Modern mobile devices from the company Xiaomi work on the basis of an operating system Androidon top of which a proprietary shell is installed MIUI or a new one HyperOS. Users often need to know the exact build number of their operating system to install compatible applications, find drivers, or troubleshoot software glitches. The software version is a critical parameter when diagnosing problems and obtaining technical support.
The process of obtaining this information does not require special technical skills or a connection to a computer. A few taps on the screen of your gadget are enough to get comprehensive data about the current state of the software. However, depending on the device model and firmware version, the path to this data may differ slightly.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods for obtaining information about the system version. We will look at both standard ways through the settings menu, as well as more advanced methods for experienced users, including the use of hidden service codes and debugging tools.
Standard method through the settings menu
The easiest and most reliable way to find out the version Android on any smartphone Xiaomi is to use built-in settings menu. This interface is unified for most models, ranging from budget Redmi series to flagship Mi devices. You do not need to install additional software or get root access.
First, unlock the device screen and find the application icon Settingswhich usually looks like a gear. After entering the menu, scroll down the list of options to the item About phone. In some older versions of the shell, this section may be called simply About device or located in the category Advanced.
After going to this section, you You will see summary information about the processor model, amount of RAM and system version. Pay special attention to the line Android version. The numbers shown here (for example, 10, 11, 12 or 13) indicate the major version of the operating system.
⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse the Android version with the MIUI shell version. Often, users see a large MIUI version number (for example, 12.5) and mistakenly believe that this is the Android version, although a completely different version of the system kernel may be hidden under it.
If you are using a new operating system HyperOS, the interface may be slightly changed, but the search logic remains the same. System information is grouped for ease of readability, and the version of base Android is often hidden under an additional tap on the system logo.
If you can’t find the “About phone” item in the main settings menu, use the search bar at the top of the settings screen and enter the query “About phone” or “Android version.”
Extended information about the MIUI and HyperOS build
In addition to the basic version of Android, users Xiaomi often need to know the exact build number of the proprietary shell. This information is critical when searching for security patches or specific updates. In the menu About phone find the line MIUI version or HyperOS version.
Click on this line several times in a row. This action will open a detailed page with technical information about the assembly. The version code, firmware compilation date, and build type (stable, beta, or developer) are displayed here. This data is necessary to accurately identify your software on support forums.
The bootloader status is often displayed in this section. If the device is intended for the global market, you may see Lockedwhich means the bootloader is locked. For devices of the Chinese version or custom firmware, the status may be Unlocked.
| Parameter | Where is displayed | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Android version | Main screen “About phone” | Kernel version number (10, 11, 12...) |
| MIUI/HyperOS version | Main screen or by tap | Shell version (12, 13, 14...) |
| Build code | Detailed menu (tap by version) | Unique firmware identifier |
| Bootloader status | Detailed menu | Locked / Unlocked |
Knowing the exact build code helps determine the region devices. For example, firmware for China (CN), India (IN) and the Global version (Global) have different prefixes in the assembly code, which affects the availability of pre-installed Google services and language support.
The exact firmware assembly code is necessary to download the correct drivers and tools for restoring the device in case of failure.
Checking through the engineering menu and service tools codes
For deeper diagnostics, you can use the hidden engineering menu, accessible through a set of special codes in the application Phone. This method allows you to access technical data that is not displayed in the standard settings interface. Enter the code ##6484## to enter the CIT (Control and Test) menu.
In the list of tests that opens, find the item Version or Hardware & Software Version. Clicking on it will display a detailed table with all versions of components: from the version of the Linux kernel and modem drivers to the versions of individual system applications. This is useful when searching for hardware conflicts.
There is also code ##4636##that opens the testing menu. Here in the section Information about the phone you can see not only the software version, but also statistical data on network and battery operation. However, on new versions MIUI this code may be blocked by developers.
⚠️ Attention: Be extremely careful in the engineering menu. Changing settings in sections marked “Debug” or “Test” may lead to unstable network operation or complete failure of communication modules.
Some service codes only work on certain models or specific firmware versions. If entering the code does not lead to opening the menu, then this function is disabled in your software build by the manufacturer.
Why do service codes not work?
On new versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14, Xiaomi has limited access to some engineering menus for security reasons. If the code does not work, try using third-party applications such as Device Info HW or ADB.
Using applications to diagnose the system
If standard methods do not give a complete picture or the interface is too confusing, you can use third-party utilities from the store Google Play. Applications like CPU-Z, AIDA64 or Device Info HW provide comprehensive information about hardware and software.
After installing such an application, launch it and go to the System or Devicetab. Here you will see not only the Android version, but also the security patch level, kernel build date and architectural features of the processor. This data is often more accurate than what the system menu shows.
The advantage of such utilities is their versatility. They work the same on all devices, regardless of the shell version MIUI or regional modification. This is especially useful when buying a used device, when you need to quickly check its characteristics.
However, it is worth remembering that third-party applications collect data from system files. If the phone was flashed with custom firmware with changed properties (prop files), the application can show the information that the modder “stitched up”, and not the real factory data.
Receiving data through a computer and ADB
For advanced users and developers, the most accurate method is to use the debug bridge ADB (Android Debug Bridge) via a computer. This method allows you to get “raw” data directly from the system, bypassing the graphical interface.
First you need to activate developer mode. Go to About phone and quickly click on the item MIUI version seven times until a notification about activating the mode appears. Then in the advanced settings, turn on the toggle switch USB debugging.
Connect your smartphone to the computer with a cable and open the command line or terminal in the folder with ADB installed. Enter the following command to get the Android version:
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.releaseTo get the build number and other system properties, you can use the command adb shell getprop, which will display a complete list of all system variables. Look for lines starting with ro.build.versionto see full release information.
☑️ Preparing to work with ADB
This method is indispensable if the phone screen is broken or does not respond to touches, but the system still works. Through ADB, you can control the device and read data even without access to the touch interface.
What to do if the version is not detected or hidden
In rare cases, users are faced with a situation where the Android version is not displayed correctly or menu items are missing. This may be due to a system application failure Settings or damage to system files after an unsuccessful update.
Try clearing the settings application cache. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find Settings in the list and select item Clear cache. Do not click “Clear all” to avoid resetting your personal preferences in the system.
If the problem persists, your device may have a custom firmware that masks the real version of the system. In this case, using applications like AIDA64 or connecting via ADB is the only way to find out the truth.
⚠️ Attention: If the phone shows the wrong version of the system immediately after purchase from an unverified store, there is a high probability that the device is a re-flashed Chinese version with global firmware installed using an unofficial method.
In extreme cases, when software methods do not help, you can refer to the documentation on the device box or check the official model page on the manufacturer's website, comparing the model number with the release dates.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to change the Android version manually without flashing?
No, the Android kernel version cannot be changed with simple settings. To change the version (for example, from 11 to 12), you need to receive an official update over the air (OTA) or completely flash the device through a computer, which requires unlocking the bootloader.
Why do I have a higher version of MIUI than my friends, but Android is older?
The company Xiaomi can release updates MIUI shell with new features and security fixes for older versions of Android. This allows you to extend the life of devices that technically cannot get a new version of the Android kernel.
Does the Android version affect the speed of the phone?
Yes, newer versions of Android usually contain memory and task scheduler optimizations, which can have a positive effect on performance. However, on older devices, the new version may work slower due to increased resource requirements.
Where can I find the release date of the security patch?
This information is usually located in the same menu About the phone, often under the MIUI version, or in the section Security. It indicates how current your device’s protection against known vulnerabilities is.