How to remove lags in PUBG Mobile on Android: Complete guide

Mobile shooter PUBG Mobile remains one of the most resource-demanding projects on the Android platform. Even owners of modern flagships periodically encounter frame drops, sudden interface freezes or desync, which critically affects the outcome of the match. The main reason lies in the incorrect distribution of processor and RAM resources, which are overloaded by background system processes.

For the game to work stably, it is not enough just to change the graphics settings inside the application. It is necessary to carry out comprehensive diagnostics of the device, starting from checking the temperature of the chipset and ending with fine debugging of the developer parameters. In this guide, we will look at specific technical steps that actually improve performance and eliminate microfreezes on smartphones of various price categories.

Optimizing graphics settings and frame rates

The first and most obvious step is the correct configuration of in-game settings. Many users mistakenly believe that setting texture quality to maximum will guarantee a better experience, but for a competitive shooter, stability (frames per second) is a priority. High detail creates excessive load on FPS (frames per second). High detail creates excessive load on GPU (graphics processor), causing overheating and subsequent throttling - a forced reduction in frequencies for cooling.

The optimal strategy is to select the minimum scene settings at the maximum available frame rate. If your smartphone supports 60 or 90 FPS, be sure to activate this option, sacrificing anti-aliasing and shadows. This will ensure smoother aiming and faster reaction to enemy movements, which is more important than a beautiful picture in the dynamics of the battle.

Pay attention to the “Style” parameter, which is responsible for the color filter. Modes like “Vivid” or “Realistic” can additionally load the video core. For maximum performance, it is better to leave the standard value or choose a mode that least affects the contrast in the dark areas of the map, so as not to lose enemies in the shadows without unnecessary load on the system.

Management of RAM and background processes

Lack of free RAM (RAM) is a common cause of microlags when loading new card textures. When the memory is full, the system begins to actively use the swap file on the internal drive, the speed of which is much lower, which leads to noticeable jerks in the image. Before starting PUBG Mobile it is critical to free up resources from heavy applications.

• 🚀 Close all instant messengers and social networks that consume background traffic and memory.
• 🧹 Use the built-in memory cleaning tool or a third-party booster before logging into lobby.
• 📱 Disable automatic synchronization of photos and cloud services during the gaming session.

Particular attention should be paid to the memory expansion functions that many manufacturers are now introducing, such as Xiaomi, Samsung or Realme. Virtual memory technology takes part of the permanent storage for the needs of RAM. Paradoxically, in some scenarios it can even degrade gaming performance due to the slow read speed of flash memory compared to real RAM.

If you notice that after enabling the “Memory Expansion” function the game began to perform worse, try disabling this option in the system settings. Tests show that on devices with fast memory UFS 3.1 and above the effect can be positive, but on older drives eMMC this is guaranteed to lead to additional delays.

Configuring developer options for games

Deep system customization through the “For Developers” menu allows you to force change the behavior processor and graphics accelerator. This section is hidden by default, but activating it gives you access to tools that can significantly reduce input lag and improve the responsiveness of the interface. Be careful: incorrect changes can lead to unstable system operation.

The key parameter here is the “Limit number of background processes”. By setting it to "No background processes" or limiting the number to two, you ensure that PUBG gets the lion's share of the processing power. It is also recommended to disable animations of windows, transitions and animator scale by setting them to "Disabled" or "0.5x".

Parameter	Recommended value	Impact on the game
Window animation	Disabled	Instant interface response
Background processes	No more than 2	Freeing up RAM for the game
Inactive applications	Stop	Reduce CPU load
Graphics driver	System	Rendering stability

Another important point is the choice of graphics driver. In modern versions of Android, you can set the preferred driver for a specific application. If you have a smartphone with a chip Snapdragon, make sure that the system driver is selected or updated via Google Playas this often corrects rendering errors that cause artifacts.

Clearing the cache and managing storage

The fullness of the internal storage directly affects the speed of data reading. If free space is less than 10-15% of the total, the system cannot effectively cache temporary game files, which leads to long loading times and stuttering when moving around the map. Regular cleaning of garbage is a mandatory procedure to maintain high performance.

The accumulated application cache PUBG Mobile over time can grow to several gigabytes, containing outdated resources and broken files. Cleaning should be done not through third-party utilities, but through the system application management menu, selecting “Clear cache”, but not “Clear data”, so as not to delete downloaded maps and settings.

⚠️ Attention: Complete data clearing (not to be confused with the cache) will delete all downloaded game resources, and you will have to download them again the next time you log in, spending a lot of traffic and time.

In addition to the game cache, it is worth checking the downloads and messengers folder. Often gigabytes of unnecessary videos and images accumulate there, which slow down the file system. Using a file system format F2FS instead of EXT4 (if available on your device via a custom kernel) can also speed up work with small files.

Thermal regulation and preventing throttling

Overheating is the main enemy of stable FPS. When the processor temperature reaches a critical point (usually around 45-50°C for a case), the system automatically reduces the clock speed of the cores to avoid physical damage. This manifests itself in the form of a sharp drop in the smoothness of the picture after 10-15 minutes of active gaming.

For effective cooling, it is recommended to remove the protective case, especially if it is made of dense rubber or silicone, which acts as a heat insulator. Play indoors with good ventilation or point a fan at your smartphone. There are special coolers with Peltier elements that forcefully cool the back cover, allowing the processor to operate at maximum frequencies for longer.

Why can’t you play while charging?

During charging, the battery and power controller generate additional heat, adding up to the heating from the processor, which greatly accelerates the onset of throttling.

You should also avoid playing in direct sunlight. Heating from the sun adds to the internal heat dissipation, quickly causing the device to overheat. If you feel that the smartphone body has become hot, take a break for 5 minutes to allow the components to cool naturally.

Network settings and anti-ping

Often users confuse graphical lags with network delays. If the character teleports or shots are registered late, the problem lies with the connection, not the phone's power. For shooters, not only the ping rate is critical, but also the stability of the connection (no packet loss).

Use DNS servers optimized for games, such as Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) or Google (8.8.8.8). You can change them in the connection settings of your smartphone in the “Private DNS” section. This can speed up the resolution of game server domain names and slightly improve the traffic route.

• 📶 When playing over Wi-Fi, try to be in direct line of sight to the router for the best 5 GHz signal.
• 📵 Disable downloading updates on other devices on your network during a match.
• ✈️ Turn on Airplane mode for 10 seconds before playing to reset the network connection and reconnect to a better tower.

If you are using mobile data, make sure the mode is selected network 4G/LTE or 5G, and not offline 3G. In some cases, forced switching to the “LTE Only” mode through the engineering menu or applications like Force LTE Only helps stabilize the ping in areas of unstable reception.

⚠️ Attention: Using third-party apps to “speed up the Internet” or change the MAC address may lead to account blocking by the game's anti-cheat. Use only system settings.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Will a factory reset help remove lags?

A Hard Reset removes all accumulated system garbage and returns the settings to their original state. This often helps if the phone is very clogged or after an unsuccessful software update, but before that, be sure to back up your important data.

Do you need to install third-party boosters for games?

In most cases, built-in game modes (Game Turbo, Game Launcher) work more efficiently. Third-party applications often consume resources themselves and display intrusive ads without providing a real performance boost.

Why does the game lag after an Android update?

After a major system update, it takes time to optimize applications and rebuild the cache (ART process). Let the phone work for a couple of days in normal mode, and performance should recover.

Does the PUBG Mobile version affect lags?

Yes, sometimes new versions contain optimization errors. If problems start after the update, you can try to roll back to the previous version via the APK file, but you need to do this with caution so as not to lose progress.

Is it possible to overclock the processor for PUBG?

Overclocking (overclocking) is only possible on devices with root access and a custom kernel. This carries a high risk of overheating and failure of the smartphone, so it is strictly not recommended for ordinary users.