If you have a modern mobile phone with a high refresh rate screen and you've barely touched the settings, it's very likely that You're not taking full advantage of the 90 or 120 Hz that the panel allows.Many manufacturers activate automatic modes by default or directly cap the frequency at 60 Hz in most apps to save battery.
This means that, even though your mobile phone loudly advertises 120 Hz, In practice, you only see them at specific times and in certain applications.That's why more and more users are looking for ways to force 120 Hz in all apps, both with official settings (Samsung, Xiaomi, POCO, Redmi…) and with advanced methods like Shizuku or solutions designed for games and Android 15.
What is refresh rate and why does 120 Hz make such a difference?
The refresh rate or frequency is, basically, the number of times per second that the screen updates the imageIt is measured in hertz (Hz): 60 Hz means 60 updates per second, 90 Hz is 90 refreshes and 120 Hz is double the classic standard of 60.
The higher this number, Animations, transitions, and scrolling through menus, websites, or social media feel smoother.When quickly moving a long list or playing games, the text is easier to read while moving, and the feeling of "blurryness" or dragging is significantly reduced.
In the current mid-range and high-end markets, it's common to start at 60 Hz, but More and more mobile phones include 90Hz, 120Hz or even higher displays, among them the OnePlus 8TThe jump from 60 to 120 Hz is especially noticeable when watching videos with many scene changes, action movies, or competitive titles where the camera is constantly moving.
However, this improvement has a downside: by going from 60 to 120 Hz, the screen refreshes twice as often, and the GPU works harder. In practice, Forcing a constant 120 Hz increases battery consumption and temperatureThat's why many manufacturers are opting for adaptive modes that adjust the hertz according to what you're doing.
How to activate 120Hz on Samsung Galaxy S20 phones and similar models
Samsung was one of the first brands to generalize 120Hz in the high-end range with models like the Galaxy S20 and the Galaxy z flip 3combining this rate with panels Dynamic AMOLED with high-quality color, brightness, and contrastEven so, it's common for the device to come from the factory at 60 Hz or in dynamic mode, and you may have to tweak the settings to get the most out of it.
On the Galaxy S20 (and many later Samsung models), the setting is located in the display menus. Within Settings, Go to the Display section and look for something called “Motion Smoothness” or “Refresh Rate”, depending on the version of One UI installed on your device.
When you access that section, the system lets you choose between a standard 60 Hz mode and an option to high refresh rate that activates 120 HzBy selecting the smoothest option, the entire system environment (animations, scrolling, transitions) moves at 120 Hz, and the difference is instantly noticeable.
A quick way to notice the change is to open a very long website or an app with a lot of vertical scrolling, such as a news feed or a social network, and move quickly up and downAt 120 Hz, jerks are reduced and reading is more comfortable on the go.
There are two important nuances regarding these Samsung devices. On the one hand, The maximum WQHD+ resolution cannot be combined with 120 Hz on the Galaxy S20So, if you select that resolution, the phone automatically drops to 60 Hz. On the other hand, always keeping the high refresh rate mode increases energy consumption, so if you're running low on battery one day, you might want to temporarily switch back to 60 Hz or activate adaptive modes.
MIUI 14 and MIUI 15: Xiaomi's bid to get the most out of 120 Hz
While Samsung was refining its Dynamic AMOLED panels, Xiaomi has been fine-tuning MIUI —its Android-based layer— to Get more out of the high refresh rate displays on your Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO devices., including models with 120 Hz displayWith Android 14 as a base and the advanced versions of MIUI 14, the brand has incorporated very interesting adjustments focused precisely on this.
On some models, the latest versions of MIUI 14 have arrived with more than just simple security patches. One particularly striking example is the The Xiaomi 12S Pro in China, which with version MIUI V14.0.10.0.TLECNXM incorporates a hidden function to manage the refresh rate in a much more granular way.
The official changelog for that update only mentions security patches from August 2023, but after installing it, a new setting appears in the screen menu that It allows for forcing a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz in all applicationseven those that were previously locked at 60 Hz.
This feature is integrated into the same refresh rate section where you can choose whether you want the screen to run at 60, 90, or 120 Hz depending on your device's hardware. Xiaomi has added it there. an additional option specifically to control which apps can always use the maximum rate.
The idea is that this capacity will be extended with MIUI 15 and future iterations based on Android 14 to more of the brand's phonesand Redmi K40However, it is not yet clear whether it will be available across the entire range with high-frequency displays or only on certain models due to performance issues or panel limitations.
“Apps that use high refresh rates” in MIUI
The big new feature of this version of MIUI 14 for the Xiaomi 12S Pro—and presumably for other compatible models—is an option called something like “Applications that use a high refresh rate”It is located within the refresh rate settings menu and is used to manage which apps can run at 120 Hz.
Upon accessing that section, MIUI displays a list with All applications installed on the device, including both downloaded and system applicationsFrom there, you can activate or deactivate the use of high frequency for each of them individually.
This control solves a common problem in MIUI and other interfaces: Certain apps, even from Xiaomi itself, were stuck at 60 Hz Despite having the screen set to 90 or 120 Hz, even in budget models like the Redmi Note 9With this new setting, you can force those applications to respect the maximum rate that the panel supports.
Besides the smoother feel, there's another clear benefit: abrupt changes in sensation when switching between applications are reduced. This is achieved by minimizing the difference between 60 and 120 Hz. It avoids the typical "flicker" or visual jump that you noticed when switching from a fast app to a slower one.especially among games, social networks, and system tools.
For now, this feature has only been seen in very specific versions of MIUI 14 for Chinese models, and specialized media outlets indicate that it should be coming to more devices. Even so, There is no guarantee that all Xiaomi phones and tablets with high refresh rate displays will receive it.So it's a good idea to check the notes for each update.
If your phone already includes this option, it's worth taking a few minutes to review the list of apps and activate 120 Hz only where it makes sense: competitive games, browsers, social networks, and video apps These are usually the ideal candidates. On the other hand, static tools or applications with few animations can remain at 60 Hz to squeeze out some battery life.
System apps and real-world use of 120Hz in MIUI
One of the curious details of MIUI (and in general of many customization layers) is that Their own internal apps don't always take advantage of the high refresh rateeven on terminals like the I live X60 Pro +Managing files, checking certain system menus, or navigating through native utilities may feel less smooth even though the panel supports 120 Hz.
This leads to a somewhat inconsistent experience: you enter a compatible game or a highly optimized app and notice spectacular fluidity, but you return to a native tool and You notice micro-stutters or a less smooth scroll.Thanks to the list of "Applications that use high refresh rates", you can adjust that behavior on a case-by-case basis.
In MIUI 14 with this feature, when you check the list you will also see system applications that you previously couldn't controlBy allowing them to use the high refresh rate, some of those discrepancies in feel disappear when you jump between different environments within the system itself.
In fact, this list can also serve as a simple battery management toolYou can leave apps you only use occasionally or that barely move at 60 Hz, and reserve maximum fluidity for what you use constantly and where the change is truly noticeable.
However, it's important to keep in mind that even if you force the refresh rate, You cannot exceed the physical limits of the panel or remove internal restrictions from some appsIf your phone only reaches 120 Hz, there won't be any miracles beyond that figure, and certain applications will continue to automatically limit themselves to 60 Hz to save resources or avoid performance problems.
Forcing 120 Hz with advanced tools: Shizuku and 小黑屋
When the system doesn't offer sufficiently fine controls or when the manufacturer has locked certain options, some advanced users resort to external methods. One of the most talked-about involves using Shizuku along with an app called 小黑屋 (often referred to as “BlackBox” or similar) to modify the behavior of certain system components.
The first step is to install Shizuku from Google Play. This utility acts as a bridge that It allows other apps to access advanced system functions without requiring root access.This takes advantage of Android's wireless debugging. In this way, apps like 小黑屋 can receive powerful permissions without unlocking the bootloader.
Next, you need to download and install 小黑屋 from a trusted repository. This application focuses on managing and freezing system apps, as well as... alter the behavior of certain internal processes that are normally beyond the user's control.It is a tool clearly designed for users with some experience.
To use Shizuku, you first need to enable developer options. This is done by going to Settings, then to About phone, and Tap repeatedly on the build number until you see the message that you are now a developerFrom there, in the new developer menu you can enable wireless debugging.
With wireless debugging enabled, launch Shizuku and follow the steps to get it up and running. Then open the Shizuku app itself, go to the authorized applications section, and make sure that 小黑屋 is marked with permissionso that you can access the advanced features that Shizuku explains.
Next, open the App Store, tap the "+" icon to add applications, and enter the App Store section, which corresponds to the apps and system components pre-installed on the deviceThere you'll see processes that don't usually appear in the traditional app drawer.
Among those components, you should find one called “iaware” or something similar. Once you find it, tap on the ice crystal icon or equivalent to… That system app is marked in gray, indicating that its behavior has been modified.This step, according to users who have tested it, affects how the system decides when to drop to 60 Hz.
Once you've made the change, restart your phone. When it turns back on, go to the display settings, set the refresh rate to high (usually 120 Hz), and Check the application management section; you can now force the maximum rate on all apps., including those that previously remained stuck at 60 Hz for no apparent reason.
It's important to emphasize that this procedure isn't recommended for everyone. You're modifying system components, and if you're not sure what you're doing, You can cause strange behavior, increased consumption, or even instability.It's a method designed for advanced users who accept that risk in exchange for getting the most out of the screen.
Android 15, games and the setFrameRate() API to reach 120 FPS
In the gaming arena, Google is also making moves. With Android 15, the system It sets a default refresh rate of 60 Hz for games., with the idea of optimizing energy consumption and temperature control, and only increases to higher rates if the app explicitly requests it.
If a developer wants their game to run at, for example, 90 or 120 FPS, they must use the Frame Rate API or Swappy Library to order it, on devices like the Realme X3However, the system may decide to ignore that request if the battery is very low, the device is overheating, or other power-saving factors are active.
The key piece on the developer side is the method setFrameRate()This allows you to tell Android the desired refresh rate for the game window. To use it correctly, you first need to Check if your device and Android version support higher rates., and then make the request for high FPS.
The preliminary check is done using methods such as Display.getSupportedModes(), which they return What display modes does the panel support: 60, 90, 120 Hz or other valuesIf you only find 60 Hz in that list, there's no way to go beyond that via software; the limitation is purely hardware-related.
Once compatibility is verified, the game can invoke setFrameRate() When starting the rendering loop, during window initialization, or when you change the FPS target (for example, from 60 to 120 in performance mode). Even when requesting the highest rate, Android can still cap the refresh rate at 60 Hz. if it detects that the device is not going to perform well or is overheating.
If the game is unable to maintain a stable 120 FPS, requesting that refresh rate can be counterproductive: The system will consume more energy and generate more heat without the user perceiving a real improvement in performance.Hence the importance of checking the actual performance before activating a high FPS mode.
Google provides code examples to avoid requesting too frequently. setFrameRate() and recommends reviewing the Framerate documentation for more in-depth information on these practices. For those developing in C/C++ with custom engines, there is also another key tool.
Swappy (Frame Pacing): Optimize VSync and high FPS in games
The Frame Pacing library, known as Swappy, is an open-source project created by Google for Simplify VSync management and frame scheduling in Android game enginesIt is, so to speak, a layer of abstraction on top of functions like setFrameRate().
Its goal is to help the game display frames in sync with the screen, preventing tearing, stuttering, and other typical problems when working with high refresh rates. In addition to this layer of abstraction, Swappy offers additional features to improve overall smoothness and performance in demanding scenarios.
Swappy's official documentation details how to integrate it, how to combine it with the Frame Rate API, and how dynamically adapt the frame rate based on what each device supportsIt's a very useful tool if you want your game to respond well on both 60Hz mobiles and models capable of reaching 120Hz.
Best practices in gaming: dynamic FPS switching and performance monitoring
Beyond specific APIs, Google recommends implementing a system of dynamic frame rate switching To find the balance between fluidity, power consumption, and temperature. It doesn't always make sense to maintain a constant 120 Hz.
The idea is to take advantage of the higher frequencies during the most demanding parts of the game—intense combat, scenes with a lot of camera movement—and Lower the frequency to 60 Hz during quieter periods or when battery life is a priority.A game may even decide to run at less than 60 FPS on certain devices if the hardware cannot handle more.
If the game runs at a constant 120Hz, the result can be excessive heat, rapid battery drain, and in extreme situations, thermal throttling that causes sudden drops in performanceIntelligently adjusting the refresh rate helps avoid these kinds of negative user experiences.
Another key recommendation is to integrate performance monitoring tools, such as an FPS counter or a basic metrics overlayThese indicators allow you to check in real time whether the target of 90 or 120 FPS is being consistently achieved on each specific device.
If the counter shows constant fluctuations, pulls, or drops below the target, the sensible thing to do is reduce the target frame rate for that hardwareIt is preferable to maintain a stable 60 FPS with good quality than to try to reach 120 without success and penalize power consumption and temperature.
It is also important that the game detects the maximum refresh rate of the device's screen and adjust the graphics options. If the panel only supports 60 Hz, there's no point in displaying 90 or 120 FPS settings in the menu, as this will only confuse the player and won't provide any practical benefit.
In summary, for developers, offering clear presets (60, 90, 120 FPS) based on what the hardware supports and clearly communicating the impact on performance and battery life helps the user consciously choose the experience you prefer.
With all of the above—Samsung and Xiaomi's native settings, advanced methods like Shizuku and Sageo, and the new Android 15 APIs for games—any user with a compatible phone has room to decide. When is it worth forcing 120 Hz and when is it better to prioritize battery life and stability?Understanding these options allows you to adjust the screen to your liking and enjoy a smooth experience without unwanted surprises in battery life or temperature.
