How to turn on 120 Hz Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro: a guide

The Redmi Note 9 Pro series has earned it some of the most popular mid-range devices due to its excellent balance of features and cost. However, many owners of these gadgets face a limitation that does not allow them to fully appreciate the smoothness of the interface and graphics in games.

Activating 120Hz makes scrolling your social media feed and animations incredibly smooth, which changes the user experience. Unfortunately, the manufacturer has software-limited this capability in stock firmware, but enthusiasts have found ways to get around this limitation. In this article, we will detail the technical nuances, risks, and step-by-step methods of activating high hertz.

Before you start modifying system files, you need to understand that any interference with the Android operation can affect the stability of the device. ADB-It's important to weigh the pros and cons of making sure your phone doesn't turn into a brick or get an unstable system.

Technical features of the display Redmi Note 9 Pro

The screen is equipped with an IPS-matrix with a resolution of FullHD+, which physically supports high refresh rate frames. Xiaomi engineers originally laid the ability to work at 120 Hz, but in the software this option was hidden from the end user, most likely, this decision is dictated by the desire to maintain the autonomy of the device, as high hertz significantly increases power consumption.

With standard settings, the system dynamically controls the frequency, but rarely exceeds the 60-90 Hz threshold depending on the load. Unlocking full potential allows the system to constantly use maximum display bandwidth, especially in dynamic game scenes and in fast text array scrolling.

⚠️ Warning: Forced 120Hz installation can cause accelerated battery wear and increased processor heat during long gaming sessions.

It’s also worth noting that not all applications are optimized for high frame rates. Some programs may run unstable or consume more CPU resources to render the interface. However, for most modern tasks and games, High Refresh Rate support is a significant advantage.

Preparing the device for modification of settings

Before you start any manipulation of system parameters, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps, which will protect your data and allow you to quickly return the phone to its original state if you fail, the first step is to create a full backup of all important data, including contacts, photos and documents.

Then activate the developer mode. To do this, go to the Settings → About the phone and quickly click on the MIUI build number seven times. Once the notification “You became a developer” appears, you will access hidden functions.

In the Developer menu that opens, you need to find and activate the USB Debugging option. It is also recommended to enable the “Do not turn off screen” option when charging so that the setup process does not stop due to going to sleep.

Activation method through ADB-team

The most secure and reversable way to change the refresh rate is to use the Android Debug Bridge toolkit, which does not require root rights and allows you to make changes to system settings without directly editing firmware files. You will need a computer with a platform package installed. SDK Platform Tools.

Connect your smartphone to your PC through quality USB-In the command line on the computer, enter a command to check the connection:

adb devices

If you have a debugging permission window on your phone, confirm the action. Once you've successfully connected, you can type in a command that compels you to set the refresh rate:

adb shell wm size 1080x2400


adb shell wm density 440




adb shell settings put system peak_refresh_rate 120.0




adb shell settings put system min_refresh_rate 120.0

Once these commands are done, the smartphone screen may blink and the interface will become noticeably smoother, but it is worth remembering that after a complete reboot of the device, the settings can reset to factory values, and the procedure will have to be repeated. This is a feature of MIUI, which monitors the integrity of system parameters at start.

Editing system files and build.prop

For users looking for a permanent solution, there is a method of editing system configuration files, which requires root rights and an installed file manager with access to the system partition, such as Root Explorer or MiXplorer. Be extremely careful, as a syntax error can lead to a cyclical reboot.

You need to find the build.prop file located at the root of the system and add strings to it that allow the system to use high frequency:

ro.vendor.display.max_refresh_rate=120


ro.vendor.display.min_refresh_rate=120

After making changes, you need to save and restart the file. It is important to note that in newer versions of Android and MIUI shells, direct editing of build.prop can be blocked or overwritten when you update the system.

Using modified build.prop allows you to save your settings even after you reboot. However, if you plan to receive OTA updates, this method can cause a version conflict, in which case you should use the launch scripts that apply every time you turn on your phone.

The impact of high hertz on autonomy

The main side effect of turning on 120Hz is increased power consumption. The display is one of the most energy-intensive components of a smartphone, and doubling the refresh rate proportionally increases the load on the graphics controller and backlight. Owners of the Redmi Note 9 Pro can notice a reduction in battery life by 15-20%.

The MIUI system tries to optimize this process, but when forced to activate 120 Hz, the software limiters are often ignored, which means that even in a static image, the screen can try to maintain a high frequency if the appropriate energy saving profile is not configured.

⚠️ Warning: When activating 120 Hz, it is recommended to reduce the brightness of the screen or use a dark theme to minimize energy consumption.

To compensate for the increased charge consumption, you can use the following tips:

• 🔋 Use Power Saving Mode in the Background for Heavy Applications.
• 🌙 Activate a dark theme and dynamic black wallpaper.
• 📉 Reduce CPU frequency through kernel control apps (requires root).

Problems of system compatibility and stability

Despite the obvious advantages of a smooth interface, forced activation of 120 Hz can cause a number of software conflicts. Some applications, especially bank clients and document programs, can incorrectly display fonts or interface elements due to desynchronization of rendering.

In games, the situation is ambiguous: if the game maintains a high frame rate, you get an advantage, but if the game is locked at 30 or 60 frame rates, you get an advantage. FPS, The system can attempt to artificially interpolate the frames, resulting in a jiggy picture and heating. 720G, Installed in the Redmi Note 9 Pro, it does not always cope with rendering the interface at 120 Hz in heavy 3D-project.

There may also be problems with the fingerprint built into the on button.The scanner may be slower or require a clearer finger press, as the sensor polling frequency may not be synchronized with the display refresh rate.

Return to factory frequency settings

If the high hertz experiments didn't meet expectations or caused the device to work unstablely, you need to return all parameters to their original state, and the easiest way to do this is if you used the ADB method without fixing the settings in the system files - just restart the smartphone.

If you edit build.prop or use Magisk modules, you will need to delete the entered lines or deactivate the module. If the phone stops booting (bootloop), you will have to boot into Recovery mode and make a factory reset (Wipe Data), which will delete all user data.

To reset settings through ADB, you can use the command:

adb shell settings delete system peak_refresh_rate


adb shell settings delete system min_refresh_rate

After these steps, the screen will return to the normal 60 Hz and energy consumption will normalize. It is recommended to periodically check for official firmware updates from Xiaomi, as new versions of MIUI can add high-frequency functionality legally.