How to unlock 90 Hz or 120 Hz on Xiaomi: all working methods

A high refresh rate screen (90Hz, 120Hz, or even 144Hz) makes smartphone interactions smooth and comfortable. But many Xiaomi models default to a maximum 60Hz frequency even if the hardware supports more. Why is that? The manufacturer often artificially understates the settings to save battery power or due to software constraints in MIUI firmware.

In this article, we will analyze all available ways to unlock the high refresh rate of the screen - from standard settings to hidden engineering menus and ADB-It's important to understand that not all methods are universal: some only work on certain models (e.g., adjuncts, POCO F3, Redmi Note 10 Pro, Xiaomi 11T), Others require super-user rights, and we'll also analyze whether to turn on 120Hz permanently or whether to use adaptive mode better.

Before you start settings, check if your Xiaomi supports a high refresh rate.

1. Run any screen testing application (such as Display Tester or AIDA64).
2. Look at the Refresh Rate setting in the display characteristics.
3. Compare the official model specifications on Mi.com.

1. MIUI Standard Settings: Where to Look for Update Frequency

On most modern Xiaomi smartphones (starting with MIUI 12), the option to change the refresh rate of the screen is available directly from the settings menu, but its location may vary depending on the firmware version and device model.

To find the parameter:

1. Open the Settings → Display.
2. Scroll down and find the Screen Update Frequency (or Refresh Rate in the English version of MIUI).
3. Choose one of the available values: 60 Hz, 90 Hz, 120 Hz or Adaptive (if supported).

If this item is not available, then your model does not support frequency change through the standard menu, or the option is hidden by the manufacturer, in which case move on to the following methods.

⚠️ Note: On some devices (e.g. Redmi Note 9 Pro) the option only appears after upgrading to the latest version. MIUI. Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

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If the settings only display 60Hz, but you are sure that your model supports 90/120Hz, try resetting the display settings to factory: Settings → Display → Additional → Reset display settings.

2 Unlocking through the engineering menu (no root)

The engineering menu is a hidden settings section where you can change settings that are not available in the standard interface. For Xiaomi, there are two ways to get there: through code or through an app.

Method 1: Code for logging into the engineering menu

Open the phone application and enter the combination:

##4636##

Then you'll be taken to the testing menu. Select Hardware testing, then look for the partition associated with the display (like Display or Screen). There may be a Refresh Rate option with a choice of frequency.

Method 2: MTK Engineering Mode application (for MediaTek processors)

• 📱 Install the app from Google Play.
• 🔧 Start it and go to the Hardware Testing section. → Display.
• 🔄 Find the Refresh Rate and change the value.

⚠️ Note: Not all Xiaomi models allow you to change frequency through the engineering menu. On some devices (for example, with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor), this method may not work or cause the display to crash. Before changing the settings, remember the current settings to return them in case of problems.

3.Use of ADB-commands (without root, but with PC)

If standard methods don’t work, you can try unlocking a high refresh rate via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which doesn’t require superuser rights, but you’ll need a computer and USB debugging enabled.

Preparation:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
4. Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.

Frequency change commands:

Open the command prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the ADB folder and type:

adb shell settings put global peak_refresh_rate 120

For 90Hz, replace 120 with 90. After you execute the command, restart the phone.

To return the standard 60Hz, use:

adb shell settings put global peak_refresh_rate 60

Install ADB drivers on PC|Enable developer mode on Xiaomi|Activate debugging on USB|Plug phone to PC and confirm trust |Download ADB Tools and unpack-->

4. Unlock through root access (for advanced)

If none of the previous methods worked, the option is root-rights, which gives you full control over system files, but it is not warranty and can lead to unstable operation of the device.

Steps to unlock:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7 days).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP) for your model.
3. Sweep through Magisk to get root.
4. With a root-access file manager (such as Root Explorer), find the file /system/build.prop.
5. Add or change the lines: ro.vendor.display.refresh_rate=120 persist.vendor.sys.display.refresh_rate=120 (substitute 120 fittingly).
6. Save the file, set the rights to 644, and restart the device.

You can also use applications like Kernel Adiutor or EX Kernel Manager, which allow you to change the refresh rate through the interface (root is required).

⚠️ Note: After obtaining root rights, some features may stop working (for example, Google Pay, Mi Pay, banking applications), and the risk of disrupting the stability of the system increases. On DynamicSwitch models, manual change may lead to a conflict with system services.

5. Adaptive refresh rate: pros and cons

Many flagship Xiaomi models (e.g., Xiaomi 12 Pro, POCO F4 GT) support adaptive refresh rates, in which the system automatically switches between 60 Hz, 90 Hz and 120 Hz depending on the content on the screen:

• 📱 60 Hz – for static images, reading, watching videos.
• 🎮 90/120 Hz – for scrolling, games, animations.

Advantages:

• ⚡ Savings in battery charge (up to) 15-20% versus constant 120 Hz).
• 🔄 Smooth transition between modes without manual switching.
• 🛡️ Less wear on the display (OLED-screens degrade faster at high frequency).

Disadvantages:

• ⏱️ Switching delays (sometimes noticeable in games).
• 🔧 Not all applications are supported correctly.
• 📉 On some models, the adaptive mode is unstable.

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Adaptive frequency is the best choice for most users, as it combines smoothness and battery savings. However, gamers and those who appreciate maximum responsiveness, it is better to turn on a fixed 90/120 Hz.

6. Problems after frequency change and their solution

After manually changing the refresh rate, the following problems may occur:

If the phone has stopped working normally after the change:

1. Try resetting the display settings: Settings → Display → Resetting settings.
2. Reset to factory settings (if the problem is serious).
3. Contact the service center if the screen is out of order.

7. Should 120Hz be used continuously?

High screen refresh rates are not just pros, but also cons. Let's look at the key aspects:

Arguments FOR:

• 🎯 Smooth interface – scrolling, animations and gestures become noticeably smoother.
• 🎮 The advantage in games is higher FPS And faster to react to touch.
• 👁️ Less eye fatigue (when properly set up).

Arguments against:

• 🔋 Increased battery consumption – for 20-30% faster discharge at constant 120 Hz.
• 🌡️ Increased heating – the processor and display work harder.
• 📉 Wearing OLED-pixels degrade faster at high frequency.
• 💰 Not all apps are optimized – some games and programs may not support 120Hz.

Recommendations for use:

• 🔄 Use Adaptive Mode if it is available.
• 🎮 Include 120Hz for gaming and resource-intensive tasks only.
• 📱 For everyday tasks (social networks, messengers) 60 Hz is enough.
• 🔋 Watch the temperature of the device – if the phone is too warm, lower the frequency.

FAQ: Frequent questions about refresh rate on Xiaomi