


You will need a host computer running on any of the following Windows, SteamOS, macOS (Yosemite or newer), and Linux.


One major difference between the unofficial method and the Google method is that there's an API Google uses for remote attestation (SafetyNet) that requires root access to sort-of bypass, but can't be bypassed entirely. Or try installing Windows 11's file explorer on Windows 10, you'll need the same level of messing about with dependencies and system integration. ipa and install it like with other apps, you need to modify the surrounding system and drag over some support libraries or the entire thing won't even be able to start. Without root access and a patched system image, Google Play simply can't work right.Ĭompare it to getting Apple's iPadOS store to work on macOS or iOS. Google Play isn't just an app you install, you to give it quite a few system level permissions for it to work right. While it's not necessarily a jailbreak (the OS itself isn't the one preventing you from messing with these files) it's very close to injecting Google Play into an Android ROM that doesn't come with it (like custom ROMs, or maybe Chinese import phones). If anything, Microsoft preinstalling Candy Crush on Windows should be a signal that the market wants these types of money wasters on their computers, no matter how much techies and "gamers" despise those types of predatory games. You don't see a lot of $10 Android games (which are perfectly fine games) featured on the front page because people WANT the free crapware. The situation isn't very different on iOS, except that people are more willing to pay for their apps. When it comes to Android apps and games, you get what you pay for. Sure, the Play Store home pages likes to peddle the stalkerware scamfest that is microtransaction based minigames, but there are actually decent games on the platform. Those types of games even come with full controller support. Then there are games like PUBG mobile that will easily run on cheap laptops with integrated graphics, unlike the full games. I don't see why you shouldn't be able to play that on desktop as well now that Windows has native Android support. I've bought a copy of Super Hexagon for Android at some point, and that's still an excellent game. There are also plenty of other games on the Play Store that are decent ports from desktop games or even purely mobile. Rollercoaster Tycoon has an excellent version of RC2 for tablets (and I suppose phones).
