How to get 120 FPS in PUBG Mobile on Android: Guide to maximum smoothness

In modern mobile gaming, every frame is critical, especially in disciplines that require lightning-fast reactions, such as battle royales. For many players, the standard 60 frames per second already feels insufficient, creating a feeling of micro-lag when aiming and moving. Developers are gradually introducing support for high screen refresh rates, but often this feature is hidden or limited to specific device models.

Getting a stable 120 FPS on PUBG Mobile on Android is not just a matter of turning on one checkbox in the menu, but a complex process of setting up the system and the game client. You will need not only powerful hardware, but also an understanding of how to bypass the software restrictions imposed by developers on less powerful smartphones. In this article we will analyze all the legal and advanced methods for achieving maximum smoothness.

Before you begin complex manipulations with configuration files, you need to make sure that your device is physically capable of displaying such a picture. A screen with a frequency of 90 Hz or 120 Hz is a prerequisite, without which software tricks will not give a visible result, but will only increase the load on the processor. Let's take a closer look at the requirements and optimization steps.

Technical requirements and compatibility testing

The first and most important step is to verify the capabilities of your display and processor. Even if you install modified configuration files, the physical screen limit will remain unchanged. Most flagship devices from 2023-2026 are already equipped with matrices that support high Hertz, but budget segments are often limited to 60 Hz.

The processor must have sufficient performance reserves to render twice the number of frames. Chipset series Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Dimensity 9200 and newer cope with this task most effectively, minimizing throttling and overheating. Weak processors, when trying to force 120 FPS, can lead to strong heating of the case and sharp drops in performance.

It is also worth considering the type of RAM used. The standard LPDDR5X provides the necessary bandwidth for fast loading of textures at high frame rates. If your device has memory from previous generations, you may encounter micro-freezes even if all other conditions are met.

⚠️ Attention: Forcing 120 FPS on a device with a 60 Hz screen will not make the picture smoother, but is guaranteed to cause overheating and accelerated battery drain, since the GPU will work at its limit in vain.

You can check the real refresh rate of your screen through special diagnostic applications or in the developer settings. Find the item Show refresh rate and launch the game. If in dynamic scenes the value does not rise above 60, further software adjustment is pointless without replacing the device.

Basic graphics settings inside the game

Before getting into system files, you need to get the most out of the standard settings of the application itself. Go to the PUBG Mobile settings section and go to the Graphics and sound. Here your goal is to find the maximum available values ​​that the official client offers for your model.

Often players make the mistake of setting the graphic settings to "Maximum" or "HDR". To achieve high frame rates, the priority is rendering speed, not shadow beauty. Select the graphics style Smooth (Smooth), as it is the least demanding on GPU resources and allows the processor to focus on generating frames.

In the "Frame Rate" item, select the highest available value. If your phone is officially supported, you will see an option 90 FPS or 120 FPS. If the maximum value is "Maximum" (which usually corresponds to 60 frames), then the developers have not added your model to the white list, and manual intervention will be required.

• 🎮 Set the graphics style to Smooth to minimize the load on the video core.
• ⚡ Enable the option Antialiasing only if you have a performance margin, otherwise disable it to increase FPS.
• 🌫️ Disable shadows and anti-aliasing, as these effects consume a significant portion of resources in high mode frequencies.

Do not forget that even with the correct settings, background processes can interfere with the game. Close all unnecessary applications before starting a match. Clearing the game cache before each session can also help avoid the accumulation of temporary files that sometimes cause micro-stuttering.

Configuration file replacement method (UserCustom.ini)

This is the most effective way to unlock 120 FPS on devices that are not officially supported by developers. The essence of the method is to replace the standard settings file with a modified version, which contains parameters for a high update frequency. To do this, you will need any file manager with access to system folders, for example ZArchiver or MT Manager.

First you need to find the original configuration file. The path to it usually looks like this: Android/data/com.tencent.ig/files/UserCustom.ini. Please note that in new versions of Android, access to the folder may be limited, so use built-in system tools or special utilities to bypass restrictions. Android/data may be limited, so use built-in system tools or special utilities to bypass restrictions.

Make a backup copy of the original file, renaming it, for example, to UserCustom_backup.ini. This will allow you to quickly return everything to the way it was if the game stops starting or the settings are reset. Then create a new text file named UserCustom.ini and paste the code into it that activates 120 frames.

[UserCustom]
UserCustomEnable=1
FPS=120
ResolutionQuality=1.0

After saving the file, be sure to clear the PUBG Mobile application cache through the Android settings, and not through the game itself. This will force the client to re-read the configuration the next time it starts. If everything is done correctly, a new option will appear in the graphics settings or the current frame rate will stabilize at around 120.

What to do if the file is reset after an update?

If the UserCustom.ini file returns to its original state after updating the game, you will have to repeat the replacement procedure after each major patch. There is no automatic means of saving these edits, as this interferes with the integrity of game files.

⚠️ Attention: Modifying game files is in a "gray area". Although changing the configuration rarely leads to a ban, the theoretical risk of account blocking for using third-party software always exists. Use this method at your own risk.

Engineering menu and system hacks

For users with superuser rights (Root) or access to the engineering menu, there are more in-depth optimization methods. The engineering menu allows you to change the parameters of the display and processor operation at the system level, ignoring the restrictions set by the smartphone manufacturer.

You can enter the engineering menu by dialing a special code in the phone, which depends on the processor. For MediaTek code is often used, and for ##3646633##, and for Snapdragon third-party utilities like MTK Engineering Modemay be required. In the section Hardware Testing -> Display you can try changing the display refresh rate (Refresh Rate).

However, this method requires extreme caution. Incorrect settings may cause the screen to become unresponsive or unreadable. Always write down the original values ​​before making any changes. If you are not sure of your actions, it is better to limit yourself to replacing the file UserCustom.ini.

Optimization method	Difficulty	Risk of ban	Efficiency
In-game settings	Low	No	Depends on the device
Replacing UserCustom.ini	Medium	Low	High
Engineering menu	High	No	Maximum
Third-party GFX tools	Low	High	Medium

Users without root access can try to activate high performance mode through the developer settings. Find the item Window animation and set the value No animation or 0.5x. This will not increase the physical FPS in the game, but will make the system interface more responsive, which will subjectively improve the feel of the gameplay.

Using third-party GFX tools

There are many applications on the Internet that position themselves as “GFX Tool for PUBG”. These utilities automatically make changes to configuration files, offering a user-friendly interface instead of manually editing code. They allow you to unlock 90/120 FPS, change the resolution and disable shadows in a couple of clicks.

However, using such apps involves the greatest risk. The game's anti-cheat system Battle Eye or Tencent Protect may regard the connection of a third-party application as the use of cheating software. Many players have reported temporary or permanent account bans after using popular GFX tools.

If you still decide to use this method, choose only proven tools with a lot of positive reviews and a long history of existence. Never enter your account information into dubious applications. Remember that the security of your profile is more important than a few extra frames.

• 🛡️ Avoid tools that require you to grant access rights to your Facebook or Twitter account.
• 📉 Do not set the resolution higher than the native resolution of your screen - this will create unnecessary load without improving the quality.
• 🔄 Regularly remove and reinstall GFX tools, as old versions may conflict with new game patches.

An alternative to full-fledged GFX tools can be plugins for game launchers built into the smartphone shell (for example, Game Turbo from Xiaomi). They often have legal optimization features that are safer than third-party software from the Play Market.

⚠️ Attention: Game interfaces and developer security policies are constantly changing. What worked safely a month ago may result in a blockage today. Always check the latest information on the official community forums.

System optimization and combating overheating

Even if you managed to programmatically unlock 120 FPS, the main enemy of stability will be heat. High frame rates force the processor and video accelerator to work at the limit, which inevitably leads to heating. When a critical temperature is reached, the system will automatically reduce frequencies (throttling), and FPS will drop to 30-40, nullifying all efforts.

To combat this phenomenon, it is necessary to ensure high-quality heat removal. Remove the protective cover when playing, especially if it is made of thick rubber or leather, as they act as a thermal insulator. Play in a room with good ventilation or point a fan at your smartphone.

There are special accessories - coolers for smartphones that are attached to the back cover and actively cool the device. Using such a cooler allows the processor to maintain high frequencies for a long time without resetting, providing a stable 120 frames throughout the match. This is an investment that pays off in the comfort of the game.

It is also recommended to disable all power saving features in the Android system. "Power Saver" or "Ultra-Save" modes artificially limit the processor clock speed, which is incompatible with the goal of achieving maximum smoothness. Make sure your smartphone is connected to a charger that supports fast charging, but make sure that the cable does not overheat.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it safe to use the UserCustom.ini file to unlock 120 FPS?

In most cases, this is safe, since you are not changing the executable code of the game, but only changing the display settings. However, since this is tampering with the game files, there is always a theoretical risk of blocking. Use this method on an additional account if you are concerned about the main one.

Why does the game crash on startup after replacing the file?

This can happen for several reasons: incorrect syntax in the file, incompatibility of the file version with the game version, or lack of rights to write to the folder. Try downloading a ready-made, tested file for your version of PUBG Mobile or carefully double-check each line of code.

Is it possible to get 120 FPS on a Snapdragon 730 processor?

Technically, you can unlock the option, but the Snapdragon 730 processor is unlikely to be able to consistently maintain 120 frames in dynamic scenes. Most likely, you will get an unstable framerate with constant drawdowns and strong heating. For comfortable gaming at 120 FPS, 800 series processors are desirable.

Are the settings reset after updating the game?

Yes, when downloading major updates (patches), the game often overwrites the configuration files with standard ones. You will have to re-replace the file UserCustom.ini after each such update in order to return the ability to select 120 FPS.

Does 120 FPS affect battery consumption?

Absolutely. Rendering 120 frames per second requires almost twice the GPU processing power compared to 60 FPS. Battery life can be reduced by 30-40%, so playing in this mode without connecting to a charger is not recommended.