Slowdowns and freezes in games on Android are a common problem, especially on budget smartphones. Many users mistakenly believe that to speed up games you definitely need root access or an expensive flagship device. In fact, even without root access, you can significantly improve performance by using hidden system settings, graphics optimization and proper resource management.

In this article we will look at 12 proven methodsthat will help speed up games on any Android device - from weak Redmi 9A to average Samsung Galaxy A52. All methods are safe, do not require technical skills and work on current versions of Android (including Android 14). Important: the results depend on the specific smartphone model and game - somewhere the FPS increase will be 10-15%, and in some cases it will be possible to double the smoothness.

Before you start optimizing, make sure that your device has enough free space (at least 2-3 GB on the system partition) and battery charge exceeds 30%. Some methods may temporarily increase the temperature of the processor - this is normal, but it is not recommended to use them at critical temperatures (above 45°C).

1. Optimizing graphics settings in the game

The most obvious, but often ignored method is manually adjusting the graphics. Many games default to settings that do not match the capabilities of your smartphone. Even flagship devices sometimes work suboptimally due to incorrectly selected presets.

Open the graphics settings in the game and pay attention to the following parameters:

  • 🎮 Texture quality: set to Medium or Low. High texture resolution puts a lot of stress on the GPU, especially in games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile.
  • 🖼️ Render resolution: if the game supports it, select 720p instead 1080p. The difference in the picture is minimal, and the increase in FPS can reach 30-40%.
  • 🌪️ Particle effects i shadows: disable or reduce. These parameters are extremely resource-intensive, but have little effect on gameplay.
  • ⚡ Frame rate: if available, select 60 FPS instead of 30 FPS (even on weak devices this is sometimes possible by lowering others parameters).

Some games (for example, PUBG Mobile or Free Fire) have hidden settings that open after several matches or linking your account to social networks. In PUBG this is the menu Graphics → Stylewhere you can select Balanced or Smooth mode instead of HD.

⚠️ Attention: In games with anti-cheat (for example, Valorant Mobile or Apex Legends Mobile) changing graphic settings through third-party utilities may result in a ban. Use only built-in menus.
📊 Which game do you most often optimize?
PUBG Mobile
Genshin Impact
Call of Duty Mobile
Free Fire
Other

2. Enabling performance mode in Android settings

Modern versions of Android have built-in performance modes that temporarily disable background processes and allocate more resources to games. These settings are often hidden in the developer menu or in the section Accessibility.

How to enable:

  1. Open Settings → About phone.
  2. Find the item Build number and tap on it 7 times to activate developer menu.
  3. Go back to the main settings and select System → Mode developer (or For developers).
  4. Find options:
    • 🔧 Keep the screen on while charging (useful for long gaming sessions).
    • ⚡ Limit background processes (select Maximum 2 processes).
    • 🎮 Force GPU rendering (enable if available).
    • 🔄 Disable window animation i transition animation (set Animation disabled).

On devices Xiaomi, Realme i Oppo there is an additional section Settings → Battery → Performance Modethat automatically optimizes the system for games. On Samsung a similar function is called Game Booster and is located in Settings → Device care → Battery.

⚠️ Attention: The mode Force use of GPU rendering may cause artifacts in some games (for example, in Minecraft or Roblox). If you notice graphical glitches, disable this option.

Enable developer mode (7 taps by build number)

Limit background processes to 2-3

Disable all animation

Enable forced GPU rendering (test!)

Activate Game Booster (for Samsung/Xiaomi)-->

3. Clearing cache and game data

Over time, games accumulate temporary files (cache), which can take up gigabytes of memory and slow down performance. Clearing the cache does not delete progress, but it resets some graphics settings - you will have to configure them again.

How to clear the cache:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → [Game name].
  2. Select Storage → Clear cache.
  3. If the game is very slow, try Clear data (⚠️ this will delete all progress if it is not synchronized with the cloud!).

    4. For automatic cleaning, use the built-in tools:

    • 🧹 On Samsung: Settings → Device care → Cleaning.
    • 🗑️ On Xiaomi: Security → Cleaning.
    • 🔄 On Google Pixel: Settings → Storage → Free up space.

    Some games (for example Genshin Impact) have a built-in cleaning function cache in settings. In Genshin this menu Settings → Other → Clear package cachewhich can free up to 5-7 GB space.

    Game Max. cache size How to clear
    Genshin Impact 10+ GB Settings → Other → Clear package cache
    PUBG Mobile 2-3 GB Settings → Graphics → Clear resource cache
    Call of Duty Mobile 3-5 GB Settings → Clear data (in the game menu)
    Free Fire 1-2 GB Through Android settings (cache)
    💡

    After cleaning cache, reboot the device - this will help Android correctly redistribute the freed memory.

    4. Disabling background processes and startup

    Background applications consume RAM and CPU time, even when you are not using them. This is especially critical for devices with 2-4 GB of RAM, where every megabyte counts. Disabling unnecessary services can give an increase of 10-20 FPS.

    How to optimize background processes:

    • 🚫 Disable autoloading:
      • On Xiaomi: Settings → Applications → Autostart.
      • On Samsung: Settings → Applications → ⋮ → Autostart.

      Disable autostart for instant messengers, social networks and other non-critical ones applications.

    • 🔄 Limit background activity:
      • In the developer menu, enable Do not save actions (reduces the number of background processes).
      • In the battery settings, select Battery optimization for unnecessary applications.
    • 📱 Use "Game Mode":
      • On Xiaomi: Settings → Special features → Game mode (blocks notifications and background tasks).
      • On ASUS ROG Phone: built-in utility Armoury Crate.

    For radical optimization, you can use applications like Greenify (does not require root), which “freeze” background processes. However, be careful: aggressively disabling system services can lead to unstable operation.

    ⚠️ Attention: Do not disable startup for system applications (for example, Google Play Services or Android System WebView). This may disrupt the operation of the smartphone.
    List of applications that are safe to disable autoloading

    📌 Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber)

    📌 Social networks (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)

    📌 Game launchers (Xbox Game Pass, NVIDIA GeForce NOW)

    📌 Weather widgets and news aggregators

    🚫 DO NOT TOUCH: Google Play Services, Android System, manufacturer services (for example, Miui Daemon on Xiaomi).

    5. Using game boosters without root

    There are legal utilities that optimize the performance of games without root access. They work by managing process priorities, clearing memory, and tuning the GPU. It is important to choose trusted applications to avoid viruses or bans in games.

    Top 3 accelerators for Android:

    • 🎮 Game Booster 4x Faster (by LeoPlay):
      • Clears RAM before starting the game.
      • Blocks notifications and background tasks.
      • Supports custom profiles for different games.
    • ⚡ GFX Tool (for PUBG Mobile and Free Fire):
      • Allows you to change the resolution, FPS and graphic settings through config files.
      • Has a built-in benchmark for testing performance.
    • 🛠️ Game Optimizer (by Samsung, but it works on other devices):
      • Monitors the temperature and automatically reduces the load when overheated.
      • Has the function of recording gameplay without lags.

How to use GFX Tool (for example PUBG Mobile):

  1. Download and install GFX Tool for PUBG from Google Play.
  2. Select the game version (Global, Korean or Vietnam).
  3. Set parameters:
    • Resolution: 720p (HD) or Smooth.
    • FPS: 60 FPS (if supported).
    • Graphics: Balanced or Smooth.
    • Shadows: Off.
  • Click Run Game and check the performance.
    • ⚠️ Attention: Some boosters (for example, GameGuardian or SB Game Hacker) require root access and can lead to a ban in online games. Use only legal ones. tools from official sources.
    💡

    Game accelerators give the maximum effect on devices with 3-4 GB of RAM. On flagships (6+ GB), the increase will be minimal, but they will help reduce heating and extend battery life.

    6. Setting up energy saving and cooling

    Overheating is one of the main ones. reasons for the drop in FPS in games. At temperatures above 45°C, the processor begins throttling (automatic reduction in frequency), which leads to jerks and freezes. Correct energy saving and cooling settings will help to avoid this.

    How to reduce heating:

    • ❄️ Disable "Adaptive Battery":
      • Go to Settings → Battery → Adaptive Battery and disable this feature. It limits performance to save battery.
    • 🔋 Enable maximum performance mode:
      • On Samsung: Settings → Device care → Battery → Performance mode.
      • On Xiaomi: Settings → Battery → Performance mode.
    • 📉 Reduce screen brightness:
      • Brightness above 70% significantly increases heating. Use 50-60% and turn on Adaptive brightness.
    • 🧊 Use external cooling:
      • Coolers for smartphones (for example, Black Shark Cooler) reduce the temperature by 5-10°C.
      • Play in a cool room - temperatures above 28°C will speed up the heating of the device.

    On devices with processors Snapdragon (for example, Snapdragon 720G or 865), you can enable the mode Performance Mode through the engineering menu (code ##4636## → Battery information → select Performance). However, this method does not work on all firmware.

    CPU temperature Consequences Solution
    35-40°C Normal operation Nothing required
    40-45°C Slight decrease in FPS Reduce graphics or use a cooler
    45-50°C Strong throttling, jerking Stop playing for 10-15 minutes
    50°C+ Automatic shutdown Allow the device to cool for 30+ minutes

    7. System optimization via ADB (without root)

    Using Android Debug Bridge (ADB) you can change hidden system settings that affect game performance. This method does not require root access, but requires a connection to a PC.

    What can be done via ADB:

    • 🔧 Disable animation (speeds up the system response): 
      adb shell settings put global window_animation_scale 0

      adb shell settings put global transition_animation_scale 0
      

      adb shell settings put global animator_duration_scale 0

    • ⚡ Force use 4x MSAA (smoothing, improves graphics without a drop in FPS on some devices): 
      adb shell settings put global force_4x_msaa 1

      To disable: replace 1 with 0.

    • 🎮 Change game process priority (increases FPS stability): 
      adb shell renice -20 [Game PID]

      To find out PIDuse the command adb shell ps | grep [game name].

    How to connect to ADB:

    1. Download Platform Tools from the official website Android Developers.
    2. Enable USB debugging in the developer menu.
    3. Connect your smartphone to the PC and run command: 
      adb devices

      If the device is displayed, you can enter commands from the list above.

    ⚠️ Attention: The command force_4x_msaa may cause graphic artifacts in some games. Test its impact on performance in each specific case.
    How to return the default ADB settings?

    To reset all changes, do:

    adb shell settings reset global

    or disable and enable USB debugging.

    8. Alternative methods: cloud gaming and emulators

    If your smartphone is too weak for modern games (for example, Snapdragon 4xx or Mediatek Helio A22), consider alternative methods:

    Cloud gaming:

    • 🎮 NVIDIA GeForce NOW — supports Fortnite, Cyberpunk 2077 other AAA projects. Requires stable Internet (minimum 15 Mbit/s).
    • ☁️ Xbox Cloud Gaming - available by subscription Game Pass Ultimate, works on any Android 6.0+.
    • 🖥️ Boosteroid - Russian service with low Internet requirements (from 10 Mbit/s).

    Emulators for weak PCs (if it is impossible to play on a phone):

    • 🖥️ BlueStacks 5 (light version) - optimized for games like Clash of Clans or Brawl Stars.
    • 🎮 LDPlayer — better suited for shooters (PUBG, Call of Duty).
    • ⚡ MuMu Player - supports 120 FPS in some games.

    For cloud gaming it is important:

    • Use 5 GHz Wi-Fi or Ethernet (via USB adapter).
    • Connect a gamepad (Xbox Controller or DualShock) for comfortable control.
    • Close all background applications on your smartphone to minimize ping.
    ⚠️ Attention: Cloud services may be blocked by some providers. If the game is lagging, try using a VPN (for example, Warp from Cloudflare).

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about accelerating games on Android

    Can I speed up the game if I only have 2 GB of RAM?

    Yes, but the effect will be limited. Concentrate on:

    • Clearing the cache and game data.
    • Using minimal graphic settings (Smooth/Low).
    • Disabling all background processes through Greenify.

    The FPS increase will be 5-15%, but you should not expect a dramatic improvement - for modern games 2 GB of RAM is critically low.

    Will there be a ban in PUBG Mobile if you use the GFX Tool?

    GFX Tool does not change game files, but only adjusts the graphics configuration through legal methods However:

    • If you use unofficial modifications GFX Tool (with cheats), there is a risk of a ban.
    • In PUBG Mobile it is prohibited to change FPS higher 90 on devices that do not support this in hardware.
    • Shadow ban (limiting matches with bots) is possible with frequent configuration changes.

    We recommend using only the official version GFX Tool for PUBG from Google Play.

    Why did the game slow down even more after clearing the cache?

    This can happen for two reasons:

    1. The game rebuilds the cache —after cleaning, it reloads textures and shaders, which temporarily loads the processor. Wait 5-10 minutes, the brakes should disappear.
    2. The graphics settings have been reset —some games (for example, Genshin Impact) reset user presets after cleaning. cache. Go to the settings and set the parameters again.

    If the brakes persist, try reinstalling the game.

    How to check how much FPS the game produces on my phone?

    There are several ways:

    • Built-in FPS counter:
      • V PUBG Mobile: Settings → Graphics → FPS counter.
      • V Call of Duty Mobile: Settings → Advanced → Show FPS.
    • Third-Party applications:
      • GameBench —a professional tool for testing FPS.
      • FPS Meter —a lightweight overlay for displaying frames per second.
    • Via ADB: 
      adb shell dumpsys gfxinfo [game name]

      This command will display detailed rendering statistics.

    Normal values:

    • 30 FPS —the minimum acceptable value for shooters.
    • 60 FPS —optimal for most games.
    • 90+ FPS —achievable only on flagships s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or Dimensity 9000.

    Do “gaming phones” (for example, Black Shark or ROG Phone) help without root?

    Yes, but not as much as they advertise. Advantages of gaming smartphones:

    • 🔥 Better cooling — built-in fans or liquid cooling reduce throttling.
    • ⚡ Dedicated gaming chips (for example, Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 v Black Shark 5 Pro) give +10-15% FPS compared to standard flagships.
    • 🎮 Additional triggers - physical buttons on the body reduce input lag.
    • 🔋 Large battery (5000-6000 mAh) allows you to play longer without recharging.

    However, even on gaming phones without root you will not be able to:

    • Overclock the processor above standard frequencies.
    • Completely disable system services (for example, Google Play Services).
    • Use modified kernels to improve performance.

    Conclusion: gaming phones give a 15-25% increase compared to regular flagships, but do not replace root optimization.