How to increase FPS on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: step-by-step instructions for gamers

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 with a MediaTek Helio processor G85 and graphics accelerator Mali-G52 MC2 Originally marketed as a budget smartphone for everyday tasks, but many users are trying to squeeze the maximum out of it for modern games. FPS (The number of frames per second is especially noticeable in heavy projects such as Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile or the Internet. PUBG New State, where drawdowns to 20-30 FPS They make the gameplay uncomfortable. 8 Proven methods that actually work on the Redmi Note 9 (including Note models 9 Pro and Note 9S Snapdragon 720G), And explain why some "advice" from the Internet only harm the device.

It is important to understand: Redmi Note 9 physically unable to sustainably 60 FPS into AAA-games at maximum settings due to chipset and cooling limitations, but the right optimization allows you to raise the average FPS on 15-25% (for example, 30 before 40 We tested all the methods on firmware. MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 13 โ€” The results are shown in the comparison table below.

1. Activation of the hidden game mode Turbo

MIUI has a hidden Game Turbo feature that prioritizes CPU resources for games and disables background processes. It works in semi-automatic mode by default, but it can be forced-activated via an engineering menu.

How to turn on:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Open the phone app and enter the combination ##4636##.
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Go to the tab Phone Information and tap 5 times on the item Version MIUI, to unlock hidden settings.
  • ๐ŸŽฎ Return to the main menu and select Game Turbo Settings (if no option, update your firmware to the Game Turbo Settings). MIUI 12.5+).
  • โšก Activate Extreme Performance and Disable Background Sync.

Effect: In Call of Duty Mobile tests, the average FPS has gone from 38 frames to 45 frames (at the average graphics settings), but note that this mode heats the processor very much. Without additional cooling, after 20-30 minutes of play, trottling (automatic performance decline) is possible.

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If after activating Game Turbo games began to lay more, check the temperature of the processor in the CPU Monitor application. At 70 ยฐ C +, turn off the mode and let the smartphone cool down.

2. Optimization of graphical settings in games

Many users mistakenly set the maximum graphics quality, not realizing that the Redmi Note 9 does not physically pull such loads.

Game.Recommended settingsAverage FPS (before/after)
PUBG MobileGraphics: Balanced Staff / s: High Style: Color28 โ†’ 42
Call of Duty MobileQuality: Medium FPS: Maximum Shadow: Retraction.35 โ†’ 48
Genshin ImpactResolution: 720pFPS: 30 (stable) Effects: Low20 โ†’ 28
Free FireGraphics: UltraFPS: 60 (with drawdowns up to 50) Texture Package: Low45 โ†’ 55

Key point: disable anti-aliasing (AA) and dynamic shadows โ€“ these effects eat up to 30% of the performance of the GPU. Genshin Impact also recommends reducing the render resolution to 80% โ€“ this gives a gain of 5-7 FPS without a strong loss in visual quality.

๐Ÿ“Š What game do you run more often on Redmi Note 9?
PUBG Mobile
Call of Duty Mobile
Genshin Impact
Free Fire
Another.

3. Cleaning the system of garbage and cache

Cache cache and background processes can reduce FPS by 10-15%. On the Redmi Note 9 with 4/64 GB of memory, this is especially critical.

Remove the game cache through Settings โ†’ Apps

Cleaning System Garbage in Security โ†’ Cleaning

Disable the autoload of unnecessary applications

Remove unused APKs through Settings โ†’ Memory

Reset the device-->

For deep cleaning:

  • ๐Ÿงน Install. SD Maid (requires root rights for complete cleaning) or Files by Google.
  • ๐Ÿ—‘๏ธ Manually delete the folders /sdcard/Android/obb For games you donโ€™t play (they take up) 2-3 GB).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Once a week, perform a command through ADB: adb shell pm trim-caches -1 (This clears the cache of all user applications).

โš ๏ธ Note: Do not use cleaners like Clean Master or CCleaner, which often delete important system files. MIUI, This leads to interface lags. Clean only manually or through embedded tools.

4. GPU overclocking through the engineering menu (for advanced)

The Mali-G52 MC2 in the Redmi Note 9 has hidden frequency reserves that can be unlocked.This method requires caution, as overheating can damage the chip.

Instructions:

  1. Install the MTK Engineering Mode from the Play Market (only for the Helio G85).
  2. Go to MTK Settings โ†’ Hardware Testing โ†’ GPU.
  3. Find the Clock GPU and increase the value from 850 MHz to 950 MHz (maximum for stable operation).
  4. Save the settings and restart the device.

Warnings:

  • ๐Ÿ”ฅ Temperature. GPU grow up 10-15ยฐC. Use a cooling stand.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ The battery consumption will increase by 15-20%. Keep the charger on hand.
  • โš ๏ธ When artifacts on the screen (strips, flickering), immediately reset the frequency to standard.
What happens if you exceed 950 MHz?
At a frequency of 1000 MHz and above, Mali-G52 begins to produce graphic glitches (green pixels, texture breaks), and with a long load, overheating over 90 ยฐ C is possible, which leads to automatic shutdown of the GPU.

5. Disconnection MIUI-animations and visual effects

The MIUI interface is overloaded with animations that consume up to 5% of CPU resources, and disabling them will free up power for games.

How to speed up the system:

  • ๐Ÿš€ Enable Developer Mode (7 taps according to Version) MIUI In Settings โ†’ The phone).
  • ๐ŸŽจ Go to Settings. โ†’ Additionally. โ†’ For developers and set: Window animation scale: Off. Transition animation scale: Off. Duration of animation: 0.5x
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Turn off Smooth Transitions in Settings โ†’ Screen.

Additionally, install the Nova Launcher and turn off all animations, which will increase by 2-3 FPS in games by reducing the load on the SurfaceFlinger (system rendering process).

๐Ÿ’ก

Turning off animations not only boosts FPS in games, it also speeds up the interface by 15-20%, especially on the Redmi Note 9 with 4GB of RAM.

6.Use of game modifications (GFX Tools)

Apps like the GFX Tool or Game Guardian can force resolution, FPS and graphics settings for games, bypassing developer restrictions, but they are unstable on the Redmi Note 9.

Adjustment recommendations:

  • ๐ŸŽฏ For PUBG Mobile use Configuration: Resolution: 1280x720 FPS: 40 (Unlocked) Graphics: Smooth Style: Classic Shadows: Off Anti-Aliasing: Off
  • ๐Ÿ”ง V GFX Tool activate the Force option 4x MSAA This is only if the game supports it (in Call of Duty Mobile it is a game that supports it). +5 FPS).
  • โš ๏ธ Do not use VSync Off โ€“ on Mali-G52 It causes microfries.

โš ๏ธ Note: After the modifications are applied, some games (e.g. Genshin Impact) may give an error "Device Not Supported". โ†’ Annexes.

7. Alternative firmware (for experienced users)

Stock MIUI is optimized for performance-power balance, but not for gaming. Custom firmware like Pixel Experience or LineageOS can generate 10-15 FPS gains by:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Remove unnecessary Xiaomi services (e.g. mipush, miui.analytics).
  • ๐ŸŽฏ Optimized core with support KGSL (driver Adreno/Mali).
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ More aggressive management CPU/GPU (For example, interactive instead of ondemand).

The best firmware for the Redmi Note 9:

FirmwareFPS growthCons
Pixel Experience 12+12-15%No Widevine L1 (Netflix at 480p)
LineageOS 19+10%No MIUI camera (you need to install a GCam)
Evolution X+8%Bluetooth bugs

Important: Check compatibility with your model before firmware (merlin for Redmi Note 9, curtana for Note 9S). Use only official instructions with XDA Developers.

8 Hardware modifications (cooling and battery)

If the software methods do not help, there are physical improvements:

  • ๐ŸงŠ Cooling cooler: even a budget stand with a fan reduces the temperature by 8-12ยฐC, which prevents trottling.Best models: Black Shark Cooler 2 or IPEGA PG-9087S.
  • ๐Ÿ”‹ External battery: When connected to a Redmi Note 9 charge, limits performance.Use Power Bank with Quick Charge 3.0 and play at 80% battery charge.
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Thermopaste replacement: over time, factory paste dries.Application Arctic MX-4 temperature-reduce 5-7ยฐC (requires disassembly of the device).

โš ๏ธ Note: When replacing the thermopaste, do not use liquid metal โ€“ it conducts electricity and can close contacts on the Redmi Note 9 motherboard.

FAQ: Frequent questions about boosting FPS

Can I overclock the Helio G85 processor on the Redmi Note 9?
Technically, yes, you can use the MTK Engineering Mode to raise core frequency from 2.0 GHz to 2.1-2.2 GHz. However: FPS will only increase by 3-5 frames. CPU temperature will rise to 80-85 ยฐ C. The chipset will have a lifespan of 20-30%. Recommendation: it is better not to take risks. GPU overclocking (Mali-G52) gives a greater effect at lower risks.
Why did the MIUI FPS drop after the update?
In new versions of MIUI 13/14, Xiaomi adds background analytics and advertising services that consume up to 10% of the CPU. Solution: Disable mipush and miui.analytics via ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipush adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics Remove updates for GetApps and Mi Video. Reset graphics settings in games (they could reset after the update).
How to check the real FPS in games?
Use: GameBench (precise measurements, but paid). FPS Meter (free, but shows only the current FPS). Built-in counter in Game Turbo (includes in Settings โ†’ Special features โ†’ Show FPS). Important: test FPS in dynamic scenes (for example, in a fight in PUBG Mobile), not in the menu - there are always overestimates.
Should you buy the Redmi Note 9 specifically for games in 2026?
No. For comfortable gaming in 2026, Redmi Note 9 is outdated: PUBG Mobile: average FPS is 35-40 (at mid-sets). Genshin Impact: 20-25 FPS (at heating to 70ยฐC). Call of Duty Mobile: 40-45 FPS (with drawdowns up to 30). Alternatives for similar money (2026): Redmi Note 12 (Snapdragon 4 Gen 1), POCO X5 (Snapdragon 695).
Can I increase my FPS through root rights?
Yes, but the effect is minimal. With root, you can: Remove system applications. MIUI (Miui.daemon, miui.bugreport.Use Kernel Adiutor to fine-tune governors CPU/GPU. Install Magisk modules like Game Optimizer, but risks: Loss of warranty, possible bootloop if you misconfigure the kernel settings, blocking of banking applications (because of Magisk). +2-5 FPS, But donโ€™t worry about that increase.