How to Speed Up Xiaomi Phone for Games: From Basic Settings to Deep Optimization

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO have long earned a reputation as the best budget and mid-budget mobile gaming devices. But even flagship models like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra or POCO F6 Pro are beginning to slow down in modern games like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile or Honor of Kings. The reasons are diverse, from overheating of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor to a cache of MIUI.

In this article — 10 Proven ways to speed up Xiaomi for gaming, from basic settings to advanced tricks ADB We tested the methods on the Redmi Note. 12 Pro+ (with a MediaTek Dimensity chipset 1080), POCO F5 (Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2) Xiaomi 13T (Dimensity 8200-Ultra). All recommendations are relevant to MIUI 14/15 HyperOS (new firmware Xiaomi) 2026 year-end).

Important: Some methods require unlocking the bootloader or root rights, which voids the warranty and can cause permanent damage to the system if you do not do the right thing. Start with safe methods (sections 1-4), and move to heavy artillery (sections 5-8 only if you are confident in your skills.

1. Optimization of MIUI settings for gaming

The first thing to do is to disable background processes that steal resources from games. MIUI and HyperOS have built-in tools for this, but they are often hidden in the depths of the menu.

Go to Settings → Applications → App Management → Auto Run and disable Auto Run for all apps except gaming (e.g. Google Play Games, Mi Game Center). Then open Settings → Battery and Performance → Performance Mode and select “Game Mode” or “Maximum Performance” (name depends on model).

• 🔧 Turn off animation: in Settings → About the phone tap 7 times on the "Version" MIUI», Then go back to the settings. → Additionally. → For developers and set the Windows Animation Scale, Transition Animation Scale and the Animator Duration Scale on 0.5x or off.
• 🎮 Activate Game Turbo: In Settings → Special facilities → Game Turbo, turn on the feature and add games to the list. This will turn off notifications and optimize resource allocation.
• 📱 Adjust screen resolution: Many games automatically choose maximum resolution, but FHD+ (1080p) instead QHD+ (1440p) may give rise FPS Change the game settings by 15-20% or by Settings → Screen. → Permission.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 with Snapdragon 680), disabling animations can lead to micro-hangs of the interface. 1x.

System cleanup: cache, debris and unnecessary applications

MIUI is known for overgrown with unnecessary files, and even after deleting applications, their cache and data can stay in the system, taking up space and slowing down.

1. Cache Cleanup: Go to Settings → Storage → Cleanup and click “Clean” (remove up to 1-3 GB of garbage).
2. Remove unnecessary apps: Settings → Apps sort the list by size and remove anything you don’t use (especially duplicate Xiaomi services like Mi Video, Mi Music, GetApps).
3. Disable Bloatware: Some system applications cannot be removed, but you can disable them. To do this, click on the app menu to “Disable” (works for Mi Pay, Mi Credit, etc.).

For deep cleaning, use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) and connect your phone to your PC, enable USB Debugging in your developer settings, and follow the command:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.analytics


adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.ab

This will remove Xiaomi analytics and advertising services that are constantly running in the background.For a full list of safe packet removals, see the spoiler below.

3. Optimizing cooling: how to avoid trottling

The main reason for the fall of FPS in games is trottling (automatic decrease in the frequency of the processor due to overheating). On Xiaomi with Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipsets and newer, the problem is especially relevant: at temperatures above 45 ° C, performance can fall by 30-40%.

Decisions:

• ❄️ Use a cooling case or fan: even budget options like Black Shark Cooling Fan reduce the temperature by 5-10°C.
• 🔄 Replace thermopaste: on models older than 2 years (e.g, POCO F3 or Redmi K40) Thermopaste dries out. After replacement, the temperature under load drops by 8-12.°C.
• 📉 Limit charging while playing: If playing off the net, remove the case and use the original power supply (not fast charging). + The game may cause an emergency shutdown.
• 🛠️ Calibrate the battery: in Settings → Battery → Battery status, click "Optimize." This will reset the charging cycle data, which sometimes helps with sudden power outages under load.

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If the game is too hot for your phone, try lowering the graphics manually through the engineering menu. To do this, type ##4636## in the phone number, select Battery Information and look at the temperature. If it is above 42°C, reduce the resolution or texture quality of the game.

For advanced users, you can disable trottling via /system/vendor/build.prop file editing (requires root).

persist.thermal.engine=0


ro.thermal.engine=0

Warning: This can cause overheating of over 60°C and damage to the processor. Use only with external cooling!

4. Set up the kernel and task scheduler

Android uses a task scheduler to allocate resources between processes, and the default mode in MIUI is conservative, which saves battery, but slows down games, and we can change it to productive.

Method 1 (without root):

1. Install Kernel Adiutor (requires an unlocked bootloader).
2. In the CPU section, select Planner and install performance or schedutil.
3. In the section «GPU» zoom in min_freq on 10–15% from a standard value (e.g., with a 300 MHz 350 MHz).

Method 2 (with root):

• Open Terminal Emulator and enter:

su


echo performance > /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_governor




echo 1 > /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpufreq/ondemand/io_is_busy

This will force the processor to the maximum performance mode.

⚠️ Note: On MediaTek Helio G chipsets (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO C31) manually adjusting the core can lead to unstable operation or reboots. Test the changes one at a time and monitor the temperature!

1. Make a backup of data (via Mi Cloud or TWRP)

2. Check the temperature of the processor (must be below 40°C)

3. charge the phone at least 50%

4. Install Kernel Adiutor or FrancoKernel

5. disable Game Turbo (it conflicts with manual settings)

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Overclocking the GPU and CPU: risks and opportunities

Overclocking can increase FPS by 20 to 30 percent, but it's an extreme method that shortens the life of the chipset. We tested overclocking with POCO F5 (Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2) and we got the following results:

To accelerate, you'll need:

1. Root rights (you can get through Magisk after unlocking the bootloader).
2. The app is EX Kernel Manager or FrancoKernel.
3. External cooling: without it, acceleration will lead to trolling after 5-10 minutes of play.

Instructions:

1. Open EX Kernel Manager and go to the CPU section.
2. Increase. max_freq large-core 5–10% (for example, 2800 MHz 3000 MHz).
3. In the section «GPU» raise max_freq on 15–20% (higher 800 MHz for Adreno or 1000 MHz for Mali).
4. Save your profile and restart your phone.

⚠️ Note: Overclocking on MediaTek Dimensity chipsets (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) It often leads to graphic artifacts in games, and if you notice pink stripes or flickering, return the standard frequencies.

6.Memory Optimization: How to Free RAM for Games

Lack of RAM is a common cause of friezes in games. MIUI aggressively kills background processes, but sometimes leaves unnecessary system services that take up to 1-1.5 GB of RAM.

• 🧹 Cleanup RAM manually: in Settings → Annexes → Click on "Clear" before you start the game.
• 🔄 Turn off "Optimize" RAM»: In Settings → Additionally. → For developers, find the option “Limit background processes” and set “No restrictions».
• 📱 Use the “Game Mode” with Priority RAM: In Game Turbo, enable the option “Memory Priority” (available on Xiaomi) 12T newer).
• 🛠️ Increase swap: If you have root, create a swap partition of 1-2 GB with Swapper for Root.This will add virtual memory, but will increase the wear and tear of the drive.

To check for RAM usage, install DevCheck or Simple System Monitor, and if there is less than 1.5 GB of free memory in closed applications, the system is overloaded.

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On phones with 6-8 GB of RAM (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro) the optimal free value before playing is 2.5-3 GB. If less, clean the memory manually or turn off background processes.

7. Network setting for online gaming (ping reduction)

Online games like PUBG Mobile or Free Fire not only have performance but also connection stability, and even powerful phones like the Xiaomi 13 Pro can be lagged because of poor network optimization in MIUI.

Ways to improve connection:

• 📶 Use it. 5G Wi-Fi 6: If your phone supports Wi-Fi 6 (for example, POCO F4 GT), Connect to the appropriate router. In games, this reduces ping by 10 to 20 milliseconds.
• 🔌 Turn off “Smart Switching”: in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Smart switch off the option so that the phone does not switch between 4G and 5G play-play.
• 🌐 Change. DNS: In Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Settings IP set up static IP and write DNS 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google).
• 🎮 Enable Low Latency Mode: In Game Turbo, activate Network Priority (available on Xiaomi 12 and later).

For advanced users, you can turn off IPv6 if your ISP does not support it.

su


settings put global captive_portal_detection_enabled 0




settings put global captive_portal_server none

This will disable the captive portal check, which sometimes reduces ping by 5-10 ms.

8.Alternative firmware: When MIUI brakes too much

If all of the above methods didn’t help, there may be a problem with MIUI itself. Xiaomi’s official firmware is known for its bloatware, aggressive battery optimization and lags.

• 📱 Pixel Experience: pure Android without unnecessary services. Suitable for weak models (Redmi 9, POCO M3).
• ⚡ LineageOS: Stable, open source firmware. good for Xiaomi Mi A2/A3 (officially maintained).
• 🎮 CrDroid or Evolution X: firmware with improved optimization for gaming. POCO F3 or Redmi K40.
• 🔧 MIUI EU (Xiaomi.eu: A modified version MIUI No advertising and Chinese services, suitable for those who do not want to lose the branded chips Xiaomi.

Installation instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (waiting 7-14 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for your model (only download from the official website twrp.me).
3. Download the firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience for Redmi Note 10 Pro here).
4. Boot to TWRP, make a full backup (including EFS and Modem), then run the firmware.

⚠️ Note: On newer models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12), unlocking the bootloader may lead to encryption blocking (it will not be possible to use banking applications). XDA Developers.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's acceleration for gaming