BGMI Reportedly Available to Download on Google Play Store Through URL

The battle royale game isn’t natively listed on the Google Play Store and therefore, won’t show up when searching for it directly.

Written by Rahul Chettiyar, Edited by Manas Mitul | Updated: 22 May 2023 13:11 IST

BGMI Reportedly Available to Download on Google Play Store Through URL

Photo Credit: Krafton

BGMI was blocked by the Indian government for sending user data to Chinese servers

Highlights

BGMI is visible on specific Android devices through the Play Store link
It will be under observation for three months by the Indian government
BGMI was removed from Indian Android, iOS app stores in July 2022

Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) is reportedly available to download on specific Android devices. Several users online have spotted the once-tarnished battle royale game on the Google Play Store, ready to download without any prior date confirmation from publisher Krafton. Gadgets 360 can confirm the same, albeit only through the web (browser) version — the title won't show up in most of the review units of phones we have in our possession. Late last week, Krafton confirmed that the Indian government allowed them the resume operations of BGMI in the country, following a 10-month ban over security concerns.

It appears some users have been able to download BGMI on their devices and run it, as long as they use the Play Store URL to access it. The game isn't natively listed on either Google or Apple's app storefronts, and therefore, won't show up if you search for it directly. That said, users who have managed to download the game haven't been able to play it yet since the servers are currently offline. “Server is not online yet. Please check the official news for further information regarding availability,” the warning message from a user's screenshot reads. Speaking of availability, Krafton had simply stated that BGMI will be available in the country ‘soon,' offering no further details besides simply being grateful to the Indian government.

At the time, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister of State for Electronics & Technology added that BGMI had been approved by the government for a three-month trial period, during which the game will be monitored to ensure there are no issues of “user harm” or “addiction.” Moreover, the title is reported to be making several adjustments, starting with a set playtime restriction — limited to a certain number of hours — that is presumably aimed at lowering addiction risks. Gore also seems to be the target, with the default colour of blood being changed from red to green or blue.

BGMI was entirely pulled from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store in July 2022, under Section 69 of the IT Act. The move in turn heavily affected the Indian e-sports industry, which saw a boom in mobile gaming when PUBG came around. A BGMI tournament also aired on mainstream television — couple of weeks before the ban — with a prize pool of Rs. 1.5 crore, highlighting its demand in the country. More recently, Dead by Daylight Mobile was delisted from mobile storefronts without providing an explicit reason. However, we can assume it had to do with the game's publisher NetEase, which is a Chinese company responsible for distribution within Japan, Korea, and South Asian countries.

Currently, Krafton hasn't provided any official release details for Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI).

From Elden Ring to BGMI's ban, 2022 gave us a lot in the gaming space. We discuss it all on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

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Battlegrounds Mobile India

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Genre Battle Royale

Platform Android, iOS, iPadOS

Modes Multiplayer

Series PUBG

PEGI Rating 16+

More Krafton Games

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Rahul Chettiyar Email Rahul Chettiyar

Rahul Chettiyar is a Sub-Editor at Gadgets 360 and writes about entertainment and video games. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies, Sekiro and Elden Ring speed runs, and David Fincher video essays. Before joining here, he solely handled the gaming section at Indian Express Online. You can write to him at rahulr@ndtv.com or find him on Twitter and Letterboxd @Ch1ckenDumpl1ng More