Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the need to fine-tune the visual interface. Standard settings of the Android operating system do not always provide access to hidden display parameters. This is especially true for those who want to change the density of the pixels or force the application to run in a certain resolution.
Changing screen resolution is a process that requires caution, and misconfiguring the interface can cause the interface to become unreadable or the controls to go beyond the visible area, but if you do it properly, you can significantly improve your content experience or optimize the performance of heavy games.
In this article, we will look at all available methods, from secure system options to advanced manipulation through the engineering menu, learn how to change the density of dots per inch (DPI) and what risks hide changing the native resolution of the matrix.
Why Change the DDPI Resolution and Density
The main reason users are scrolling into the system settings of the display is to increase the amount of content displayed. The decrease in the value of the DPI (Dot Per Inch) makes the interface elements smaller, allowing you to fit more text and buttons on one screen without scrolling, this is especially convenient on models with a diagonal of 6.5 inches and above, where the standard font may seem too large.
Gamers often resort to changing resolution to increase FPS (frames per second); reducing rendering in games reduces the load on the Adreno or Mali GPUs; as a result, the device warms less and the battery is spent more economically; however, it is worth considering that the picture will become less clear, there may be “ladders” on the edges of objects.
Another aspect is app compatibility: Some programs, especially old ones or those designed for tablets, may not display correctly on Xiaomi’s current widescreens, and forced resolution changes help run these utilities in the right format, removing black bars on the sides or stretching the image.
Secure customization through the developer menu
The most reliable way to change the display settings that do not require root rights is to use the developer menu, where you can safely change the minimum width (DPI) and set a forced permission. First, you need to activate the hidden partition. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the MIUI version (or HyperOS) seven times. Once the "You became a developer" notification appears, you can proceed to actions.
In the Settings menu → Advanced Settings → For developers, we're interested in the Drawing section. Here are the key settings. Find Smallest width. The standard value for most Redmi Note models is 392 or 411 dp. When you change it, you change the scale of the entire system.
☑️ Checking before change DPI
Be careful: if you set too little, the interface will become microscopic, and you can't go back in the usual way, in which case only resetting through Recovery will help. Also, you can find the option "Selecting a Simulation of an Additional Screen" where presets are available for different resolutions, but they do not work on all versions of the firmware.
⚠️ Note: Write down the initial value DPI If the interface becomes unreadable, you'll have to type the exact factory number blindly or do a full reset.
Using ADB commands to fine-tune
For a deeper intervention, when the developer menu blocks the entry of certain values, debugging is used. USB utility ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method allows you to set any resolution supported by the display driver. You'll need a computer, USB-cable and installed Xiaomi drivers.
Once you connect your phone and enable debugging over USB, open the command line on your PC. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices. If the device appears in the list, you can proceed to change the settings. The command to change the physical resolution is as follows:
adb shell wm size 1080x2340Here, 1080x2340 is an example of resolution. You can substitute your values, but they should not exceed the physical limit of the matrix.
adb shell wm density 420It is important to understand that the commands wm size and wm density are valid until the first reboot of the device or until forced reset. To return standard settings through ADB, use the commands adb shell wm size reset and adb shell wm density reset. This is safer than manual editing of system files, since it does not require superuser rights.
What if the ADB can’t see the phone?
Engineering menu and hidden display settings
There is an engineering menu in MIUI and HyperOS firmware, available through a special code in the call, and entering the combination ##6484## opens the CIT test mode. You can check for broken pixels here, but you can't change the resolution directly. However, some models with MediaTek processors run the #3646633# menu.
Telephony or Common sometimes has display-related settings, but they are more for diagnostics. Attempting to change the settings in the LCM section without knowing the codes accurately can lead to a device building. On Snapdragon processors, access to these features through code is often closed.
More advanced users use terminal emulator applications like Termux if they have root rights on the device, in which case wm size commands can be typed directly from the phone, which gives flexibility to configure on the fly, but requires high skill. Without root rights, such applications are limited in functionality.
| Parameter | Standard value (HD+) | Standard value (FHD+) | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permission (px) | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | Clear picture and load on the GPU |
| PPI (density) | ~269 ppi | ~395 ppi | Size of fonts and icons |
| Frequency (Hz) | 60 Hz | 90/120 Hz | Smoothness of interface animation |
| Relationship of parties | 20:9 | 20:9 | Content Display Form Factor |
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The engineering menu is a powerful diagnostic tool, but changing the LCM settings without backing up the original values can permanently ruin color calibration.
Customization of refresh rate and hertzov
The modern Xiaomi Redmi comes with 90Hz, 120Hz and even 144Hz refresh rates. Standard settings path: Settings → Screen → Upgrade frequency. You can choose Default, 60Hz or 120Hz (if available). Default mode allows the system to decide when to increase the hertz to save energy.
However, many games do not support high frame rates by default.To unlock 120 FPS in games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile, users use third-party utilities (such as SetEdit or modified configurations). Changing the fps parameter in the system files of the game configuration can give an advantage in smoothness.
Keep in mind that working at maximum refresh rates significantly reduces battery life. If you're not playing dynamic shooters, it makes sense to leave 60Hz for static content. Some models allow you to specify specific high hertz applications in the Advanced Settings menu.
⚠️ Warning: Forced 120Hz on applications that do not support this can cause frames to become unsynchronized or the game to crash.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
The most common problem after a resolution change is the "flung" interface. Buttons can go over the edge of the screen and text becomes unreadable. If you change the DPI through ADB and the phone becomes unmanageable, don't panic. Try blindly to enter a reset command if you have a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse with an OTG.
The second option is Safe Mode. When you boot your phone, press the volume down button. In Safe Mode, some user settings may not apply, allowing you to reach the menu and reset the settings. If that doesn't work, then only Hard Reset via Recovery is left.
Artifacts, stripes, or color changes may also appear, indicating that the resolution chosen is not the same as the physical capabilities of the matrix or driver, in which case the system may not work properly. Always check for compatibility of permissions for your particular model on the 4PDA or XDA forums.
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Use the Screen Shift app (requires ADB on first run) to easily manage the DPI without manually typing commands. It has convenient presets and a quick-return to the drain button.