Displaying the number of frames per second (FPS) in mobile games on Android is a key tool for gamers, streamers and performance testers. Knowing the current FPS helps evaluate the smoothness of gameplay, identify lags and optimize graphics settings. However, not all games provide this information out of the box: in most cases, the frame counter is hidden in the developer menus or requires third-party utilities.

In this article we will examine 5 proven methods enable FPS display on Androiddevices - from standard functions of modern smartphones to specialized applications and engineering menus. We will pay special attention to the nuances of compatibility with different versions Android (from 10 to 14) and popular chipsets (Snapdragon, Mediatek, Exynos). You will also learn how to avoid common mistakes when activating the counter and why some methods may not work on custom firmware.

Before moving on to the instructions, make sure that on your device Developer mode is enabled - without it, most methods will not be available. If you don't know how to do this, find the "About phone" section in your phone settings and click on "Build number" 7 times.

1. Built-in FPS counter in games with GameTools support. data-i="49">(u

Many modern smartphones are based on chipsets Qualcomm Snapdragon (series 8xx, 7xx, 6xx) And Mediatek Dimensity (1000+) are equipped with proprietary utilities for gamers - GameTools (y Snapdragon) or Game Space (u Mediatek). These tools not only optimize performance, but also allow you to display FPS directly during the game.

To activate the counter:

  • 📱 Open the notification panel during the game and find the icon GameTools (or Game Space).
  • ⚙️ Click on it and select the item "Performance" or "FPS monitor".
  • 🔢 Turn on the "Show FPS" switch and select the position of the counter on the screen (usually the options are available: upper left/right corner).
  • 🎮 Return to the game - now the current FPS will be displayed in the selected corner (for example, 60 FPS or 120 FPS).

Please note: on some devices (for example, Xiaomi with processors Snapdragon) the function may be called Game Turbo and require additional configuration in the application of the same name. Also, the counter may automatically turn off in the background - this is normal behavior to save money. resources.

📊 What chipset is installed in your smartphone?
Qualcomm Snapdragon
Mediatek Dimensity/Helio
Samsung Exynos
Google Tensor
Other/I don’t know
⚠️ Attention: On devices with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience) built-in gaming utilities may be missing or not work correctly. In this case, use alternative methods from the following sections.

2. Using Developer Mode (ADB)

If your smartphone does not support GameTools, but works on Android 10 or later, you can enable FPS display. via developer settings using ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method is universal and works on most devices, including Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy and OnePlus.

You will need:

  • 🖥️ A computer with installed ADB tools (or Platform Tools from Android Studio).
  • 📱 Smartphone with USB debugging enabled (Settings → System → For Developers → USB Debugging).
  • 🔌 USB cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Connect your phone to the PC and confirm permission for debugging on the device screen.
  2. Open the command line (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and enter:
adb shell settings put global show_touches 1

adb shell settings put global show_surface_updates 1


adb shell settings put global show_fps 1

  1. Restart your smartphone.
  2. Launch the game - a panel with FPS data, frame time (ms) and other debugging information will appear in the upper right corner.

To turn off the display, run:

adb shell settings put global show_fps 0

Install Platform Tools on PC|

Enable USB debugging on the phone|

Connect the phone with the original cable|

Allow debugging on the smartphone screen-->

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (for example, MIUI from Xiaomi) command show_fps may not work. In this case, use an alternative method with the application GameBench (section 4).

3. Hidden engineering menus (for advanced ones). users)

Smartphone manufacturers often hide advanced performance settings in engineering menus. These menus allow you not only to view FPS, but also to test the operation of the GPU, CPU and memory. However, access to them requires knowledge of special codes or the use of applications like MTK Engineering Mode (for Mediatek) or Qualcomm Service Menu.

Examples of codes to enter the engineering menu:

Brand Code Note
Samsung #0# Test screen and sensors (FPS is displayed in the section GPU Test)
Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco ##4636## Testing menu, section Usage statistics
OnePlus ##36446337## Engineering menu (section Hardware Testing)
Mediatek ##36446337## or ##8255## Requires application MTK Engineering Mode

After entering the menu, find the section related to graphics (GPU, OpenGL ES or Performance). The current FPS, GPU load and other telemetry can be displayed here. Please note that the interface of the engineering menus varies greatly depending on the model and firmware version.

What happens if you change the settings in the engineering menu?

Some parameters in the engineering menus can lead to instability. device operation, overheating or even “breakdown” (firmware failure). For example, changing the GPU frequency without proper knowledge can cause artifacts on the screen or sudden reboots. Always write down the initial values before experiments!

4. Applications for monitoring FPS: GameBench and alternatives

If the built-in methods do not work, third-party applications come to the rescue. popular is GameBench a professional tool for benchmarking games that supports real-time FPS display. The application is paid (about $5 per month), but offers a free trial period.

How to use GameBench:

  1. Download the application from Google Play.
  2. Launch the game you want to test.
  3. Return to GameBench —the application will automatically detect the running game and start recording metrics.
  4. After the game session, open the report: there will be graphs of FPS, frame time, CPU/GPU load and temperature.

Free alternatives:

  • 📊 FPS Meter - simple counter with customizable display (required ROOT for some functions).
  • 🎯 Performance Monitor —shows FPS, RAM usage and temperature.
  • 🔍 CPU Monitor —displays FPS in notifications (does not work on all devices).
💡

If the FPS monitoring application does not show data, try disabling battery optimization for it in the Android settings (Settings → Applications → Special access → Battery optimization).

5. Displaying FPS via OBS Studio (for streamers)

If you stream gameplay from a Androiddevice to Twitch, YouTube or Trovo, you can display FPS directly in the broadcast using OBS Studio. This method is suitable for those who use screen capture via ADB or specialized apps like Scrcpy.

Instructions:

  1. Connect your smartphone to the PC and run Scrcpy (or other mirroring).
  2. In OBS Studio add the "Window Capture" source and select the window with screen broadcast.
  3. Add the "Text" source and configure it to display data from the file.
1. Install on your phone Termux and run the command:

pkg install termux-api


termux-battery-status | grep "temperature" > /sdcard/fps_log.txt


2. In OBS, add a text file with the path to fps_log.txt (updated in real time).

  • Use the plugin to display FPS OBS FPS Counter or configure the output via ADB:
    • adb shell dumpsys gfxinfo {game_package} | find "Draw"

    This method requires skills in working with ADB i OBS, but allows you to flexibly customize the appearance of the counter (font, color, position).You can read more about the settings in the official OBS documentation.

    Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

    The choice of FPS display method depends on your device, goals and technical skills Below is a comparison table with the pros and cons of each method:

    Method Pros Cons Does it require ROOT?
    GameTools Built into the system, does not require installation Does not work on everyone devices ❌ No
    ADB Universal, works on most Android Requires PC and USB debugging ❌ No
    Engineering menu Shows advanced telemetry Complicated interface, risk of failures ❌ No
    GameBench Professional analytics, charts Paid application ❌ No
    OBS + ADB Ideal for streams, flexible setup Complicated setup, requires a PC ❌ No

    For most users, the optimal solution will be a combination GameTools (if supported) and GameBench (for detailed analytics). If you are a streamer, be sure to master the method with OBS —it gives maximum flexibility in broadcast design.

    💡

    On devices with chipsets Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and newer, the built-in FPS counter GameTools supports display 1% low FPS i 0.1% low FPS —this helps to identify microlags that are invisible with standard monitoring.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about FPS monitoring on Android

    🔹 Why does FPS jump in the game even on a powerful smartphone?

    FPS fluctuations can be caused by:

    • 🔋 Thermal throttling (the processor reduces the frequency due to overheating).
    • 📶 Background processes (check active applications in Settings → Applications).
    • 🎨 Unoptimized graphics (lower game settings).
    • 🔄 Manufacturer restrictions (some brands artificially limit FPS to save battery).

    Use GameBenchto identify the specific cause.

    🔹 Is it possible to enable FPS without developer mode?

    Yes, but the choice of methods is limited:

    • Use GameBench or similar applications.
    • On some devices (for example ASUS ROG Phone), the counter is enabled through proprietary software without ADB.
    • If the game supports built-in benchmark (for example Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile), FPS can be displayed in test mode.

    However, for most methods developer mode is required.

    🔹 Why did the counter stop working after updating Android? FPS?

    This is a typical problem when upgrading to new versions Android (for example, from 12 to 13). Possible reasons:

    • 🔧 ADB-commands have changed (try adb shell settings put global force_fps 1).
    • 📱 The manufacturer has removed support GameTools in the new firmware.
    • 🔒 Updated security policies (for example, Samsung Knox may block debugging functions).

    Solution: check the current commands for your version Android on the forums (for example, XDA Developers).

    🔹 How to calibrate the FPS counter if it shows incorrect values?

    If the FPS in the counter does not match the actual smoothness of the game:

    1. Compare the readings with an external source (for example, screen recording in 60 FPS and slow playback).
    2. Update the monitoring application (bugs are fixed in new versions). GameBench bugs are fixed in new versions).
    3. Check whether the mode Force 4x MSAA (Settings → For developersis enabled in your phone settings - it can distort the data.
    4. For the ADBmethod, reset: adb shell settings delete global show_fps, then turn it on again.
    🔹 Is it harmful to constantly display FPS for a phone?

    The FPS counter itself is not harmful device, but:

    • 🔋 Increased power consumption: constant monitoring can reduce battery life by 5-15%.
    • 📈 Additional load on the GPU: some methods (for example, show_surface_updates) force the system to render additional layers.
    • 🚫 Conflicts with games: rare, but the counter can cause graphical artifacts in some games (for example, Call of Duty Mobile).

    Recommendation: enable FPS only when necessary (testing, streaming, searching for lags).