How to change the screen refresh rate on Xiaomi

Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones come with advanced displays that can display up to 120 or even 144 frames per second, a feature known as screen refresh rates that dramatically changes the experience of the interface, making tape scrolling and animations incredibly smooth. However, not everyone knows how to manage this setting or why it may not be available on the standard menu.

Changing the hertz directly affects the balance between performance and power consumption of the device. owners of flagship models often want to get the most out of their gadget, while users of budget segments are looking for ways to activate hidden capabilities. Understanding the principles of MIUI and HyperOS will allow you to customize the screen to your own needs.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available customization methods, from standard switches to the use of engineering menus, which models support high frequency forced activation and how to avoid common errors when modifying system files.

What is a hertzovka and why change it on a smartphone

The refresh rate measured in Hertz (Hz) shows how many times per second the display is updated. Standard 60 Hz means 60 updates per second, whereas 120 Hz doubles that number. For the human eye, the difference between 60 and 90-120 Hz is instantaneous: the movements become clear, the "shlue" disappears with fast swipes.

But the high hertz is not just visual comfort, the active display matrix consumes more energy when operating at high frequencies. If you're away from charging, reducing the frequency to 60 Hz can extend the battery life of a smartphone by 15-20%, which is why it's important to be able to switch modes depending on the situation.

Some apps and games are optimized for specific Hertz values. For example, shooters may require stable 60 or 90 Hz for proper aiming, while video content is often shot in 24 or 30 frames. Flexible control of display parameters allows you to adapt the device to specific content.

Not all apps support high frequencies, and social media and browsers are usually great, but some banking apps or older programs may not work well, and in such cases, being able to force the frequency down is a lifeline.

Standard frequency settings in MIUI and HyperOS

Xiaomi provides users with a flexible tool to manage the display in the regular menu. In recent versions of shells settings have become more intuitive, but their location can vary depending on the version of Android and the firmware region.

To find the right switch, you need to go to the screen settings section, where the system offers several options: fixed values or smart mode. Smart mode automatically analyzes content and changes the frequency, but often works incorrectly, missing moments where you need smoothness.

To access the basic settings, follow the following steps:

• 📱 Open the Settings app on the main screen.
• 🖥️ Go to the Screen (or Display) section).
• ⚙️ Find the screen refresh rate.
• ✅ Select Standard (60 Hz) or Maximum or Customized.

Some models, like the Redmi Note or the POCO F series, have the option "User Frequency" available, which allows you to force a high hertz even in static menus, which makes the interface as responsive as possible, but this is the most energy-intensive mode.

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Automatic mode often lowers the frequency for the sake of saving, so for maximum smoothness it is better to choose fixed high values manually.

Activation of hidden modes through the engineering menu

If the standard menu doesn't have the options, you can use more advanced methods. Android's engineering menu allows accessing deep-setting hardware, including display settings, which works on most MediaTek processors and some Snapdragon.

⚠️ Warning: Changing unknown parameters in the engineering menu can lead to unstable system operation or a "brick" of the device.

To log into the engineering menu, a special code is often used in the phone app. dial ##6484## or ##4636##. If the code doesn't work, your firmware version may be blocking access and you'll need to install a special shortcut app.

Inside the menu, you'll find a section that's related to Common or Display, and you can have Set Refresh Rate, and you can use that change to apply globally, and you can ignore the settings of individual applications.

Users of MediaTek processors can find the Telephony -> Common -> Display tab, where you can force the desired frame rate, and after you change the setting, you need to restart the device so that the changes take effect.

Using ADB commands for advanced users

The most flexible and secure way to change system parameters is to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) debugging, which does not require root rights and allows you to make changes that are hidden from the average user in the graphical interface.

To start, you need to turn on the developer mode. Go to Settings -> About phone and 7 times click on the build number. Then in the menu Additional -> Advanced settings activate Debugging over USB.

Connect your smartphone to your computer and execute a command to check the connection:

adb devices

Once you have confirmed your connection on your phone screen, you can type in commands to change the frequency. Specific commands depend on the CPU model and the Android version, but often the following variations work:

adb shell wm size 1080x2400


adb shell wm density 440

Although these commands change resolution and density, the refresh rate often requires a change in system properties. For example, for some Xiaomi models with Snapdragon processors, changing the value in the configuration file via the ADB shell helps:

adb shell settings put global peak_refresh_rate 120


adb shell settings put global min_refresh_rate 60

These commands set upper and lower frequency limits, and it's important to understand that not all displays are physically capable of operating at the declared frequencies, and software intervention will not add hertz if the panel does not support them.

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Always back up important data before using ADB commands, as erroneous input may result in the need to reset settings.

Comparison of display modes

Understanding the difference between available modes will help you choose the best option. Below is a table comparing the main characteristics of the screen at different frequencies.

As you can see from the table, the transition to 120 Hz gives an increase in smoothness, but significantly affects autonomy. For everyday use, such as reading news or correspondence in messengers, the difference between 90 and 120 Hz may be less noticeable than between 60 and 90 Hz.

In games, the situation is different. If the game maintains a high frame rate, then at 120 Hz you get a competitive advantage: the image is updated more often, and you see the opponent earlier. However, this requires a powerful processor and can cause trottling (decreased performance due to heat).

The effect of frequency on autonomy and heating

High refresh rates are one of the main energy consumers in modern smartphones. The display is the most energy-intensive element, and doubling the number of frame updates actually doubles the load on the graphics controller and the matrix itself.

With active use of 120 Hz, battery life can be reduced by 1-2 hours of screen time compared to 60 Hz. This is critical for devices with a small battery capacity, for example, in compact Xiaomi models.

⚠️ Warning: Long-term operation at maximum frequency in combination with a bright screen and GPS-In hot weather, it is better to switch to 60 Hz to keep the battery healthy.

Technology LTPS or OLED, Xiaomi screens react differently to the frequency change. OLED-The panels are more efficient, but even they consume more energy when the hertz is high. If you notice that the phone discharges quickly, the first thing you do is check the screen settings.

The best solution for many is to use automatic mode with restrictions or manual selection of 60 Hz in moments when smoothness is not critical (for example, when listening to music or navigation).

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For maximum travel time, switch the screen to 60 Hz and reduce brightness – this will give the greatest increase in autonomy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)