Where to find a game in Android settings: complete guide with pictures and tips

Have you downloaded a new game on Androidbut it won’t start? Or do you want to limit the game’s access to contacts, geolocation and other data? There are hidden menus in the smartphone settings where you can manage each installed game - from clearing the cache to blocking notifications. The problem is that the paths to these settings differ depending on the version Android (from Android 10 to Android 15) and the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS etc.).

In this article you will find current methods open the settings of any game through the system menu, including:

• 🔍 Search for a game in the general list of applications
• 🛠️ Manage permissions (camera, microphone, files)
• 🗑️ Cleaning cache and data without deleting
• 🔔 Disabling annoying notifications
• 🔒 Blocking the game background to save battery

We paid special attention hidden functions, which are not written about in standard instructions - for example, how to prevent the game from running in the background or limit mobile traffic consumption. All steps are tested on real devices in 2026.

1. Where can you find a list of all games and applications in Android settings

To open the settings for a specific game, you first need to go to the general section "Applications". The path there depends on the version Android and proprietary shell. Here are the universal methods:

On pure Android (for example, Google Pixel, Nokia, Motorola):

1. Open Settings (gear in the menu or on the desktop table).
2. Go to Applications → All applications.
3. Scroll the list or use the search at the top.

On Samsung (One UI):

1. Go in Settings → Applications.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right and select Show system onesif games are not displayed.

On Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO (MIUI):

1. Open Settings → Applications → Manage applications.
2. Tab Downloaded will show all installed games.

Game updated to latest version|There is a backup copy of saves|Battery charge > 30%|Stable Wi-Fi connection (if required)-->

If the game does not appear in the list, try:

• 🔄 Restart your smartphone - sometimes the system cache is not updated.
• 📥 Check if the game is valid installed (go to Google Play → Library).
• 🕵️ Enter the name of the game in the search bar at the top of the section Applications.

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (Huawei, Honor), games may be hidden in a separate section Game Center or Huawei AppGallery. If you don’t find the game in the standard settings, check the branded services.

2. How to open the settings for a specific game: step-by-step guide

When you have found the game in the general list, tap on its name. A menu with several tabs will open. Let's look at each:

Tab	What can be configured	Example of actions
Information	Game version, size, installation date	Check if it is current version (compare with Google Play)
Permissions	Access to camera, microphone, contacts, files	Disable access to Geodataif the game does not use them
Notifications	Pop-up windows, sounds, vibration	Prohibit notifications about "offers" and "promotions"
Memory	Clear cache, data, reset settings	Clear the cache if the game slows down (save data will not be affected)
Battery	Background activity, energy consumption optimization	Enable Limit background work

The most popular settings:

• 🔒 Permissions: Disable access to Contacts i Messagesif the game did not request them during installation - this is a sign of suspicious activity.
• 🗑️ Memory: Clearing the cache (Clear cache) deletes temporary files, but does not affect progress Clearing data (Clear data) will reset the game to factory settings.
• 🔋 Battery: Enable Battery optimizationif the game is fast drains your smartphone in the background.

What to do if the "Permissions" tab is missing?

On some versions of Android (for example, Android 13+) permissions moved to a separate menu. To find them:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Permission Manager.

2. Select the permission type (for example, Camera).

3. Find your game in the list and change the access.

If the game behaves suspiciously (unauthorizedly turns on the microphone, sends SMS), check:

1. Section Special access (may be hidden in Additional).
2. The presence of the game in the list Device administrators (if yes, uncheck it!).

3. How to limit the background operation of the game to save battery power

Many games continue to consume resources even after closing: updating events, downloading ads, sending analytics. This drains the battery and loads the processor. To prohibit background activity:

On Android 12 and later:

1. Open the game settings (as in the previous section).
2. Go to the Battery tab.
3. Select Limited or Optimized mode.
4. Activate the option Limit background work.

On MIUI (Xiaomi):

1. Go to Settings → Battery and performance → Battery management.
2. Find the game in the list and select Background limit.

On Samsung One UI:

1. Open Settings → Device care → Battery.
2. Tap on Background use and add the game to the list Sleeping applications.

What background restriction gives:

• ⚡ Increases battery life by 10–30%.
• 📉 Reducing the heating of the smartphone during the game.
• 🛡️ Protection against hidden cryptocurrency mining (relevant for suspicious games).

⚠️ Attention: Some online games (for example, PUBG Mobile, Free Fire) require a background connection for chats and notifications. Restricting the background may result in lost messages or being kicked out of matches.

4. Clearing the cache and game data: when it is needed and how to do it

If the game started slows down, crash or graphics display incorrectly, the problem may be a full cache. Clearing temporary files often solves these problems without deleting progress.

How to clear the cache:

1. Open the game settings (see section 2).
2. Go to the Memory tab (or Storage).
3. Click Clear cache.

What will happen after clearing the cache:

• ✅ The game will load fresh textures and fonts the next time you start it.
• ✅ Free 100–500 MB of memory (depending on the game).
• ❌ Progress and saves will remain untouched.

When to clear data (not cache):

• 🎮 Game hangs on the splash screen or does not start.
• 🔄 You need to reset all settings to factory settings (for example, to re-link your account).
• 📦 Free up as much space as possible (clearing data deletes all downloaded game files).

How to save progress before clearing data:

1. Start the game and find the item in the menu Link account (usually in Settings or Profile).
2. Link to Google Play Games, Apple ID (for cross-platform games) or social network.
3. Make sure that the saves are synchronized (check the cloud in the game settings).

5. Managing notifications from the game: how to disable spam

Intrusive notifications about “free bonuses”, “new events” or "offers to buy coins" are distracting and annoying. You can turn them off completely or customize them.

How to turn off all notifications from the game:

1. Open the game settings → tab Notifications.
2. Move the slider to position Off.

How to configure notifications selectively:

• 🔔 Sound: Disable in the section Notification sound.
• 📱 Pop-up windows: Disable in Notification style → Pop-up.
• 🔕 Vibration: Uncheck Vibration.
• 📌 Icons on the lock screen: Disable in On the lock screen.

On Android 13+ notifications are divided into categories. For example, in Clash Royale you can disable:

• 💰 Purchase notifications (Offers).
• 🎁 Bonus reminders (Daily rewards).
• 🏆 Event updates (New competitions).

1. Settings of the game itself (often duplicated in the menu Settings → Notifications inside the game).

2. Section Special access → Notifications in Android settings (sometimes games get privileges to bypass restrictions).-->

For the most annoying games (for example, Candy Crush, Homescapes) use radical method:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → [Game] → Advanced.
2. Select Delete notifications by default (if available).
3. Enable Ignore battery optimization (this will block background notifications).

6. Hidden settings for advanced users

If standard methods do not help, try these advanced methods game controls:

1. Blocking Internet access for the game

Useful for offline games that secretly download ads. How to disable:

1. Go to Settings → Networks and Internet → Data usage.
2. Find the game in the list and disable Mobile data and Wi-Fi.

2. Blocking installation of updates

If the new version of the game has become worse (bugs, advertising), block its updates:

1. Open Google Play → click on the profile avatar → Settings.
2. Select Auto-update applications → Do not update automatically.
3. Find the game in Google Play, click on the three dots → Remove from update queue.

3. Changing permissions via ADB (for the technically savvy)

If the game ignores the permission settings, you can reset them via ADB:

adb shell pm revoke com.example.game android.permission.CAMERA
adb shell pm revoke com.example.game android.permission.READ_CONTACTS

Replace com.example.game with a real game package (you can find it in Settings → Applications → [Game] → Additionally).

How to find the game package without root access?

1. Install the application App Inspector from Google Play.

2. Launch it and find the game in the list.

3. data-i="300">(for example, Package Name (For example, com.supercell.clashofclans).

4. Resetting application preferences

If the game stops opening after a system update:

1. Go to Settings → System → Reset → Reset preferences applications.
2. Confirm the action. This will reset all permissions and settings to default.

⚠️ Attention: Before use ADB or reset preferences, create a backup copy of your data. Incorrect commands may cause other applications to fail.

7. Frequent problems and solutions

Problem 1: The game is not displayed in the settings.

Solution:

• 🔍 Check hidden applications (enable Show system ones in the menu applications).
• 📥 Reinstall the game via Google Play.
• 🛠️ Use a file manager (for example, Solid Explorer) to search by package name.

Problem 2: After clearing the cache, the game crashes.

Solution:

• 🔄 Restart your smartphone.
• 📥 Update the game to the latest version.
• 🎮 Delete and install again (after saving your progress).

Problem 3: The game asks for permissions that are not in the settings.

Solution:

• 🔒 Check the section Special access (for example, Overlay with other applications).
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (for example, Malwarebytes) and scan the game.
• 🚫 Uninstall the game if it requires suspicious permissions (for example, Sending SMS).

Problem 4: Game settings are reset after updating Android.

Solution:

• 🔄 Restore permissions manually (see section 2).
• 📋 Export settings via Titanium Backup (root required).
• 📧 Contact game support - some studios restore settings via request.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

🔹 Is it possible to open the game settings without going into the system settings?

Yes, there are two ways:

1. Long-press the game icon on the desktop → select Information about the application (or Settings).
2. In Google Play find the game, click on the three dots → Open settings.

🔹 Why does the game require after clearing the data re-download?

Clearing data deletes all downloaded game files (textures, levels, sounds). This is normal for heavy games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile. To avoid re-downloading:

• Save the folder. Android/obb/[game package] to the computer before cleaning.
• Use Google Play Games to synchronize progress.

🔹 How to prevent the game from showing ads?

You can completely remove advertising only through:

• 💰 Purchasing a premium version of the game (if available).
• 🛡️ Installation ad blocker (for example, Blokada or AdGuard).
• 🔧 Disabling the Internet for the game (see section 6).

Normal Android settings do not allow blocking ads within games.

🔹 Why the game does not save progress after reboot?

Possible reasons:

• 🔄 The game is not linked to the account (do this in the game settings).
• 🗑️ The game data has been cleared (not the cache).
• 📵 Missing Internet for synchronization with the cloud.
• 🛠️ Operation failure Google Play Games (reinstall the service).

🔹 Is it possible to transfer the game settings to another phone?

Yes, but the method depends on the game:

• 🎮 For games with cloud saves (Clash of Clans, Brawl Stars): link both phones to one account.
• 📁 For offline games: copy the folder Android/obb/[game package] and save files (usually in /data/data/[game package], requires root).
• 🔧 Use apps like Helium or Swift Backup (root required).