Have you noticed that your Xiaomi has started to slow down in games or multitasking, and the device features a processor with a higher potential than you get in practice? Perhaps it's not the hardware, but the software constraints. Manufacturers often understate the factory frequencies of chipsets to save energy or prevent overheating, but these limits can be bypassed.
In this article, we will look at the legal and informal ways to boost GHz on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, from hidden MIUI features to engineering teams and custom cores. Importantly, overclocking is always fraught with the risks of overheating and shortening the life of the chipset. We will show which models based on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Dimensity 9000 and Snapdragon 778G have the greatest potential for safe overclocking, and which ones are better not to touch.
1. Checking the current processor frequency: basic tools
Before you try to boost GHz, you need to understand what frequencies your chipset is running at right now. MIUI stock firmware hides this data, but it can be accessed through third-party utilities:
- 📊 CPU Throttling Test (shows real and maximum core frequencies in real time).
- 🔧 DevCheck (displays processor model, architecture and current clock speed).
- 📈 AIDA64 (detailed information about each kernel, including minimum/maximum GHz values).
For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2), the factory maximum frequency of the large core is 3.2 GHz, but in everyday use it rarely exceeds 2.8-3.0 GHz due to thermal throttling. If your performance is lower by 15-20%, it makes sense to try overclocking.
Pay attention to thermothrottle, which automatically reduces the frequency when you overheat, and if your phone heats up above 45°C in simple tasks, overclocking will only make the problem worse, so you can first solve the cooling issue (replace the heat paste, use a cooler).
2. Overclocking through the engineering menu (no root)
The most affordable way to boost the GHz is to activate the chipset’s hidden settings via an engineering menu, which works on most Xiaomi models with Qualcomm processors (Snapdragon 4xx/6xx/7xx/8xx) and does not require superuser rights.
Instructions:
- Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
- In the menu that opens, select Phone Information.
- Scroll down to the Set preferred network type (this menu may vary on different versions of MIUI).
- Click on Running services or Battery information several times until the hidden MTK Engineer Mode menu (for MediaTek) or Qualcomm Settings appears.
Inside the engineering menu, find the CPU Settings or Performance section, where you can manually set the maximum frequency for each core. For example, for the Snapdragon 732G (in POCO X3), the standard limit for a large core is 2.3 GHz, but you can raise it to 2.5-2.6 GHz.
Charge your phone at least 50% | Backup your data | Install a temperature monitoring app (CPU Monitor) | Prepare a cooling stand or cooler
-->
⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) The frequency change through the engineering menu is reset after the restart. ADB-Adb shell settings put global cpu_perf_mode 1 3. Use of the ADB-The Android Debug Bridge is used for overclocking (ADB) It allows you to change system settings without rooting. This method is suitable for advanced users and requires connecting the phone to the PC. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 Turn on the debugging. USB In Settings → Additionally. → For developers. Connect your phone to your PC and execute a command to check the connection: adb devices To overclock Qualcomm chipsets use: adb shell "echo" 1 > /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_max_freq" (substitute cpu0 on cpu4, cpu6 or cpu7 for large nuclei, and 1 — at the desired frequency in kHz, for example, 2803200 for 2.8 GHz. For MediaTek (Dimensity, Helio), teams are different. For example, on the Redmi Note. 10 Pro (Dimensity 1100) The maximum frequency can be set as follows: adb shell "echo". 2600000 > /sys/module/cpu_boost/parameters/input_boost_freq" 💡Before use ADB-Check the supported frequencies of your processor in the file /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_available_frequencies. Introducing an incorrect value can lead to a system freeze. 4. Custom core acceleration (root required) If standard methods don't produce enough performance gains, you can install a custom core with overclocked frequencies. This method requires unlocking the bootloader and superuser rights (Magisk: 🔥 Kirisakura Kernel (optimized for Snapdragon) 865/870/888, maintains dynamic acceleration to 3.2+ GHz). ⚡ FrancoKernel (universal solution with settings under the MIUI and AOSP). 🛠️ Perseus Kernel (for Snapdragon) 7xx, Installation: Unlock the bootloader via Fastboot (instructions on Xiaomi website). TWRP Recovery and Magisk. Download the right kernel from the forum XDA Developers (for example, for POCO F3 will kirisakura-poco-f3.zip). Stitch the core through TWRP and reboot. ⚠️ Note: Castomic nuclei may conflict with MIUI-optimization. On some models (Xiaomi) 11T Pro) after installation of the kernel stops working Always-on Display or IR-Before installing, check the user reviews of your model. 5. Optimization MIUI The problem is often not in the maximum frequency, but in the fact that MIUI Aggressively restricts performance to save battery.Here's how to fix it: Disable background optimization: Go to Settings → Battery → Battery optimization. Select No restrictions for critical applications (games, benchmarks). Disable Adaptive Battery in Settings → Additionally. → Special facilities → Optimization MIUI. Set-up of performance mode: 🎮 Enable Game Mode in Settings → Special facilities → Game mode and select Performance profile. ⚡ Activate Ultra battery saver in the opposite direction: instead of saving, it sometimes unlocks the hidden power of the chipset. It's also helpful to turn off MIUI Optimization through ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.powerkeeper 6. Overclocking risks and how to minimize them Increased processor frequency inevitably leads to: 🔥 Overheating (the risk of trottling or turning off when 60°C+). 🔋 Accelerated battery wear (acceleration increases power consumption on the 20–40%). ⚠️ Unstable work (artifacts in games, accidental reboots). How to reduce risks: Problem Solution High-risk models Overheat Use a cooling case or fan, replace the Redmi Note thermopaste 10, POCO X3 NFC Fast discharge Disconnect acceleration at low charge (<30%), Use Xiaomi Power Bank to use Xiaomi 11 Lite, Redmi 9A Instability Reduces frequency by 5–10%, update drivers GPU Xiaomi Mi 10 (Previous Previous post: What to do if the phone stops turning on after overclocking? If the device does not respond to the power button after changing the frequencies, try: 1. + Vol Up 10-15 seconds for forced reboot. 2. Log in Fastboot (Power) + Vol Down) and flash the stock kernel through the Mi Flash Tool. 3. If it doesn't work, you need to solder it. BIOS (7. Alternatives to overclocking: how to speed up Xiaomi without risks If overclocking seems too risky, try these methods: 🧹 Cleaning the system: Remove the cache through Settings → Warehouse → Clean and disable autoloading of unnecessary applications. 🔄 Firmware update: New versions MIUI They often optimize the use of the processor. MIUI 14 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 added Extreme Performance Mode. 🎯 Use of Game Turbo: In Settings → Special facilities → Play mode activate productivity GPU and Disable background processes. For models with MediaTek (Redmi Note) 12 Pro+, POCO X5 Pro) it is useful to disable MediaTek Power Saving through ADB: adb shell settings put global mtk_power_saving 0 💡The processor boosts performance by 10–30%, But only in short loads (benchmarks, game launches), in long sessions, the effect is offset by overheating. FAQ: Frequent questions about overclocking Xiaomi Can you overclock Xiaomi without root? Yes, through the engineering menu or ADB-But without root, changes can be reset once you reboot, and the range of overclocking will be limited. Which Xiaomi models are best at overclocking? Passive-cooled flagships have the most potential: Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Black Shark 5 Pro, POCO F5 Pro. Budgetary models (Redmi) 10A) It's not recommended to overclock because of the weak cooling system. How do you get back the standard frequencies? To reset the settings: Open the engineering menu and reset the settings. CPU. Or do it. ADB-Command: adb shell "echo" 0 > /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu_boost" In extreme cases, run the stock core through TWRP. Does overclocking actually shorten the life of the processor? Yes, but not critical. 8 Gen 2, Dimensity 9000+) load-proof 100°C. Acceleration to 3.0–3.2 GHz and temperature to 50–60°C degradation is minimal (1–2% The main risk is the battery, not the processor. MIUI On custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience), acceleration is more stable due to the lack of MIUI-However, branded features are lost (Always-on Display, IR-blaster).