A situation often arises when it is necessary to accurately identify the device, but the sticker on the box has long been lost, and there are no inscriptions on the case. Owners smartphones face this when searching for drivers, selecting accessories, or reselling a gadget. Knowing the exact model name is critical for the correct operation of the software.
The modern Android ecosystem offers many hidden and explicit methods for obtaining this information. From simple settings menus to engineering codes and connecting to a computer, the choice of method depends on the current state of your device. We will analyze all current options, including cases when the touch screen does not respond to touches.
Some users confuse the marketing name (for example, Galaxy S23) with the technical model code (for example, SM-S911B). For service centers and device firmware, the second option is the only correct one. Let's take a closer look at where this data is hidden in the interface of your operating system.
Searching for information through standard settings
The most obvious and safest way is through the system menu. The interface may differ slightly depending on the version of Android and the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS), but the logic remains the same. You will need to find a section containing legal and technical information about the device.
Go to the main menu and select Settings. Scroll the list to the very bottom to the section About phone or System. This is where the main passport data of your gadget is stored. In some firmware, such as stock Android on Pixel, you need to first tap Advancedto see the full specification.
Pay attention to the line Device model. Often the build number and Android version are indicated next to it. If you only see a fancy name like "Redmi Note 12", click on it several times in a row. This action will reveal the hidden technical code required to search for firmware.
On some Xiaomi and Samsung smartphones, the full technical name of the model is hidden by default. Quickly clicking (3-5 times) on the model name in the "About phone" menu will reveal a hidden code (for example, 22101320G).
It is important not to confuse the model with the IMEI number. Although they are in the same menu, they are completely different identifiers. The model determines the hardware platform, and IMEI is the unique serial number of a specific instance for working in cellular networks.
Using engineering USSD codes
If the settings menu is inaccessible or works with delays, you can use hidden service codes. This method even works on a locked screen if you have dialer access. Enter a special sequence of characters in the application Phone, and the system will open a hidden service menu.
The universal code for many devices is #06#. It displays the IMEI and serial number, but does not always show the model. For more detailed information about the hardware, try the code ##4636##*. This testing menu contains a tab Phone information, where the exact type of device is often indicated.
It is worth considering that manufacturers often block access to these codes in new firmware versions for security reasons. If the code does not work and nothing happens after entering the last asterisk, then access to the engineering menu is closed by the shell developer.
⚠️ Attention: Do not change the settings inside the engineering menu if you do not know their purpose. Resetting the radio module parameters or changing the preferred network type can lead to loss of signal or unstable communication.
Checking the physical markings of the case
When the device is completely dead and does not turn on, software methods are useless. In this case, only a physical examination can save you. Manufacturers are required to put identification information on the device body in accordance with communications regulations.
For modern smartphones with a non-removable battery, look for small print on the back cover. Often this information is laser etched directly onto the glass or metal. If there is no sticker, turn the phone over and carefully examine the bottom of the case or the area under the brand logo.
In devices with a removable battery, the situation is simpler. You need to remove the back cover and remove the battery. Under it there is a white sticker with barcodes, which clearly states:
- 📱 Full model name (Model)
- 🔢 Serial number (S/N)
- 📡 IMEI codes (usually two for Dual-SIM)
- 🇨🇳 Country of manufacture and release date
Also check the original packaging. There is always a sticker with technical specifications on the side of the box. This is the most reliable source, since the information there is duplicated in a machine-readable format.
Physical markings on the case or under the battery are the only way to find out the model of a phone that does not turn on or has a broken screen.
Diagnostics via connection to a PC and ADB
For advanced users and service center specialists, the most An informative method is to use USB debugging. Connecting to a computer allows you to request complete data about the equipment from the system, ignoring the graphical interface of the phone.
You must first activate the developer mode on the smartphone. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on Build number seven times. After the message “You have become a developer” appears, go to the new menu item and enable USB debugging.
Connect the phone with a cable to the computer. If you have ADB (Android Debug Bridge) drivers installed, open a command prompt or terminal on your PC. Enter the following command to get the model name:
adb shell getprop ro.product.modelThis command will display the exact model code that the system uses. To get a marketing name, you can use the command adb shell getprop ro.product.marketname. This method is indispensable when the phone screen partially does not work, but the system boots.
| ADB command | What it shows | Output example |
|---|---|---|
ro.product.model |
Technical model code | SM-G998B |
ro.product.brand |
Device brand | samsung |
ro.build.display.id |
Firmware version | QP1A.190711.020 |
ro.serialno |
Serial number | R3CN123456Z |
Third-party identification applications
If the built-in tools seem insufficiently detailed to you, the Google Play store offers hundreds of utilities for detailed diagnostics. Applications like CPU-Z, AIDA64 or Device Info HW read data directly from the system core.
Such apps show not only the model, but also the processor revision, type of screen matrix, battery capacity and sensors. This is useful when buying a used phone to make sure that there is no cheaper hardware inside than stated in the specifications.
Install the application, launch it and go to the Device or Devicetab. The field Model will contain the exact identifier. The advantage of such utilities is that they aggregate data from different system files, providing a complete picture of the configuration.
Why can applications show different data?
Some Chinese firmware modify system files (build.prop) to hide the real model or show a more expensive brand. Applications that read data directly from the kernel (like AIDA64) most often bypass this substitution and show the real hardware.
What to do if the screen is broken (blind method)
The most difficult thing to determine is the model when the display is broken and does not show an image, but the phone turns on. In this situation, visual navigation is impossible, but you can try using a voice assistant or connecting peripherals.
If you have Google Assistant set up, try the voice command: “Okay, Google, what is my phone model?” The assistant can announce the name of the device or show a card with information if you connect the phone to an external monitor via USB-C Hub.
An alternative option is to connect a USB mouse. The cursor will appear on the screen (even if you don't see it, it's there). Try to unlock the device by touch or by sounds and blindly follow the path: center of the screen (open the curtain) → gear (settings) → scroll down → enter “About phone.”
⚠️ Attention: The interfaces of different shells (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS) have different arrangements of elements. The "blind" method will only work if you roughly remember the location of the icons on your specific smartphone.
As a last resort, connect the phone to the PC in file transfer mode. Go to the properties of the connected device in "My Computer". In the "Hardware" tab or in the driver properties, sometimes a hardware ID is displayed, which can be used to find the model on the Internet.
☑️ Actions for a broken screen
Frequently asked questions about models Android smartphones
Why are different names written in the settings and on the box?
Manufacturers use a marketing name for sales (for example, Poco X5), and a technical code (for example, 22101320G) for logistics, certification and software. The technical code often indicates the region of sale (the letter G at the end usually means the global version).
Is it possible to change the phone model in the settings?
It is impossible to change the reporting model in the system without obtaining root access. With root access, you can edit the file build.prop, but this may lead to some applications (banking, games) stopping working because they see a configuration mismatch.
Why do I need the exact model code for the firmware?
Firmware from the model SM-A515F can turn a model into a "brick" SM-A515Mdespite their external identity. Differences may be in the frequency ranges of the modem or the location of components on the board. Always use firmware strictly for your code.
Where can I find the model if the phone is Chinese and there is no Russian language?
Look for the hieroglyphs corresponding to the "About phone" section (usually the last item in the settings with a letter icon i or an image of a smartphone). There will be a line with Latin letters and numbers - this is the model.