The ASUS ROG Ally and Ally X are some of the most powerful handheld gaming PCs on the market—but power alone doesn’t guarantee a smooth ride. Out of the box, it’s good. But with the right tweaks? It’s a whole new beast. Whether you’re emulating classics, streaming from your PC, or playing AAA titles on the go, these tips will help you get the most out of every gaming session.
1. Customize Your ROG Ally Taskbar Settings for a Cleaner UI
The Windows 11 interface wasn’t exactly built with handheld gaming in mind—but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with the clutter. A few tweaks to your taskbar settings can go a long way in making the Ally feel more like a console and less like a tiny desktop.
Trim The Fat
Right-click the taskbar and dive into Taskbar Settings. Disable widgets, task view, and any icons you don’t need. This frees up space and reduces background resource use, especially useful when running at lower TDPs.
Add Performance Tools For Quick Access
Consider pinning essential apps like the AMD Adrenalin software or Armoury Crate SE to the taskbar. That way, you can jump into performance mode changes or GPU settings without diving through menus.
Bonus tip: Set the taskbar to auto-hide when gaming. It adds screen space and gives your games that fullscreen feel—even when they’re running in windowed mode.
2. Enable Battery Care Mode to Protect Long-Term Health
The ROG Ally’s lithium battery is designed for performance, but like any battery, it wears down faster when constantly charged to 100%. That’s where Battery Care Mode comes in—a simple setting that can add months (or even years) to your Ally’s battery lifespan. If you often use your Ally docked or as a desktop replacement, Battery Care Mode is a must.
In Armoury Crate SE, head to the Device Settings tab, then look for Battery Care Mode. Enable it and choose a charge cap—usually 80% is the sweet spot. This tells your Ally to stop charging once it hits that level, reducing wear on the battery during extended plugged-in sessions.
Heading out and need the full 100%? Just disable the setting temporarily. It’s flexible and easy to manage, which makes it perfect for both casual and power users.
3. Optimize Performance Modes for Each Type of Game
The ROG Ally isn’t just powerful—it’s flexible. Its performance modes let you tailor power consumption and processing muscle to match the game you’re playing, whether you’re running retro emulators or pushing AAA titles.
Turbo, Performance, or Silent—What’s The Difference?
- Turbo Mode (30W): Unleashes the Ally’s full potential. Perfect for demanding games, especially when plugged in. Expect higher temps and louder fan noise—but maxed-out visuals.
- Performance Mode (15W-20W): The best all-rounder. Great for indie games, emulators, or when you want a balance between power and battery life.
- Silent Mode (10W or lower): Ideal for visual novels, 2D games, or remote play sessions. Keeps temps down and battery drain minimal.
Custom mode = your secret weapon
You’re not limited to presets. With Armoury Crate SE, you can create a Custom Mode that adjusts wattage, fan curves, and CPU/GPU frequency exactly how you want it. Want 20W with max cooling for handheld comfort? You got it.
Switch On the Fly
The Command Center overlay (activated via the M1/M2 buttons) lets you toggle between modes mid-game. Super handy if you need extra juice for a boss fight, then scale back for exploration.
4. Use Eco Assist Settings to Extend Battery Life on the Go
When you’re gaming on the move, every minute of battery life counts—and that’s where Eco Assist earns its stripes. This underrated feature in Armoury Crate SE helps fine-tune system behavior to reduce power drain without sacrificing too much performance.
What is Eco Assist, Anyway?
Eco Assist automatically adjusts your Ally’s screen brightness, refresh rate, TDP, and even background services based on your current usage. It’s basically your battery’s best friend, working behind the scenes to stretch every last drop of juice.
Choose The Right Eco Assist Preset
There are multiple modes to pick from:
- Eco Mode: Cuts back aggressively on power usage—ideal for turn-based or low-spec games.
- Balance Mode: A smart mix of efficiency and performance. Great for indie games or emulation.
- Custom Mode: Make your own! Set specific limits on brightness, refresh rate, and wattage to suit your gaming style.
Bonus tip: Dropping your display from 120Hz to 60Hz while using Eco Assist can significantly reduce battery consumption—especially in games that don’t benefit from higher refresh rates.
5. Essential GPU Settings You Should Tweak Right Now
Out of the box, the ROG Ally runs well—but digging into the AMD Adrenalin software can unlock smoother gameplay, reduce input lag, and even save power. A few key GPU tweaks can make all the difference, especially for demanding titles or emulation.
Turn on Radeon Chill
Radeon Chill dynamically adjusts your frame rate based on your movement. Set a frame cap (like 40–60 FPS), and the GPU will scale down during calm scenes, saving power and reducing heat. Perfect for JRPGs, emulators, and exploration-heavy games.
Enable Radeon Anti-Lag
This setting reduces input latency, making controls feel snappier. Toggle it on and feel the difference instantly.
Use Per-Game Profiles
Adrenalin allows you to save settings per title. Want Chill off for fast-paced shooters but on for RPGs? No problem. Just create a custom profile once, and it’ll remember your preferences every time you boot the game.
Keep The Drivers Updated
Adrenalin handles GPU driver updates too, and it’s more reliable than Windows Update. Check it weekly—some newer games see major performance boosts from a simple driver bump.
6. Turn Off Virtual Machine Platform to Fix Compatibility Issues
If you’ve ever wondered why certain emulators, anti-cheat systems, or even older games refuse to launch on your ROG Ally, the Virtual Machine Platform (VMP) might be the hidden culprit. It’s a Windows feature that enables virtualization—great for running Linux or dev tools, but not so great for gaming.
VMP can interfere with:
- Anti-cheat systems (like Easy Anti-Cheat and BattlEye)
- Emulators
- Performance in some Windows apps and games
If games crash on startup or emulators suddenly stop working, this setting is often to blame.
How To Disable Virtual Machine Platform Safely
- Press the Start button and search for “Windows Features”.
- Open Turn Windows features on or off.
- Uncheck Virtual Machine Platform.
- Restart your ROG Ally.
Bonus Tip: Need it later for a dev tool or VM? You can turn VMP back on anytime using the same steps. For most gamers, though, it’s best left off for smoother performance and wider game compatibility.
7. Master the Best ASUS ROG Ally Shortcuts
When you’re gaming on the go, speed matters—and fumbling through menus kills the vibe. Thankfully, the ROG Ally includes customizable shortcut buttons (M1 and M2) and an intuitive Command Center overlay. Mastering these can save time, boost efficiency, and even give you a competitive edge.
Use M1 and M2 To Your Advantage
By default, the M1 (top left) and M2 (rear) buttons open the Command Center and Task Manager, but you can reassign them in Armoury Crate SE. Need quick access to screen brightness, TDP control, or your favorite app launcher? You got it.
Customize Your Command Center For Instant Control
Tap the Command Center and you’ll see an overlay with options like:
- Performance mode switching
- FPS limiter
- Fan control
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth toggles
You can rearrange these and remove ones you don’t need. Prioritize the controls you actually use mid-game.
Keyboard Shortcuts Still Matter
Using an external keyboard or docked setup? Combine Fn + F keys or assign hotkeys via PowerToys to launch apps, toggle FPS overlays, or mute system volume in a snap
Streamline Your Workflow
Set up shortcuts that launch Steam Big Picture, emulators, or specific game libraries. The faster you navigate, the sooner you’re back in the action.
8. Customize Dolby Access Settings for Audiophile-Level Sound
The ROG Ally doesn’t just look good—it sounds good too. Thanks to Dolby Atmos and the Dolby Access app, you can dramatically enhance your audio experience whether you’re using headphones, external speakers, or the built-in stereo drivers.
Pick The Right Audio Preset For Your Playstyle
Dolby Access gives you several profiles out of the box:
- Game – Enhanced spatial cues for competitive multiplayer titles
- Movie – Richer bass and surround effect for cinematic games
- Voice – Prioritizes dialogue clarity for visual novels or story-heavy RPGs
- Custom – Tailor the EQ yourself for a personal sound signature
Turn on Dolby Atmos for Headphones
If you’re using a headset, make sure Dolby Atmos is active. Go to Dolby Access > Settings > Products > Headphones and ensure it’s selected. It delivers immersive 3D audio—even on basic stereo cans.
Tweak EQ and Surround Options Manually
The real power of Dolby comes in the equalizer. You can adjust frequency bands or use surround virtualization to emphasize footsteps in shooters or background music in RPGs.
Bonus Tip: You might want heavier bass when docked to speakers, but a more balanced profile for portable play. Dolby Access makes switching easy.
9. Turn Off Memory Integrity to Improve App and Emulator Performance
Windows 11 includes a security feature called Memory Integrity (also known as Core Isolation). It’s designed to prevent malicious code from accessing high-security processes—but it can also cause performance dips, input lag, or even app crashes, especially in emulators and older games.
Memory Integrity can:
- Interfere with certain emulators (like RPCS3 or Yuzu)
- Cause stutters in older or poorly optimized games
- Block unsigned drivers and reduce compatibility with controller tools
If you’re noticing sluggish performance or random game crashes that don’t make sense, this setting could be the reason.
How To Safely Disable Memory Integrity
- Open Windows Security from the Start menu.
- Go to Device Security > Core Isolation Details.
- Toggle Memory Integrity off.
- Restart your ROG Ally.
Bonus Tip: Turning off Memory Integrity doesn’t leave you wide open. Keep your system updated, use a solid antivirus, and avoid sketchy downloads. Most gamers won’t notice any difference in safety—but they will see smoother gameplay.
10. Must-Have Apps for Every ASUS ROG Ally Owner
The ROG Ally is powerful, but with the right apps, it becomes unstoppable. From system tweaks to game launchers and overlays, these essential downloads help unlock the full potential of your handheld.
Handheld Companion
Handheld Companion lets you control performance modes, remap buttons, tweak lighting, and change TDP.
DeckyLoader + EmuDeck (for emulation fans)
If you’re diving into retro games, these tools streamline emulator setup and library management. Combine them with Steam ROM Manager for a seamless front-end.
Steam + GOG Galaxy
Get your full game library under one roof with multi-platform launchers. The Ally handles them all with ease, and cloud sync ensures you can pick up right where you left off.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re aiming for longer battery life, smoother performance, or just a cleaner user experience, these 10 useful tips are here to help you take full control of your ROG Ally.
Got a favorite setting or app we missed? Drop it in the comments or share it with fellow Ally fans—this community is all about leveling up together.
Now go forth and game smarter, not harder.
