Did you buy a new Xiaomi smartphone with 120Hz support, but the screen defaults at 60Hz? Or did the MIUI update reset? This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO F5, Xiaomi 13T and other models with adaptive displays. The manufacturer often limits the maximum frequency to save battery power, but it can be unlocked manually - and we will tell you how to do this safely.
In this article you will find:
- ๐ Official ways to enable 120Hz through settings MIUI (It works on 90% of models)
- ๐ ๏ธ Hidden methods for devices where the option is blocked (including: ADB-team)
- โก Checklist checklist to see if your Xiaomi supports high refresh rate
- โ ๏ธ Warnings about possible problems (overheating, rapid discharge, artifacts)
- ๐ Comparative table of Xiaomi models with support 90/120/144 Hz
Important: not all Xiaomi smartphones physically support 120Hz โ even if the specs indicate โup to 120Hz.โ For example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G has an adaptive screen, but the maximum frequency depends on the regional firmware. Before changing the settings, make sure that your model is included in the list of supported.
How to check if your Xiaomi supports 120Hz
Before you try to turn on a high refresh rate, you need to make sure your device is physically capable of playing it. Here are 3 ways to check:
- Official specs. Find your model on mi.com under "Specifications" โ "Display." Look for lines like 120Hz AMOLED or AdaptiveSync (30-120Hz).
- Testing through the engineering menu. Type ##4636## in the phone app, go to Testing โ Display. If there's a 120Hz Refresh rate option, your display supports that frequency.
- Testing apps. Install DevCheck or TestM. The "Display" section will specify the maximum refresh rate.
โ ๏ธ Attention: Some models (e.g, POCO X3 NFC) have a display with a frequency of 120 Hz, but in MIUI Global, this option is hidden, and in such cases, an alternative way of enabling it will help.
โ๏ธ Checklist before 120 Hz inclusion
Official method: through the MIUI settings
If you support Xiaomi 120 Hz, but the option is hidden, try the standard path first. MIUI 13/14 newer:
- Open the Settings โ Display.
- Find the screen refresh rate (or Adaptive refresh rate in English firmware).
- Choose 120Hz or Auto (Adaptive Mode).
- Confirm the choice โ some models require a reboot.
If the update frequency is not:
- ๐ Try changing the firmware region to India or China (in the developer settings).
- ๐ฑ Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) โ sometimes the option appears in its settings.
- ๐ง Update your firmware to the latest version (including security patches).
On some models (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G) the option 120 Hz appears only after disabling the function "Battery Saving" in the display settings.
๐ก
If the screen starts to flicker after turning on 120Hz, try calibrating the colors: go to Settings โ Display โ Color Mode and select Standard instead of Saturated.
Hidden methods: if 120 Hz is blocked
If you don't have a frequency change option in the settings, but you're sure the display supports 120Hz, try these methods. They require an unlocked bootloader or developer rights:
Method 1: Through ADB (without root)
This method works for most devices with MIUI 12+ You'll need a computer with a setup. ADB-tool.
- Turn on USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings โ About Phone โ MIUI version โ 7 times tap on the version).
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global peak_refresh_rate 120
- Reset the device.
To return 60 Hz, use:
adb shell settings put global peak_refresh_rate 60Method 2: Through the Engineering Menu (MTK-processors)
For smartphones running MediaTek chips (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G):
- Enter the code ##36446337##.
- Go to Hardware Testing โ Display โ Refresh Rate.
- Select 120Hz and save the settings.
โ ๏ธ Note: Not all items on the engineering menu are safe. Do not change the settings if you do not know their purpose - this can lead to loss of warranty or damage to the display.
What if the screen starts to glitch after the changes?
List of Xiaomi models with support for 120 Hz
Not all Xiaomi smartphones support high refresh rates, and the table below shows the current models (as of 2026) with the maximum frequency and type of display:
| Model | Max. frequency. | Screen type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13T Pro | 144 Hz | AMOLED, 2K | Adaptive frequency 1-144 Hz |
| POCO F5 Pro | 120 Hz | AMOLED, FHD+ | Supports Dolby Vision |
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G | 120 Hz | OLED, FHD+ | In some regions, 60 Hz is blocked. |
| Black Shark 5 Pro | 144 Hz | AMOLED, FHD+ | Game mode with support for 1440 Hz touch |
| Xiaomi 12T | 120 Hz | AMOLED, 1.5K | Adaptive mode only works on MIUI 14+ |
๐ก Tip: If your model is not on the list, check it on the GSMArena website under the "Display" section. Pay attention to the Refresh rate bar - sometimes the manufacturer specifies "up to 90 Hz", although the screen actually supports 120 Hz.
Impact of 120 Hz on battery and performance
The high refresh rate of the screen significantly increases the load on the processor and battery, and according to our tests, switching from 60Hz to 120Hz reduces battery life by 20-30% depending on the model.
- ๐ Battery discharge: When used actively (social networks, instant messengers) 120 Hz eats ~15-20% And by comparison, by the way, by the hour. 60 Hz โ 10-12%.
- ๐ก๏ธ Overheating: Snapdragon processors 7/8 series and Dimensity 1000+ They warm up more at high frequency, especially in games.
- ๐ฎ Games: In most games (PUBG, Genshin Impact) FPS It's not tied to the frequency of the screen, except for titles with 120 support. FPS (Call of Duty Mobile, Apex Legends Mobile).
- ๐ฑ Adaptive mode: Auto option (AdaptiveSync) reduces frequency to 30-60 Hz when watching video or reading, saving charge.
๐ Autonomy comparison (test on Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ 5G):
- 60Hz: 7-8 hours of screen (YouTube, social networks)
- 120 Hz: 5-6 screen hours (-25% autonomy)
- Adaptive mode: 6-7 hours of screen (-10-15%)
โ ๏ธ Note: On some models (POCO F4 GT, Black Shark 4 Pro, with prolonged use of 120 Hz in games, can trigger trottling due to overheating. FPS โ Return to 90Hz or turn on Adaptive Mode.
๐ก
AdaptiveSync is the best trade-off between smoothness and autonomy, and turn it on if you want to save power without losing comfort.
Common Problems and Their Solutions
When you turn on 120 Hz, users often encounter bugs, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:
1.The screen flickers or stripes appear
Causes: Conflict with color settings, damaged firmware or hardware defect.
Decision:
- Reset the display settings to factory.
- Disable DC Dimming (if available in the developer settings).
- Update the firmware or reflash the device through the Mi Flash Tool.
2.Frequency resets at 60Hz after rebooting
Causes: Restriction of regional firmware or MIUI bugs.
Decision:
- Install Xiaomi.EU or custom firmware.
- Secure the frequency through ADB (Adb shell settings put global peak_refresh_rate 120).
- Turn off MIUI optimization for a specific application (e.g., launcher).
3. Adaptive frequency is not working
Causes: No kernel support or application conflict.
Decision:
- Check if AdaptiveSync is enabled in the developer settings.
- Remove FPS monitoring apps (like Game Bench).
- Perform a reset via Settings โ Applications โ Application Management โ Three Points โ Resetting.
๐ง Useful Lifehack: If the adaptive frequency isn't working properly, install the Refresh Rate Changer app (root required.