Download and install the latest GApps: Open GApps, NikGApps, FlameGApps, and more!

GApps ( short for Google Apps ) packages are necessity in the Android aftermarket development community. They are particularly crafted optional add-ons for custom ROMs that can be used to get Google apps such as Google Play Services and the Play Store on your device. If you ’ re wondering how to pick and install the justly GApps software on your device or on one of the best android phones, this scout should help you with that.
Table of Contents: In case you don ’ t see your front-runner GApps distribution mentioned here, send a message to Skanda Hazarika ( SkandaH on the forums ) with the necessary details .

Why GApps?

Google requires every Android device godhead to follow the Compatibility Definition Document ( CDD ) to pass the Compatibility Test Suite ( CTS ) so they can be allowed to pre-load their devices with Google apps and services. Custom ROM developers however can ’ triiodothyronine easily bundle these Google apps and services with their builds. As these apps are not using the Apache or GPLv2 license, bundling them within the ROM presents legal challenges.

This is precisely where the GApps packages come in. The GApps maintainers rely on build scripts that allow for the automatize creation of new updated packages at regular intervals. ROM developers, on the other bridge player, normally build the custom-made ROMs in such a direction that an end-user can flash a third-party GApps distribution on lead of their builds and seamlessly gain the ability to use the Google Play Store or any early applications that require Google Play Services. Keep in mind Google apps are not required to boot or run most customs ROMs. however, many users find them beneficial to take wax advantage of the Android ecosystem .

Variants of GApps

For a regular exploiter, a bunch of first-party Google applications have gradually become integral to Android ’ mho functionality or spirit and feel. then come those who prefer an absolute minimalistic frame-up and consider about everything as bloatware. Since it ’ second in truth arduous to come up with a park solution for all, the GApps maintainers normally offer several variants of their builds. That ’ s the reason you can find GApps packages with “ pico ”, “ basic ”, “ wide ”, and like tags. Of class, the Play Store, along with obligatory Play Services and associate libraries, are the common components between them, but the act of bunch first-party Google applications is the key distinguish agent out there. compatibility with older Android versions is another interest view of the GApps setting. not all devices can run the latest and greatest adaptation of Android even with the help oneself of custom ROMs, which is why it ’ randomness necessary to maintain hold for older releases. furthermore, some low-level libraries are dependent on the CPU architecture, indeed mainstream maintainers sometimes offer architecture-specific builds as well .

Popular GApps Distributions

Throughout the years, many different GApps distributions have gained popularity. Below you can find some of the most well-liked and actively maintained GApps offerings from the aftermarket development community .

Open GApps

possibly the most democratic choice to download Google Apps on custom-made ROMs, the Open GApps project started its travel back in 2015 as the spiritual successor to the ParanoidAndroid GApps. The codebase of this distribution has been forked numerous times, all thanks to the stick out ’ mho versatility, extensive documentation, and rich patronize for bequest Android builds. Download Open GApps XDA Discussion Thread on Open GApps

• Android Version Support: Android 4.4 KitKat to Android 11. The maintainers have recently started offering test packages for Android 12 as well.
• Platform Support: ARM, ARM64, x86, and x86_64.
• Variants:
  • Pico: This package is designed for users who want the absolute minimum GApps installation available.
  • Nano: This package is designed for users who want the smallest Google footprint possible while still enjoying native “Okay Google” and Google Search support.
  • Micro: This package is designed for users of legacy devices with small system partitions or those who prefer a minimalistic approach.
  • Mini: This package is designed for those who use limited Google apps or prefer to install apps on their own.
  • Full: If you prefer the option to use stock/AOSP apps, this package is designed for you.
  • Stock: This package includes all the Google Apps that come standard on the Pixel smartphones.
  • Super: This package is for those who want to have all Google Applications. It includes all Google Apps that were ever shipped on a Google device.
  • Aroma: The Aroma package is a special version of the regular ‘Super’ package, but with a graphical front-end that will allow you to select which specific applications to install (or not) without having to manually write a gapps-config file.
  • TVStock: This package is for Android TV devices. It includes all the Google Apps that come standard on the Nexus Player.
  • TVMini: A smaller set of Google Apps for Android TV devices, similar to what Mini has compared to the Stock variant.

NikGApps

NikGApps is another feature-rich GApps distribution that offers extensive customization options for might users. Created by XDA senior penis Nikhil, one of the most distinguish features of this GApps plan is it comes with a dedicate Android Go box for first gear end devices. Unlike other distributions, it besides allows you to dirty flash the software anytime you want. Download NikGApps XDA Discussion Thread on NikGApps concluding but not least, users can upload their custom configurations to the project ’ s repository to create a personalize human body .

• Android Version Support: Android 10 to Android 12.
• Platform Support: ARM64.
• Variants:
  • Core: The minimum Google Apps set required to run Play Store.
  • Basic: Everything from Core, plus Google Carrier Services, Google Dialer (Replaces AOSP Dialer), Google Messages (Replaces AOSP Messages), Google Contacts (Replaces AOSP Contacts), etc.
  • Omni: Everything from Basic, plus Gmail (Replaces AOSP Email), Google/Pixel Setup Wizard, Google Photos (Replaces AOSP Gallery), etc.
  • Stock: Everything from Omni, plus Google Sound Recorder, Google Markup, Google Sounds, Google Wallpaper, etc.
  • Full: Everything from Stock, plus Google Chrome (Replaces AOSP Browser), Google Assistant, Android Auto, etc.
  • Go: Meant for low-end devices. A slightly enhanced version of the Core variant.

FlameGApps

once known as “ ExLiteGApps ”, the FlameGApps project is the inspiration of XDA senior extremity ayandebnath. Thanks to the modular design of the distribution, end users can install assorted components like Pixel Launcher with Device Personalization Services, Google Search with Assistant, and Device Personalization Services using official addition packages. Download FlameGApps XDA Discussion Thread on FlameGApps

• Android Version Support: Android 10 to Android 12.
• Platform Support: ARM64.
• Variants:
  • Basic: Includes the core GApps like Google Play Services (GMS), Google Services Framework (GSF), Google Play Store, and other essentials.
  • Full: Includes all the necessary core apps with more useful ones like Google Dialer, Google Contacts, Google Messages, etc.

BiTGApps

With less than 90MB size, BiTGApps from XDA senior penis TheHitMan is a distinctive minimalistic distribution. Besides the minimalism, it besides offers a handful of alone features, such as enabling battery optimization for all Google apps, the ability to install directly from a booted arrangement, and installing systemlessly as a Magisk module. Download BiTGApps XDA Discussion Thread on BiTGApps

• Android Version Support: Android Nougat (7.1.2 and 7.1.1) to Android 12.
• Platform Support: ARM, ARM64.
• Variants:
  • • Minimal: The goal is to stick with a minimal setup that can provide proper Google Services functionality. There are no other variants.

MindTheGapps

Maintained by LineageOS subscriber Alessandro Astone, AKA XDA aged member aleasto, MindTheGapps is even another compress GApps distribution. This one is particularly known in the community for being the formally commend GApps solution by the LineageOS team for its custom ROM. Download MindTheGapps (Mirror)

• Android Version Support: Android 11. The official mirror also hosts legacy packages for Android 9 Pie and Android 8.1 Oreo.
• Platform Support: ARM, ARM64, x86.
• Variants: None. There’s only a single variant with no customization options. It provides everything required to make use of Google systems and no more.

How to Install GApps

Download and Preparation

Before installing a GApps package, you need to pick the version that matches the CPU architecture of the target device and the Android establish of your hope custom ROM. Keep in thinker some OEMs intentionally ship ARM32 firmware on ARM64 devices, thus confer with the custom ROM upholder to determine chopine compatibility. In case you ’ re going to flash a custom ROM that ships with integrate Google apps, then you don ’ t need to install a standalone GApps software. To know the CPU computer architecture, run the follow command using a terminal copycat app on your device :

getprop ro.product.cpu.abi

crudely talk, if you have a smartphone that ’ s fairly late and you ’ re plan to install a custom ROM based on Android 12, download one of the ARM64 GApps for Android 12 from the aforesaid list. For the actual flash process, we ’ ll assume you have a custom-made convalescence like TWRP installed and ( optionally ) have root access. If not, we have guides on how to root your Android device and how to install TWRP .

Flashing GApps from TWRP

Warning: In most cases, the GApps box must be flashed before booting into the custom ROM for the foremost clock time ! It ’ sulfur always recommended to factory readjust and format data to clear out any possible residue of a previously installed GApps distribution .

• Make sure your computer has ADB and Fastboot. Setup instructions can be found here.
• Download both the custom ROM package and the matching GApps package on your computer.
• Reboot the target device into recovery mode using the appropriate key-combo or using ADB:

adb reboot recovery

• Now tap on Wipe, Factory Reset, and finally Format Data to continue with the cleanup process. This will remove encryption and delete all files stored in the internal storage.
• Return to the main menu.
• Sideload the custom ROM ZIP package:
• • • On the target device, select Advanced, then ADB Sideload to begin sideload.

  

• On the host machine, sideload the package using:

adb sideload filename.zip

• Without rebooting, tap on the back button, then repeat the same process for the GApps package.

adb sideload gaaps.zip

• The TWRP screen on the target device should show the installation progress.

• Once you have installed everything successfully, tap on the Reboot System button.
• Voila!

Validation

If everything goes right, you should get the Google apps and services fix to use once you reboot . Most GApps distributions and custom ROMs support OTA survival, which means it ’ s not necessary to re-flash a GApps package when you install a ROM update. A major version update is another floor though, as you have to locate the appropriate GApps package for the raw Android base and if necessary, make a clean install.

What is your choose GApps box of choice ? Let us know in the comments below !