When you play a mobile game, nothing is more frustrating than sudden lag or choppy frame rates. Every second matters, especially in fast-paced games like BGMI, Free Fire, or Call of Duty Mobile. Smooth gameplay makes the experience more enjoyable, but lag can slow down responses, cause delays, and ruin your match.
Many gamers assume their device is at fault, but there are several ways to fix lag and boost FPS without upgrading to a new phone. This guide covers every method you can use to make your mobile games run smoother.
What Causes Lag and Low FPS in Mobile Games?
Lag and low FPS can come from multiple factors. If you understand the reasons behind them, it becomes easier to fix the issue. The most common causes include background apps consuming system resources, overheating that leads to performance throttling, and full storage slowing down system operations.
Network issues like weak Wi-Fi or mobile data signals often cause lag in multiplayer games, which makes movements appear delayed. High graphics settings can also put excessive strain on hardware, and outdated software may not be optimized for smooth gameplay. Battery health also plays a role, as older or weaker batteries can cause occasional lag due to inconsistent power delivery.
To solve these issues, different techniques are required. Some solutions involve changing device settings, while others require external optimizations like using a better internet connection or cooling methods. Let’s explore them in detail.
Optimizing Your Device for Gaming
One of the most effective ways to improve FPS and reduce lag is by freeing up system resources. Many people unknowingly run multiple background apps, which drain RAM and processing power. Before starting a game, clear all unnecessary applications. Social media apps, browsers, and background processes take up valuable memory. Using a Lite version of some apps also helps, as they use fewer resources.
You should adjust the animation settings of your phone to boost performance. On Android, you can enter Developer Options and reduce the animation scale to 0.5x or turn them off entirely. This makes transitions smoother and frees up processing power for gaming.
Another critical aspect is storage space. If your phone’s internal storage is nearly full, it can slow down system operations, leading to lag. Delete unnecessary files, move large media files to cloud storage, and regularly clear cached data. It is important to keep at least 20% of storage free so the system runs smoothly. Storage management helps those who often download large game files, in-game content, or redeem rewards from promotions such as free Xbox gift cards, which may include extra downloadable content.
Adjusting Graphics Settings for Better FPS
Most mobile games provide customizable graphics settings. If your game lags, try lowering the settings to reduce strain on the processor and GPU. Instead of using the highest graphics mode, select “Balanced” or “Low” settings. Shadows, reflections, and particle effects take up considerable resources, so turning them off can provide a significant boost in FPS. You can improve smoothness by lowering the screen resolution in games that allow it. You should turn off features like motion blur and anti-aliasing because they reduce unnecessary strain on the device. While they enhance visual quality, they demand additional processing power. If your game has a high FPS mode, only enable it if your device can sustain a stable frame rate. A fluctuating FPS is worse than a lower but stable FPS.
Keeping Your Phone Cool to Prevent FPS Drops
Overheating is a major cause of performance throttling. When a device gets too hot, the system lowers processing power to avoid damage. This results in lag and FPS drops. To prevent this, play in a cool environment and avoid direct sunlight. You should remove the phone case while gaming because it improves airflow. You can also use an external cooling fan or cooling pad to maintain lower temperatures.
You should avoid playing games while charging because it generates excessive heat. If possible, avoid playing when your device is plugged in. Long gaming sessions should also include breaks, as running a phone at high temperatures for extended periods weakens performance.
Using Game Mode and Performance Enhancements
Most modern smartphones have built-in Game Mode or Performance Mode features that optimize system resources for gaming. These settings improve CPU and GPU allocation, close background apps, and limit non-gaming processes. To enable this feature, go to Settings and find Game Mode or Performance Mode.
Game boosters can also enhance performance by clearing RAM and blocking notifications. Many brands, including Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Asus, have dedicated gaming optimization features. If your phone lacks one, third-party apps like Game Booster 4x Faster and Gamers GLTool offer similar benefits.
Improving Network Connection for Online Games
For online games, lag is often caused by network delays. You should use Wi-Fi instead of mobile data because it provides a more stable connection. If possible, position yourself closer to the router to avoid weak signals. Switching to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network instead of 2.4 GHz reduces interference and offers faster speeds.
Avoid network congestion by preventing other devices from streaming videos or downloading large files while you play. You should turn off VPNs because it can improve latency unless you are using a gaming-optimized VPN. You can also switch to a custom DNS like Google DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) for lower ping and a more stable connection.
Keeping Your Software Updated
Outdated games or system software often contain bugs and performance issues. You should update both the game and your operating system to get the latest optimizations and fixes. Visit Settings > Software Update to check for new versions. You should always keep your apps updated from the Play Store or App Store to avoid compatibility problems.
You should restart your phone after installing updates because it helps apply changes properly. You can find useful information in patch notes released by developers. These notes often highlight performance improvements and help you understand the impact of updates on your favorite games.
Other Small Adjustments That Can Make a Big Difference
You can make a big difference in gaming performance with a few simple tweaks. If you restart your phone at least once a day, it clears temporary files and refreshes system memory. You should disable auto-sync and background app refresh for non-essential apps to free up processing power. When you are not gaming, activating battery saver mode helps extend battery life and keeps the system running smoothly.
You can fine-tune performance on Android by using Developer Options. When you limit background processes, force GPU rendering, and disable automatic updates during gaming, you can reduce interruptions and maintain stable FPS.
Conclusion
A smooth gaming experience does not require an expensive phone. If you follow the strategies in this guide, you can reduce lag and improve FPS without spending money on an upgrade. Managing system resources, fine-tuning graphics settings, enabling Game Mode, taking care of battery health, and using a strong internet connection all help improve gameplay.
Many performance issues come from simple factors like background apps, overheating, or slow networks. Fixing these problems can result in major improvements. Try these solutions and see the difference in your gaming experience. If this guide helped, share it with others and let us know what worked best for you.