Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones are equipped with high-quality displays with high pixel density. Standard resolution, such as 2400×1080, provides a clear picture, but sometimes users need to change this setting to improve performance or to correct the operation of certain applications.
In Android, as well as in the proprietary shell of MIUI and HyperOS, there is no simple button for instantaneous change of resolution in the regular menu, this is done to protect the user from errors that can make the interface unreadable. However, there are several proven ways to get around this limitation and adjust the output parameters of the image to your needs.
Before you start taking action, you need to understand that any interference with system settings carries certain risks. Incorrect resolution can lead to the interface becoming too small or, conversely, elements will go beyond the visible area. Follow the instructions carefully and always leave the possibility of rollback changes.
⚠️ Warning: Changing the system settings of the display may cause the interface to be displayed incorrectly.If you cannot use your phone after changing the permission, restart the device in Safe Mode or reset the settings via Recovery.
Why Change the Screen Resolution at All
Many users are wondering if this is a good idea, and the main reason is performance optimization. Native resolution rendering, especially on flagship models with 2K+ screens, requires significant GPU resources. Decrease in resolution unloads GPUs, which can give rise to FPS in games.
Another important aspect is application compatibility: some old or specific programs may not work properly on today's large-screens, cutting off part of the interface, in which case forced setting a resolution of 1920×1080 or even lower helps to return functionality.
It’s also useful for app developers who test the adaptability of their products in different configurations. Android allows you to emulate different pixel densities (DPIs) and resolutions to make sure the layout doesn’t “float” on devices with different characteristics.
Preparing for System Settings Change
Before you make changes to the display configuration, you have to access hidden features, and the standard interface hides those options, so the first step is to activate the developer mode, and without that, you can't do anything else.
The activation process is simple, but it requires care, so you need to find the build number and quickly click on it several times, and the system will alert you that you are becoming a developer, after which a new section will appear in the menu.
Here is a step-by-step algorithm for preparing:
- 🔓 Open Settings and go to About Phone section.
- 👆 Find the line Version MIUI (or HyperOS version) and click on it quickly 7-10 once.
- 📝 Enter the screen unlock password if the corresponding request appears.
- ⚙️ Go back to the main settings menu, select Additional and find the Developer Item.
Once the developer menu is activated, you don't want to change random settings. Most of the settings are designed to debug the code and can disrupt the stability of the system. Focus only on the scaling and resolution items.
☑️ Pre-testing
Method 1: Using the Developer Menu
The safest and most affordable way to change output settings is to use built-in debugging tools. There are special items in the developer menu that allow you to force resolution and pickel density (DPI) to be set.
You'll need two options: Smallest width and screen resolution. Minimum width is the size of the interface elements in density-independent pixels (dp), which reduces the size of the elements to smaller, increasing the usable screen area.
To change the resolution, look for the minimum width and screen resolution options in the developer menu (on some versions of MIUI, the second item may not be available, then change only the DPI). Enter the values carefully. Standard values for FullHD+ are usually about 392 dp or 411 dp.
⚠️ Note: Do not set the minimum width below 300 dp. This can make text unreadable and control buttons too small to press with your finger.
If you accidentally set a value too high or low and the interface becomes unusable, don't panic. Just restart your smartphone. In most cases, the system will reset incorrect settings at start if they critically disrupt the UI.
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Write down the initial DPI and resolution values before changing, which will quickly return everything as it was if you don’t like the new mode.
Method 2: ADB commands for advanced users
For those who don’t have the standard menu, there’s a more powerful tool, Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which allows you to change system properties directly, bypassing the interface constraints, and you’ll need a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) and a cable to connect your smartphone.
First, you need to install the ADB drivers and platform on your computer, and once you connect your phone to USB debugging mode, you get full control of the display settings through the command line, which gives you flexibility that you don't have on the regular menu.
Use the following commands to change the parameters:
adb shell wm size 1080x1920adb shell wm density 320The first command changes the physical resolution of the matrix (or software interpretation), and the second command changes the pixel density. To reset the changes and return the factory settings, use the commands:
adb shell wm size resetadb shell wm density resetThis method is especially useful if the phone's interface is gone and you can't control your fingers. By connecting the device to your PC, you can get everything back to normal with the command line, even if the touchscreen doesn't respond to touch because of the wrong settings.
| Parameter | Description | Example of meaning | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| wm size | Physical screen resolution | 1080x2340 | Tall (black screen) |
| wm density | Pixel density (DPI) | 400 | Medium (small text) |
| smallest-width | Minimum width in dp | 360 | Medium (UI shift) |
| reset | Reset to factory | - | Low. |
Customization of graphics in games and applications
Often users want to change the resolution not globally, but only for specific tasks, for example, to increase FPS in PUBG, Call of Duty Mobile or Genshin Impact. Global lower resolution can worsen the quality of fonts in messengers, so it is better to use the built-in settings of games.
In modern games, there's a Graphics or Display section where you can select the render resolution, and reducing that to 0.8 or 0.6 from the native greatly eases the workload of the processor, while maintaining a clear interface.
For emulators (such as Xiaomi’s GameTurbo), profiles are also available. You can create a separate profile for the game, where aggressive power saving settings and lower resolution are applied without affecting the rest of the system.
GameTurbo Secrets
If the game does not have internal resolution settings, you can try to run it in window mode (if the device supports split screen) or use third-party launchers that are able to force certain parameters for specific settings. APK-file.
Possible problems and solutions
There are a number of problems with screen resolution experiments, and the most common problem is the "fooled" interface, where buttons are off-screen or overlap, which is solved by resetting the settings through ADB or Safe Mode.
Another problem is image artifacts or flickering, which may indicate that the refresh rate or resolution is selected that is not supported by the display controller at the hardware level, in which case you need to immediately return the standard values.
It's also possible to reduce autonomy. Paradoxically, sometimes scaling incorrectly causes the processor to run inefficiently, using more power. If you notice that the battery is running out faster, return the native resolution.
⚠️ Warning: If the screen goes out after the changes or shows a “ripple”, press the power button on the 10-15 It'll reset the time buffers of the GPU.
In rare cases, especially on custom firmware, changing the DPI can lead to a cyclic reboot (bootloop), in which case only logging into Recovery mode and a Wipe Data reset will help, so backing up before experiments is mandatory.
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The most reliable way to avoid problems is to change the parameters gradually and test the stability of the system after each change.