Games on Xiaomi smartphones are often displayed with black stripes on the sides or a stretched image, which spoils the experience of gameplay. The reason lies in the discrepancy between the aspect ratio of the screen (18:9, 20:9, 21:9) and the resolution of the game optimized for the standard 16:9. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to reduce the screen in the game on Xiaomi – from built-in MIUI functions to third-party utilities.
The problem is relevant for all the lines: Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5, Xiaomi 12/13/14 and other models on MIUI 12-14. It is important to understand that not all games support dynamic scaling - some (such as Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile) have their own display settings.
1. Built-in "Scale of the Game" feature in MIUI
Starting with MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi added a hidden option to adjust the size of the game window, which doesn't work for all games, but it's worth checking first.
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the game you want (like Call of Duty: Mobile) and tap it.
- Select Game Size (or Display Zoom in Global Firmware).
- Move the slider to reduce the screen size. Changes apply immediately.
Limitations of the method:
- 🔹 It only works for games that support API MIUI (About 30% of popular projects).
- 🔹 Can crop important interface elements (e.g., control buttons in Free Fire).
- 🔹 On some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) There is no option even in the latest versions. MIUI.
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If you don't have Game Score, try upgrading to the latest stable version of the firmware. In the beta versions of MIUI 14, the feature may not be available.
2. Set up the aspect ratio through Game Turbo
Game Turbo is Xiaomi’s proprietary game accelerator that not only optimizes performance, but also allows you to change the display.This method is suitable for most games, including Honor of Kings and Mobile Legends.
Instructions:
- Start the game, then swipe from the top edge of the screen down to open the notification bar.
- Slip on the Game Turbo icon (a game controller icon).
- In the menu that opens, select Screen Settings (or Display Settings).
- Try options: Full screen (stretches the image, but can distort the proportions); 16:9 ratio (adds black bars, but keeps the display correct); Manual setting (not available on all devices).
Important: On POCO F3/F4 with MIUI 13, the option may be called Screen zoom and hidden in the additional Game Turbo settings. If it is not, update the app via Google Play.
3.Using the Game Window Mode (for multitasking)
The Game Window feature is originally designed to multitask, but it can be adapted to reduce screen size, and it works on all devices with MIUI 12+, including the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ and Xiaomi 12T.
How to turn on:
- Activate the mode in Settings → Special features → Game window.
- Start the game and swipe from the bottom corner of the screen up (the gesture is similar to returning to the main screen, but with a delay of 1 second).
- The game will fold into a floating window. Stretching the edges to shrink.
Pros and cons of the method:
| Advantages | Deficiencies |
|---|---|
| It works on all Xiaomi models with MIUI 12+ | Productivity is deteriorating (FPS could fall by 10-15%) |
| You can use other applications at the same time. | Not all games support window control. |
| Does not require root rights or third-party programs | Interface icons are getting too small |
How to return the game to full screen mode?
4. Third-party applications for permission modification
If the built-in methods didn't work, third-party software will help. We tested 3 apps, but we recommend only one, Second Screen (available on Google Play), which requires no root rights and is compatible with MIUI.
Step-by-step:
- Install Second Screen.
- Launch the application and grant permission to output over other windows.
- Select Create a Virtual Screen and select 16:9 resolution (e.g. 1080×1920 for vertical games).
- Start the game - it will open in the window with the specified parameters.
Warning:
- 🚨 Some anticheats (e.g. in the PUBG Mobile may ban an account for using a virtual screen.
- 🚨 On Xiaomi with Snapdragon processor 8 Gen 1/2 possibly twitching.
Install the app from the official store |Provide all permissions requested |Prove compatibility with the game (test run) |Disable other programs to change the screen-->
5. Change of permission via ADB (for power users)
This method requires a PC connection and knowledge of ADB commands, but gives maximum control over the display. Suitable for Xiaomi on Android 10+, including the POCO X3 Pro and Redmi K40.
Instructions:
- Turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times on build number, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
- Connect the phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell wm size 1080x1920 (replace the values to the desired, for example, 1080x2220 for the Redmi Note 10 Pro).
- Reset: Adb shell wm size reset
Warning: Incorrect settings in the ADB command can cause the interface to crash. Before experimenting, write down the current screen resolution (you can find it through the DevCheck app).
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ADB-Temporary commands - after restarting the phone, the resolution will be reset to factory settings.
6 Manually change settings in the build.prop file (root only)
If you have root rights, you can edit the build.prop system file to force the aspect ratio for games, which is risky, but it gives you a stable result.
Action:
- Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
- Open the file. /system/build.prop and add a line: persist.sys.qcom.display_size_force=1080x1920
- Save the changes, restart the device.
Warnings:
⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of build.prop can lead to bootloop ( looped download.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with HyperOS (new firmware after) MIUI) This method may not work due to the changed system file structure.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When changing screen size, users often face typical problems, and here's how to solve them:
- 🎮 The game does not start after changing the permission: Remove the game cache in Settings → Annexes → [play-name] → Clear the cache. If it doesn't work, reinstall the game.
- 🔄 Settings reset after rebooting: This is normal for methods with ADB Or Game Turbo. Use automatic execution of commands via Tasker.
- 🖥️ Black screen when starting a game: Try another method (for example, instead of using the game) ADB You can use Second Screen. It's possible that the game is blocking non-standard resolutions.
If none of these methods worked, check:
- 📱 Compatible with your Xiaomi model (some titles like Apex Legends Mobile have strict display requirements).
- 🔄 Version MIUI — On beta firmware, functions may not be available.
- 🛠️ Updates to play in Google Play or App Store.