How to activate 90 Hz on Xiaomi smartphones: the complete guide

Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with displays with a high refresh rate, which makes the interface more smooth and responsive. However, users often face a situation where the device runs at a standard 60 Hz, although the hardware allows more. This can be due to energy saving settings or firmware features. To feel the difference, you need to adjust the screen refresh rate correctly.

Turning on 90Hz not only improves the visual experience when scrolling through social media feeds, but also increases gaming comfort. In this article, we will discuss in detail where to look for the right switches in MIUI and HyperOS, how to circumvent system limitations and whether to switch to high frequency at all. Not all Xiaomi models support 90Hz software without additional manipulation, even if the matrix allows it.

Why does the screen work at 60 Hz instead of 90?

The main reason for the low-frequency display is the activated power saving mode. The system automatically reduces the number of frame updates per second to extend battery life. This is the normal behavior of the Android operating system in conjunction with the manufacturer's shell.

Also, some applications can force the screen to switch to 60Hz for compatibility. If you notice that the system interface is smooth and a particular program is slow, the problem may be optimizing the software itself. The settings often have the default option of "AutoSelection", which does not always correctly determine the need for increased performance.

Sometimes users limit their device without knowing there are hidden menus. Checking current settings is the first step to solving the problem. Make sure your smartphone is physically equipped with a 90Hz matrix, as it is not possible to programmatically increase the frequency on a screen with native 60Hz.

Checking the technical characteristics of the display

Before you go into deep settings, you need to make sure that there is hardware support. Many low-end Redmi or POCO models can have screens with different frequencies depending on the region of delivery. Information about hardware is often hidden from the average user, but it can be found through system codes.

Use the built-in engineering menu to check the specifications. Enter the following code in the Phone app:

##6484##

This will open the CIT menu, where you can find information about the version of the display and its parameters, if the specifications are 60 Hz, then the software methods will not help, if you specify 90 Hz or higher, but the screen flashes less often, then the limitation is software.

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Use AIDA64 or CPU-Z to get accurate information about the matrix model without entering codes.

Note the brightness of the screen. Some models automatically turn off the 90Hz mode when the brightness is low or when the reading mode is turned on, this is done to reduce the load on the eyes and battery, check if you have activated these functions at the time of testing.

Standard activation via MIUI and HyperOS settings

In most cases, you just need to use the standard interface. The path to settings may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell, but the logic remains the same. You need to go to the Settings section and find the item associated with the screen.

Follow the following steps:

• 📱 Open Settings and select Screen (or Screen and Brightness»).
• 🔄 Find the option “Screen Update Frequency” or “Refresh Rate».
• ⚙️ Select the value of "User" or "High" if forced inclusion is available.

In the HyperOS shell, the interface has become more concise. You often see the Adaptive Frequency switch that decides when to raise the hertz. For a permanent 90 Hz, you sometimes need to turn off Smart Mode or AutoChoice. If the slider is gray or not, we move to advanced methods.

It is worth noting that in some regions of the firmware (e.g. Global ROM), this item may be hidden by the manufacturer, while in the Chinese version (China ROM) it is always available.

Using a Hidden Menu through Code

If you don't have a switch in your menu, you get a hidden debugging menu that allows you to force the frequency to be set, and you can ignore the system constraints, and be careful, changing those parameters can affect the stability of the system.

Enter the following code in the dialer (calling phone):

##7788##

Alternatively, for some models:

##8888##

Once you type in, you'll see a Projector Menu menu or something like that. Find the section associated with Refresh Rate. You can select a fixed value of 90 Hz. Once you select the setting, the phone may ask for a reboot.

⚠️ Warning: Changing the parameters in the engineering menu can lead to unstable touchscreen operation or the appearance of artifacts. If the screen goes out after the reboot or doesn’t work properly, try resetting through Recovery or entering a display reset code if it’s available for your model.

This method is especially relevant for the Redmi Note and POCO M series, where the manufacturer often software-limited frequency in global firmware versions.

Compulsory Incorporation Through ADB

For advanced users who haven't been helped by the codes, the USB debugging method is the one that requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and having the ADB tools installed, which allows you to inject commands directly into the system.

Procedure:

• 💻 Activate Developer Mode by clicking 7 times on the build number in About Phone.
• 🔌 Turn on "Debugging by" USB» developer menu.
• 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and enter a command to check the current frequency:

adb shell dumpsys SurfaceFlinger | grep "refresh"

To change the frequency, you use the wm size command or model-specific setprop command, but in modern versions of Android, direct change of the hertz through ADB is often blocked without root rights.

adb shell settings put system peak_refresh_rate 90.0

If the command is successful, the system will try to apply a new parameter, and if the access error is not possible, a deeper intervention will be required.

The effect of high frequency on autonomy

The 90Hz transition inevitably affects battery life. The screen is the most energy-intensive element in a smartphone, and the increase in the number of image updates requires more CPU and GPU resources. Energy consumption can grow by 10-15% depending on use scenarios.

Comparison of screen parameters:

But modern processors like Snapdragon and Dimensity have learned how to manage resources efficiently. Unless you play heavy games for hours, the difference in autonomy may not be as critical. In static scenarios (read text), smart algorithms can still reduce frequency if Fixed mode is not turned on.

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Turning on 90Hz reduces screen time, but significantly increases the comfort of using the interface, making jerks and lags less noticeable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)