Mobile e-sports disciplines require maximum image smoothness, and Brawl Stars is no exception. For many players, the difference between the standard 60 frames per second and higher values becomes the decisive factor in victory, especially in modes with high combat dynamics. However, developers from Supercell artificially limit the frame refresh rate on most mobile devices to ensure the stability of the application and uniform heating of the gadgets.
Getting the treasured 120 FPS on the platform Android is possible, but this process is associated with certain technical difficulties and risks. There are several methods for unlocking high frequency: from built-in developer settings to using specialized software that changes the game's configuration files. It is important to understand that each method has its own consequences for guaranteeing the device and the security of the game account.
In this guide, we will analyze in detail all the available methods for increasing performance, assess their effectiveness and potential threats. You will find out which smartphone models support high Hertz out of the box, and which ones will require deep software modification. Before you take action, weigh the pros and cons, as violating the rules of the game can lead to irreversible consequences.
Technical requirements and device compatibility
The first and most important requirement for achieving high frame rates is having the appropriate hardware. The screen of your smartphone must physically support the refresh rate 90 Hz or 120 Hz. If the device’s display is limited to the 60 Hz standard, no software manipulations will be able to bring the image beyond this limit, since the matrix simply does not have time to draw extra frames.
In addition to the screen, the processor and graphics accelerator play a critical role. Stable generation of 120 frames per second in a 3D environment requires significant computing resources. Flagship chipsets from Qualcomm Snapdragon series 8 or modern solutions from MediaTek Dimensity cope with this task effectively, while budget processors can cause overheating and throttling, which will lead to a drop in performance below the base 60 FPS.
⚠️ Attention: Even if your smartphone has 120Hz screen, the game may not automatically activate this mode. Developers often whitelist devices that allow high frame rates, and many powerful phones may not be on this list.
It's also worth considering power consumption. Operating at extreme frequencies drains the battery much faster and increases the temperature of the case. Make sure your device's cooling system is capable of dissipating heat during long gaming sessions, otherwise the system will automatically reduce brightness and performance to protect components.
Built-in settings and developer mode
Before resorting to third-party software, you must exhaust all legal options for setting up the system. Sometimes high frame rates are only blocked by a software limitation in the developer menu. To access these settings, go to the Settings section of your device, find the item About phone and quickly tap on the build number several times until a notification appears that you have become a developer.
After activating the hidden menu, go to the section For developers and find the option related to refresh rate or animations. On some devices, for example from brands Xiaomi or OnePlus, it is possible to force the maximum frequency for all applications. However, in the case of Brawl Stars this method often turns out to be ineffective, since the game engine itself has an internal limit.
There is another legal way - checking the settings inside the game itself. Go to the Brawl Stars settings menu, section Graphics. If your device is officially supported, there should be a switch High Frame Rate or the option to choose between 30, 60 and 90/120 frames. The absence of such a slider means that the game server did not recognize your device as compatible.
If the frame rate slider does not appear, try clearing the game cache or reinstalling the application after updating the GPU drivers through the Play Market.
Sometimes changing the screen resolution in the system settings helps. Lowering the resolution can reduce the load on the GPU, which will theoretically allow the game to run smoother, although it is not guaranteed to unlock the 120 FPS limit. Experiment with the parameters Smallest width in the developer menu, but do it carefully so as not to interfere with the readability of the interface.
Use of third-party launchers and configurators
The most common method of bypassing restrictions is to use special configuration files that replace the device data sent to the game. Such utilities are often called “mod menus” or “FPS configurators”. They are editing the file preferences or they introduce libraries that make the game think that it is running on a supported flagship device.
The installation process usually looks like this: the user downloads the APK file of the modified launcher, installs it on top of the original game or as a separate application. Inside the interface of such a app, the desired FPS value is selected, after which the game client is launched. Popular tools in this segment are various versions GFX Tool and specialized scripts for Termux.
⚠️ Attention: The use of any modified clients or third-party launchers violates the Supercell terms of use. This may result in temporary or permanent blocking of your account without the possibility of recovery.
It is important to understand the technical difference between actual frame generation and frame interpolation. Some applications do not increase engine performance, but only create artificial intermediate frames. This may make the picture visually smoother, but it will not reduce input lag, which is critical for competitive gaming. The real performance boost comes only from changing the game's internal timers.
How do configurators work?
They change the lines in the game configuration files that are responsible for determining the device model. The game sees that it is running on a whitelisted device and unlocks hidden graphics settings.
When searching for such tools on the Internet, be extremely careful. Many sites distribute malware under the guise of useful utilities that can steal data from your Google account or payment system. Download files only from trusted communities and always scan them with an antivirus before installation.
Risks of blocking and account security
Game profile security should come first when trying to optimize. Anti-cheat system Brawl Stars is constantly being improved and is able to detect discrepancies between the stated characteristics of the device and real performance indicators. If the server detects that the client is sending data about 120 frames, although the device does not officially support this mode, this becomes a trigger for verification.
Penalties from developers can range from resetting progress in the current season to completely blocking the account (ban). Cases where the modification provides not only a visual advantage, but also affects the game mechanics, for example, removing attack animation delays, are especially severely punished. Statistics show that massive waves of bans often occur after major game updates, when communication protocols with the server change.
| Method of increasing FPS | Risk of blocking | Difficulty of setting up | Operation stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official setting | None | Low | High |
| Developer settings | Minimum | Average | Average |
| Third-party configurators | High | High | Low |
| root access and kernel mods | Critical | Very high | Unstable |
If you still decide to take a risk, use a secondary account for testing, on which you don’t mind losing progress. Never use questionable methods on your main profile, where real money or a lot of time is invested. Remember that the advantage in picture smoothness may not be worth the loss of all the trophies and fighters received.
The safest way is to wait for the developers to officially add support for your device. Any workarounds carry the risk of losing your account.
Alternative methods for optimizing performance
Instead of risky methods of unlocking 120 FPS, which may not provide any real benefit, it is better to focus on stabilizing the current 60 frames. Frequent drops to 30-40 FPS are felt much more painful than the absence of extra frames. System optimization allows you to achieve smooth graphics performance, which is more important for responsive controls.
Free up RAM before starting the game. Close all background applications, including instant messengers and browsers. On devices with shells MIUI or OneUI you can enable the "Game Center" or "Game Booster" mode, which prioritizes processor resources for the game and disables unnecessary services.
- 🧹 Clear the system and game cache through the storage settings to remove temporary files that slow down loading textures.
- 🌡️ Remove the case from your phone while playing if it interferes with cooling, or use an external cooler for your smartphone.
- ⚡ Turn off the power-saving mode, which artificially lowers the processor clock speed and limits the screen brightness.
It’s also worth checking in-game graphics settings. Try lowering the texture quality or disabling shadows. Visually, this may be almost invisible in the dynamics of the battle, but the load on GPU will be reduced significantly, which will prevent throttling and provide stable 60 FPS even in intense moments of battle with many effects.
☑️ Optimization checklist before the match
Comparison of devices and real tests
Not all devices labeled “120 Hz” show the same result in Brawl Stars. Test results show that even within the same manufacturer, different models behave differently. For example, gaming smartphones from ASUS ROG Phone or RedMagic often have official support for high frame rates due to partnerships with developers or special driver optimizations.
Chip-based devices Exynos from Samsung have historically been less optimized for emulation and heavy games compared to their counterparts Snapdragon. It is more difficult for owners of such gadgets to achieve stable high performance without overheating. At the same time, new flagships from Xiaomi i OnePlus often receive support for 90/120 FPS in games faster thanks to the active work of the community and the presence of “Performance” modes in the shell.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and names of settings may differ depending on the version Android and shell manufacturer. If you do not find the item described, check the official information for your phone model.
When choosing a new smartphone solely for gaming, you should pay attention not only to the Hertz screen, but also to the quality of the cooling system. A passive radiator is often not enough to sustain high frequencies for more than 15 minutes. Active cooling or the ability to connect an external cooler attachment will be a decisive factor for long-term gameplay at maximum settings.
Why do some phones have 120 FPS, but not others?
The developers are testing the game on a limited fleet of devices. Adding support for each model requires time and resources, so priority is given to the most popular flagships.
Is it possible to get a ban for using the GFX Tool for 120 FPS?
Yes, there is a possibility of a ban. Supercell regularly conducts sweeps and uses automatic systems to detect modified clients. Although some players have been using such tools for years without problems, the risk of being blocked is always real, especially after major security updates.
Does 120 FPS affect your advantage in combat?
Yes, a high frame rate reduces the delay between pressing a button and displaying the action on the screen (input lag). This allows you to react faster to enemy movements and aim more accurately, which can be a decisive factor in a high-level game.
Why does the game reset graphics settings after a restart?
This happens if you use unofficial methods of changing configs. When launched, the game checks the integrity of the files with the server and returns default values if it detects a discrepancy. To save the settings, you need to constantly launch it through a third-party launcher.
Do you need root access to enable 120 FPS?
Not always. Many modern configurators work without superuser rights, using access to shared folders or implementation methods through accessibility (Accessibility). However, obtaining root access gives deeper control over the system and allows you to modify system files for forced rooting.
Will a high frame rate worsen battery life?
Significantly. Running the processor and screen at 120 Hz consumes 20-30% more energy compared to 60 Hz. Battery life in the game may be reduced from 4-5 hours to 2-3 hours depending on the battery capacity.