How to setup PUBG Mobile

How to setup PUBG Mobile

Choose your login wisely: You can playas a Guest,use Facebook,or Twitter to sign-in on PUBG Mobile. Facebook or Twitter means you have to connect to your account, but you can then sync your data, so you can switch to another phone or tablet without losing all your progress. 

Prepare your phone: PUBG Mobile is a demanding game and your phone needs to be at its best. Remove anything you don't need on it, quit all those other apps you might have running in the background. Turn off battery saver, turn off data savers, turn off night mode for the best experience. You might also want to turn off auto-brightness - it might dim the screen during the game so you can't see so well. Brighter = better.

Prepare your network: There's not so much you can do here, but for a lag-free experience, you need a good connection to the PUBG servers. The mobile network will often have a variable speed so it's Wi-Fi all the way. Test your network speed using something like Speedtest (Apple App Store, Google Play) and avoid trying to play when someone else is streaming 4K content.

Connect your headphones: PUBG Mobile has great audio and often the speakers on your phone won't do it justice. Connect your headphones for a more immersive experience - it also helps you pinpoint approaching enemy.

Welcome to the PUBG lobby 

When you start the game, you'll load to the lobby where you can change a full range of settings, select your game type, organise your friends, claim rewards and manage your inventory. 

How to pick your region server: Under the big start button you have a box to setup your game type, including the server. Tap here and on the right you'll the different servers. If you're trying to play on the North America server from elsewhere, you might just have a laggy experience, so check the ping, you're looking for a nice low number like 20ms. 

How to adjust the frame rate: Tap the settings cog in to the bottom bar on the right, then Graphics. Here you'll find frame rate. If things are looking choppy, you might want to select low. If you've a powerful phone, try high.

How to set the graphics level: You'll be prompted when you first sign-in, but you can adjust the PUBG Mobile graphics level too, to manage the detail. Higher is better as you can see more, but that can adversely affect performance. Have a play with this and frame rate, adjusting if the game doesn't run smoothly - but keep an eye on the ping too, to make sure it's not server lag. There's also an auto/balanced option - this will keep the game smooth and adjust the settings for you.

Engage HDR mode: Again, this option is in the graphics section, although to be honest we haven't seen a huge difference when it's engaged.

How to adjust the aiming reticule: Tap the settings cog in to the top right-hand corner, then Basic. Here you can change the colour of the crosshair. 

Turn on/off Aim Assist: How hard do you want the game to be? Aim Assist will help you hit the target if you're generally pointing the right way. It's in settings > basic.

Use the gyroscope on your phone to help aim: If your phone has a gyroscope, you can use motion to move in the game. The best option is to have it help aim when you're in the scope or using the sights of your weapon - then you can move the phone rather than having to use the joystick. It can be a lot faster and natural when you have to react quickly. Head into settings > basic and you'll find the option.

Top tip: These gaming settings above can be changed during the game, so you can switch on the fly and change if you don't like the results. Changing the graphics level requires a game restart, however.

How to get clothes on your character: You start in your underwear, but you can accumulate clothes in your inventory. You can buy clothing with real money in the Shop, or you can unlock clothes as you play by earning BP and opening crates. Some clothes are temporary, some you get to keep. There are always clothes in the game to pick up as you play. 

Turn off chat or adjust the mic volume: PUBG Mobile offers an in-game voice channel, with controls to turn off the mic or speaker for voice, or adjust the levels. In settings > audio, you'll find the controls. If you don't want to be listening to some fool's jibber-jabber, just turn it off. Once you start the game, you can also turn your own mic on/off as well as voice from other players. From version 6, you can silence a particular player, but you can't turn off text chat for your team.

Change the controls: This is a biggy. PUBG Mobile offers different controls for foot and vehicles and you can adjust both. Head into settings > controls or settings > vehicles and you'll find the options for defaults. 

Change the size or location of controls: Yes, you can also customise the in-game UI. In the controls area above, there's a "customise" option. In here you can setup different schemes, with the ability to change the transparency of the icons, the size and the location to suit your preferences. Just play the game a bit before you start moving them.

Set shotgun/crossbow/rifle to fire on release: You can select whether to fire some weapons on the tap on the display, or on release. You might notice that when you tap your aim moves slightly, setting to release means the aim point is likely to be more steady. However, that's less fun for quick shotgun action when you're in a fix.

PUBG Mobile gaming modes

There are an increasing number of ways to play PUBG Mobile, with each update bringing a new approach. While the Classic game remains the same, the Arcade mode has changed in many ways. Here's a breakdown of the current gaming modes in PUBG Mobile.

Everything here is accessed via the button under the start button - that's where you configure the game type you're going to play and how.

Select a different map: From version 10 onwards there are four maps - Erangel, Miramir, Sanhok and Vikendi. You'll find the option to select the map once you hit the game type button. If you select all, it will randomly pick one for you. Different maps have different terrain, sizes and some exclusive weapons or vehicles.

How to select Solo, Duo or Squad play: You can choose to play any of the game modes on your own, as a pair or in four-player squad, this option is just under the maps. There are daily missions for different types of games, so it's worth mixing it up. Sometimes you just want to destroy everyone, sometimes you'll want a squad. 

How to select first person or third person mode: The first person perspective (FPP) gives you a different view. At the top of the game mode selector you'll see the option for FPP or TPP (third-person perspective). Both gaming views are ranked separately, so make sure you play both.

How to find teammates speaking your language: This is a new addition from version 9. Rather than getting dumped with a team speaking a different language, there's now an option to select two languages as a preference. That will try to partner you up, so you can at least communicate easily. It's in the game mode selection area as above, but we've not found it particularly effective.

Classic mode

Select Classic for the longer 100 player game. This is the original PUBG Mobile experience, played with a full roster across the entire map. You can change the teams and the map for Classic games. We still think Classic is the best, with games taking about 25-30 minutes to complete (if you're a winner). 

Arcade modes

There are a range of Arcade modes: War, Quick Match, Sniper Training and Mini-Zone. You can have a random selection or choose which you want to play.

What is PUBG War? War mode is a continuous respawning battle, with teams aiming to get to 100 points. There are 3 points for a kills, 1 point for a knock out, 1 point for a revive. You play and respawn until a team wins. The weapon selection is usually limited to one type and everyone starts with a weapon and the same kit.

What is Quick Match? The original arcade mode, this is an 8-minute match in a small area of the map, usually with a weapon theme, like shotguns or SMGs. It's survive as long as you can in this mode.

What is Sniper Training? We all love long guns, right? Sniper training is a 15-minute game only with sniper weapons.

What is Mini-Zone? Mini-Zone is only available on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and it gives you a smaller section of the map to play in, but with a full roster of people and more frequent air drops. It's a little more frantic than Classic, but much the same feel. It's one of our favourite gaming modes.