You may need to find out the firmware version on an Android device in a variety of situations: before updating the system, when installing custom software, to diagnose problems or check compatibility with applications. This information is not hidden as deeply as it seems, but the methods for obtaining it depend on the manufacturer, model and even version Android. In some cases, a couple of taps on the screen are enough, and sometimes you need to connect to a computer or use special commands.

In this article we will analyze all the current methods - from basic to advanced, including those that work on locked devices or smartphones without access to basic settings. You will learn exactly where to look for firmware data on Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel and other popular brands, as well as how to decipher technical designations like MIUI 14.0.5 or One UI 6.1. We will pay special attention to nuances that are often missed in standard instructions - for example, how to distinguish factory firmware from custom one or why not all data is displayed on some devices.

1. Standard method: through Android settings

The simplest and most universal method is to use the built-in settings menu. It works on 99% of devices, regardless of brand and OS version. Here's how to do it:

  1. Open Settings (gear icon in the application menu or notification shade).
  2. Scroll down and select About phone (on some devices - About device or Information about phone).
  3. Find section Software information (or Android versionHere). will be displayed:
    • 📱 Android version —for example, 14 or 13.
    • 🔄 MIUI/One UI/ColorOS Version —manufacturer's shell (for example, One UI 6.1 for Samsung).
    • 📦 Build number —a unique firmware identifier (for example, TP1A.220624.014).
    • 🔒 Compilation date (sometimes)—when the firmware was compiled.

On devices Xiaomi and Redmi the path may be slightly different: Settings → About phone → MIUI version. stable/global version is also displayed here (for example, MIUI Global 14.0.5) and regional code (for example, RU for Russia).

💡

If there is no "Build number" item in the "About phone" menu, tap 7 times on the "Android version" line - this will unlock the developer mode, where you can find additional data.

On Samsung the information is divided into several tabs:

  • 📊 Android version — basic version OS.
  • 🎨 One UI version — shell from Samsung.
  • 📅 Android security date —when the latest patches were installed.
  • 🔢 Build number — for example, DPX1.220610.006.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (especially budget ones or from little-known brands), the firmware data may be hidden or not completely displayed. If you only see the Android version without the build number, try alternative methods from the following sections.

2. engineering menu (for advanced users)

The engineering menu (or Engineering Mode) contains extensive information about the firmware, including data on modification, region and even bootloader status. However, access to it varies depending on the manufacturer: Here's how to get there:

For most devices on the chip Qualcomm (For example, Xiaomi, OnePlus, Realme):

  1. Open the application Phone.
  2. Enter the combination: ##4636##.
  3. Select item Phone information.
  4. Scroll down to block Software version —here there will be data about the firmware, including baseband version (for example, MOLY.LR12A.R3.MP.V19.5).

For devices Samsung:

  • 🔢 Enter in phone: *#1234# —the version AP (firmware), CP (modem) and CSC (regional settings) will be displayed.
  • 🔧 For more detailed information: *#0011# (shows the modem version and network parameters).

On Huawei i Honor:

  • 📱 Enter: ##2846579## → select ProjectMenu → Background setting → Software version.
What is CSC in firmware Samsung?

CSC (Consumer Software Customization) is a regional firmware code that determines the language, pre-installed applications and settings for a specific country. For example, SER - Russia, OXM - multi-regional firmware.

⚠️ Attention: Not all combinations work on new devices - manufacturers often block access to the engineering menu in the latest firmware versions. If nothing happens after entering the code, then your device does not support this method.

3. Using ADB commands (for PC)

If your device is connected to a computer, you can get firmware information. via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method is useful when the smartphone does not turn on or the screen does not respond to touches, but USB debugging was enabled previously.

Here are step-by-step guide:

  1. Download and install Platform Tools (included with Android SDK).
  2. Connect your phone to the PC via USB and enable debugging (if the device is working).
  3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.
  4. Enter the command to test the connection: 
    adb devices

    The name of your device should appear.

  5. Run the command to get firmware data: 
    adb shell getprop ro.build.version.incremental

    This will return the build number:

    adb shell getprop ro.build.version.release
    —Android version. 
    adb shell getprop ro.miui.ui.version.name
    —MIUI version (for Xiaomi).

Sample output for Google Pixel 7:

TD1A.230804.001

This is the build number, where:

  • 🔤 TD1A is the platform code.
  • 📅 230804 is the compilation date (August 4, 2023).
  • 🔢 001 is the build revision.

Install Platform Tools|Enable USB debugging in the developer settings|Connect the phone to the PC with the original cable|Check the connection with the adb devices command-->

⚠️ Attention: If USB debugging was not enabled in advance, this method will not work on a locked device. In this case, try the method with Fastboot (section. 5).

4. Third-party applications for checking the firmware

If you need not only the firmware version, but also additional data (for example, status bootloader, information about the kernel or a list of installed patches), you can use specialized applications. that collect all the data in one place and often provide a breakdown of technical terms.

Top 3 applications for firmware analysis:

Application What it shows Link (Google Play)
CPU-Z
  • Android version and shell.
  • Firmware build date.
  • Information about the processor and core.
 Download
DevCheck
  • Build number and security version.
  • Root status and bootloader.
  • List of installed patches.
 Download
AIDA64
  • Full information about the firmware (including OEM-specific data).
  • CPU temperature and battery condition.
  • List of all sensors.
 Download

Example of data display in DevCheck:

  • 📱 Android Version: 14 (API 34).
  • 🔧 Build Number: UP1A.231005.007.
  • 🛡️ Security Patch: November 5, 2023
  • 🔓 Bootloader: Unlocked (if unlocked).

CPU-Z|DevCheck|AIDA64|Other|I don’t use-->

The advantage of such applications is that they often show hidden data that is not displayed in standard settings -for example, the version bootloader or information about recovery. This is especially useful if you. plan to install custom software.

5. Checking the firmware in Fastboot mode

If your smartphone does not turn on or is stuck on the logo, but responds to connecting to a PC, you can get firmware data via Fastboot. This mode is available on most devices, even with a locked bootloader.

Instructions:

  1. Turn off the device.
  2. Hold the combination of buttons to enter Fastboot (usually Volume down + Power, but on some devices - Volume up + Power).
  3. Connect the phone to the PC via USB.
  4. Open the command line in the folder with fastboot i enter: 
    fastboot getvar all
  5. In the output, find the lines:
    • version-bootloader — bootloader version.
    • version-baseband —modem version.
    • product —device code name (for example, marlin for Google Pixel XL).

Example output for Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro:

(bootloader) version-bootloader: 1.0.0

(bootloader) version-baseband: MOLY.LR12A.R3.MP.V19.5


(bootloader) product: sweet
💡

Fastboot mode allows you to get firmware data even on a non-working device, but requires an unlocked bootloader for some commands.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with a locked bootloader (for example, most Samsung or Huawei) command fastboot getvar all may return a limited set of data or an error FAILED (remote: unknown command).

6. How to decrypt firmware data

The build number and firmware version often contain encoded information about the device, region and date. release. Having understood these designations, you can determine whether the firmware on your smartphone is original, or whether it has been changed (for example, updated to another regional version).

Let's consider a few examples:

  • 📱 Samsung (One UI):

    Example: G991BXXU5DWL1

    • G991B - model (Galaxy S21 5G).
    • XXU - region (XX - international, U - unbranded firmware).
    • 5 — Android version (5 = Android 13).
    • DWL1 — release date (November 2022).
  • 📱 Xiaomi (MIUI):

    Example: V14.0.5.0.TKLRUXM

    • V14.0.5.0 — MIUI version (14.0.5).
    • T — firmware type (T = stable, X = developers).
    • KL — model code (Redmi K50).
    • RU — region (Russia).
    • XM — multilingual firmware.
  • 📱 Google Pixel:

    Example: TD1A.230804.001

    • TD1A — platform code.
    • 230804 — compilation date (August 4, 2023).
    • 001 — assembly revision.

If the build number contains letters C, B or A at the beginning (for example, C632B193 on Huawei), this usually indicates:

  • 🔠 C - firmware for China.
  • 🔠 B - international firmware.
  • 🔠 A - firmware for a specific operator.
How to find out if the firmware is custom?

If the build number contains words like lineage, aosp, crDroid or non-standard designations (for example, nikgapps), this indicates custom software. Also check the status. bootloader - if it is unlocked (Unlocked), there is a high probability that the firmware has been changed.

7. Checking the firmware through the recovery menu

If your device does not boot into the system, but you can enter recovery (recovery mode), there is a chance to find data about firmware and there. This method works on both standard recovery and custom recovery (TWRP, OrangeFox).

Instructions:

  1. Turn off the device.
  2. Press the combination to enter recovery (usually Volume up + Power, but on some devices - Volume up + Volume down + Power).
  3. In standard recovery (on Samsung, Huawei) firmware data are displayed at the top of the screen, for example: 
    Android Recovery

    samsung/exynos9820/beyond2lte
    

    11/RP1A.200720.012/...

  4. In TWRP go to Advanced → File Manager and open the file /system/build.prop. There will be lines: 
    ro.build.version.incremental=...

    ro.build.version.release=...

On Samsung in recovery also displayed:

  • 🔹 AP Version —firmware version.
  • 🔹 CP Version —modem version.
  • 🔹 CSC Version —regional settings.
⚠️ Attention: If you see in recovery the message No command or the device reboots immediately, this may mean that the recovery is damaged or replaced with an unofficial one. In this case, it is better to use it to check the firmware Fastboot.

Frequently asked questions about Android firmware

How can I find out if the firmware on my phone is original?

Compare the number assemblies from the settings with official data on the manufacturer's website. For example, for Samsung check on SamFW, for Xiaomi on official. MIUI websiteIf the build number does not match any of the official versions, the firmware has been changed.

Is it possible to roll back the firmware to an older version?

Technically yes, but this is fraught with problems:

  • 🔄 On Samsung i Google Pixel rollback is often blocked via anti-rollback (downgrade protection).
  • 🔒 On Xiaomi you may need to unlock the bootloader.
  • ⚠️ Risk of "brick" (turning into a "brick") if incorrect rollback.

Before rolling back, be sure to check compatibility on forums like XDA Developers.

What to do if the build number is not displayed in the settings?

Possible reasons and solutions:

  • 🔧 Manufacturer restrictions: On some devices (for example, Huawei with EMUI 12+) the data is hidden. Try ADB or the engineering menu.
  • 🛠️ Custom firmware: Some builds (for example, LineageOS) do not display the build number in the standard menu. Use applications like DevCheck.
  • 🔒 Works in Safe Mode: Reboot the device - a third-party application that is blocking the display of data may be to blame.
How to check the firmware on an Android tablet?

The methods are identical to smartphones:

  • 📱 Through Settings → About tablet.
  • 🔧 Through the engineering menu (the same combinations).
  • 💻 Through ADB (if enabled USB debugging).

On tablets Samsung (for example, Galaxy Tab) the path may look like Settings → About the device → Software information.

Why after updating the firmware the phone became slow down?

Possible reasons:

  • 🐢 Unoptimized firmware: Especially relevant for beta versions.
  • 🧹 Clogged cache: Try clearing the cache through recovery (Wipe Cache Partition).
  • 🔋 Background processes: New versions of Android can launch additional services (for example, Google Play Services).
  • 🔄 Conflict with custom kernel or root: If you changed the firmware yourself, check the compatibility of the modules Magisk.

If the brakes appeared after major update (for example, from Android 12 to 13), try resetting the settings to factory settings (but make a backup first!).