How to increase the performance of Xiaomi phone in games: from overclocking to hidden settings MIUI

Xiaomi smartphones have long ceased to be “budget” in terms of performance: flagship models Redmi K60 Pro, Xiaomi 14 Ultra or even mid-budget POCO F5 can pull modern games at high settings. But what if your device begins to “brake” at critical moments, overheats or suddenly reduces FPS? The problem is often not in the “weak hardware”, and incorrect system settings, background processes or limitations of MIUI.

In this article, we’ll break down 7 proven ways to increase Xiaomi’s performance in games, from basic tweaks to advanced firmware manipulation.

• 🔥 Unlock hidden performance mode (Game Turbo) without root rights
• ⚡ Disable background processes that steal resources from games
• ❄️ Reduce heating and prevent trottling (automatic power reduction)
• 🎮 Set up a schedule for maximum FPS play-in (PUBG, Genshin, Call of Duty)

All of the methods have been tested on the 2022-2026 models (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3, Dimensity 9000+, Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2), but most will work for older devices as well. Importantly, some tweaks can reduce battery life — that’s the normal cost of performance.

1. Activation of the hidden Game Turbo mode (without root)

MIUI hides from users advanced performance settings, which by default are only available in Chinese firmware. Game Turbo mode allows:

• 🚀 Forced to keep the maximum clock frequency CPU/GPU
• 🔄 Turn off automatic descent FPS heat-up
• 📱 Block notifications and background processes during play

To activate it:

1. Open Settings → About phone and tap 7 times on the MIUI version to turn on the developer mode.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and include: Forced use GPU-rendering USB (You will need it for the next step)

Android Studio

ADB

adb shell settings put global force_game_mode 1

After rebooting to Settings → Special facilities → Game Turbo will be available for new options.Warning: on some models (Redmi Note 12 Pro)+, Xiaomi 13T) This method only works after disconnection. MIUI Optimization through the same ADB-team:

adb shell settings put global miui_optimization_disabled 1

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If the Game Turbo game is activated, try manually limiting the FPS to 90-120 Hz in the game graphics settings, which will reduce the load on the GPU, but will keep the smoothness.

2. Background Process Optimization: What Can Be Safely Disabled

MIUI is known for its “gluttony”: even in game mode, the system continues to store up to 30+ background processes that steal RAM and CPU power.

⚠️ Note: Do not disable processes like com.android.systemui or miui.home, which will lead to a crash of the interface. Also avoid removing Google Play Services completely: some games (such as Genshin Impact) require it to work.

Disable auto-update apps in Play Market|

Remove unnecessary system applications via ADB|

Limit background activity for social networks (Facebook, Instagram)|

Enable "Do Not Disturb" mode during the game-->

3.Graphics settings in games: balance between FPS and quality

Many users mistakenly believe that maximum graphics settings = better gameplay, in fact, in mobile games, the quality of textures and effects has little impact on visibility, but it greatly burdens the GPU.

PUBG Mobile (Recommendations for Snapdragon 8 Gen 2)

• 🎯 Graphics: HDR (not Ultra HD — It's a marketing thing)
• 🖥️ FPS: 90 FPS (120 FPS, if the screen supports)
• 🌿 Shadows: Low (saves up to 20% power) GPU)
• 💡 Effects: Medium (explosions and smoke do not affect gameplay)

Genshin Impact (Dimensity 9000+)

• 🎨 Graphics quality: Average (the difference with High is minimal)
• 🔄 FPS: 60 FPS (Even the flagships don't pull a stable 120. FPS)
• ☁️ Environmental effects: Low (fog and reflections eat up 30% of performance)
• 🌍 Rendering in the background: Disable

🔹 The Secret Trick for Genshin: Enable Settings → Graphics → Customized FPS and set the value 45. FPS It's paradoxical, but it often gives you a more stable 50-55. FPS, than trying to keep 60.

4.Cooling: How to prevent trottling (power reduction)

Xiaomi (especially Snapdragon models) 888/8 Gen 1) suffer from overheating, which leads to trottling - automatic frequency reduction CPU/GPU. At temperature. 45°C+ productivity may fall on 30–40%. Decisions:

• 🧊 Use a cooling stand (such as the Black Shark FunCooler Pro) that has been tested to reduce the temperature by 8-12.°C.
• 🔋 Play with 50-80% charging: Full battery heats up stronger, low charge limits chipset power.
• 📉 Turn off fast charging while playing: Settings → Battery → Turn off fast charging.
• 🌬️ Remove the case: even a thin silicone case increases the temperature by 3-5°C.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use artisanal cooling methods such as a refrigerator or fan - a sharp temperature drop can cause condensation inside the enclosure. Optimal temperature for games: 38-43°C.

For advanced users, you can calibrate thermosensors through the engineering menu.

1. Install the MTK Engineering Mode (for MediaTek) or Qualcomm Engineer Mode (for Snapdragon).
2. Go to Hardware Testing → Thermal.
3. Set the trottling threshold at 50°C (default 45°C).

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Even a small drop in temperature from 48°C to 43°C can increase FPS by 10–15% due to the absence of trottling.

5. Overclocking and undervoltage: risks and real benefits

Forums often discuss overclocking the CPU/GPU or undervoltage to increase productivity.

• ⚡ Overclocking on Xiaomi is possible only with root rights and a custom core (for example, KernelSU). FPS: 5–8%, but the risk of overheating increases by 2 times.
• 🔋 Undervolting (through EX Kernel Manager can reduce heat by 5-10°C without loss of performance, but requires fine tuning for each model.
• ⚠️ Consequences: unstable operation, departures of games, reduced battery life.

🔹 Alternative to overclocking: Use Performance Control (available on Google Play) to dynamically control frequencies:

• It is necessary to keep the maximum frequency of GPUs in games.
• Disable the big cores of the CPU in the background.
• Set up an energy saving plan for specific applications.

⚠️ Attention: On models with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 Overclocking can lead to a warranty failure – chipsets of these series have protection against modifications (Secure Boot flag).

6.Firmware and kernel updates: when it really helps

Official MIUI updates rarely bring a noticeable performance boost, but there are exceptions:

• 📲 Transition from MIUI HyperOS (for 2026 models): new firmware optimized for gaming and reduces input delays by 10-15 ms.
• 🔄 Updating drivers GPU: Like Redmi. K70 Pro after the update to Adreno 750 v660.12 FPS Call of Duty Mobile is up 12%.
• 🛠️ Castom firmware like Pixel Experience or LineageOS can boost by removing the Blaatware, but often loses optimization for games (like Game Turbo).

🔹 How to check the version of drivers GPU:

1. Install the DevCheck app.
2. Go to the Hardware tab. → GPU.
3. Compare the version with the latest updates on Qualcomm (for Adreno) or ARM (for Mali).

📌 Advice: If after the update MIUI games began to lay, try to reset the graphics settings in the game itself - sometimes new versions of firmware reset optimizations.

7.Alternative methods: from external GPUs to cloud gaming

If your Xiaomi stubbornly doesn’t pull on modern games even after all the optimizations, consider:

• 🖥️ External connection GPU through USB-C (For example, Razer Core X. Supported on Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi K60 Pro and new models with DisplayPort Alt Mode.
• ☁️ Cloud gaming: NVIDIA GeForce NOW — 1080p/60 FPS server-side RTX 4080. Xbox Cloud Gaming – Optimized for Touch Control.
• 🎮 Emulators: PPSSPP (PSP) Dolphin (GameCube) is often more stable than modern mobile games.

⚠️ Attention: External GPU It requires a powerful power source (at least) 65W) and can discharge the battery in 20-30 minutes when playing without a network connection.

🔹 Cloud gaming lifehack: Use Moonlight to stream games from your PC to Xiaomi. (50)+ Mbps delay will be 10-15 ms – almost like a native game.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi’s optimization for gaming