listing: all - local
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—REUPLOAD—Free Android Games (incl. FOSS ✅️) - no ads, no IAPs, no gacha. (discuss.tchncs.de)
submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by char_stats@discuss.tchncs.de to c/android@lemdro.id
64 comments fedilink

NOTICE: I'm reuploading this as I lost my first account on lemm.ee (the instance was shut down) so that I can continue updating the list through this new account. The previous version of this list is now deprecated—links to that post might no longer work.

 

Latest entries - 8 July 2025:

Other recent entries

Introduction

I recently realized there are still, to this day, some actual "hidden gems" in the Play Store. Not the fake ones everyone talks about which, in a way or another, often have a catch or aren't very "hidden". I mean free games with no ads or IAPs of any kind that are fun to play.

So I was thinking maybe it's time to compile a list of them. Please suggest the ones you've found and enjoyed!

Edit: I'm now including free games (no piracy) from other sources beside the Play Store (which will be specified within brackets), such as GitHub or F-droid. If they're also FOSS, like all F-droid games, they'll have this green checkmark ✅️. For the games that have both F-droid and Play Store versions, the green checkmark is for the F-droid version.

I won't try them all as I did with my premium games list, because you could simply download and try them for yourself without spending a dime. I'll simply list them.

‼️Also, please do checkout MiniReview - Game Reviews for more free games that match the following criteria (use the "Browse" tab and select the correct filters). The same app for iOS - App Store - is here.‼️

I've saved this post so to keep it updated over time, for my own reference and for your benefit. So feel free to save it and check out new entries every so often.

Entry Criteria

  1. FREE
  2. NO ADS
  3. STRICTLY NO IAPs (except donation buttons, but I'll have to check first)
  4. NO PIRACY
  5. it has to be a legit, full game you've played and liked. No demos, no emulators (everyone knows RetroArch anyways)
  6. no entire repositories. You can recommend them in the comments if you want, but this list is for individual games you'd like to recommend
  7. if it's a Play Store game, it should be compatible with the latest Android version at the time of entry
  8. must include a link to the game, especially if from sources outside the Play Store. Not direct-download links, just links to the page
  9. sketchy sources won't be considered. Play Store, GitHub, and F-droid are welcome

[If you want to recommend paid games, without ads or predatory microtransactions, here is the list for you.]

 

THE LIST

 

Legend

✅️ - FOSS (Free and Open-Source Software). Listed on top in their respective categories

☕️ - includes option to donate, with or without minimal cosmetics only

~~[Game title]~~ - delisted

 

Shooter

 

Stealth

 

Platformer

 

Rhythm

 

Arcade

 

RPG

 

Roguelike dungeon crawler

 

Deck builder

 

Adventure

 

Puzzle

 

Tower defense

 

Strategy

 

Management

 

Racing

 

Simulation

 

Casual

 

Visual novel

 

Educational

 

Extras and emulators/engines

  • Fabularium ✅️ (F-droid - engine and maker for text-based adventures, interactive books)

Delisted or outdated

 

Free games with minimal ads/cosmetic IAPs

 

Happy gaming ;)

ps: please let me know if there's any wrong information about the games included in this list (especially regarding the ones with free donations) so that I'll fix the post, if necessary.

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[Weekly thread] - Discuss anything related to Android - 05-11-2024 (lemdro.id)
submitted 8 months ago by Netrunner@lemdro.id to c/android@lemdro.id
4 comments fedilink
3
70
Welcome to Lemdroid! Start here for resources and fresh communities 🪴. (lemdro.id)
submitted 9 months ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by ijeff@lemdro.id to c/android@lemdro.id
7 comments fedilink

Start your journey into the Fediverse by subscribing to our starter communities. We're actively working with subreddit communities and moderators on their transition over.

Our Mission

Lemdro.id strives to be a fully open source instance with incredible transparency. Visit our GitHub for the nuts and bolts that go into making this instance soar and our Matrix Space to chat with our team and access the read-only backroom admin chat.

Interfaces

Our Communities

Other Neat Communities

Seeking Experienced Mods

Are you interested in exploring options to migrate your tech subreddit to the Fediverse in a way that supports decentralization or are you an experienced moderator who is interested in joining one of our mod teams? Get in touch!

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Are you developing a Lemmy app and looking for a home community for your project? Get in touch!

4
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[META] Spotlight on: Rule 2 and all the removed posts (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 years ago by Devgard@lemmy.world to c/android@lemdro.id
0 comments fedilink

Hi all!

I've noticed that quite a few posts have been taken down recently which I understand can definitely be annoying!

This is due to Rule 2, as follows: No support questions/rants/bug reports: All posts should benefit the community rather than the individual. Please refrain from posting individual support questions, rants, or bug reports.

For support questions, please post them to !askandroid@lemdro.id.

Thanks for your understanding :)

5
24
Google Pixel 10 family's prices in Europe leak (m.gsmarena.com)
submitted 8 hours ago by sabreW4K3@lazysoci.al to c/android@lemdro.id
7 comments fedilink
6
81
A mess of its own making: Google nerfs second Pixel phone battery this year (arstechnica.com)
submitted 11 hours ago by sabreW4K3@lazysoci.al to c/android@lemdro.id
35 comments fedilink
7
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Everything new in the first Android Canary update (July 10) [Gallery] (9to5google.com)
submitted 23 hours ago by sabreW4K3@lazysoci.al to c/android@lemdro.id
0 comments fedilink
8
39
Knowlegable Android devs needed: Help the European Commission regulate Google Play (social.librem.one)
submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by cabbage@piefed.social to c/android@lemdro.id
0 comments fedilink

A call for help from @eighthave@librem.one, who among other things is associated with F-droid:

An open call to #Android #developers! The #EuropeanCommission needs help evaluating #GooglePlay's #security claims. I'm going to do what I can. Anyone with knowledge of how app installation, uninstallation, sandboxing, signing, etc. could really help here. If you want to contribute, please reach out!

I figured maybe someone around here could be capable of helping out. Note that his Mastodon instance, librem.one, does not support private messages.

9
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Here's what I like and dislike about Android's new Expressive design (www.androidauthority.com)
submitted 3 days ago by Alphane_Moon@lemmy.world to c/android@lemdro.id
3 comments fedilink
10
64
Open TV, an ultra-fast open-source IPTV app, is finally available on Android! (play.google.com)
submitted 4 days ago by shrewdcat@lemmy.zip to c/android@lemdro.id
13 comments fedilink

Open TV is the best open-source IPTV app. It's ultra fast and super simple to use. Our open-source commitment means this application is truly yours, forever.

Source

11
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What are your favourite open-source apps this year? (lemmings.world)
submitted 4 days ago by TurboLag@lemmings.world to c/android@lemdro.id
31 comments fedilink

What apps have you been using this year? Have you found new apps to fill a gap in your previous open-source use?

What is something that you wish had a good open-source alternative but does not at this time?

12
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Google's surprise Pixel Drop brings Gemini to Watch, free AI Pro, and more (www.pocket-lint.com)
submitted 2 days ago by sabreW4K3@lazysoci.al to c/android@lemdro.id
3 comments fedilink
13
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Tecno looks to steal Samsung’s spotlight with latest tri-fold concept phone (9to5google.com)
submitted 4 days ago by cm0002@lemmy.cafe to c/android@lemdro.id
3 comments fedilink
14
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Samsung is about to find out if Ultra is enough (www.theverge.com)
submitted 4 days ago by Alphane_Moon@lemmy.world to c/android@lemdro.id
12 comments fedilink
15
174
Fairphone 6 Teardown: Proof Phones Don’t Have to Be Disposable (www.ifixit.com)
submitted 6 days ago by Blaze@piefed.zip to c/android@lemdro.id
18 comments fedilink
16
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why is unzipping on android so slow? (lemmy.world)
submitted 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) by happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world to c/android@lemdro.id
14 comments fedilink

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/32606497

why is unzipping on android so slow compared to Windows? I've tried ZipXtract, MaterialFile... All took 10+minutes to unizip a zip file that only took 30 seconds to unzip on Windows.

Why is this the case and i s there any way to speed it up?

Thanks a lot

EDIT:

I am using google pixel 9a so this issue looks like it might not be the issue of storage speed

Windows is not running in a virtual machine, just a normal laptop

Typo in the post fixed

EDIT AGAIN:

Solved!

yes it the archive does contains thousands of small files! I think that could be the reason of low performance on android mobile!

thanks a lot @Brett@feddit.org

17
4
Apps installed from Obtainium cannot be archived (lemmy.world)
submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world to c/android@lemdro.id
10 comments fedilink

Apps installed from Obtainium cannot be archived. I really want the used app icon on my home screen so that I don't forget about them but with the app deleted to save space.

There is an issue tracker https://github.com/ImranR98/Obtainium/issues/2042 but no developer have answered. Meanwhile is there a work around?

thanks a lot

EDIT: I guess there is not a work around for now. It would be really great for those who sees this post to give https://github.com/ImranR98/Obtainium/issues/2042 a thumbs up. thanks a lot!

18
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Google's Material 3 Expressive: How's it going? (youtube.com)
submitted 4 days ago by sabreW4K3@lazysoci.al to c/android@lemdro.id
4 comments fedilink
19
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—REUPLOAD—My favorite PAID games on the Play Store (+ user recommendations 💬) (discuss.tchncs.de)
submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by char_stats@discuss.tchncs.de to c/android@lemdro.id
7 comments fedilink

NOTICE: I'm reuploading this as I lost my first account on lemm.ee (the instance was shut down) so that I can continue updating the list through this new account. The previous version of this list is now deprecated—links to that post might no longer work.

 

Latest entries - 10 July 2025:

Other recent entries

Introduction

This is a list of all games, sorted by category, that I've purchased, loved, and finished (or played extensively) over many years and I'd like to recommend as they're all excellent and without predatory monetization or gacha system.

Edit: now I'm also including the most recommended titles by the community - which I haven't playtested yet or I'm not particularly interested in - marked with 💬. Please check entry criteria below before commenting.

Some of the games may be free with IAP's, but EXCLUSIVELY to unlock the full game, DLCs, or remove ads (no gacha or energy/gambling mechanics, "diamonds", pay-to-win, or any recurrent cash-grab bullshit of sort).

[Disclaimer: chances are some items in this list will inevitably be removed from Play Store as time goes by, or will not be compatible with future Android versions. I'll do my best to always keep it updated, but feel free to PM me if you come across any unavailable title and I'll make a correction]

I'm planning to keep the list updated for personal reference with the new games I'll play and like, or old games I've played that will come to mind later. So feel free to save it and check out new entries every so often.

My ultimate goal is to promote worthy content and honest/talented devs, hoping to see more quality games in the future, rather than the cancerous cash-grab machines the Play Store is regrettably riddled with. And, of course, to let everyone have a great time playing great titles ;)

Entry criteria for user recommendations 💬

  1. paid Play Store games compatible with recent Android versions
  2. no ads or infinite microtransactions. Allowed: ads-removal, full-game unlock, or proper DLCs
  3. you love the game and think it's worth the price
  4. must include link and, possibly, genre

I will still use my discretion and judgment to filter the entries, in an effort to try and keep the list's quality high.

[If you want to play or recommend free games, without ads or microtransactions, here is the list for you.]

 

THE LIST

 

Legend

🌟 - top favorite  

👑 - top favorite and masterpiece status  

💬 - recommended by the community, but I haven't played it yet or not my favorite  

🎮 - controllers are supported and, usually, strongly recommended  

🎮❗️ - controller recommended but not supported—you need a controller mapping app like Panda  

📱 - portrait orientation (either exclusively or optional)

👥 - includes multiplayer

120FPS - 120 FPS on supported devices

~~[Game title]~~ - delisted, but you might still see it in the store if you've purchased it  

 

Action shooter

 

Action-adventure platformer/hack-n-slash

  • Grimvalor 🌟 🎮 120FPS (2.5D hack and slash medieval fantasy platform/RPG)

  • Shadow Blade 🌟 🎮 (2D hack and slash action platform)

  • Swordigo 🎮❗️ (2D RPG action-adventure platformer; requires controller mapping app if you want controller support - free with 2 IAPs that add compass or coin doubler, and either of them remove ads too)

  • Oddmar 🎮 120FPS (2D action-adventure platformer)

  • Ninja Arashi 🎮 (2D hack and slash action platformer - free with IAPs to remove ads)

  • SAMURAI II: VENGEANCE 🎮 (top down/isometric hack and slash)

  • Dead Cells 💬 🎮 120FPS (roguelite action platformer)

 

Platformer

 

Metroidvania

 

Beat 'em up

 

Turn-based RPG

 

Tactical RPG

 

Action RPG

  • Trials of Mana 🌟 🎮❗️ (it's a port from console/PC but critically lacks controller support. You can use Panda Gamepad Pro - recommended - or Mantis to achieve that)

  • The Bard's Tale (3D action RPG adventure - this game has some optional IAPs: they can easily be ignored but they're there. Also, some users experienced an auto-save bug that corrupts ALL save files, so I recommend disabling auto-save altogether. I'm keeping the game listed here for now as I still consider it a true premium game and I haven't personally experienced any bug)

  • Evoland 🎮 (action/adventure RPG with 2D and 3D graphics and a mix of genres. Touch controls work great)

  • Evoland 2 🌟 🎮 (action/adventure RPG with 2D and 3D graphics, mix of genres; controller recommended)

  • Pascal's Wager (soulslike) 💬 🎮

  • Star Wars: KOTOR 💬 🎮

  • Star Wars: KOTOR II 💬 🎮

 

CRPG

 

Text-based RPG

 

Roguelite (cards, dice, deck builder, action)

 

Action adventure/Zelda-like

  • Ogu and the Secret Forest 🌟 🎮 (unlocking the full game through IAPs is quite pricey on the Play Store so maybe check the Epic Store—I got it for free there)

  • Anodyne 🌟 🎮❗️ 📱 (lanscape/portrait. Adding controller support through Panda is a must if you want to finish the game)

  • Legend of the Skyfish 2 🌟 🎮 (Zelda-like with a fishing rod for weapon)

  • Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion 🎮 (humorous, Zelda-like, pixel art adventure; achievements didn't work correctly, but they might have been fixed after I played it)

  • Oceanhorn 🌟 🎮 (3D Zelda-like action adventure)

  • Afterplace 💬 🎮 📱 120FPS (landscape/portrait)

 

Puzzle adventure

 

Point-and-click adventure

 

Simulation/management

 

Worker placement survival

  • This War of Mine 💬 (DISCLAIMER: as of April 2025 multiple users still report crashes, but I'll keep the game here because it is otherwise worth it, and devs often donate part of the profits to victims of various wars)

 

Survival crafting

 

Survival horror

 

Racing

 

Sport

 

Tower defense

 

Idle

 

Netflix games

(require an active Netflix subscription)

 

Extras and emulators/engines

  • AppSales is an app that will make you save some money by notifying you when specific games (or apps) in the Play Store go on sale. Just add the games you wish to buy to the AppSales' watchlist and you'll get notified when the price gets cut.

  • Panda Gamepad Pro 🎮 is a tool that allows you to map your controller for touch inputs, practically adding controller support to those game that don't have it.

  • Gamedeck 🎮 (game launcher/front-end for controllers)

  • Beacon Game Launcher 🎮 (game launcher/front-end for controllers. Also optimized for emulators)

  • Retroarch 🎮 (emulator for almost all consoles) "jack of all trades" emulator, the only one that supports analog triggers for Xbox One S controller. It has a bit of a learning curve, and other individual emulators might offer better performance

  • Dolphin 🎮 best emulator for GameCube and Wii

  • DraStic DS Emulator 🎮

  • PPSSPP Gold - PSP Emulator 🎮

  • Delta Touch [9 x Doom engines] 💬 (engine for Doom games)

  • Quad Touch 💬 (engine for Quake games)

 

Delisted or outdated

 

Happy gaming ;)

ps: please let me know if there's any wrong information about the games included in this list (especially regarding IAPs or availability) so that I'll fix the post if necessary.

20
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Lightweight curved smartphone with great endurance and a strong price-performance ratio - Motorola Edge 60 Pro review (www.notebookcheck.net)
submitted 4 days ago by Alphane_Moon@lemmy.world to c/android@lemdro.id
1 comments fedilink
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Any way to force keep alarm volume at 100%? (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 week ago by parmesan@lemmy.world to c/android@lemdro.id
5 comments fedilink

Non-rooted Motorola G, if that matters. I know there are FOSS apps that can do things like turn off bluetooth automatically without root so hoping there may be one for this purpose?

22
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ONLYOFFICE Documents 9.0 for Android adds OCR, DocSpace version history & Markdown viewing (www.onlyoffice.com)
submitted 1 week ago by Pro@programming.dev to c/android@lemdro.id
2 comments fedilink
23
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Positional v181.0.30 (github.com)
submitted 1 week ago by otters_raft@lemmy.ca to c/android@lemdro.id
0 comments fedilink

It's a minor update, so this is more about me sharing that this neat app exists

An elegant and colorful location information app for Android with Compass, Clock, Level, Sun, Moon, Trail Marker and many other features.

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Android 16's Live Updates won't work with your favorite music player, and that's a bummer (www.androidauthority.com)
submitted 1 week ago by sabreW4K3@lazysoci.al to c/android@lemdro.id
1 comments fedilink

Am I tripping or didn't they say this was available from 16? Now it's not available until 16.1? On top of that, they've been showcasing this with Uber and Uber Eats, but both apps are targeting Android 14 and don't request the required permission.

25
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Samsung phones can survive twice as many charges as Pixel and iPhone, according to EU data (www.androidauthority.com)
submitted 1 week ago by baatliwala@lemmy.world to c/android@lemdro.id
5 comments fedilink
view more: next ›

Android

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