of the radio module.
Third-party applications for detailed analytics
When built-in tools are not enough, specialized utilities from the store come to the rescue. Google Play. Applications like CPU-Z, AIDA64 or Device Info HW are able to read parameters that the system hides from the user by default. They provide detailed information about each hardware component.
Such apps show not just the name of the processor, but its actual architecture, the number of cores, the current frequency of each core and the temperature of the sensors. They also determine the exact screen matrix model, RAM manufacturer and drive type (UFS 2.1, UFS 3.1 or eMMC), which is critical for assessing the speed of the smartphone.
Particular attention should be paid to the “System” section in such applications. There you can find the exact Linux kernel version, firmware build date and root status. For modding enthusiasts, this information is a starting point for selecting compatible modifications and patches.
| Parameter | Where is displayed in the system | Details in CPU-Z/AIDA64 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Model name (Snapdragon 888) | Core frequency, technical process, load in % |
| Screen | Resolution and density (DPI) | Matrix type (OLED/LCD), Hertz frequency |
| Memory | Total volume (6/128 GB) | Memory type (LPDDR5), actual free space |
| Battery | Remaining charge in % | Exact capacity (mAh), voltage, temperature |
⚠️ Attention: When installing third-party diagnostic applications, grant them only the necessary permissions. Avoid utilities with a dubious reputation that require access to contacts or SMS without a clear need for hardware analysis.
☑️ Authentication via software
How to find the characteristics of the screen and sensor
The display is one of the most expensive components of a smartphone, and manufacturers sometimes use matrices from different suppliers for the same model. To find out which screen is installed on your device, it is not enough just to look at the specifications on the website. The actual options can be found through the developer settings or special tests.
Activate the developer menu as described above and find the option “Show surface updates” or “Show touches”. This will allow you to visually evaluate the performance of the sensor. To obtain technical data about the refresh rate (60 Hz, 90 Hz, 120 Hz) and resolution, it is often necessary to use ADB commands or applications like Screen Test.
In some cases, it is necessary to check for dead zones or dead pixels. Run a full-screen display of solid colors (black, white, red, green, blue) and carefully inspect the matrix. Any spots or dots that do not change color indicate a screen defect that is not always visible during normal use of the interface.
Modern AMOLED screens may use Shimo Diamond technology or other types of subpixels. It is difficult to find out the exact type (layout) of subpixels using conventional means, but applications for checking font clarity can indirectly indicate this parameter by the nature of anti-aliasing.
The screen refresh rate affects not only the smoothness of the picture, but also energy consumption. High values (120 Hz) drain the battery faster.
Viewing data about the battery and power consumption
Battery health is a parameter that degrades over time, but the Android system does not always show the degree of wear clearly. The standard menu shows only the current charge and approximate operating time. To obtain data on the actual capacity and number of charge cycles, additional steps are required.
On smartphones Xiaomi and Poco there is a hidden engineering menu called by the code ##6485##. In it, the parameter MB_06 shows the health status of the battery (Good/Bad), and MF_02 the number of complete charge cycles. On other devices, this data can only be accessed by connecting to a computer and reading system logs.
Monitor applications such as AccuBatterycannot read data directly from the power controller without root access, but they calculate the actual capacity empirically. By installing such an application and using the phone as usual for a week, you will get an accurate estimate of the current state of the battery in milliamp-hours.
It is also important to monitor the battery temperature. Overheating above 45 degrees Celsius under load indicates problems with the cooling system or degradation of the thermal paste inside the case. Long-term operation at high temperatures accelerates the aging of battery chemical elements.
⚠️ Attention: If the application shows that the battery capacity has dropped below 80% of the factory capacity, it is recommended to think about replacing the battery, as further wear will occur like an avalanche.
Access to system logs via ADB
For users with advanced skills, the best way to find all the options on an Android phone is to use USB debugging (ADB). This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and installing the platform Android SDK Platform-Tools. It gives access to console command input directly into the system.
After connecting and authorizing debugging on the phone screen, you can enter a command to display the full specification of the device. The command adb shell getprop will list all system properties, including driver versions, region settings, and hidden configuration flags. This is the most comprehensive source of information available without rooting.
adb shell dumpsys batterystats --chargedThis particular command will show detailed battery drain statistics since the last full charge. Using ADB, you can also find out the exact screen resolution and DPI density with the command adb shell wm size i adb shell wm density. Moreover, these parameters can be temporarily changed to test interfaces.
Risk of using ADB
Incorrectly entering commands through ADB, especially those related to removing system packages (pm uninstall), can lead to the device becoming bricked or data loss. Always check the command before pressing Enter.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Where can I find the IMEI number if the sticker on the box is lost?
IMEI can be found in the menu Settings → About phone, or by typing universal code *#06# in the phone application. It is also often duplicated in the Google account settings in the “Security” → “Your devices” section.
Why is there less memory in the settings than stated in the store (for example, 57 GB instead of 64 GB)?
This is normal. Some of the physical memory is occupied by operating system files, pre-installed applications, and service recovery partitions. In addition, manufacturers use the decimal system (1 GB = 1000 MB), and the system uses the binary system (1 GiB = 1024 MiB), which creates a visual difference.
Is it possible to find out the production date of a phone by the parameters?
There is usually no direct production date in the menu. However, you can indirectly determine the age of the device by the date the system was first booted (can be found in the logs or some engineering menus) or by the serial number, decrypting it through the manufacturer’s special online services.
Is it safe to enter engineering codes?
Viewing information through type codes #06# or ##4636##* is completely safe. However, changing parameters in the engineering menu (especially those related to the radio module or processor frequencies) without understanding the consequences can lead to unstable network operation or overheating.