Modern smartphones have turned into powerful multimedia centers, where the smoothness of the picture plays a decisive role in the perception of content. Many users notice that animations in menus or scrolling social media feeds look jerky or not responsive enough. Often the problem lies not in a weak processor, but in the limited frame rate that the manufacturer sets by default to save battery power. Screen refresh ratemeasured in Hertz (Hz), determines how many times per second the picture is redrawn on the display.
Standard values are 60 Hz are already perceived by many as outdated, especially compared to the flagship models with 90, 120 and even 144 Hz. However, it is not always necessary to buy a new device to get a smoother picture. In some cases Android allows you to forcefully activate increased Hertz through hidden menus or special engineering codes. It is important to understand that interfering with system settings can affect the autonomy of the device, so the approach must be balanced and informed.
In this material we will analyze in detail all the legal and semi-legal ways to increase the display refresh rate. You will learn how to check the current settings, what risks there are in forcing a change in settings, and which models support this function out of the box, but hide it from the user. We will also look at specific commands for advanced users who want to get the most out of their hardware.
Checking the current display refresh rate
Before making any changes to the system configuration, you need to find out exactly what frequency your screen is currently running at. Many manufacturers do not indicate this information in the basic settings menu, believing that the standard options are enough for the user. To obtain accurate data, you will need to install third-party diagnostic software, since system tools Android often hide technical details.
The most reliable tool for this task is an application Device Info HW or similar utilities like AIDA64. After installing the app, go to the section responsible for the display (usually called Display or Screen). Here you will see a parameter Refresh Ratethat will show the current Hertz. If the value is fixed at 60 Hz, but you suspect that the matrix supports more, it is worth digging deeper.
Please note that some modern panels operate in adaptive mode. This means that the frequency can dynamically change from 1 Hz to 120 Hz depending on the content being displayed. In such cases, diagnostic utilities may show an average or current value. To check the maximum potential, you need to run a heavy application or game to provoke the system to switch to high-performance mode.
⚠️ Attention: Readings from third-party applications may differ from the actual physical characteristics of the matrix due to driver software limitations. If an application shows 60 Hz, this does not always mean that the screen is physically incapable of more.
Use online tests to determine hertz through your smartphone browser. Open a website with a flicker test (for example, testufo.com) and visually evaluate the smoothness of the movement of objects, comparing it with known standards.
Standard settings in the smartphone menu
The safest and most obvious way to change the display parameters is through the standard settings menu of the operating system. Manufacturers are increasingly making this option visible, especially in mid- and high-price models. The path to setting may differ depending on the shell, but the logic remains the same for most devices based on Android.
Usually the required item is located in the Settings → Display → Refresh ratesection. In some cases, for example on smartphones Xiaomi or Realme, this option may be hidden inside the menu Advanced settings. If you see a radio button with the options Standard (60 Hz) and High (90/120 Hz), simply select the option you want. The system will warn you about a possible increase in energy consumption, but the change will take effect immediately.
However, there is a nuance with the so-called “smart” switching. Mode Auto or Adaptive frequency often works incorrectly in certain applications, forcing the Hertz clock to drop to 60 Hz to save battery. If your goal is maximum smoothness of the interface everywhere and always, it is better to select a fixed high value by disabling automatic adjustment. This ensures that animations will not sag at times of low CPU load.
- 📱 Go to the main device settings through the gear icon.
- 🖥️ Find the section responsible for the display or screen, sometimes it is hidden in a submenu.
- ⚙️ Select the refresh rate item and switch the toggle switch to the maximum available value.
- 🔋 Be prepared for the battery life to be reduced by 10-15%.
Activation through developer mode
If in the normal menu settings there is no option to select a high frequency, you should refer to the hidden section for developers. This mode is intended for testing applications and debugging the system, but often contains keys that allow you to unlock hidden hardware functions. Activating this menu requires performing a simple sequence of actions that is universal for most versions Android.
To enter developer mode, you need to go to the section About phone and find the item Build number. You need to quickly click on this item 7 times in a row. After this, the system will ask you to enter your screen unlock PIN and notify you that you have become a developer. Now a new section will appear in the main settings menu For developers, usually located at the very bottom of the list or in the category System.
Inside the menu The developer should look for an item related to simulating the refresh rate or forcing the display mode. In some firmware, especially those based on chipsets Qualcomm Snapdragon, there may be an option Force Peak Refresh Rate (Forced peak frequency). Activating this parameter causes the system to ignore power saving restrictions and maintain maximum Hertz at all times. However, it is worth remembering that not all screens physically support high values, even if the system allows you to select them.
Settings → System → For Developers → Menu Search → Refresh RateSometimes the desired option is hidden behind a code name or requires activation via ADB (Android Debug Bridge). If you don't find any obvious switches, try looking for items related to disabling battery optimizations for specific applications, as they often limit the frame rate in games and heavy interfaces.
⚠️ Attention: Changing settings in developer mode can lead to unstable system operation, overheating of the case, or premature battery wear. Use these functions only if you understand the consequences.
☑️ Activating developer mode
Using the engineering menu and ADB commands
For advanced users for whom standard interfaces are not enough, there is the possibility of direct intervention in the parameters display via console commands. This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and having the package installed. It allows you to send directives to the system, bypassing the settings graphical interface, which often helps to unlock hidden modes of the matrix. ADB Tools. It allows you to send directives to the system without going through the settings GUI, which often helps unlock hidden modes of the matrix.
Before starting work, you must enable USB debugging in developer mode and connect the device to the PC. After authorization is confirmed on the phone screen, you can enter commands in the computer terminal. One of the most effective commands for forcing a frequency setting is as follows. It calls the window manager service and sets the required Hertz.
adb shell wm size && adb shell wm densityHowever, a more specific command for working with the refresh rate on some devices is to set the system property via setprop. For example, the command adb shell setprop debug.sf.enable_gl_tracing 1 can activate graphics debugging functions that indirectly affect rendering. On some models Samsung or OnePlus there are specific codes for entering the engineering menu (for example, #0#), where you can test the screen for different frequencies manually.
It is important to understand that there is no universal command for all devices. The architecture of display drivers varies greatly between different manufacturers (Samsung, LG, BOE). What works on a processor MediaTekmay be useless on Exynos. Therefore, experiments with ADB should be carried out carefully, writing down the initial values of the parameters in order to be able to roll back changes in the event of a failure.
Risks of using ADB commands
Incorrectly entering commands can lead to a bricked device, a cyclic reboot, or a non-functional display. Always make a backup copy of your data before experimenting with system properties.
Third-party applications for controlling the Hertz phone
If the built-in tools and console commands seem too complicated, specialized applications from the store come to the rescue. Google Play. There are a number of utilities developed by enthusiasts that offer a user-friendly interface for controlling the refresh rate. However, their effectiveness directly depends on the presence root access on the device.
Applications like Refresh Rate Changer or modules for Magisk can modify system display configuration files. They work by replacing values in files build.prop or interacting directly with the system kernel. Without superuser rights, such apps often turn out to be useless, offering only an imitation of changing settings or displaying advertising.
Obtaining Root access opens up great opportunities, but voids the warranty on the device and can disrupt the operation of banking applications and services with high data protection (Google Pay, banking clients). If you decide to use this method, make sure that your smartphone model has an active developer community and proven methods for gaining root privileges to avoid damaging the bootloader.
| Utility name | Requires Root | Efficiency | Risk failure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refresh Rate Changer | Yes | High | Medium |
| SetEdit (Settings Database Editor) | No (partially) | Low | Low |
| Magisk Module (Custom) | Yes | Maximum | High |
| Device Info HW | No | View only | None |
Use Third-party software always carries the risk of downloading malicious code. Download applications only from official sources and carefully study reviews from other users, especially those related to compatibility with your specific smartphone model. Remember that software increasing the frequency above the physical capabilities of the matrix is impossible and will only lead to image artifacts.
The effect of increased frequency on the battery and heating
Increasing the number of frames rendered per second requires additional processing resources from the graphics processing unit (GPU) and image processing unit (ISP). This inevitably leads to increased energy consumption. If in normal mode a smartphone can work for a day and a half, then with a constant load of 120 Hz, the battery life can be reduced to one day or even less, depending on the battery capacity.
In addition, increased load contributes to the release of more heat. In the summer or when using the device in a case with poor heat dissipation, this can lead to throttling - a forced decrease in processor performance to prevent overheating. Paradoxically, in some scenarios, enabling a high refresh rate can make the interface more jittery due to thermal protection systems.
To minimize the negative consequences, it is recommended to use adaptive profiles, if available. It is also useful to disable high Hertz in applications where smoothness is not critical, for example, when reading e-books or viewing static photos. Some shells allow you to customize lists of applications for which the increased frequency will be used, which is the optimal balance between comfort and autonomy.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and settings options are constantly updated by manufacturers. What worked on Android 12 may be changed or removed in Android 14. Always check the relevance of the methods with the official support forums for your model.
Maximum screen smoothness comes at the cost of autonomy. The optimal solution is to use the adaptive mode, which increases the speed only in games and dynamic content.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to increase the screen frequency from 60 Hz to 120 Hz on an old phone?
It is physically impossible. The refresh rate is a characteristic of the display matrix itself. If the panel is designed for a maximum of 60 Hz, no app will make it work faster. The software can only unlock hidden potential if the manufacturer has artificially limited it, but not change the physical properties of the screen.
Why did the 90 Hz setting disappear after an Android update?
Manufacturers often release updates that optimize power consumption by forcibly turning off high frequencies for all applications except games. Check the developer settings or try resetting your screen settings. In some cases, this is a firmware bug that will be fixed in the following patches.
Is it harmful to constantly keep 120 Hz for eye health?
On the contrary, a high refresh rate reduces eye strain, as the picture becomes smoother and more natural, reducing the effect of flickering and motion blur. However, a bright screen in the dark is harmful at any Hertz, so watch the brightness level.
Does a high Hertz eat up a lot of Internet?
No, the screen refresh rate does not affect the consumption of mobile traffic. It only affects the operation of the processor, graphics chip and battery. The amount of data consumed depends solely on the content you view in applications.
How to return all settings back if the screen starts to glitch?
Try to reboot the device into safe mode by holding the power button. If this does not help, reset the screen settings in the menu or, as a last resort, completely reset the device to factory settings (Factory Reset), after saving important data.