How to Use Pixel Game Dashboard and Optimize Gaming Performance — Step‑by‑Step Guide

 

Google Pixel phones come with a built-in Game Dashboard, designed to enhance your gaming experience by offering tools like FPS counters, screen recording, notifications blocking, and performance boosters. This guide walks you through every feature and shows how to optimize your Pixel for smooth gaming.

---

1. Enable Game Dashboard

Before using any gaming features, make sure Game Dashboard is enabled.

Steps:

1. Open Settings → Apps → See all apps → Game Dashboard → Enable

2. Alternatively, during a game launch, you may see a Game Dashboard prompt — tap Enable

Menu path:
Settings → Apps → See all apps → Game Dashboard → Toggle ON

✅ Benefit: Activates the overlay with gaming tools for every supported game.

---

2. Access Game Dashboard in a Game

Steps:

1. Launch a compatible game

2. Swipe from the corner or tap the floating Game Dashboard icon

3. The dashboard appears, displaying:

   • FPS counter

   • Performance settings

   • Screen recording / screenshot options

   • Notifications and Do Not Disturb toggle

Menu path:
Open game → Tap floating Game Dashboard icon

💡 Tip: The icon may be moved or customized via Settings → Game Dashboard → Dashboard position.

---

3. Monitor FPS and Game Performance

Steps:

1. In Game Dashboard, tap FPS counter

2. Choose overlay style (numbers only or graph)

3. Observe performance while playing to detect lag spikes

Menu path:
Game Dashboard → FPS counter → Select style

✅ Benefit: Helps identify resource-heavy games or settings that may cause stuttering.

---

4. Use Performance Mode for Boost

Pixel allows temporary performance boosts to reduce lag:

Steps:

1. Open Game Dashboard → Performance mode

2. Options include:

   • Standard: Default performance

   • High performance: Uses max CPU/GPU

   • Battery saver: Reduces performance for longer gaming sessions

Menu path:
Game Dashboard → Performance mode → Choose mode

💡 Tip: Use High performance for competitive games and Battery saver for casual play.

---

5. Record Gameplay or Take Screenshots

Steps:

1. Open Game Dashboard → Screen record / Screenshot

2. Tap Start recording

3. Stop recording via floating overlay when finished

Menu path:
Game Dashboard → Screen record → Start / Stop
Game Dashboard → Screenshot → Tap to capture

✅ Benefit: Capture gameplay for streaming or review without third-party apps.

---

6. Manage Notifications & Do Not Disturb

Prevent interruptions during gameplay:

Steps:

1. Open Game Dashboard → Do Not Disturb

2. Toggle ON to silence notifications

3. Allow exceptions (e.g., calls from favorite contacts) if needed

Menu path:
Game Dashboard → Do Not Disturb → Toggle ON

💡 Tip: Reduces stuttering caused by pop-ups or system alerts.

---

7. Optimize Battery While Gaming

Gaming drains battery quickly; Pixel offers features to balance power and performance:

Steps:

1. Open Game Dashboard → Battery optimization

2. Options:

   • High performance: Maximum FPS, more battery consumption

   • Balanced: Moderate performance and battery usage

   • Battery saver: Longer playtime with reduced FPS

Menu path:
Game Dashboard → Battery optimization → Choose mode

✅ Tip: Use battery saver mode during long gaming sessions to avoid overheating and preserve phone health.

---

8. Limit Background Apps for Smoother Gaming

Background apps can slow down games. Restrict them for optimized performance:

Steps:

1. Settings → Apps → See all apps → [App] → Battery → Background restriction → Restrict

2. Repeat for non-essential apps before starting a gaming session

💡 Tip: Combine with Battery Saver for maximum efficiency.

---

9. Customize Game Dashboard Settings

Pixel allows full customization of the dashboard:

Steps:

1. Open Settings → Apps → See all apps → Game Dashboard → Settings

2. Options include:

   • Dashboard position on screen

   • Visible tools (FPS counter, recording, notifications)

   • Quick access gestures

Menu path:
Settings → Apps → See all apps → Game Dashboard → Settings → Customize

✅ Benefit: Reduces distractions and improves gameplay usability.

---

10. Troubleshooting Common Game Dashboard Issues

• Dashboard not appearing:
  Settings → Apps → See all apps → Game Dashboard → Enable

• Lag during recording: Use Performance mode → High performance and close background apps

• Battery drain: Switch to Battery saver mode or reduce screen brightness

💡 Tip: Restart your Pixel if the dashboard fails after updates.

---

11. Quick Reference Table

---

Conclusion

The Pixel Game Dashboard is a powerful tool to enhance gaming by providing FPS monitoring, performance modes, screen recording, notifications control, and battery optimization. By following these step-by-step instructions:

• Enable and access the Game Dashboard

• Monitor FPS and adjust performance modes

• Record gameplay and take screenshots

• Manage notifications and optimize battery

• Limit background apps and customize dashboard settings

…you can enjoy a smooth, distraction-free gaming experience on your Google Pixel phone.

✅ Proper use of the Game Dashboard ensures maximum FPS, minimal lag, and longer gaming sessions without battery drain.

---

Related AvNexo Guides

---