There are many pros and cons to playing Android games on PC, such as a larger screen and better graphics. However, not everyone can avail this facility as it requires specific hardware requirements, etc. But this blog isn’t about whether to play Android games on PC or not; rather, it’s about how to play Android games on PC.
Google offers a free service – Google Play Games for PC, which lets you play Android games on your Windows computer. This service allows you to play specific games on a larger screen using a keyboard and mouse. Your game progress is synced across devices, making it easy to switch between your computer and phone seamlessly.
Google Play Games for PC: Who Is Eligible?
Your system must meet the following PC requirements to avail of this free service from Google.
Minimum Requirement | Recommended Requirement for Better Gameplay Performance | |
OS | Windows 10 (v2004) | Windows 10 (v2004) |
Storage | Solid state drive (SSD) with 10 GB of available storage space | Solid state drive (SSD) with 10 GB of available storage space |
Memory | 8 GB of RAM | 8 GB of RAM |
Graphics | IntelⓇ UHD Graphics 630 GPU or comparable | Gaming-class GPU, like Nvidia GeForce MX450 |
Processor | 4 CPU physical cores (some games require an Intel CPU) | 8 logical cores (some games require an Intel CPU) |
Other Requirements | Windows admin account Hardware virtualization must be turned on | Windows admin account Hardware virtualization must be turned on |
As can be seen, even the minimum requirements almost allow you to enjoy better gameplay performance, except for the graphics and processor requirements.
Once you have the system in place, simply follow these steps to download Google Play Games for PC:
- Visit play.google.com/googleplaygames on your Windows computer.
- Click the “Download” button.
- Open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the app.
- The installation may take a few minutes.
Note: If your computer doesn’t meet the minimum requirements, you’ll receive a notification, and the installation won’t proceed.
Helpful Tips
To play mobile games on your PC, ensure Windows virtualization settings are enabled:
- If Windows Hypervisor Platform is off, you’ll be prompted to turn it on during installation. Restart your computer for this change to take effect.
- If Windows Hypervisor Platform is already on, you won’t receive this prompt.
- Before installing Google Play Games Beta, activate CPU virtualization in your computer’s BIOS settings.
Note: If you have other emulators installed, they may not work when Windows Hypervisor Platform is turned on.
How to Play Across Devices
For cross-device play, sign in with the same account on both your mobile device and PC. Note that only the first user who installed Google Play Games Beta on PC can open and play games.
Top Google Play Games for PC
The Google Play Games for PC service is free but it has its limitations. For example, a limited collection of over 200 Android games is accessible. By signing in with your Google account used on your Android phone, you’ll find compatible games in your library listed on the right side of the game hub. Use the magnifying glass on the left to search for games or filter by genre. Here are some of them:
- Fallout Shelter
- Infinity Loop
- Looper!
- Kingdom Rush
- Cut the Rope 2
- Grimvalor
- Hungry Shark Evolution
- Asphalt 9: Legends
- Alto’s Odyssey
- Badland
- Summoners War
The Google Play Games for PC Experience
The Google Play Games for PC service is integrated with Google Play Points, allowing you to earn points for purchases, including subscriptions and in-app buys. Accumulated points can be redeemed for vouchers and special game offers in the Play Store. While playing a game, pressing Shift and Tab opens a menu for adjusting settings like screen resolution and volume or remapping controls. However, playing with only a keyboard and mouse is currently supported, and mobile controllers are not yet an option.
All available Android games on Google Play Games for PC are currently free, though some may contain ads or in-app purchases. Google Play Pass titles aren’t available for PC yet, but more games are continually being added. Users are encouraged to share their experiences. Despite games being optimized for PC, those initially designed for handheld screens may feel unusual on an ultrawide display with keyboard and mouse controls.
If you were on a quest to play Android games on your PC, we hope this quest comes to an end now. Don’t forget to leave your feedback in the comments section. In case you are looking for new or used PCs or even gaming computers, do check out their listings on OLX Pakistan.
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