How to Identify Fake Apps in Google Play Store – Guide
The only thing that sets Android apart from its competitors is its vast ecosystem of apps. Just take a quick look at the Google Play Store; You will find apps and games from different categories. However, the real problem is that the Google Play Store also hosts fake apps. Although Google takes reasonable steps to prevent the proliferation of fake apps, there are still fake apps on the Play Store. Fake Android apps on Google Play Store have always been a problem for users. Developers often create listings that look exactly like popular apps, often using the same icon and name, but are fake. Fake apps were mostly used to bombard your Android screen with ads. The first step in downloading and installing an app is to search for the name of the app. While in most cases there would only be one version of the app. If someone tries to imitate and fake a popular app, they will definitely try to copy the app’s name and icon.
Steps to Identify Fake Apps on Google Play Store
Fake apps can even install malware on your device in some cases. With so many apps available on the Google Play Store, it’s important to consider a few things before installing an app. In this article, we will present a detailed guide in how to find fake android apps on play store. Let’s take a look.
Application Name
One of the most common things you will find on the fake app is its name. Look closely at the app name on the search page. Developers are trying to change some words in the name. For example, the fake Swift keyboard app may appear as “Swift Keyboard”. It becomes important to take a look at the application name. The name says a lot about the app and is one of the first things you might consider.
developer name
Let’s admit that when installing an app on Android, we rarely check the name of the developer. Even if the name looks legit, you need to verify the developer name. To verify a developer’s name, you can search for the application’s name on Google. If the developer name is not an immediate indicator, you need to check your other apps. To do this, click on the developer’s name in the Play Store listing.
User reviews and ratings
User reviews and ratings say a lot about the app you choose to install. On the app page, scroll down and find the User Rating and Feedback section. You need to check the app rating. Many users may have complained in the review section if the app is fake. Also, the app will have mostly negative reviews. So, it is recommended to check at least 4-5 reviews before installing to review the app.
download fees
The next best way to spot a fake app is to check its active installation. Popular and legitimate apps are likely to have a lot of installs. On the other hand, fake apps would have fewer installs. Let’s take an example of WhatsApp – one of the most downloaded apps on the Google Play Store with over a billion installs. But what if the listing you’re looking at has only 10,000? It is a clear indication of a fake app. You should consider the total number of downloads before installing an app.
Final note
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