You can spot most fake and copycat game apps right on the store listing. Check the developer name, how many ratings the listing has and how old it is, and whether the in-app purchases include weekly subscriptions a simple game shouldn’t need. The safest route to any game is through a link on its official website. Copycats that borrow a game’s idea are common and mostly harmless. Impostors that pretend to be a famous game are the ones to avoid.
Clones, copycats and fakes: what’s the difference? #
- Clones copy a game’s idea under their own name. Game mechanics generally can’t be owned, so when Flappy Bird disappeared in 2014, dozens of tap-to-fly games appeared every day. At the peak, Apple and Google started rejecting new games with “Flappy” in the title. Most clones are legal and some are good, but many are quick, ad-stuffed copies.
- Impostors copy a famous game’s name, icon or screenshots so you think you’re getting the real thing. That breaks store rules, and stores remove them when they’re reported.
- Malicious fakes exist to take something from you: a weekly subscription you didn’t mean to start, a password, or control of your phone. They’re rarer in official stores and much more common on download sites.
The story of the original clone wave is in what happened to Flappy Bird. If you want the good tap-to-fly games rather than the copies, see our list of games like Flappy Bird.
8 checks before you install a game #
- The developer name. Tap it and look at their other apps. A big studio’s hit game won’t come from an account with three random apps. Compare it with the name on the game’s official website.
- The number of ratings. A famous game has a huge number of ratings. A listing with the same name and a few dozen is not the famous game.
- How old the listing is. Check the version history. A brand-new listing for a game that’s been out for years is a warning sign.
- The screenshots. Blurry images, art that doesn’t match, or footage clearly taken from another game all point to a copy.
- The in-app purchase list. Some real games sell subscriptions, but a weekly charge like $9.99 a week in a simple game you’ve never heard of is a classic trap.
- Recent low-star reviews. Search them for “fake,” “scam,” “not the real game,” or “charged me.”
- The privacy details. On the App Store, read the App Privacy section. On Google Play, read Data safety. A simple arcade game has no reason to ask for your contacts.
- The app ID in the link (Android). Every Google Play listing has a unique ID after
?id=in its web address. An official website links straight to the right one.
Why the same game can have two names #
A different name doesn’t always mean a fake. App names have to be unique within each store, so a game sometimes ends up with one name on iPhone and another on Android.
Our own game is an example. Flappy Kittens is called Flappy Kittens on the App Store and Flappy Cat on Google Play, because the name “Flappy Cat” was already taken on Apple’s store. It’s the same game from the same developer, and its Google Play ID is com.chinesepowered.flappycat. The official website links to both listings, which is the easiest way to be sure you have the right one. That’s the habit worth building for any game: start from the developer’s site, not a search result.
Where else can you get games, and is it safe? #
Most people should stick to the App Store and Google Play. Here’s how the other options compare:
| Source | Available on | How safe it is |
|---|---|---|
| App Store | iPhone and iPad | Apple reviews every app. The safest option for most people. |
| Google Play | Android | Reviewed, and scanned by Google Play Protect. Fakes occasionally get through. |
| Phone makers’ stores, like Samsung’s Galaxy Store | That brand’s Android phones | Generally fine, with a smaller selection. |
| Epic Games Store | Android, and iPhone in the EU | A legitimate store from Epic Games, focused on its own and partner games. |
| Other EU marketplaces | iPhone in the EU, since iOS 17.4 | Apps get a basic safety check from Apple, but each marketplace sets its own rules. |
| APK files from websites | Android | The riskiest option. No store checks, and a common source of malware. |
Google is also tightening Android’s rules. Starting September 30, 2026 in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, and globally from 2027, Google’s developer verification program requires apps on certified Android devices to come from verified developers. Google says experienced users will still have an advanced way to install unverified apps if they choose to.
If you’re tempted by a “modded” game with unlimited coins or no ads, read our guide to whether mod APKs are safe first.
What to do if you installed a fake game #
- Delete the app.
- Cancel any subscription it started. Deleting an app does not cancel its subscription. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions. On Android, open the Play Store, tap your profile picture, then Payments & subscriptions and Subscriptions.
- Ask for a refund if you were charged. Apple handles requests at reportaproblem.apple.com. On Google Play, request it from your order history.
- Scan your phone (Android). In the Play Store, tap your profile picture, then Play Protect, and run a scan.
- Change passwords you typed into the app, especially if it asked you to log in with Google, Apple or a social account.
- Report it. On Google Play, open the listing’s menu and choose Flag as inappropriate. Apple lets you report a problem with an app you downloaded at reportaproblem.apple.com.
Frequently asked questions #
Are clone games illegal? #
Copying a game’s basic idea generally isn’t illegal, which is why so many Flappy Bird-style games exist. Copying its art, code, name or trademarks can be, and stores remove apps that impersonate other apps when they’re reported.
Is it safe to download games outside the App Store or Google Play? #
It depends on where. Established stores like the Epic Games Store are legitimate. APK files from random download sites skip every safety check and are one of the main ways Android malware spreads.
How do I report a fake game app? #
On Google Play, open the app’s listing, tap the menu and choose Flag as inappropriate. For Apple, go to reportaproblem.apple.com and report a problem with the app. You can also contact the real game’s developer, who has a strong interest in getting impostors removed.
Why does the same game have different names on iPhone and Android? #
App names must be unique within each store, so a name taken on one store can force a different name on the other. Flappy Kittens is Flappy Cat on Google Play for exactly that reason. The developer name and the official website confirm it’s the same game.