If you own a Xiaomi, Redmi or a smartphone POCO, You've probably noticed an app called "Games" (or com.miui.gameturbo in settings) in the installed program list. It appears out of the box on most shell devices. MIUI, But not all users understand its purpose, some people think it's a virus, others think it's a useful tool for gamers, and some people just ignore it, not knowing how to use it.
It's actually Xiaomi's proprietary game accelerator, which is designed to optimize smartphone performance while running resource-intensive games, and it runs in the background, automatically activating when you open supported apps (e.g., running a mobile phone, PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty: Mobile. But is it necessary? Could it hurt? And why are some users trying to turn it off? In this article, we will analyze all the nuances, from functionality to hidden settings that the manufacturer does not advertise.
What is the application “Games” on Xiaomi and why it is necessary
The Game Turbo app is proprietary software from Xiaomi built into the firmware. MIUI Since version 9, it has several key functions:
- 🎮 Performance optimization: temporarily disables background processes to free up RAM and CPU to play.
- 📶 Network Stabilization: Prioritizes game traffic by reducing ping and delays (especially relevant for online shooters).
- 🔋 Heat control: limits the clock speed of the processor to prevent overheating in long sessions.
- 📵 Block notifications: automatically disables pop-ups so they don’t interfere with gameplay.
Essentially, it’s the equivalent of Game Mode on other brands’ smartphones (like Game Space on Huawei or Game Launcher on Samsung), but Xiaomi has one thing in common: the app not only includes optimizations, but also collects game session data for performance analysis (more on that later).
It is important to understand that Game is not a separate game, but a system tool that works in tandem with firmware. It cannot be removed by standard methods (attempting to get into trouble). MIUI). But you can turn it off or customize it to your needs.
How Game Turbo Works: Technical Details
When you run a supported game (listed by Xiaomi), the system automatically activates Game Turbo.
- Cleaning RAM: Non-critical background processes (e.g., weather updates or cloud synchronization) are closed.
- Prioritization CPU/GPU: CPU cores are redistributed so that maximum power goes to the graphics and physics of the game.
- Background Limitation: Auto-update applications, download files in the background is suspended.
- Adaptive brightness: The screen adjusts to the lighting to reduce the battery load.
In addition, in new versions MIUI 14+ added the function "Game assistant" - a floating window with quick access to the:
- 📊 Monitoring FPS, temperature CPU, battery.
- 🔇 Quickly switching off the sound or switching to headphones.
- 📱 Screen recordings (with microphone support).
- 🔄 Switching between productivity profiles (balance/performance/savings).
But there’s a downside: some users complain that after activating the Game Turbo, the smartphone starts to warm up more or discharge faster, because optimizations aren’t always perfect for a particular game or hardware.
What games are supported by Game Turbo?
Where is the Game App and how to open it
You can find Game Turbo in several ways:
- Through the app menu: look for the joystick icon (the title may vary: “Games”, “Game Turbo” or “Game Mode”).
- Through Settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Games
- Through the notification panel: when you start a supported game, a notification will appear with a suggestion to activate optimizations.
If the icon is not on the menu, it means the app is hidden.
- Go to Settings. → Home.
- Select “Hidden Apps” and find “Games” in the list.
- Uncheck the box in front of the "Hide" item.
In some models (for example, POCO F5 Or the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+) the application is integrated into the “Control Center” – it can be called by swipe from top to bottom and tap on the joystick icon.
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If you are not playing mobile games but you see that the Games consume battery in the background, turn off auto-start in the application settings. → Annexes → Games → Autostart and deactivate the option.
How to Set Up Game Turbo for Maximum Performance
By default, Game Turbo is automatic, but it can be finely tuned to specific games.
| Parameter | What's he doing? | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Performance profile | Balance between FPS heat-in | For heavy games (Genshin Impact) choose Performance, for casual games – Balance. |
| FPS Limitation | Frequency-fixing. | If the game is supported 90/120 Hz, turn on the maximum — 60 Hz. |
| Blocking notifications | Turns off pop-ups. | Turn on for online games (PUBG, COD), keep out. |
| Screen recording | Keeps the gameplay going. | Good for streams, but eats up space on the disc. |
| Tactile feedback | Increases vibration. | Turn it on for shooters (for example, for Free Fire). |
To customize optimizations for a specific game:
- Open the Game app.
- Select the game from the list (or add it manually through the «+»).
- Set up the parameters in the “Optimization” section.
In the models with MIUI 13/14 The function "Game spatial sound" is available - it improves the perception of the direction of sounds in headphones (useful for the user). PUBG Call of Duty is activated in the sound settings inside the Game Turbo.
Insert the profile “Productivity»|Install FPS maximum (90 Hz)|Disable background notifications|Activate spatial sound (if you have headphones)|Block swipes on the screen (so as not to leave the game accidentally)-->
Can I remove or disable the Game app?
Standard methods do not remove com.miui.gameturbo, it is a system application associated with firmware, but there are several ways to disable or limit its operation:
- ⚙️ Disabling Autostart: Settings → Annexes → Games → Auto-start → Turn off This will prevent automatic activation when you start games.
- 🚫 Limitation of rights: Settings → Annexes → Games → Permits → Disable network access, location, etc. This will reduce battery consumption.
- 🔧 Removal through ADB (For advanced users: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.gameturbo ⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications can lead to unstable work MIUI. Before executing the command, make a backup copy of the data.
If you don’t play mobile games but want to get rid of Game Turbo completely, the safest way is to turn it off through settings and hide the icon. Complete removal is only advisable in cases where the application conflicts with custom firmware or consumes too much resources.
On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi). K60 Pro) The Game application is integrated into the Control Centre and cannot be removed even through the ADB. In this case, you only need to manually turn it off before each game.
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Disabling Game Turbo can improve smartphone autonomy by 5-15% if you don’t use game optimizations. FPS and increasing lags in online games.
Problems with the application "Games" and their solutions
Despite its usefulness, the Game Turbo sometimes causes crashes, and let’s look at the typical problems and ways to fix them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The game is laid down after activation of Game Turbo | Conflict with graphics settings in the game itself | Manually set low graphics settings in the game, then turn on optimization. |
| Smartphone is very warm | The processor operates at the maximum frequency. | In Game Turbo settings, select Balance profile instead of Performance. |
| Screen recording is not working. | Lack of disk space or conflict with other applications | Clear the memory and check the permissions for Game Turbo. |
| The icon of the game disappeared from the menu | Application hidden or disabled | Return it through Settings. → Home. → Hidden applications. |
If after activating the Game Turbo, the game starts to fly out or slow down, try:
- Add the game to the optimization exception list (in Game Turbo settings).
- Clear the cache of the Game app through Settings → Annexes → Games → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
- Update MIUI Up to the latest version (new firmware fixes game compatibility bugs).
On models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro), sometimes there is a problem with the Game Turbo freezing when recording the screen, in which case resetting the application settings will help:
Settings → Applications → Games → Storage → Reset💡
If the game is not recognized by Game Turbo, add it manually: open the Game app, click on the Game app «+» in the upper right corner and select the game executable file (.apk).
Data Collection and Privacy: What You Need to Know
One of the controversial points of Game Turbo is the collection of telemetry about gaming sessions. According to Xiaomi's privacy policy, the application can send the following data to the company's servers:
- 🕒 Duration of the game sessions (how long you played).
- 📊 Productivity of the device (FPS, temperature, loading CPU/GPU).
- 🎯 Type of game (title and version).
- 📱 Device model and version MIUI.
Xiaomi says the data is used to improve optimizations in future firmware versions, but users in countries with strict privacy laws (such as the EU) can turn off telemetry collection:
- Go to Settings → Privacy → Special Permits → Usage Data.
- Find the “Games” in the list and disable access.
In addition, in MIUI 14 added the option "Anonymous statistics", which allows you to send data without reference to the Mi Account:
Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times to turn on Developer Mode) → Additional settings → Anonymous statistics⚠️ Warning: Disabling data collection may cause Game Turbo to stop receiving supported game list updates.This is not critical, but new games will have to be added manually.