How to speed up the performance of games on Android: from settings to hardware tricks

Mobile games on Android are becoming more and more demanding: ray tracing, 4K textures and 120 FPS —not for a long time luxury, but a standard for top projects. But even on flagship smartphones, a year or two after release, frame drops and overheating begin. And what can we say about budget devices, where stuttering, frame drops and overheating. And what can we say about budget devices, where Genshin Impact or Call of Duty: Mobile turn into a slide show?

The problem is not always “weak hardware”. Most often, unoptimized graphics settings, outdated software, or even background processes, unoptimized graphics settings, outdated software, or even hidden manufacturer restrictionsthat artificially “choke” the processor during games are to blame. This guide will tell you how to speed up games on any device, from 10 proven methods speed up games on any Android-device, from Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra to Redmi Note 12. Without root access, without the risk of “bricking” the phone and taking into account the features of modern chipsets (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Dimensity 9300, Exynos 2400).

Important: some methods require developer mode or third-party utilities. If you have never entered Settings → About phone → Number assembly , do not be alarmed, we will analyze each step in detail. And for those who are already “advanced” users, at the end of the article there is bonus section with fine tuning GPU and CPU through ADB.

1. Cleaning the system: why 80% of lags are not due to the game

The first thing you need to do is free up RAM and close background applications. Yes, it's trivial, but it works in 8 out of 10 cases. The fact is that Android by default it keeps in RAM even those apps that you have not used for days. And games like PUBG Mobile or Honor of Kings require at least 3-4 GB of free memory for stable operation.

How to check? Open Settings → Applications → Running (on some firmware - Recent applications). If there are more than 15–20 processes - system clogged with garbage. But simply closing them with a cross is not enough: Android it will immediately load them back. You need to act more radically:

• 🧹 Disable autostart. Go to Settings → Applications → Three dots → Special access → Autostart and disable everything except instant messengers and system utilities.
• 🔄 Use "Easy Mode". Xiaomi, Realme i Oppo has a built-in function Battery → Performance Mode → Gamingthat prioritizes resources for games.
• 🗑️ Clear cache. In the same section Applications find the game that is slowing down and click Storage → Clear cache. Do not clear data - it will reset progress!
• 🛡️ Delete "junk" applications. Antiviruses (Clean Master, 360 Security), optimizers (DU Speed Booster) and other "accelerators" themselves eat up to 30% of resources.

⚠️ Attention: If after clearing the cache the game beginning longer to load is normal. The cache speeds up restarts, but if it is damaged, it causes lags. After 2-3 sessions everything will return to normal.

2. Graphics settings: balance between beauty and FPS

Many games are automatically selected maximum settings graphics, even if your smartphone can’t handle them. For example, Genshin Impact on Redmi Note 11 by default sets 60 FPS and Medium textures, although for stable operation you need to reduce to 30 FPS and Low shadows.

How to find the optimal balance? Use built-in benchmarks or third-party tools like GameBench (free for Android). They show real FPSheating and processor load. General recommendations:

Some games (for example, PUBG Mobile) allow fix FPS at a certain value. This is useful if you unstable drawdowns (for example, from 60 to 45 frames). It is better to install 40 FPS and get a smooth picture than to constantly watch jerks.

⚠️ Attention: Settings HDR i ray tracing on weak devices can lead to critical overheating i throttling (automatic performance degradation). If the phone case becomes hot (more than 45°C), immediately reduce the graphics.

Set the FPS limit in the game settings|Disable unnecessary effects (fog, reflections)|Check the processor temperature (use CPU Monitor)|Close all background applications-->

3. Performance mode: Android's hidden features

In Android 12 and newer there is a hidden "Performance mode"that prioritizes resources for games. But by default it is disabled or does not work at full capacity. To activate it:

1. Enable developer mode (click on Build number 7 times in Settings → About phone).
2. Go in Settings → System → Developer Mode.
3. Find options:
   • Do not turn off the screen while charging (useful for long sessions).
   • Background processes → Standard limit (will reduce the load on RAM).
   • Animation of windows/transitions → Off (will speed up the interface).
   • Force enable 4x MSAA (only for weak devices, improves graphics for performance account).

On smartphones Samsung (firmware One UI) there is a separate section Game launcher (Settings → Device care → GamesThere you can:

• 🎮 Block notifications while playing.
• 🔋 Disable battery optimization for a specific game.
• 📶 Forced use of 5G/Wi-Fi 6 for online games.

On Xiaomi, POCO and Redmi similar functions are hidden in Settings → Accessibility → Game turboAnd owners ASUS ROG Phone or Black Shark available hardware triggers (physical buttons for overclocking).

4. Cooling: why overheating kills FPS

When the processor temperature exceeds 50–55°C, a forced reduction in clock frequency is triggered. As a result throttling — forced reduction in clock frequency. As a result FPS drops by 2-3 times, the game begins to “lag”. This is especially noticeable on chipsets Snapdragon 8xx (known for their heating) and Mediatek Dimensity.

How to deal with overheating:

• ❄️ Use a cooling pad (even the cheapest will reduce the temperature by 5-10°C).
• 🔌 Do not play while charging - this increases heating by 20-30%. If the battery is low, use game mode with charging limited to 80%.
• 🧊 Apply thermal paste (relevant for older devices where the factory paste has dried out). To do this, you need to disassemble the phone - if you are not sure, it is better to contact the service.
• 🌬️ Play in a ventilated area. An enclosed space (for example, under a blanket) impairs heat dissipation.

To monitor the temperature, use CPU Monitor or AIDA64. If the processor regularly heats up above 60°Cthis is critical signal you need to clean the device from dust or check the thermal interface.

⚠️ Attention: Do not use cold compresses or ice to cool the phone! A sudden change in temperature can cause condensation inside the case and damage the board.

5. Network optimization: how to reduce ping and lags in online games The optimal ping for competitions is

IN multiplayer games (Fortnite, Free Fire, League of Legends: Wild Rift) even minimal network delays (ping) can cost you a win. Optimal ping for competitions - less than 50 ms. If you have more than 100 ms, it's time to act.

First check the current ping:

ping google.com -n 20

(enter this command in Termux or on a PC).

How to reduce delays:

• 📶 Use 5G or Wi-Fi 6. On older routers (standard 802.11n), the ping is 30–50% higher.
• 🔌 Connect via cable (via USB-C to Ethernet adapter). This reduces the ping by 20–30 ms.
• 🌍 Select the nearest server. In the game settings there is usually an option Region - choose the one that is geographically closer.
• 🚫 Disable VPN. Even “gaming VPNs” like WTFast often increase ping.
• ⚡ Enable "Low Latency" mode in the router (if any). It's called QoS or Game Mode.

If you play on mobile data (4G/5G), try:

1. Switch to another operator (some have a consistently lower ping).
2. Disable VoLTE i VoWiFi in the SIM card settings.
3. Use the application Net Optimizer for traffic prioritization.

⚠️ Attention: Some providers artificially limit the speed for gamers (especially on unlimited plans). If the ping varies from 30 to 300 ms, check the tariff or contact support.

6. Updates and firmware: why the old version of Android slows down games

Manufacturers regularly release updates that optimize the performance of the processor and graphics accelerator. For example, in Android 14 we added support Vulkan 1.3, which gave an increase up to 20% FPS in games by Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

How to check the relevance of the firmware:

1. Go to Settings → System → Software update.
2. If an update is available, install it. But not via mobile data (risk of interrupting the download).
3. After the update, do reboot and check the performance in the game.

If there are no official updates, but the phone is old (for example, Samsung Galaxy S10), you can consider custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience. They are often better optimized for gaming. But there are risks:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty.
• ⚠️ Possible bugs with the camera or sensors.
• ⚠️ The need to unlock the bootloader (bootloader).

To install custom firmware you will need:

1. Unlock OEM Unlock in the developer settings.
2. Install TWRP Recovery.
3. Download the firmware from the official website (for example, LineageOS).
4. Make a data backup (Nandroid backup).

⚠️ Attention: On some devices (Xiaomi, Huawei) unlocking the bootloader erases all data, including photos and messages. Always make a backup copy!

7. Hardware tricks: overclocking and undervolting

For advanced users there are ways to get the most out of hardware. But they require root access or ADBcommands. If you are a beginner, skip this section.

Overclocking CPU/GPU increases the clock frequency, but reduces the service life of the chip. Undervolting (voltage reduction), on the contrary, reduces heating and increases battery life. To do this you will need:

• 🔧 Kernel Auditor (for the core) or EX Kernel Manager.
• 📊 ThrottleStop (for Intel-chips, if you have Android-x86).
• 🔌 ADB for commands like:

  adb shell su -c "echo 'performance' > /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_governor"

Example of safe settings for Snapdragon 888 (tested on OnePlus 9 Pro):

Warning: Incorrect settings can lead to to:

• 🔥 Overheating and turning off the phone.
• 🔋 Rapid battery drain.
• 💥 Loss of warranty.

adb shell su -c "echo 'ondemand' > /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/scaling_governor"

8. Alternative methods: from cloud gaming to emulators

If your smartphone doesn't work at all has modern games, there are workarounds:

• ☁️ Cloud gaming (Xbox Cloud Gaming, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Boosteroid). Consumes few resources, but requires stable Internet (from 15 Mbit/s).
• 🖥️ Android emulators on PC (BlueStacks, LDPlayer). If you have a weak phone, but a powerful computer, transfer the game there.
• 🎮 Game controllers (Razer Kishi, Gamesir X3). Reduce the load on the touch screen and improve control.
• 🔄 Reduce screen resolution. There is an option in the developer settings Minimum width —set 360 dp to reduce the load on the GPU.

For cloud gaming important:

• Use 5G or Wi-Fi 6.
• Connect a gamepad (Xbox or DualSense).
• Select a server with minimal ping ( GeForce NOW there is a test speed).

Disadvantages of cloud gaming:

• 💰 Paid (from 300 rubles/month).
• 📶 Dependence on the Internet (if the signal is bad - lags).
• 🕒 Limited session time (in free tariffs).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about speeding up games on Android