How to put 120 Hz on Xiaomi Redmi 9: official and unofficial ways

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 often wonder if it is possible to overclock the screen of the smartphone to 120 Hz — refresh rate, which provides a smoother scrolling and responsive interface. Unfortunately, the standard MIUI firmware for this model limits the frequency to 60 Hz, but there are workarounds. In this article, we will examine all possible methods, from hidden engineering settings to install custom firmware with support for high refresh rates.

It is important to understand that the Redmi 9 is not originally designed to work with 120 Hz – its hardware platform (MediaTek Helio G80) and display (IPS LCD with a resolution of 1080×2340) are optimized for the standard 60 Hz. However, enthusiasts have found ways to get around this limitation, and we will explain in detail how to do this safely, what risks exist and what to expect from such an upgrade.

Before you start settings, make sure your smartphone meets the requirements: check the version of MIUI (current versions support more features), free up at least 2 GB of memory and charge the battery up to 50% to avoid crashes. If you are not sure of your technical skills, it is better to focus on software methods without interfering with system files.

1. Check the current screen refresh rate

Before you try to increase the frequency to 120Hz, make sure your Redmi 9 really runs on the standard 60Hz. You can use both built-in MIUI tools and third-party apps to do this.

The easiest way is to use the CPU-Z or DevCheck app (available on Google Play). Launch the program, go to the Display section and find the Refresh Rate bar. If it says 60 Hz, the screen is in standard mode. Alternatively, turn on Developer Mode and check the settings manually (more on this in the next section).

You can also use online tests, like TestUFO. Open a page in your browser and compare the smoothness of animation at 60 Hz and 120 Hz (if the test supports this option), the difference will be noticeable to the naked eye: at 120 Hz, the picture appears more alive, and the transitions between frames are smooth.

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi 9 specs include a 90Hz display (such as the Redmi 9 Pro), don’t confuse it with the base model (M2004J19C) It does not initially support frequencies above 60Hz at the hardware level.

2. Enabling Developer Mode and Hidden Settings

The first step to unlocking 120Hz is to activate Developer Mode, which will allow you to access hidden system settings, including screen refresh rate settings.

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version string and tap it 7 times in a row.
3. You will be notified: You have become a developer.

Now, the Settings menu will have a new section, for developers, where you can experiment with the parameters that affect screen performance, but beware: the wrong changes can lead to malfunctions in the smartphone.

In the For Developers section, find the options associated with the display:

• 🔍 Minimum width (does not affect frequency, but is useful for scaling).
• 🖥️ Secondary display simulation (can help with testing).
• ⚡ Debugging by USB (necessary for certain methods of acceleration).

Unfortunately, in standard firmware MIUI Redmi 9 does not have a direct option to change the refresh rate, but you will need to activate Developer Mode for further manipulation, for example, when using the same system. ADB-commands or installation of custom cores.

3. Method using ADB (without root)

One of the safest ways to try to overclock the screen is to use ADB-This method does not require root rights, but allows you to change some system parameters. Importantly, on Redmi 9 this method may not work due to hardware limitations, but it is worth trying.

First, prepare your computer:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (includes adb).
2. Connect Redmi 9 to your PC via USB, enable USB Debugging in Developer Settings.
3. Open the command line (cmd) in the adb folder.

Now, execute the following commands in order:

adb devices

(Make sure the device is determined.)

adb shell settings put global peak_refresh_rate 120

adb shell settings put global min_refresh_rate 120

Once you have commands, restart your smartphone. If the screen starts to flicker or artifacts appear, immediately return the settings to:

adb shell settings put global peak_refresh_rate 60

⚠️ Note: Redmi 9 with Helio processor G80 These commands are often ignored by the system because of a lack of hardware support. If nothing changes after the reboot, then your display is physically unable to run at 120Hz.

Install Platform Tools on PC|

Enable debugging over USB on your phone |

Connect the phone with the original cable |

Check the detection of the device by the team `adb devices`-->

4. Installation of custom firmware with support for 120 Hz

If the software methods don’t work, the radical way is to install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) modified to support high refresh rates, which requires unlocking the bootloader and root rights, which voids the warranty and carries risks.

Here's a step-by-step algorithm:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account and wait 7 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery - custom recovery, allowing you to sew informal images.
3. Download firmware with 120Hz support (for example, a modified version of MIUI from the XDA Developers community).
4. Flush the firmware through TWRP, having previously made a backup of data.

Important: Not all custom firmware runs on Redmi 9. Before installing, check user reviews on forums (such as XDA) and make sure the version you choose supports:

• 📱 Correct operation of the sensor and camera.
• 🔋 Optimized power consumption (120 Hz strongly depletes the battery).
• 🎮 Support for games (some firmware may be laid in the PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact).

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware can result in a device blink (completely inoperable) if the inappropriate version is selected or the sequence of actions is broken. Always check the firmware compatibility with the Redmi 9 model (M2004J19C).

5. Alternative ways to improve smoothness

If you can’t overclock the screen to 120 Hz, you can optimize the smartphone in other ways to make the interface seem more responsive:

• 🚀 Turn on the animation. 0.5x in Developer Settings (Scale of window/transition animation).
• 🔄 Turn off unnecessary background processes in Settings → Annexes → Auto-start.
• 🎯 Use light launchers (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair).
• 🔋 Activate the Performance Mode in Settings → Battery.

It is also worth updating the firmware to the latest version of MIUI. New versions often optimize the interface, even if the screen frequency remains 60 Hz. For example, MIUI 14 added the Dynamic Refresh Rate function, which automatically adjusts the smoothness for tasks (although does not increase it above the standard).

If you are critically important high refresh rate, consider buying a smartphone with support for 90 Hz/120 Hz from the line of Xiaomi:

• Redmi Note 11 Pro+ (120 Hz AMOLED)
• POCO X4 Pro (120 Hz IPS)
• Xiaomi 12 Lite (90 Hz AMOLED)

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Before selling Redmi 9, reset all settings to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset) This will delete all data, including traces of overclocking attempted, and increase the cost of the device when resold.

6. Risks and consequences of overclocking the screen

Trying to force the screen to upgrade to 120Hz on Redmi 9 can lead to a number of problems:

• 🔥 Processor overheating (Helio) G80 Not optimized for this type of load).
• 🔋 Accelerated battery discharge (up to) 30-40% hour of active use).
• 🖥️ Artifacts on the screen (shimmering, stripes, incorrect colors).
• 🚨 Sensor malfunctions (inaccurate touches, delays).

In addition, any manipulation of system files (especially the installation of custom firmware) deprives you of warranty from Xiaomi. If the phone fails, the service center will refuse free repair. DRM-protection like Netflix may stop working on modified firmware.

If you are still willing to experiment, prepare in advance for the possible consequences:

• Back up your data via Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
• Check out the reviews about the selected firmware on profile forums.
• Buy a spare battery (overclocking greatly increases power consumption).

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If your Redmi 9 starts to overheat or discharge quickly after trying to overclock, immediately return the standard settings. prolonged operation in abnormal mode can cause the display controller or battery to fail.

FAQ: Frequent questions about screen overclocking on Redmi 9