How to Get Google ARCore on Any Android Device

To up the ante in augmented reality (AR), Google recently announced ARCore. It is developed from the same fundamental technologies as Tango’s and is a direct take on Apple’s ARKit. Although it does promise some advancements in the field of AR by letting you view AR props just by using your smartphone, it is currently compatible only with Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy S8. But, thankfully, with the help of Thomas Suarez (“tomthecarrot”), a developer in the Android community, it is now possible to run ARCore on unsupported devices as well. If you are wondering how to do that, here is how you can get ARCore on any Android device:

Note: I successfully tried this method on my OnePlus 5 running Android 7.1.1. as well as my Samsung Galaxy S8+ running Android 7.0.

Get ARCore on Any Android Device

This method requires installing an ARCore Service APK which has been modified to work with non-compatible devices. Now, to use this, follow the steps below:

  • Download and install the modded ARCore Service APK on your device.
  • After this, download and install the APK of Hello AR – an app based on ARCore – on the same device.

Installing APKs

How to Use ARCore?

Once both the aforementioned APKs are installed, the next (and the obvious) step is to launch the Hello AR app. When you open it, you will find that it is a clutter-free app that only has the camera interface. If you point it toward a plain surface, it will recognize it, and then you can tap on the screen to add AR props (currently Bugdroids). You will also notice that, once you add a prop, they will always appear at the same location. And, irrespective of whether you move the camera or not, they will stay there until you re-open the app.

I also tried this method on my Moto G3 and Nexus 5X, but, sadly, the app crashed on them every time. Given that it is only a preview version of ARCore, I would like to give it the benefit of the doubt. Regardless of this, if you happen to own a flagship device from either this year or last year, the method should work successfully for you.

SEE ALSO: ARCore vs ARKit: How Does Google’s AR Platform Compare To That Of Apple’s?

Try ARCore on Any Android Device?

Google is betting on ARCore to win the market share of augmented reality. With the SDK available to developers, various apps based on ARCore are set to come to many more devices by the end of this year. For the time being, you can get the ARCore on your device through the aforementioned method and give it a shot. So, did you try out ARCore on your Android device? Do let me know in the comments section below.

comment Comments 40
  • Darian says:

    Does not work (crashes) for huawei p9, p10 Lite and Sony Xperia L1

  • bernie says:

    hello ar apk link is not found

    • Akshay Gangwar says:

      Hey Bernie,

      Unfortunately I can’t find the Hello AR APK link any more. However, once you have installed the modded AR Core Services APK, you should be able to run any AR Core app on your phone. Let me know if it works out!

  • Aulia Firdaus Simbolon says:

    file not found 🙁

  • Evan Moise says:

    Any android Device? yeah right.

  • GP Nicolai says:

    Not working on Mi 6 with MIUI 9.6 (8.4.26)
    Keeps crashing

  • Andy Volte says:

    Not work on HTC U11+ always error on start

  • Luke says:

    LG Stylus 3 Plus does not work. Get an error stating Tango Core keeps stopping and then HelloAR just crashes afterwards.

  • amber says:

    not working on moto e4

  • resul says:

    Not working Galaxy Note 5

  • krunal sisodia says:

    not working in mi a1.
    plz give us 2nd way to use AR.
    thank you.

  • CaptainRudy says:

    Crashes in Moto G5+ Android 7.0
    Please help

  • Ismael Nascimento says:

    Not working in Samsung Galaxy S7 with Android 7.0

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