Table of Contents
Prerequisites
Before we get started, here are a few things you’ll need to check:
- Root access (for rooted devices): Some methods only work if your device is rooted.
- Download necessary apps: You’ll need apps like SetCPU, Kernel Adiutor, or No-frills CPU Control to make these changes.
- Device compatibility: Not all devices or kernels allow changing CPU governors. Double-check to make sure your device supports it.
Change CPU Governor Settings with Root
If your phone is rooted, you have a lot more control over its CPU settings. You can tweak how the CPU behaves, making your phone faster when needed or conserving battery life during lighter use.
Install a CPU Control App
To get started, you’ll need a CPU control app that allows you to adjust the governor settings. Popular choices include SetCPU, Kernel Adiutor, or No-frills CPU Control. These apps make it easy to change the settings without needing to dig through complicated menus.
Once the app is installed, you’re ready to start fine-tuning your CPU settings.
Open the App and Allow Root Permissions
When you first open the app, it will ask for root access. Make sure to grant it, as root permission is required to make changes to the CPU. Once inside the app, navigate to the CPU Governor section. This is where you’ll see a list of options for how your CPU behaves.
Pick the Right CPU Governor for Your Needs
You’ll see different governors, each designed for a specific purpose. Here’s a quick look at what you can choose:
- Interactive: Great for a good balance between speed and battery life.
- Ondemand: It speeds up when needed and slows down when idle, saving battery.
- Performance: Keeps the CPU running at full speed, best for gaming but drains the battery quickly.
- Powersave: Keeps the CPU at the lowest speed to extend battery life.
Once you know what you want—whether it’s more speed or longer battery life—pick the governor that works best for you.
Apply and Save the Settings
After selecting your CPU governor, apply the changes. Most apps will have an option to set on boot, which means your settings will stay even after restarting the device. If you don’t do this, the settings will go back to default when you reboot your phone.
Change CPU Governor Settings Without Root
Don’t have a rooted device? No worries. While you won’t have the same level of control, there are still some things you can do to manage how your CPU performs.
Install a CPU Monitoring App
To monitor and make small adjustments, you can install apps like CPU-Z or 3C Toolbox. These apps won’t let you change CPU governors directly without root access, but they do help you track how your CPU is performing.
Enable Developer Options
If you haven’t enabled Developer Options on your phone yet, now is the time. Here’s how you can do it:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on About Phone.
- Find Build Number and tap it seven times until you see “You are now a developer!”
Once you’ve unlocked Developer Options, go back to the main settings menu, and you’ll find a new section called Developer Options.
Adjust Performance Settings in Developer Options
Inside Developer Options, look for performance-related settings. Some phones let you toggle between Balanced, Power-saving, and High-performance modes. While this doesn’t give you full control over CPU governors, it can still help improve performance or battery life.
Changing your Android device’s CPU governor settings can help you get the best performance when you need it or extend your battery life for longer use. If your phone is rooted, you have complete control with the right apps. If it’s not rooted, you can still make some adjustments to improve how your device runs.