Smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO They offer hidden functions to optimize the work of the processor and graphics, but not all users know how to activate them correctly. Performance mode (or โperformance modeโ) allows you to temporarily overclock the device for games, video editing or resource-intensive tasks, but its improper use can lead to overheating or accelerated battery discharge. In this article, we will discuss all the official and hidden ways to include the regime, and explain when to use it and when to avoid it.
Itโs important to understand that different Xiaomi models may have different customization paths, such as flagships like Xiaomi. 14 Ultra or POCO F6 Pro is available with advanced options, while on the budget Redmi Note 12 Some of the functions may be hidden. We'll look at universal methods that work with the MIUI 12/13/14, And alternatives for older versions of firmware, if your device doesn't support out-of-the-box performance, don't worry -- at the end of this article, you'll find workarounds.
What is Xiaomiโs performance mode and why you need it?
Performance mode is a special profile of the processor and graphics accelerator, which temporarily disables restrictions on clock speed, temperature and power consumption. In normal condition, the Xiaomi smartphone automatically reduces the power of the chipset to prevent overheating and save battery power.
- ๐ฅ The processor operates at maximum frequency without trottling (automatic power reduction).
- ๐ฎ Graphic accelerator (GPU) It gets priority in resource allocation, which is critical for games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile.
- โก RAM is cleared of background processes, freeing up resources for the current application.
- ๐ The cooling system (if any) is activated at full capacity (e.g., on Black Shark or Black Shark). POCO F5 liquid-cooled).
But there is also the flip side: with prolonged use of this mode, the smartphone can heat up very much (up to 50-60).ยฐC), and the battery will discharge 1.5-2 times faster, so it is recommended to turn it on only for short-term tasks:
- ๐ฎ Launching demanding games (PUBG Mobile, Honor of Kings).
- ๐ฅ Video editing in CapCut or KineMaster.
- ๐ rendering 3D-Models or Photo Processing in Lightroom.
- ๐ง Performance testing (benchmarks AnTuTu, Geekbench).
โ ๏ธ Note: On low-cooled devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) Long-term use of the performance mode can cause an emergency shutdown due to overheating.If your smartphone turns off with a temperature warning, immediately turn off the mode and let it cool down.
Official method: enable via MIUI settings
The easiest and safest method is to use built-in options. MIUI. It is suitable for most modern models (Xiaomi). 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5 Follow the instructions:
- Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
- Go to the Special Features section (on some firmwares it may be called Additional or Advanced Settings).
- Select Performance or Performance Mode (in English firmware - Performance mode).
- Activate the switch Enable the performance mode.
- Select the duration of the mode: 30 minutes, 1 hour or Before shutting down (not recommended for long-term use!).
On certain devices (e.g, POCO F4 GT Black Shark 5 has additional options:
- ๐ Automatic Enablement for Certain Applications (e.g., Genshin Impact Only).
- โ๏ธ Improved cooling โ forced activation of a fan (if any) or liquid system.
- ๐ Battery Limit โ Locking charging by 80% to reduce battery wear.
Close all background applications|Connect the charger (recommended)|Check the temperature of your smartphone (should be below 40)ยฐC)|Turn off unnecessary services (GPS, Bluetooth, if not used)-->
If your settings donโt have Performance, it could mean:
- ๐ฑ You have a budget model (Redmi). A2, POCO C50), where the manufacturer has switched off.
- ๐ Your firmware is outdated (below). MIUI 12) Update it through Settings โ The phone. โ Updating the system.
- ๐ You have a global firmware (for example, MIUI Global, where some of the functions are hidden. Try switching to MIUI China (but this will require unlocking the bootloader).
Hidden method: activation through the engineering menu (MTK Snapdragon)
If the settings do not have a performance mode, it can be enabled through the engineering menu, which works on most Xiaomi devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon or MediaTek chipsets, but requires caution โ improper actions can lead to system failures.
For Snapdragon (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T, POCO X5 Pro):
- Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##.
- In the menu that opens, select Battery Information or Usage Statistics.
- Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Battery information.
- Find the Performance profile and set the High Performance value.
For MediaTek (e.g. Redmi Note 11, POCO M5):
- Enter ##36446337## (code may vary depending on the model!).
- Go to the Hardware Testing section โ Performance.
- Activate the Enable High Performance Mode option.
- Save the settings and restart the device.
โ ๏ธ Warning: Changes to the engineering menu do not persist after rebooting on some firmware. If the performance mode is turned off by itself, repeat the procedure. Also avoid changing other settings in this menu - this can disrupt the stability of the smartphone.
What to do if the engineering menu does not open?
Overclocking apps: Game Turbo and third-party utilities
Xiaomi has developed its own solution for gamers, the Game Turbo app, which automatically optimizes performance when you start games, but also allows you to manually activate overclocking mode.
- Download Game Turbo from Google Play (if it is not in the default firmware).
- Open the application and go to the Settings section (cog icon).
- Select Performance Mode and activate it.
- Add games that need to automatically enable overclocking to the list of Optimized applications.
If Game Turbo is not suitable, you can use third-party utilities.
| Annex | Supported chipsets | Functions | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU Tuner | Snapdragon, MediaTek | Manual frequency setting CPU/GPU, performance profiles | Requires root rights, can cause overheating |
| Kernal Adiutor | All chipsets (root needed) | Control of processor cores, voltage, governors | Complex interface, risk of "brick" with incorrect settings |
| Game Booster 4x Faster | Snapdragon 8xx, Dimensity 1xxx | Cleaning RAM, blocking notifications, overclocking GPU | Lots of advertising, some features only work on rooted devices |
| SetCPU | Only root | Fine adjustment of clock frequencies, profiles by temperature | Old interface, does not support new chipsets |
Before installing third-party utilities, consider:
- ๐ Most overclocking apps require root rights, which deprives you of warranties and increases the risk of hacking your device.
- ๐ฅ Some utility (CPU Tuner, Kernal Adiutor allow you to set unstable frequencies, which can lead to getting stuck.
- ๐ Apps like Game Booster often contain hidden ads or collect data about your device.
Game Turbo from Xiaomi|CPU Tuner|Kernal Adiutor|Game Booster 4x Faster|I do not use third-party utilities.|Other-->
Performance mode on POCO Black Shark: features of gaming smartphones
Linear devices POCO F, POCO The X and Black Shark are initially focused on high performance, so they have unique overclocking features. POCO F5 Pro or Black Shark 5 Pro is available:
- ๐ฎ Game mode with physical triggers (on Black Shark there are retractable buttons on the body).
- โ๏ธ Liquid cooling with multiple heat tubes.
- โก Monster Mode - Extreme Overclocking CPU/GPU (Available only on Black Shark).
- ๐ Optimizing sound for games (3D-audio, suppressing environmental noise).
To activate Monster Mode on Black Shark:
- Open the Settings. โ Shark Space (shark icon).
- Select Monster Mode and confirm activation.
- Set the sensitivity of triggers (if you have them on your model).
- Start the game - the mode will turn on automatically.
Nana POCO F4 GT and POCO F5 Pro has a similar feature called Turbo Mode:
- Open Settings โ Special Opportunities โ Performance Mode.
- Select Turbo Mode and set the duration (no more than 1 hour is recommended).
- Activate the cooling option when charging if you are playing with a connected cable.
โ ๏ธ Warning: On Black Shark, when activated, the body temperature can rise to 55-60ยฐC. If the smartphone gets too hot, immediately turn off the mode and let it cool for 15-20 minutes.Using the mode for more than 2 hours in a row reduces battery life.
How to turn off performance mode and return normal settings
If you notice that your smartphone is too hot, discharges quickly or starts to brake, you need to turn off the performance mode.
Method 1: Through the MIUI settings
- Go to Settings. โ Special facilities โ Productivity.
- Turn off the performance mode switch.
- Confirm the action if a warning appears.
Method 2: Through the Engineering Menu
- Enter ##4636## (for Snapdragon) or #36446337# (for MediaTek).
- Find the Performance profile and select Battery Saving or Balanced.
- Save the settings and restart the device.
Method 3: Forced shutdown
If the smartphone is frozen or does not respond to touch:
- Press the Power button for 10-15 seconds to force the device to turn off.
- Wait 1-2 minutes, then turn on the smartphone again.
- After downloading, the performance mode will be reset.
Method 4: Reset via Game Turbo
- Open Game Turbo.
- Go to Settings. โ Performance mode.
- Choose Reset Settings or Disable for all applications.
๐ก
If after turning off the performance mode, the smartphone continues to warm up, check the background processes in Settings โ Annexes โ Close unnecessary programs and clear the cache in Settings โ Memory. โ Clear the cache.
Frequent problems and their solutions
When using performance mode, Xiaomi users often encounter errors, and consider the most common ones and how to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Performance mode is not included | Outdated firmware or budget model | Update MIUI to the latest version or use the engineering menu |
| Smartphone is very warm (more than 50)ยฐC) | Long-term use of the mode or low cooling | Turn off the mode, let the device cool, use a cooling stand |
| Fast battery discharge (more than 10% per hour) | Performance mode + background | Disable unnecessary applications, activate the power saving mode after overclocking |
| The game is played despite the on-set mode. | Insufficient RAM or thermal trottling | Close background apps, clear cache, check temperature |
| The mode spontaneously shuts down | Protection against overheating or low battery charge | Connect charging, let the device cool, check battery settings |
If your problem is not described in the table, try the following universal solutions:
- ๐ Reboot the device โ this resets temporary performance settings.
- ๐ฑ Check for updates in new versions MIUI Regime bugs can be corrected.
- ๐ง Reset the settings to factory (at last): Settings โ The phone. โ Resetting settings.
๐ก
If the smartphone starts to brake more than usual after the performance mode is turned on, this may mean that the chipset automatically reduces the frequencies due to overheating, in which case only cooling the device (for example, using a fan or cooling stand) will help.