How to determine what firmware is on the phone. Android firmware version
If you have just switched to Xiaomi smartphones or are just preparing for such a step, then you have probably already heard how fast and functional MIUI is. However, if you dig deeper, then you can think about the problem of choosing a firmware version, since their choice is huge. For this reason, someone may be afraid to update their phone, or they are waiting for an update that will never appear at all. This selection issue led us to this review of the main MIUI firmwares. Now you will have clear instructions for all versions of MIUI with a brief description of the features, pros and cons.
How are MIUI firmwares divided by region?
First of all, let's divide the MIUI firmware by region. Everything is very simple here.
Two versions are officially released:
- for the domestic market, it is also Anglo-Chinese - China ROM;
- for the international market, global - Global ROM.
These are two basic versions of MIUI firmware, on the basis of which custom firmwares are created. Below is a little more detail about each of the two.
MIUI Global ROM (Global ROM)
This firmware is for smartphones and tablets that are manufactured outside of China. The international version of MIUI already has pre-installed apps and services from Google. There is a choice of languages, including Russian.
MIUI China ROM
This version is released exclusively for smartphones sold in the domestic market. The firmware has 2 pre-installed languages \u200b\u200b- Chinese and English, there are also no Google services and software that works only in China is installed.
How do MIUI firmware differ by type?
So far, everything seems very simple, however MIUI is also divided according to its type:
- MIUI Developer ROM - for developers, MIUI beta;
- MIUI Stable ROM - stable firmware version;
- MIUI Ported ROM - these are unofficial versions of MIUI firmware, supported by developers in local markets;
- self-made firmware based on MIUI - the same custom ones, but often their "creators" are unknown;
- regional MIUI firmware - usually released for models supporting a specific type of mobile connection.
MIUI Developer ROM
These firmwares are officially released by Xiaomi developers. Initially, such assemblies are intended for more advanced users who need to be the first to get access to new operating system functions. The Developer ROM is designed for testing innovations and often contains various flaws.
That is why updates appear weekly on Fridays (excluding holidays). As soon as errors are found, they are quickly eliminated and the next version of MIUI usually does not have any previously identified flaws.
Calculating firmware for developers is very easy - even by name. For example, if you see that the assembly is called MIUI 8 7.21.4, then it was released on April 21, 2017.
MIUI Stable ROM
With these firmware versions, everything is much easier. They are also released by the Xiaomi development team, however, these assemblies are official, stable, tested, with fully functional functions and without obvious glitches that are eliminated in developer assemblies.
You can safely install such firmware on your phone, but you will not be among the first to get access to the innovations. The choice was made in favor of stability. Stable ROM firmware updates on an ad-hoc schedule, so you might see an update every couple of weeks or not get anything new for months.
MIUI Ported ROM
Most custom assemblies belong to this type of MIUI firmware, of course, they are all unofficial. You can often come across such firmware for one main reason - outside of China, Xiaomi smartphones usually install localized versions of MIUI, assembled by third-party developers.
We also refer to this type of firmware as high-quality assemblies of enthusiasts who port MIUI to devices from other manufacturers besides Xiaomi.
Basically, Ported ROM MIUI is built on the basis of a stable version of the firmware, or on a developer with the elimination of bugs. Often these custom builds are updated on a specific schedule, but the installation will be done manually.
Custom low-quality builds MIUI
Still, it is necessary to single out a separate subtype from the general picture of MIUI custom firmwares - self-made assemblies that pop up on "gray" Xiaomi smartphones. Often, such firmwares have a terrible translation, terrible optimization and there are uncorrected bugs.
If this is the first time you encountered MIUI firmware of this type, then the impression of the operating system and the phone as a whole will surely be spoiled for a long time. Never use such assemblies.
Regional MIUI ROM / Other versions
These are far from the most common types of MIUI firmware. Above, we noted that these are mainly regional localized assemblies intended for a specific type of mobile communication or for a specific operator. The most famous firmware WCDMA ROM MIUI and TD ROM - the first will work on models only with support for 3G WCDMA communications (more or less common), and the second - only in the domestic market of China.
We can also divide MIUI firmware according to the simplest criterion - size.
Full ROM is a full-fledged version of the firmware that you can safely install from scratch on your smartphone. Often, installing such an assembly fixes all errors and other problems that could not be dealt with in other ways. Such a MIUI package offers all the necessary services, which is why the firmware file will not weigh so little - up to 2 GB.
The Incremental ROM is just an addition to the firmware, updating it with the necessary fixes. Often you can get them via OTA (downloading via WiFi) if you have the official MIUI firmware installed - stable or for developers. These updates are small - from 20 to 200 MB.
And in conclusion, we note the implicit division of MIUI firmware according to the update method - by OTA or manually.
Any official MIUI firmware has the ability to get an update over the air at any time, but only if you have not manually changed anything in the system files. Because of this, there may be a problem with the OTA update. We'll have to fix the problem manually by installing the assembly, which can always be downloaded from the official Xiaomi MIUI forum.
MIUI custom builds rarely have the ability to update over the air, so they are usually installed manually. To do this, you will have to unlock the bootloader, which has been officially locked for some time now.
How to find the firmware on Xiaomi?
To find out the firmware version installed on your smartphone, you need to go to the system settings and select the lowest item - "About phone".
In the window that opens, technical information about the system will be displayed, including the firmware version.
In order to timely update your programs, install applications, as well as check the compatibility of games and new programs, it is important to accurately determine the version of your android on your phone or tablet. Technical documentation will not help in this matter, especially since many fakes of original products have appeared. Our article will tell you how to find out which version of android on your phone in several ways.
The android operating system is widely used to create mobile phones, tablet computers, televisions and other modern digital devices. It is based on the Linux kernel and developed by Google. The first launch of the Android version took place back in September 2008. Since then, the world has seen over 40 system updates. The changes were mainly related to the functionality of the devices, as well as bug fixes for previous versions. The Android system is still being improved, because new versions appear constantly. The year of release or the model of the phone will tell you little what version of Android is on your device. However, this information is very important in some situations.
Why you need to know the version of your Android:
- To check for the latest updates.
- To determine the compatibility of an installed program, game or application.
- To get root rights to access the phone.
- For flashing the device.
It is very easy to see which version is installed on your phone. To do this, go to the "Settings" section and find the item "About phone" or with any similar name there. It contains all the necessary information about the model, Android version, firmware of the communication module, the amount of RAM and internal memory.
The developers have also encrypted an "Easter egg" for each version. It is very easy to open it, just press your finger several times on the line "Android version". After a short time, a splash screen or small animation will appear on the screen.
This is interesting: initially, the developers decided to name the new versions of android after the names of famous robots - heroes of popular science fiction.
The first products were named "Astroboy" and "Bender", although the definitions of alpha and beta testing are often found in the literature. Subsequently, the decision caused many copyright problems, so this analogy had to be abandoned. An equally creative option was the use of the names of sweets in the codename for new programs. Accounting is carried out in alphabetical order, so you can predict in advance what codenames the later versions of Android will have. By the way, the most current version was released in March 2018, but so far its name is presented as "P".
How to find out android version: on a tablet
In a similar way, you can determine the version of your tablet computer. Typically, some Google products are used specifically for these devices and do not support smartphones.
How to find out the version of android on a tablet:
- Select "Settings" in the device menu.
- This section should contain an information line "About the device".
- When clicked, the tablet based information should be displayed.
In addition to the development version, in this section you can clarify the date of the last update of the security settings, the main technical characteristics.
Find out the android version on the Samsung Galaxy phone
Popular models of this phone are constantly updated, so it is extremely difficult to keep track of the manufacturer's information. Information about the OS version on the samsung galaxy can also be found in the settings.
Smartphone update via TVRP
For the modern user, the joy of acquiring a new "advanced" model usually lasts for a relatively short time. As you use it, questions often arise about expanding the phone's resources, connecting updates and even completely flashing the device. Usually, with the release of a new version of the operating system, developers completely forget about the "old" models, so it is rather difficult to upgrade using traditional methods. There is a very convenient service for improving and updating models - Team Win Recovery Project or TWRP. It is quite easy to flash a phone via tvrp if the following conditions are met.
Important nuances of the firmware:
- Without the lack of experience, the necessary programs and equipment, it is very risky to perform the firmware on your own.
- Executing the firmware automatically cancels the manufacturer's warranty for the device, so doing such manipulations on new smartphones is risky (and impractical in principle).
- You must first make a backup copy of the information contained on the device. This is what the TWRP utility is used for. It is more powerful, allows you to do system recovery even in desperate situations.
According to Google's permission, manufacturers of Android-based electronic devices can change the interface and design of their products without additional approval from the developer. That is why phone models can be radically different, but at the same time contain the same version of Android. That is why information on how to find out the version of android on a smartphone or tablet computer is important before downloading updates or installing new programs on your device.
If you recently used a push-button cell phone, then you may not even suspect that modern smartphones are equipped with different operating systems. And it's not even about the fact that it can be not only Android, but also Windows Phone, OS, as well as the well-known iOS. Even OS versions differ on different smartphones! Therefore, in today's article we will talk about how to find out the version of Android, as well as the meaning of the updates.
Why is the latest version of the operating system so important?
Many novice smartphone users do not attach any importance to the version of the installed operating system at all. They pick up a device running Android 4.2, after which they are surprised by the instability of the work and the small number of supported applications.
Depending on the version of the mobile operating system, the functionality of the device differs. There are so many different settings and possibilities in the "five" and "six" that it is already difficult to come up with something new. It should also be noted that many utilities and games are developed with an eye to the latest versions of Android. And if your device has an old version of the operating system, then some games and programs may not even start. And if they do work, then with interruptions and unexpected departures. Only old applications that were originally designed for your version of the operating system will function stably.
We'll talk more about the main differences between different versions of Android next time. In the meantime, you should figure out how to find out the version of Android on a tablet or smartphone. Let's say right away that the mentioned method works on all devices, regardless of their type and the installed proprietary shell.
The only and easiest way
Step 1... First you need to get into " Settings". The corresponding icon can be found in the menu, and sometimes on the desktop.
Note: button " Settings"Is often found in the notification bar, if you pull it out completely.
Step 2... Scroll down the list and click on " About phone».
Step 3... Check the displayed information. It is possible that you will see the firmware and OS version right here.
Step 4... On some devices, you need to go to an additional subsection. For example, in devices it has the name “ Software Information».
Google is introducing an interesting Easter egg into each version of its operating system. To view it, quickly tap about ten times on the Android version. As a result, you will see an image of this or that delicacy, which corresponds to the name of this version. And sometimes you can even get into a mini-game like this - in particular, it is available in Android 6.0.
This is how you can easily find out the Android version on your phone. Often this section contains information about the kernel version, security level, build number, and other software parameters. But all this is required only for professionals who know much more about all this in comparison with ordinary users.
Android phones and tablets don't always run the latest OS. It can be helpful to know what version of Android firmware is installed on your device. This information may be required if you need to check for a feature.
Android firmware version isn't the only information that is often searched for. The device name, manufacturer and operator also affect which software version is installed on your device. Even the Linux kernel version and the "Android security version" are important.
How to find out what version of Android firmware and security system is installed
This information is available on the Android Settings screen. Regardless of the Android version installed and regardless of the device settings, you can view the firmware version information in this way.
Open the applications menu - a list of all applications installed on your device. It's almost always a button located in the center at the bottom of the home screen.
Find the app named "Settings". Click on the icon of this application to get into the Android settings.
Scroll through the list and find the item "About phone" or "About tablet". Usually, this setting is at the very bottom of the list.
The item "Android version" indicates which OS version you have installed. Only the version is displayed here, no codeword. For example, "Android 4.1.1" and not "Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean". Below is a list with Android versions, as well as their code names:
- Android 7.0: Nougat
- Android 6.0: Marshmallow
- Android 5.0 - 5.1.1: Lollipop
- Android 4.4 - 4.4.4: Kit Kat
- Android 4.1 - 4.3.1: Jelly Bean
- Android 4.0 - 4.0.4: Ice Cream Sandwich
- Android 3.0 - 3.2.6: Honeycomb
- Android 2.3 - 2.3.7: Gingerbread
- Android 2.2 - 2.2.3: Froyo
- Android 2.0 - 2.1: Eclair
- Android 1.6: Donut
- Android 1.5: Cupcake
Other fields are also important. For example, the "Model" field indicates the name of your device. "Build number" and "Kernel version" contains exact information about the Android build. Usually these fields are used to find out if your device is equipped with the latest security patches. In Android 6.0, Google added an "Android security version" field that shows when the latest security updates were installed.
As a bonus, you can tap on the "Android version" several times to open the so-called "
The exact version of Android you are using is not the only important piece of information. If you want help for a specific device, the manufacturer is also important.
Microsoft doesn't allow PC makers to change the Start menu, taskbar, and control panel, but Google allows Android makers to change just about anything they want. Different devices from the same manufacturer will have a different interface, so knowing the exact name of the device you are using, as well as its manufacturer, is important when looking for information or even custom firmware for a specific device.
Flashing a device on Android is a responsible business, especially when the device is from a little-known manufacturer, or even assembled somewhere "on the knee". Nevertheless, it is necessary to find the firmware in order to restore the device's performance. How to do it, what information is needed?
The most important information for choosing a firmware
Definitely, the main information for selecting the firmware is the version LCD Driver and ALPS, and without the first, the performance of the display is highly doubtful. For, if you select the firmware for ALPS, it does not provide any guarantee that the device will function normally. In 95% of cases the device “starts up”, but the display is white or something else, but one cannot say about full functioning.
If a completely sad situation, then information about BASEBANDto find something more or less suitable.
Therefore, on the RulSmart forum, we always ask you to check the technical characteristics through, including the need to find out the version LCD Driver, having previously received it through the same utility.
Summing up, I note that the most important criterion is the version LCD Driver! However, all this works if your device has a Mediatek MTK chipset on board. For devices with other chipsets, the situation is more complicated.
In short, you need to collect information literally bit by bit: open the lid of the device - publish everything that you see there on our forum (in the relevant topic), look for the name of the device (albeit fake, for example), see what is written on the box, in the instructions (if any) and so on.
Additional sources of information
One of the main additional sources of information about your device is the SELLER! In most cases (and we are based on practice from the forum site), people buy devices in a Chinese store AliExpress, which means that they can write to the seller demanding information about the device. In the description, after all, "fake" information may be indicated, which, by the way, is punishable by Ali (you can not pay for the goods by filing a complaint.The second source (albeit unreliable) is the product description in the store. Yes, sometimes even such information can help (by matching the model name with the characteristics). For example, "Samsung Galaxy S4 MT6572". Of course, this is a clone, of course, there will be a lot of similar ones, but secondary parameters will help here: the number of SIM cards, the camera, the amount of RAM and internal memory, and so on.
