How to change the screen resolution of the Xiaomi phone: hidden settings

Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones are equipped with high-pixel density displays, which provides a crystal clear picture, but sometimes leads to incorrect display of the interface in older applications. Users often face a situation where the controls are too small or, conversely, giant, and standard zoom settings do not give the desired result, in such cases, it becomes necessary to change the system resolution or dot-per-inch density (DPI) manually.

Changing these parameters not only solves software compatibility problems, but also slightly improves the performance of the device, reducing the load on the GPU when rendering the interface. However, it is worthwhile to understand that interfering with the system display parameters requires caution, since incorrect values can make the menu unavailable for management.

In this article, we will take a look at all the resolution adjustments available, from standard MIUI features to advanced USB debugging techniques. You will learn how to safely experiment with pixel density and understand which values are optimal for different screen diagonals.

MIUI and HyperOS: What can be changed without root

Before you resort to complex tools, it is worth exploring the built-in functionality of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS. Developers have provided basic tools to adapt the picture to the user's needs, which are safe and do not require special rights. Most users need to change the font size or scale of interface elements to achieve comfort.

To access these settings, you need to go to Settings → Screen → Size of text and objects displayed. Here, sliders allow you to adjust the density of icons and letters, which actually changes the perceived resolution of the interface without affecting the physical resolution of the matrix. This is the most secure method that eliminates the risk of getting a brick or a black screen.

However, if your goal is to run an application that requires a specific resolution (such as old games or specific drawing software), standard sliders may not be enough, in which case the system blocks direct access to changing the native screen resolution, and you have to use hidden menus or external commands.

⚠️ Note: Changing the text size in standard settings does not change the physical resolution of the matrix, but only scales the output image by software.

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Use the Second Space mode to test different display settings without affecting the main user profile.

It is important to note that in some models AMOLED-Changes in system scaling can lead to a slight increase in energy consumption, since the processor has to recalculate interface frames more often than usual.

CIT Engineering Menu: Hidden Diagnostic Tool

Xiaomi’s firmware has a special diagnostic section known as CIT (Customer Integration Test), which is commonly used by service centers, and through it you can access the display tests and, in some cases, see the current video output parameters, although direct resolution change is often blocked here.

To get into the test menu, dial the combination ##6484## or ##4636##. The second code opens the phone information menu, where you can see the current resolution and pixel density in the Display information section, which is useful for checking what resolution the system is giving at the moment, especially if you suspect that the application is incorrect mode.

Some users try to find the permission change items in the engineering menu, but on global firmware versions they are usually hidden or removed. However, checking through Phone Information is a great way to verify changes made by other methods. If the numbers here haven't changed since you manipulated them, then the settings haven't applied.

• 📱 Code #4636## gives you access to technical information about the display and battery.
• 🔍 In the section DPI You can see the current density of points, which can be compared to the reference point.
• ⚙️ Menus. CIT It is used primarily to check the operability of touchscreen and color reproduction.
• 🚫 Direct resolution change via the engineering menu on new versions of Android is often unavailable.

Using engineering code is the first step to understanding how the system sees your screen, so remember the initial values so that if you make a mistake, you can return it to the same way you did.

Change DPI through Developer Settings

The most effective way to change the root-free interface resolution is to adjust the minimum width (DPI) in the developer menu, which makes the system think the screen has a different pixel density, which results in a resize of all interface elements, buttons and fonts throughout the system.

To activate this mode, go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI or HyperOS 7 times quickly. Once you become a developer, a new menu will open in the settings. Find Minimum Width. This is where the zoom magic happens.

⚠️ Note: Do not set too low (less than 200) or extremely high (over 800) as the interface may become unreadable and you will not be able to return the settings back without resetting.

The standard value for most Xiaomi smartphones is in the range of 360 to 411 dpi. Reducing this number will make items larger (as in low resolution), and zooming in will make things smaller (high resolution effect). Be careful: if you set a value at which the buttons of the menu “Back” or “Home” go beyond the visible area, it will become impossible to control the phone.

When you change the setting, the screen can blink and all the elements will reset, and if you see that the status bar (where the time and battery) has hit the application icons, then the value is wrong, in which case you better return the original parameter that you wrote down earlier.

Using ADB to fine-tune permission

For those who need full control and the ability to set the exact resolution in pixels (e.g., the pixels, 1080x2340), The next tool is Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method allows you to send commands directly to the system, bypassing the interface constraints. You will need a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) and USB-cable.

First, you need to enable USB debugging in the developer menu on your phone. Then connect your smartphone to your PC and start the ADB console. To change the physical resolution of the screen, you use the wm size command. For example, to set the Full HD resolution, type: wm size 1080x2400. To reset the settings to the factory, you use the wm size reset command.

adb shell wm size 1080x2400

Similarly, you can change the pixel density through the wm density command, which is more powerful than the slider in settings, because it changes exactly the logical resolution that applications see. Some games may refuse to run if the resolution doesn't match their database, so use it wisely.

• 💻 Adb shell wm size command shows current physical and logical resolution.
• 🔄 You can reset all changes with the adb shell wm size reset and adb shell wm density reset command.
• ⚡ Changes through ADB They are used instantly and do not require rebooting of the device.
• 🛑 When connecting your phone, select File Transfer Mode and confirm debugging on the screen.

It's important to understand the difference: wm size changes the logical resolution, but the physical size remains the same, which means that the image quality will not fall, just the system will use a smaller or larger workspace.

Comparison of methods of changing display parameters

The choice of method depends on your goals and level of training: the standard settings are suitable for comfortable reading, the engineering menu is suitable for diagnostics, and the ADB is for accurate technical calibration. Below is a table that helps you determine the tool.

As you can see from the table, the safest option for the average user is to change the minimum width. The ADB method gives the most control, but requires a computer and basic command line knowledge.

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For 95% of users, the best solution is to set the Minimum Width in the developer menu, as this gives the visual effect of changing the resolution without the risk of system failure.

Don't chase DPIs to the maximum in the hope of seeing more information on the screen, but on a small smartphone display, it will make the text microscopic and unreadable without a magnifier.

Possible problems and ways to solve them

Experiments with resolution can lead to image artifacts, for example, some applications can be displayed stretched or, conversely, have black fields around the edges. This is normal for software that is not optimized for your new aspect ratio.

If the phone is slowing down after the settings change, try to return the original resolution. Decreasing resolution through ADB can sometimes, paradoxically, increase the load on the processor if the system has to scale the image on the fly for the native matrix.

⚠️ Warning: If the screen is completely black and does not respond to touch after the change DPI, try blindly (touch) to restart the device or press the power button on 10-15 second-on.

Also worth mentioning is the problem with Always On Display. When you change the system resolution, the watch widget on the off screen can shift or disappear, since its coordinates are rigidly set in the firmware under standard resolution.

In case of serious problems, when the phone turns on, but you can not use it (buttons are not where they should be), only resetting to factory settings (Wipe Data) via Recovery Menu will help. To enter there, turn off the phone and press the power and volume buttons at the same time.