Category: adware

This post is part of AppLovin Nonconsensual Installs. See important disclosures.

I gathered 208 distinct complaints centered around the same problem: while a user played one game, another game was installed without consent. Representative examples:

• “Instead of giving people the option to download the games when tapping on advertisements, the games automatically download to the device when the ads are tapped.” (PanPizz, October 31, 2023, emphasis added)
• “I was watching ads on the webtoons app and it seems that rather than prompting a download through the play store. The advertisements for wordscape and tower war are basically auto downloading themselves to my phone. (Merlin2v, January 23, 2024, emphasis added)
• “whenever I get an advertisement on IbisPaint, that app automatically downloads onto my phone” (BlackberriedGoat, September 4, 2023, emphasis added)
• “Ads that download an app on to my device if I click anywhere” (Some1withguns, January 3, 2024, emphasis added)
• “you click anywhere and it automatically installs, doesn’t go through Google Play” (Punkminkis, January 5, 2024, emphasis added)
• “I accidentally click on an ad when trying to click the x or skip button and the next thing I know I’m getting a notification that says tap to launch game.” (Disastrous-Jury4328, January 16, 2024, emphasis added)
• “Multiple times after watching an ad in Hero wars: Alliance I’ve found a new game installed on my phone when I DID NOT touch anything to download and install.” (GreggAlan, March 16, 2024, emphasis added)
• “Accidentally touch the screen during ad play and the game being advertised will be automatically installed without your consent.” (Lukas Landing, December 19, 2023, emphasis added)
• “Optional ads also install other games WITHOUT PERMISSION. I’ve had to uninstall spam games over and over.” (Graham Curnew, August 9, 2024, emphasis added)
• “Three times now I’ve gotten that ad for Tower War and any 30 seconds after the ad is over I get a push notification that Tower War has finished installing and is ready to play.” (JetJaguardYouthClub, August 24, 2023, emphasis added)

Some complaints specifically attribute unwanted installations to AppLovin or AppHub:

• “My phone just started installing random apps to my secure folder. It is called ‘AppHub’” (PanPizzTemporary507, January 15, 2025)
• “It somehow installed apps from AppHub. How do I access AppHub to remove unwanted apps?” (Pomonian, May 25, 2025)
• “Partnered with AppLovin, which if you misclick on their ads it automatically installs the game for you unless you notice and manually stop it” (Doom Clasher, July 3, 2024)
• “Try deleting the app “apphub” … I noticed a notification saying it automatically downloaded apps” (Fadelsart, December 23, 2023)
• “My phone is randomly installing apps from this AppHub” (Guilty_Astronaut5344, July 27, 2023)

Others users attribute the installs to install helpers such as Content Manager, Device Manager, or AppSelector that device manufacturers and carriers allow AppLovin to use for installs.  (Details from code analysis.)  It is logical that users attribute the installations to install helpers.  For one, Android notifications routinely announce that an app has been installed, and give the name of the responsible install helper.  Two, if a user checks Android Settings > Apps, the section “App details”  will reference the name of the install helper.  Three, the app that triggers the install helper is present neither in the notification nor in Settings > Apps > … > App details, making it less likely that users will reference AppHub except on those devices where AppHub itself has installation permissions and does not use a separate install helper.

Credibility of user complaints

The user complaints are credible based on both consistency and level of detail. A few users might be mistaken—for example, by tapping “install” and later forgetting.  But the volume and similarity of complaints, from hundreds of independent users, reveals a broader pattern.

More than merely discuss unwanted installations, many of the complaints give details consistent with my code analysis.  For example, users overwhelmingly report that installations occur when they receive ads (see the top bulleted list above), which exactly matches what my code analysis indicates.

Some complaints address alternative explanations such as a user accidentally approving an installation.  Complaints deny that with specific details that make their denials credible:

• “Happened to me with royal match. I clicked the x. Yet it downloaded the game. Yes I would know if I clicked install or not.” (Sunfish1988, February 13, 2024, emphasis added)
• “I sorted thru my apps shortly before downloading Wordscapes last month, so I know I had no unwanted games on my phone at that time. Since then I’ve deleted 4 new games that I did not consent to download or even realize were downloaded.” (Jadiegirl, January 24, 2024, emphasis added)
• “I noticed that whenever the game had a trial and I touched the screen it would slash to the screen that looked like Google Play and the Install Button would have the word “Cancel” on it as though I’d initiated the download (which I didn’t).” (Thotiana777, April 25, 2024, emphasis added)
• “the ads for other games are very predatory and self install without permission if you miss the ‘x’ to close them by a milimeter” (Thin Richard, April 23, 2025, emphasis added)

Complaint with screenshot attributing installations to AppHub

A few complaints are include screenshots showing the problem.  For example, Reddit user Guilty_Astronaut5344 preserved a post-install notification attributing three unwanted installs to AppHub.

Complaints reporting countdown timer, and showing the countdown in video and screenshot

Other complaints are particularly credible because they match even more specific details from the AppLovin code.  For example, three users reported countdowns leading to automatic install:

• “Just today I’ve seen them implement a 5-second “countdown” to the program installing the game, but stopping the countdown STILL INSTALLS THE GAME WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT.” (PanPizz, October 31, 2023)
• “I’ve come across some really shitty ad tactics that will auto install the app they’re pushing if you click anywhere on the screen before the timeout. Even if you just back out, if you don’t actually hit cancel install then you’ll get some stupid questionable games installed …” (dontthink19, January 7, 2024)
• “Mobile game ads can now just install themselves without you tapping Install, wish is now replaced by ‘Install now’ if you want the game 5 seconds sooner. Hitting the X instead of Cancel still installs the game” (nascarsteve, December 10, 2023)

Not only does the general concept of a countdown-to-install match what I found in AppLovin code, the first and third comments also mention the duration of the countdown, from 5 seconds.  This matches the “AutoInstallDelay” default countdown duration listed in AppLovin code.  (The code sets a duration of 5e3, meaning 5×10³=5000 milliseconds, matching the complaints.)  Remarkably, user dontthink19 faced the countdown-to-install ads often enough, and predictably enough, that he was able to capture one such installation on video – showing an ad, then the countdown to install, then the app installed, then him uninstalling it, all in a single continuous video file.  Key screenshots from dontthink19’s video:

The countdown videos and screenshots also match yet other details from AppLovin code.  In the countdown-to-install screen, notice the unusual label “Install in 5s” (using the abbreviation “s” for seconds, with no space between the number and the letter s).  This exactly matches the pattern in AppLovin code I found—further confirming that AppLovin is responsible for this installation.

Complaints about installation upon clicking x

Numerous users report that clicking an x, or trying to click an x, nonetheless causes an app to install.  Combining source code and user complaints, two types of complaints are at risk of being combined:

1. Users who clicked (or tried to click) an x on an ad, which was counted as a tap which then prompted an automatic immediate install (via the isAutoInstall pathway in the JavaScript logic).
2. Users who received what I call the X Install Screen (step 3 in the Weapon Master sequence above), and who tapped the X in that screen (which is an installation pathway in the IsOneClickInstallOnCloseEnabled JavaScript logic).

For many complaints, it is difficult to tell whether the user faced problem 1 versus problem 2.  But for the following complaints, the complaint indicates that the problem was the second – consistent with what the IsOneClickInstallOnCloseEnabled JavaScript code indicates about installation logic.

• “Mobile game ads can now just install themselves without you tapping Install, wish is now replaced by ‘Install now’ if you want the game 5 seconds sooner. Hitting the X instead of Cancel still installs the game” (nascarstevebob – December 10, 2023, emphasis added)
• “Even if you just back out, if you don’t actually hit cancel install then you’ll get some stupid questionable games installed …” (dontthink19, January 7, 2024, emphasis added)
• “It definitely auto-installs. I’ve tested it because I was wondering where tf all these random shitty game apps were coming from in my phone. I don’t click anything, and if you don’t select “cancel” when it starts installing, the game will install. If you try to exit out, it does not count and will still install the game.” ([deleted] – January 22, 2024, emphasis added)

Many others, such as the following, could be either type 1 or type 2 above—but either way, indicate users’ dissatisfaction at installations occurring when users try to exit and decline.

• “There are now ads that autoinstall other apps on your phone! They look like interactive/minigame ads, but touching ANYTHING – the close button, trying to pull up the phone navigation bar to exit WS – will trigger these apps to start installing.” (Star Donovan – February 2, 2024 on Google Play, emphasis added)
• “the straw that broke the camel’s back was how exiting the ads forces you to download them. I’ve deleted 5 apps I did mot want to download.” (Casey Kristin Frye – December 23, 2023 on Google Play, emphasis added)
• “when I exit the ads, it begins to install the app for those ads immediately” (Mia Lor – August 25, 2023 on Google Play, emphasis added)
• “They run adds on other games, you click to close out the automatic install, surprise you’ve downloaded the game for the 59th time!” (Luke Williams – September 17, 2024 on Google Play, emphasis added)
• “Game installed itself by me trying to exit an add on another game” (Ian Kelley – June 23, 2024 on Google Play, emphasis added)
• “It installed itself into my phone when I tried to exit an app that was showing an ad for this. This is super shady on their part and should be looked into” (Parker Abegg – December 14, 2023 on Google Play, emphasis added)

Scores of similar complaints

The following list presents 208 relevant complaints from Play Store, Reddit, and other online discussions. Some complaints are excerpted to the relevant section, but spelling and punctuation are unchanged.

william huynh – August 26, 2025 – Google Play

installed game on my phone without permission

Jim M – August 5, 2025 – Google Play

UPDATE! SOME OF THE ADS IN THIS GAME INSTANTLY SIDE LOAD AND INSTALL APPS BYPASSING THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE!!!!

SkepticalShrink – June 19, 2025 – Reddit

I had this problem too and managed to Google some suggestions that seem to have prevented this from happening again. I don’t recall the instructions exactly but the short version is that my phone manufacturer (in my case, Motorola) had some pre-installed app(s) that allow auto installation from ads. I couldn’t uninstall the apps but I disabled all the suspicious ones/likely suspects based on my Google-fu, and that seems to have done the trick.

hewill09 – June 18, 2025 – Reddit

I was playing a game when an ad popped up and it showed one of those scam “free” money ads and it somehow installed itself without me pressing anything. I didnt accidentally click on the ad or anything, it just automatically installed when the ad started playing.

isssma – June 18, 2025 – Reddit

I’ve had that happen and I’m sure I didn’t install it by mistake. I checked the app that installed the adware and it was my Telco provider app that installed the ads, and they installed all at the same time, it’s annoying as shit.

Player – June 18, 2025 – Reddit

Xiaomi and Huawei seems to do that nowdays, it makes me so mad that they can do whatever they want with “MY” phone.

OlorX1 – June 18, 2025 – Reddit

Yeah, I have a few ads of few apps that install automatically, so annoying

Big-Understanding-30 – June 18, 2025 – Reddit

I’ve seen this happen on Oppo and Oneplus phones

E_Farseer – June 11, 2025 – Reddit

I just found this game on my phone and have no idea how it got there. Googled it and found this post. So it’s still happening. What the f***.

Pomonian – May 25, 2025 – Reddit

Galaxy S20FE from Tmo. It somehow installed apps from AppHub. How do I access AppHub to remove unwanted apps?

Thin Richard – April 23, 2025 – Google Play

the ads for other games are very predatory and self install without permission if you miss the ‘x’ to close them by a milimeter

Wade Goodman – April 16, 2025 – Google Play

I really loved the game, it just kept installing other games without permission. I had to uninstall it.

[deleted] – April 8, 2025 – Reddit

I was having the similar problem with ads showing Klondike Farm Adventures. Without even touching the screen it would automatically download and it was downloading not through Google Play Store but through Samsung game store.

Autumn Again – March 18, 2025 – Google Play

This game (or its ads) can illegally download and install games onto your device without your consent or knowledge. These games (all from different developers) suddenly appear on my phone on the very last screen. They’re nothing I’d ever play. I’ve never even heard of “Tiledom” or “2248 Numbers Merge,” by Funvent Studios or Play Simple Games. This is the 3rd time this game has done this. I don’t know how, but I’m sure it’s this game.

Earwax – March 15, 2025 – Google Play

thos game appeared in an add on a game. I exited the add 3 times in 30 seconds only to find the game had installed it’s self on my device. not happy

Bone_Anger – March 5, 2025 – Reddit

Recent update just pumped it onto my phone and without me allowing it, it’s going through and installing dozens of pos mobile games. It’s invisible to the user and cannot be disabled or uninstalled.

David Adams – February 5, 2025 – Google Play

The ads automatically open browser tabs and install apps without your consent or authorization.

[deleted] – February 4, 2025 – Reddit

the app installs from an ad that randomly plays in other video games. You don’t have to touch the screen. The ad plays and downloads itself.

Suz Anne – January 18, 2025 – Google Play

Ads pop up and install games without being prompted. Pop up ads are frustrating. They open without being clicked and navigate away from the game. Sometimes installing new games without being prompted…very frustrating

Holiday-Temporary507 – January 15, 2025 – Reddit

My phone just started installing random apps to my secure folder. It is called ‘AppHub’ but I can not see the any app called ‘AppHub’ both main stetting -> App and secure folder setting app. Do anyone facing the same problem? I m sure these app were malicious and asked the root permission :/

PanPizzTemporary507 – January 15, 2025 – Reddit

My phone just started installing random apps to my secure folder. It is called ‘AppHub’ but I can not see the any app called ‘AppHub’ both main setting -> App and secure folder setting app.

Sakaixjin – October 31, 2024 – Reddit

Just happened to me with Warhammer Tacticus. I did not install it myself and I just googled the issue and got to this post, wow.

Ishmael – October 28, 2024 – Google Play

It installs other apps from the ads it shows you. AUTOMATICALLY WITHOUT MY PERMISSION!

Note: Game developer did not deny forced installations: “Hey! We’re not huge fans of ads either, but we can’t keep our game free without them. They help us develop new features, maintain the app, and release updates. We’d love it if you changed your mind. Come back soon!”

Pistol – October 18, 2024 – Google Play

Infested with ads and even forced an app install away from google play store, uninstalling this malware

-GTC- – September 17, 2024 – Reddit

Wrong. It definitely auto-installs. The little “X” pops up, but when you click it – you just clicked on the ad (NOT an “install” button) and it installs. I’ve just now had to uninstall two crappy games from my phone, Merge Mansion and some other crap. This is infuriating and should not be legal as it is bypassing my security settings and installing things without my permission.

D berry – September 11, 2024 – Google Play

Your ads are auto installing apps in the background… You stopped it for a while now it started again. This needs to stop!!! update, ads are getting worse.. false X seem to be the standard..

Michelle Clarkson – September 10, 2024 – Google Play

STOP AUTOINSTALLING ON DEVICES! IT HAS DOWNLOADED WITHOUT MY INPUT 7 TIMES TOO MANY NOW! STOP IT! I WILL NEVER DOWNLOAF BECAUSE OF THIS!

Ed L – September 3, 2024 – Google Play

BEWARE OF OTHER APPS BEING INSTALLED WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION… written by people who use full screen ads to install various other apps [MOB CONTROL game app] ****** when you try to click the [x] button to close the pop up ad it vanishes (w/ split second timing) and is replaced by an OK button

Ani Cz – August 15, 2024 – Google Play

i keep getting ads for this game with a fake x. When i click the x, it automatically installs this game without my permission. I’ve had to uninstal it 5 times now

Franco Hernandez – August 10, 2024 – Google Play

Caution: this game’s ads will automatically download games without your permission. It did this to me with 4 apps that played as ads. I had to manually go in and uninstall.

Graham Curnew – August 9, 2024 – Google Play

Optional ads also install other games WITHOUT PERMISSION. I’ve had to uninstall spam games over and over.

Anıl Avcı – August 9, 2024 – Google Play

somehow the games in the ads install themselves. When I try to click on “x” to close the add, it connects to a website or play store and even before I can close them, voila, those games are installed on your phone. Be very careful!!

Manniaks – August 6, 2024 – Google Play

1 star for automatic installation without ever hitting an install button.

Dustin Kortz – July 30, 2024 – Google Play

Ads constantly which some try to download games automatically

Doom Clasher – July 3, 2024 – Google Play

Partnered with AppLovin, which if you misclick on their ads it automatically installs the game for you unless you notice and manually stop it, inflating their download count. I did not knowingly download this “game.” I did not click “install.” How is this even legal?

J K – July 1, 2024 – Google Play

This has gone downhill. Now runs ads for apps and then automatically installs that app on my phone. Deleted

edward vincent ancheta – June 26, 2024 – Google Play

i dont like this app auto-installing another app

Nunya B. Znis – June 24, 2024 – Google Play

Way too many adds. Worse adds that self-install games.

Hunter Steiner – June 24, 2024 – Google Play

Forced install from an ad

JP Ski – June 21, 2024 – Google Play

Careful with this game. If you even try to stop an ad between gameplay, it will automatically install other games on your phone without asking. I had about a dozen games in my phone without even realizing it. I uninstalled those as well as this game. Never again.

Wonderful_Cable_6774 – June 9, 2024 – Reddit

I get this a lot. If I don’t click anything, the app installs itself on my phone. If I click the ‘x’, the app auto installs on my phone. The only way I can make it stop is to press the cancel button.

Garrett Southmayd – June 5, 2024 – Google Play

THIS APP FORCE INSTALLS GAMES IT ADVERTISES. WILL BE REPORTED.

Devin Datus – May 27, 2024 – Google Play

Has auto installed 6 apps on my phone in 1 hour today. Some ads have forced installation of other apps during ads.

Waqar Hassan – May 17, 2024 – Google Play

this application have so much control on device that it automatically installs other games on device without permission. This is sheer violation of privacy and recommended not to be installed.

J P – May 13, 2024 – Google Play

This app has installed itself on my phone twice now through an ad during another game.

Stephen Mckelroy – May 12, 2024 – Google Play

Forced install from an ad, so for me, bad game if you have to sneak your game on my phone your a bad game

Terrence Foley – May 2, 2024 – Google Play

BEWARE!! INSTALLS APPS WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM ADS!!!!

Terabyte950 – April 26, 2024 – T-Mobile Community

Help! Device Manager is auto-iinstalling apps from ads. Some games from google play have ads that auto download applications. I traced it back toT-Mobile’s Device Manager allowing malicious ads to auto install applications. That’s right, just watching the ad downloads an app. T-mobile has made it impossible to disable this app. I am fearful of this massive security hole. I am scared of malicious apps being downloaded. I have seen other complaints over the last few months. What can I do fix this major security hole? … All I know is that the malware ads come from something called applovin. … It is just too much of a security risk that that T-Mobile has created with their Device Manager allowing allowing 3rd parties to automatically download and install of potential malware.

Thotiana777 – April 25, 2024 – Reddit

Then I noticed that whenever the game had a trial and I touched the screen it would slash to the screen that looked like Google Play and the Install Button would have the word “Cancel” on it as though I’d initiated the download (which I didn’t). When I tried to hit cancel it would go back to the trial play thing and back and forth until I just X’ed out of it.

Extension_Repair1349 – April 21, 2024 – Reddit

I removed app hub .  It seemed to use that in my T-Mobile TCL phone

Daniel House – April 17, 2024 – Google Play

They utilize ads in other games to AUTOMATICALLY INSTALL this trash on your phone. Absolute slimiest tactic to get me to play your garbage game I’ve ever seen.

A Google User – April 15, 2024 – Google Play

If you accidentally touch an ad, it automatically installs an app on your phone.

Note: Game developer did not deny forced installations: “Thank you for reporting this problem with our tower war tactical game. We will try to fix it as soon as possible so that you can continue to enjoy it.”

James Spencer – April 14, 2024 – Google Play

Be prepared for ads that try to force install

ZiggyReadz – April 12, 2024 – Reddit

I can’t leave reviews of the apps that are auto download in fact when I look at app info they say the apps are downloaded by device manager and not google play.

Skybreak – April 6, 2024 – Reddit

I found an app called Content Manager on my Samsung S24 that I bought through T-Mobile. There was an option there that says “Allow Install of New Apps” and I turned it off, and the ad installs stopped. I think it’s seriously f-ed up that things like this are allowed.

Sly Noodle – March 30, 2024 – Google Play

I am terribly unhappy with ads that install things without my permission. Makes me never use the apps that the ads install. Do better.

Ethan – March 29, 2024 – Google Play

I accidentally downloaded this just by clicking on an AD. JUST BY CLICKING ON IT. Not to be confused with accidentally pressing the download button on the AD. These advertisements are getting scummier and shadier by the day. What’s next? Are you going to turn wordscapes into a self reinstalling virus? We live in the lamest dystopia possible.

Bigchriswolf – March 28, 2024 – Reddit

This happened to me with talkie and wordscapes and I feel like this is illegal but I will look into the laws of this

Rachel H – March 26, 2024 – Google Play

I watched an ad for Wordscapes for a different game I play and they INSTALLED this app WITHOUT my PERMISSION!! I didn’t click on anything and even if I accidentally did (I didn’t), Wordscapes doesn’t have the right to download their app onto my phone without my permission!!! I believe this is illegal and am going to report it to Google as well. **I deleted it when I saw it was downloaded onto my phone, but had to reinstall it to make this review**

leonardo buzzard – March 18, 2024 – Google Play

Tempted to sue the developers since it automatically installed itself onto my device for simply not closing an ad

Eagermcbeaverii – March 17, 2024 – Reddit

This happened to me today!!!! No idea how to stop it but I will no longer watch ads to get an extra chapter.

GreggAlan – March 16, 2024 – Reddit

Multiple times after watching an ad in Hero wars: Alliance I’ve found a new game installed on my phone when I DID NOT touch anything to download and install.

Rotheer – March 15, 2024 – Reddit

It’s been happening to me constantly and I’m so tired of it. Can’t figure out how to kill that function or at least make the damn thing wait for a prompt so I can say no. I’m on a Samsung Android with all of my security settings as recommended (apps only from Play or Samsung Store, ask permission before downloading or updating apps on any network, etc.). I’ve filed a few customer support requests with Snowprint, who have always been helpful and offer apologies but don’t seem to have solved the issue. Block Blast, Merge Mansion, Overmortal, Wordscapes… The list goes on.

Sarah – March 15, 2024 – Google Play

your ad decided to install it onto my phone automatically

Abysmal Entropy – March 12, 2024 – Google Play

It’s not coool, nor should it be legal for your ads to automatically install games on my phone.

Note: Game developer did not deny forced installations: “Thank you for reporting this problem with our tower war tactical game. We will try to fix it as soon as possible so that you can continue to enjoy it.”

Kevin Carrithers – March 11, 2024 – Google Play

seems to force install from their ads

Luke Williams – September 17, 2024 – Google Play

They run adds on other games, you click to close out the automatic install, surprise you’ve downloaded the game for the 59th time!

LibertyR1sk – March 1, 2024 – Reddit

I freaking hate this BS. I have searched every setting possible and can not figure out how to turn it off or prevent it. I have noticed that it only does it through Galaxy Store. Not Play. If anyone has figured out how to stop it, lmk.

James McIntyre – February 27, 2024 – Google Play

ads auto download and install on your device. Could not find a way to stop auto downloads from ads.

Kyle Dozier – February 26, 2024 – Google Play

Auto installs apps from ads. I was fine with the ads but now they’re auto installing the games? No thanks.

Jays24u – February 24, 2024 – Android Central Forums

I need to figure out how to stop from apphub, I don’t even know where that came from, it must be something hidden

Gavin Hayes – February 17, 2024 – Google Play

An ad played for this game and without any input on my end, INSTALLED ITSELF ON MY PHONE. This is ridiculous how dare you install your product on my phone without my permission. The ad played. I did not touch it didn’t even touch my phone screen and still it’s on my phone. This is neither legal nor ethical and it is extremely concerning as to what this game is. If this happens again I will be seeking legal action against your company. Absolutely ridiculous.

Jerri Tanner – September 7, 2024 – Google Play

It’s also VERY INVASIVE because it auto installs during ads while playing other games.

David Gunter – February 15, 2024 – Google Play

This app installs other apps in the background while you play.

Sunfish1988 – February 13, 2024 – Reddit

Happened to me with royal match. I clicked the x. Yet it downloaded the game. Yes I would know if I clicked install or not.

Jon B – February 13, 2024 – Google Play

horrible installed automatically through an ad, will be reporting to the BBB

Colleen Ruggelo-Sage – February 10, 2024 – Google Play

it started running ads that automatically downloaded apps onto my phone without permission – like Fishdom

Wolfie a – February 9, 2024 – Google Play

Their ad keeps auto installing the game on my phone. I’ve had to uninxstall it 3 times now…

L S – February 7, 2024 – Google Play

I get this app as an ad, and when I try to close the ad and I fail, it doesn’t just take me to the play store to download it, it actually force installs on my phone without me giving permission to download app or install. I don’t like the fact this app is force installing on my phone from ads and not from the play store. I would give this game a try if it didn’t force me to install it and actually gave me a choice instead. Absolutely unacceptable, acting like a virus rather than an app.

Brian Copeland – February 7, 2024 – Google Play

One of many games that have taken the ad program where it will install itself on your device when you close the ad. If it weren’t for that it would be a good game. But just auto installing itself on your device is something that defines what a Virus is.

Marcia Suhoversnik – February 5, 2024 – Google Play

Hate aps that force other game installs

Sivanesan Vetrivelan – February 4, 2024 – Google Play

if you like watching ADS install this game

Steve Jaeger – February 4, 2024 – Google Play

Scumbags! This game has self-installed twice now in ads from other games.

Colleen Ember – September 2, 2024 – Google Play

This ap has installed itself without my permission after seeing an ad in another game. This is nefarious and should be deplatformed by Google for this behavior.

Fake_ Justinscarred – August 21, 2024 – Google Play

The sneaky scheme of installing an app just because your commercial played on my phone was inappropriate!

Eric Reed – January 30, 2024 – Google Play

An ad for this game autoinstalled the game on my phone

cc – January 30, 2024 – Google Play

thank you for forcefully installing on my phone after accidentally clicking on an ad but nowhere near the actual install button on said ad.

DcGamer – January 26, 2024 – Google Play

Stealth installed itself onto my phone from an ad. Not cool

noxvita83 – January 25, 2024 – Google Play

Installed without my consent. It was installed during an ad from another app with no way to cancel or even see it installing. I didn’t even notice until my phone said, “Moving to game hub.” If their ads install the app without consent, what else will this completely untrustworthy company will install while app is installed? No thank you.

Jadiegirl – January 24, 2024 – Reddit

YES. I sorted thru my apps shortly before downloading Wordscapes last month, so I know I had no unwanted games on my phone at that time. Since then I’ve deleted 4 new games that I did not consent to download or even realize were downloaded. Very sketchy. I’ll be watching my apps closely from now on. I obviously like Wordscapes, but if this continues to happen, I’ll probably delete it.

Lisa – January 23, 2024 – Google Play

Disappointed has started those auto install adds where it starts installing and you have to cancel and ended up with 2 unwanted games so just Uninstalled this app after playing for a long time.

Lisa – January 23, 2024 – Google Play

Disappointed has started those auto install adds where it starts installing and you have to cancel and ended up with 2 unwanted games

Merlin2v – January 23, 2024 – Reddit

Hello, so I was watching ads on the webtoons app and it seems that rather than prompting a download through the play store. The advertisements for wordscape and tower war are basically auto downloading themselves to my phone. When I checked to see what store installed it, it says it was installed by Device manager.

Siegel – January 23, 2024 – Reddit

Does anyone else seem to have apps downloaded to their device after playing Wordscapes? I seem to have some of the apps on my phone now that appear in the ads, but did not download them.

Puzzled-Mess6705 – January 23, 2024 – Reddit

Noticed that, too. it’s very annoying to uninstall some random apps after accidentally tapping or missing the x. I’m watching fewer ads now.

rashida jones – August 19, 2024 – Google Play

I was watching a and it just installed

Michelle Chang – January 19, 2024 – Google Play

I keep getting an ad for this game in my other apps. The ad will AUTOMATICALLY install this app. Please STOP!!!

Disastrous-Jury4328 – January 16, 2024 – Reddit

It happens to me on the mobile games I play. I accidentally click on an ad when trying to click the x or skip button and the next thing I know I’m getting a notification that says tap to launch game. I get it so many times with fishdom and I just got it with tile match.

Connor G – January 15, 2024 – Google Play

Game ads force you to install their game.

marijean conci – January 15, 2024 – Google Play

This game automatically installs games shown through the ads! Unacceptable!!!

EllJay Sr. – January 15, 2024 – Google Play

WARNING THIS APP IS MALWARE IT AUTO-INSTALLED ON MY DEVICE THEY USE A SPECIFIC AD THAT AUTO-INSTALLS ON YOUR DEVICE IT IS NOT AN ACCIDENT AVOID THIS APP

Charles Downs – January 11, 2024 – Google Play

The app installed itself from an advertisement without me clicking on the install button at all.

Warren McDonald – January 10, 2024 – Google Play

The advertisements secretly install to device during breaks. Had to uninstall approximately 7-10 apps all from the advertisements during the breaks.

dontthink19 – January 7, 2024 – Reddit

I’ve come across some really shitty ad tactics that will auto install the app they’re pushing if you click anywhere on the screen before the timeout. Even if you just back out, if you don’t actually hit cancel install then you’ll get some stupid questionable games installed … It’s happened to me 3 times now. I’m looking for new games to play and when ads are served in that manner, I’ve had to go back and uninstall them. They don’t magically install themselves. You misclick on the ad and it opens up to a timer you have to cancel or it’ll get installed

Note: With video at https://imgur.com/a/YzXCWzV showing 5-second countdown followed by auto-install. Countdown narrative and 5 second threshold match AutoInstallDelay in code.

Anthony Bille – January 7, 2024 – Google Play

INTRUSIVE!!!! Forcing you to watch an ad and then forcing you to install said game while doing it sneakily is terrible.

Mike Chech – January 7, 2024 – Google Play

This game contains misleading ads that automatically install apps.

Competitive_Swan_805 – January 6, 2024 – Reddit

I’ve been seeing this too.. I’m considering deleting the app. This is malware level of intrusion.

Joe M – January 6, 2024 – Google Play

Game is decent. However, last night one of the adds turned out to be self installing malware. It took me 20 mins to remove the malware and everything it installed.

Punkminkis – January 5, 2024 – Reddit

I’ve seen the ads OP is talking about. It’s got a quick download or something, you click anywhere and it automatically installs, doesn’t go through Google Play.

Bee Dub – January 5, 2024 – Google Play

it installed one of the ad “games” on my device without my knowledge simply because i didnt accurately click the tiny little x hidden in the top right

SCP RAZ0R1O1 – January 5, 2024 – Google Play

One of your ads was installing this game without my permission, and when it was done, it booted up in front of my phone game. Stop doing this. This is outrightfully idiotic.

Dina Washington – January 4, 2024 – Google Play

I’ve had to uninxstall this game many times because it keeps automatically installing when the ad runs

Some1withguns – January 3, 2024 – Reddit

Ads that download an app on to my device if I click anywhere are offensive and dangerous. Having 30+ second, phased, unskippable ads, that download apps on to my device is downright insulting.

Eneshi2071 – January 3, 2024 – Google Play

Accidentally missed the “X” button to close the ad by nanometers, app IMMEDIATELY installed to my phone.

Precious J – January 3, 2024 – Google Play

Wordscapes currently has an AD going around on other apps that will FORCE INSTALL THE GAME DURING THE AD AND IT CANNOT BE CANCELLED. These predatory ADs were found in a game called Water Sort. Wordscapes forced installed their app on my device without permission multiple times and they should be FINED.

NotDcman – January 2, 2024 – Google Play

I was playing another game and this ad showed up i tried to click the x it took me to the download and started it automatically I then hit cancel thinking nothing of it then later check my phone and it was installed against my consent

Glysterine – January 1, 2024 – Reddit

I’ve had this happen to me with the tower war playable ad about a dozen times. They updated their ad a couple weeks ago and it stopped, but a couple days ago they changed the ad back and it is happening again.

KC Penwell – January 1, 2024 – Google Play

Constantly installed new games without my permission

Trai S – December 30, 2023 – Google Play

They use forced installs where if you accidentally touch the ad the game installs. Shady tactics refuse to even try the game

Trai S – December 30, 2023 – Google Play

They use forced installs where if you accidentally touch the ad the game installs.

Jesse R – December 29, 2023 – Google Play

This game automatically installed on my phone after an ad I got from another game

Nic Rodriguez – December 29, 2023 – Google Play

Automatic click and install from an ad.

Jakob Vetter – December 28, 2023 – Google Play

Has ads that auto install.

Kai Jamison – December 26, 2023 – Google Play

an ad for this game bypassed the play store and automatically installed the game

Nina Blalack – December 25, 2023 – Google Play

Installed itself. While playing a different game, I got an ad for this game and thought I closed it. A couple minutes later I got a notification that it was done installing.

Rose (Rose) – December 24, 2023 – Google Play

LITERALLY ACCIDENTALLY CLICKED ON A AD FOR THIS GAME WHILE PLAYING BITLIFE AND IT INSTALLED ITSELF. THIS IS THE WORST GAME EVER. FIX YOUR ADVERTISING.

Dredjir Pariah – August 18, 2024 – Google Play

I got an ad for it and then a long lasting black screen with an install button. The x mark is so small that you are likely to miss it. Turns out the WHOLE SCREEN is an install button and it automatically installs, even if you hit cancel. Very shady.

Fadelsart – December 23, 2023 – Reddit

Try deleting the app “apphub” (i had to search it in the settings of the phone to actually find the app) I noticed a notification saying it automatically downloaded apps (this was a notification from the phone itself on the day of purchase) and saw this “apphub” app that says it “provides a friction free download service for in-game ad choices” and it immediately set off a red flag for this issue we’ve been having. So far it seems to have worked but I will update if it happens again. The worst part about it is that I have parental controls set up on my child’s phone and it was bypassing them to auto-download these ads despite my approval being necessary to download anything.

Ronald Gerwien – December 22, 2023 – Google Play

DONT HAVE YOUR GARBAGE “GAME” 1-TAP INSTALL WHEN ALL I’M TRYING TO DO IS X PAST YOUR AD. I DONT WANT YOUR GARBAGE, STOP INSTALLING YOUR TRASH ON MY PHONE.

Gabriel Ross – December 21, 2023 – Google Play

This app installed itself on my phone after an ad, such scummy advertising practices are unacceptable.

Audrey – December 20, 2023 – Google Play

Was fun until other games from ads started randomly installing.

Lukas Landing – December 19, 2023 – Google Play

Accidentally touch the screen during ad play and the game being advertised will be automatically installed without your consent.

Johnson David – December 18, 2023 – Google Play

This thing keeps getting installed on my phone without my knowledge. I have to uninstall it regularly. It’s got ads on my other apps and somehow gets installed by itself! Google needs to know about this.

Comrade Everclear – December 17, 2023 – Google Play

The ads are ridiculous, and even if you skip them it just installs them on your phone anyway.

Throwyourgame – December 15, 2023 – Reddit

He’s right, I’ve had three games auto install. It happens on the ads that play extra long credits. Typically, you won’t be awarded for the completion of the add and another add will play. This literally happened to me today for the third time.

Particular-Cry-778 – December 10, 2023 – Reddit

Yeah this is a thing I’ve been having happen recently. The apps install themselves. Even if you don’t click the X to end the ad, the still install themselves. … they fully go and install themselves at the end of the video. It’ll show the download bar at the top and the app will be with all the other apps.

nascarstevebob – December 10, 2023 – Reddit

Mobile game ads can now just install themselves without you tapping Install, wish is now replaced by ‘Install now’ if you want the game 5 seconds sooner. Hitting the X instead of Cancel still installs the game

Note: With screenshot showing countdown in progress. Screenshot, countdown narrative, and 5 second countdown start all match AutoInstallDelay in JavaScript. Installation when the user taps X matches InstallOnClose in JavaScript.

Larry Eissler – December 9, 2023 – Google Play

Installed games without permission whenever I’d play the game. Didn’t notice at first, but it installed 5 games after skipping the ads for

Alexander Dauman – December 7, 2023 – Google Play

Will install other games when you close the ads

Ken M – November 30, 2023 – Google Play

Virus like ad for this game installed it without my permission, if the ads do this what horrible things will the app do?

Todd Douglas – November 28, 2023 – Google Play

Installed two other advertised games, somehow, without permission.

Thomas Walters – November 26, 2023 – Google Play

Installed itself off an ad, absolutely unwanted nonsense app 0/5

Stephanie – November 9, 2023 – Google Play

If you need your app to instant-install from an ad we’re just trying to close, ask yourself why. Maybe it’s not such a great app.

Jesse W – November 7, 2023 – Google Play

The ads allow 3rd party apps to install their apps on your phone. Would not recommend to anyone to install this game.

Evelin Farias – November 4, 2023 – Google Play

Ads install immediately upon watching. Waiting for x button does nothing.

DragonessGamer – November 3, 2023 – Reddit

I’ve had idk how many game ads lately send me to the app store when I tried closing them. In fact, I KNOW I didn’t download anything, and recently found 2 apps on my phone that had gotten downloaded. Had to have happened in the past couple days. Never opened them, promptly deleted them. Just annoyances. Especially when they’re things I’d NEVER use like insta or tiktok.

Crissy Moss – November 3, 2023 – Google Play

The ads for this game are now forcing installs, and I am so tired of having to uninstall it again.

Philip Mccurrie – November 2, 2023 – Google Play

Ads are way too often, and trying to close them often installs them instead.

PanPizz – October 31, 2023 – Reddit

Instead of giving people the option to download the games when tapping on advertisements, the games automatically download to the device when the ads are tapped. No consent is given to the users when it comes to when they want to download the games or not, as soon as you tap on the ad it downloads for you. … AppLovin are now essentially baiting you with a demo and then forcing the full game down your throats. Just today I’ve seen them implement a 5-second “countdown” to the program installing the game, but stopping the countdown STILL INSTALLS THE GAME WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT. …

Note: Countdown narrative and 5 second threshold match AutoInstallDelay in JavaScript.

Danna Nunya – October 28, 2023 – Google Play

Security threat! Automatically installs from ads without permission or consent, then starts sending push notifications. uninxstalled immediately without launching. No means no!

Thomas Hamer – October 28, 2023 – Google Play

Tries to auto install on ads. Obviously can’t be trusted.

Jason Chotikul – October 28, 2023 – Google Play

Game was good and fun for a while until I noticed that if you clicked the ad accidentally, you run the risk of having some of the apps automatically installed. Ended up with 2 games that I did not want on my phone. BS practice.

Chris Moore – October 26, 2023 – Google Play

So many ads, including an ad that auto installed another game ( Eatventure), is enough for me to uninsall by itself.

Alexander0202 – October 24, 2023 – Reddit

Why does the game download apps whenever I watch an ad?” “This only started to happen recently. I would have my phone on the side and watch the dragon TV ads and whenever I was done, there would be an app installed.

Jeff Bennett – October 24, 2023 – Google Play

this stupid game keeps getting automatically installed by ads in other games. I do not want to play this game and your disgusting tactics of forcing a download that I DO NOT WANT ON MY PHONE border on criminal.

Tiffany Mosley-Shelton – October 18, 2023 – Google Play

An ad for this app keeps popping up on my phone. When I try to close it, the app installs. Please do something about this glitch. No that doesn’t help. If I don’t want an app and I’m trying to close an ad, I would expect that it not automatically download on my phone regardless.

M. – October 17, 2023 – Google Play

This app keeps installing itself every time I watch an ad for it. Even if I do not touch my screen at all throughout the whole ad, it still installs itself after playing. I’ve deleted this app both too many and not enough times. I will continue deleting it.

Burke – October 16, 2023 – Google Play

I will never use this app. The developers push deceptive ads in other applications that automatically install Wordscapes on your phone when you try to close the ad. This is deceptive behavior and I’ve reported this to the Play store.

StonedAndParanoid – October 13, 2023 – Reddit

Ad automatically installed an app? … So it’s as the title says. I played an ad in the game, and it automatically installed an app (It was bricks and balls) I never left the AR app and I only realized it happened because I got a notification that said “click to launch the bricks and balls app. … So I went and checked and…yep it had been installed.

Mike Collins – October 13, 2023 – Google Play

The ad trick installed this. Whatever interest I might have had is spoiled by that behavior.

Eric Martino – October 12, 2023 – Google Play

Malware. Has installed Royal Match 3 times now through an ad. I have not tapped install once, it just happens.

Jennifer M – October 11, 2023 – Google Play

Ad for this game appeared and while trying to x out of it, accidentally clicked the ad. A minute later i receive a notification that Wordscapes installed. Never clicked on an install button. Shady practices.

Dril Wint – October 7, 2023 – Google Play

This game uses ads that automatically install this app upon clicking the ad(as opposed to an install button).

Matt Richter – October 7, 2023 – Google Play

Now it is installing apps from ads without permission.

Keith Phillips – July 1, 2024 – Google Play

This game literally installed itself while I was trying to make an ad go away in Brotato. No redirect to the play store. No confirmation on the install. you miss the x on the corner and now you have a new game installed that you never asked for. absolute scumbag design. 0 out of 10.

Dana Fahey – October 3, 2023 – Google Play

Automatically installs other games by itself.

Ray B – October 3, 2023 – Google Play

Since recent updates, some ads will try to install other apps, such as Royal Match and Monopoly Go.

Coachmike 63 – October 1, 2023 – Google Play

Game itself is fun, you ruin it with ads for apps that auto install on your device. I can deal with ads you can close but not ones that install themselves and you have to close your game to go uninstall the unwanted app.

Eric Brunswick – September 27, 2023 – Google Play

The problem that I am seeing now is that when you encounter an ad, it automatically installs the game listed in the ad. This is happening every time I play the game. I am ready to delete the game at this point. The frustration of having to uninxstall the latest game you force download is too much.

Crazyman9112 – September 25, 2023 – Reddit

AppHub installs games without permission How do you stop apphub from installing apps in my phone without my permission?

Fubduk – September 16, 2023 – Reddit

Disabled on both our phones the day we got home with them. But woke up a few days ago with screen like OP posted (both phones). Somehow the app selector got turned back on without our knowledge.

TheOGDoomer – September 15, 2023 – Reddit

You can disable AppSelector and you’ll never see those again (at least I’ve been through a few updates now and I haven’t seen it). I always recommend people uninstall or disable AppHub and AppSelector. One of those apps will also just straight up install apps on your behalf without your knowledge, so if you don’t get rid of those two apps and you see random apps mysteriously appear, that’s why. They’re T-Mobile malware that gets preinstalled on carrier versions of android devices that T-Mobile sells. AT&T and Verizon do the same thing unfortunately.

FamiliarAverage3171 – September 15, 2023 – Reddit

Yes and auto installs games by itself it piss me off

BlackberriedGoat – September 4, 2023 – Reddit

Hello, for the past two or three days, whenever I get an advertisement on IbisPaint, that app automatically downloads onto my phone. Does anyone have this issue / know how to fix this?

Leah Lor – August 25, 2023 – Google Play

Don’t install. This app downloads other apps from the ads even though you don’t touch the ad.

Ian Kelley – June 23, 2024 – Google Play

Game installed itself by me trying to exit an add on another game

JetJaguardYouthClub – August 24, 2023 – Reddit

Three times now I’ve gotten that ad for Tower War and any 30 seconds after the ad is over I get a push notification that Tower War has finished installing and is ready to play. Sure enough, there’s the game, loaded onto my phone without my permission. The only thing I clicked on was the “x” to close the ad once it was done. Kinda creeps me out that an ad can bypass the store and just install unwanted crap on your phone

A C – August 19, 2023 – Google Play

New ads auto install. This is becoming a malware app.

Kevin Smith – August 17, 2023 – Google Play

Good game, but I had to give 1 star because it installed 2 apps from ads without my permission.

feedtherightwolf – August 11, 2023 – Google Play

several Game ads will auto-install the games, no input or knowledge of it happening from you, you simply have several new “games” in you menu. Spyware/virus/predatory behavior.

TheOGDoomer – July 29, 2023 – Reddit

Nope, T-Mobile does for a fact install it automatically as does every other carrier with their own version. I set up my own S23 Ultra. I’m always very careful with every prompt that pops up, I read it carefully, uncheck anything opting me into spying or other malware features, etc. Yet after setup I was finding random apps being installed on my device and the App Hub, AppSelector, and AppManager were all culprits that I did NOT opt in to.

Guilty_Astronaut5344 – July 27, 2023 – Reddit

Can anyone help me? My phone is randomly installing apps from this AppHub which I can’t find in the settings

Note: With screenshot indicating installations performed by AppHub.

Nick & Jenna Poyant – June 17, 2023 – Google Play

Ads auto installing other apps

Mitch McDonald – March 9, 2023 – Google Play

HATE THE AUTO INSTALL ADS! YOU DO NOT HAVE PERMISSION TO INSTALL APPS ON MY PHONE! AS I TRY TO CLOSE THE ADS, IT WILL AUTO INSTALL APPS TO MY PHONE. GET RID OF THOSE ADS!

Rusty Shackleford – February 25, 2023 – Google Play

One of the ads auto installed an app

Jacob Craft – April 23, 2024 – Google Play

Every time an ad plays for this game, while I’m playing a game that I enjoy, it is automatically installed on my device. If this continues, I am willing to start a class action lawsuit. It isn’t legal to use these practices, and I consider it harassment

Aaron Baker – March 22, 2024 – Google Play

this game installed itself without my permission after watching the ad!!!

voltage DX – March 19, 2024 – Google Play

Ad forced insalled this game.

Rob Smith – March 13, 2024 – Google Play

Installed itself through an add without my permission

Gwen S – March 11, 2024 – Google Play

The app keeps installing itself when I try to exit the ads for it. It doesn’t even ask for my consent. This is messed up and feels illegal.

llofland – February 19, 2024 – Google Play

This ad if accidentally clicked doesn’t even take you to the store to ask if you wanted to download. It just installs. That’s crazy invasive to your device, like a bug. Or a parasite. Once again, marketing work being done by ignorant sales kids who don’t understand law.

Cheryl S – February 17, 2024 – Google Play

Fun game but ads are extremely intrusive. If you try to exit the ad, other games are autoinstalled which can open your device to viruses or other bad actors.

Aneet Kumar – February 8, 2024 – Google Play

They use other apps to install RM without permission to boost their numbers. I now uninstalled this app at least 7 times – all ads from other apps that unethically installed without permission.

Star Donovan – February 2, 2024 – Google Play

There are now ads that autoinstall other apps on your phone! They look like interactive/minigame ads, but touching ANYTHING – the close button, trying to pull up the phone navigation bar to exit WS – will trigger these apps to start installing. Sometimes you can cancel w/i 1 second, other times there is no cancel so you have to remove these malicious installations later.

Savannah Bulman – January 30, 2024 – Google Play

I did not choose to install this on my device. The mobile ad for this would not allow me to exit and then this installed without my permission. I understand advertising is important but do not trust an app this invasive.

[deleted] – January 22, 2024 – Reddit

It definitely auto-installs. I’ve tested it because I was wondering where tf all these random shitty game apps were coming from in my phone. I don’t click anything, and if you don’t select “cancel” when it starts installing, the game will install. If you try to exit out, it does not count and will still install the game.

Casey Kristin Frye – December 23, 2023 – Google Play

Ads, I understand. I draw the line at forced installations. I had this app for so long and it was one of the more peaceful ones. They sadly introduced ads, which is annoying but understandable. Now the ads have gotten so intrusive I get more ads than game time. However the straw that broke the camel’s back was how exiting the ads forces you to download them. I’ve deleted 5 apps I did mot want to download.

Note: Game developer did not deny forced installations: “Our team hears you and we’re working to improve the ad experience for you. For now, you may consider getting the premium version to enjoy an ad-free version of the game.”

Lane White – December 16, 2023 – Google Play

This game is auto-dowloading in other game apps. I will never install this app.

Parker Abegg – December 14, 2023 – Google Play

It installed itself into my phone when I tried to exit an app that was showing an ad for this. This is super shady on their part and should be looked into

Ryan G – December 6, 2023 – Google Play

Shady ads install the game without clicking

Mike T – November 27, 2023 – Google Play

This ad comes up and somehow gets installed automatically without my permission. One star

LunarCipher – October 5, 2023 – Google Play

Had an advertisment of wordscapes and after it finished it installed itself when I was trying to exit the advertisment. Very sketchy that it installed itself this way

Philip Mecham – September 23, 2023 – Google Play

Everytime one of their Royal Match advertisements come up while I’m playing a different game, it force-installs Royal Match game app on my Samsung phone without my consent! I don’t know how to block it from installing! Negative 5 stars! This should be banned from the Google Play store!

Jacob Gamboa – September 4, 2023 – Google Play

100% predatory. The app installs WITHOUT permission from ads.

S Mp – August 28, 2023 – Google Play

Royal Match keeps downloading itself to my phone – without my permission. I play Uno and they have ads for it. And for the past week, it has been automatically downloading itself to my phone.

Jennifer Bozman – August 26, 2023 – Google Play

Keeps installing on my phone every time I see an ad for it. I’ve never wanted this game and I’ve never played it. Just sick as hell of deleting it from my phone.

Mia Lor – August 25, 2023 – Google Play

DO NOT INSTALL- Lately it has become difficult to exit out of the ads, which I had no problems with before. The issue now is that when I exit the ads, it begins to install the app for those ads immediately instead of simply bringing up the playstore where I have the OPTION to install. Frankly these ads that automatically download different apps make me feel that this game is UNSAFE to continue playing. What a dissapointment. This isn’t a fluke either as many friends of mine faced the same issue.

TheAntiExMachina – August 19, 2023 – Google Play

Somehow ended up on my phone,so I thought I’d leave a little insight as to how predatory the way-too-long ads are for this game. I believe it installed itself after a misclick on the ‘X’ to close the ad. A bit scary.

 

Culper 1 also presents correlation between AppLovin deals with OEMs and carriers in certain regions, spikes in installs in these regions, and spikes in user complaints.  The most natural explanation is that the OEM and carrier relationships made it possible for AppLovin to install numerous apps onto users’ phones in affected regions – causing both a spike in installations, and a spike in user complaints.  Notably the OEM and carrier deals pertained to Android only, not iPhone, and the installation spike similarly appeared for Android only.

This post is part of AppLovin Nonconsensual Installs. See important disclosures.

Ordinarily, if app A wants to install app B, it must send the user to Google Play—where installation only proceeds if the user taps the prominent green Install button. At Google Play, accidental installs are rare, and nonconsensual installs are effectively unheard of.

If installations occur outside Google Play, the first question is technical feasibility. It is not enough that source code appears to support this behavior (as shown in my execution path analysis); the Android security model must also allow it. A close review of security settings in the relevant manifests shows that such installs are indeed possible—and in fact, the unusual settings documented on this page are difficult to explain any other way.

Save The Girl manifest indicates authorization to invoke AppHub

The Android game “Save The Girl” includes the following entry in its manifest:

<intent>
<action android:name="com.applovin.am.intent.action.APPHUB_SERVICE"/>
</intent>

Ordinarily, apps do not need this line to receive ads from AppLovin.  So why does this game—and dozens of others—request permission to invoke AppHub?  What legitimate purpose does this serve?

AppHub manifest indicates authorization to invoke T-Mobile packages with elevated permissions

The AppHub manifest includes permission to interact with a T-mobile installer helper:

<uses-permission android:name="com.tmobile.dm.cm.permission.UPDATES_INSTALL"/>
<uses-permission android:name="com.tmobile.dm.cm.permission.UPDATES_LOCAL_INSTALL"/>
<uses-permission android:name="com.sprint.permission.INSTALL_UPDATES"/>
<uses-permission android:name="com.sprint.permission.INSTALL_LOCAL_UPDATES"/>
<queries>
<package android:name="com.tmobile.pr.adapt"/>
<package android:name="com.sprint.ce.updater"/>
<package android:name="com.tmobile.dm.cm"/>
</queries>

One plausible explanation is that AppHub uses a T-Mobile install helper to complete out-of-box (OOBE) installations.  But that only raises a further question: Why would third-party games need to connect to the same privileged middleware?

Com.tmobile.dm.cm has elevated permissions including installing other apps

The com.tmobile.dm.cm package has the critical permission necessary to install other apps.

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INSTALL_PACKAGES"/>
<uses-permission android:name="com.android.permission.INSTALL_EXISTING_PACKAGES"/> ...

Reviewing code, I found that this is the package that ultimately installs promoted apps.  The combination of that code (which passes execution to the installer) and this permission (which grants the package the ability to do so) reinforce my conclusion.

Some AppLovin APKs seek permission to install apps themselves, without a manufacturer/carrier install helper

In some cases, AppHub does not rely on a manufacturer or carrier install helper.  Certain AppLovin APKs instead request install permissions directly. For example, the Adapt v3.40.2 manifest includes:

<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
android:versionCode="3400299"
android:versionName="3.40.2"
android:compileSdkVersion="34"
android:compileSdkVersionCodename="14"
package="com.tmobile.pr.adapt"
platformBuildVersionCode="34"
platformBuildVersionName="14">
<uses-sdk
android:minSdkVersion="23"
android:targetSdkVersion="34"/>
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INSTALL_PACKAGES"/>...

AppLovin’s public statements are consistent with AppLovin sometimes receiving this permission. From AppLovin’s Array Terms:

To provide the Array Services to you, we may need access to the “INSTALL_PACKAGES” and “QUERY_ALL_PACKAGES” Android device permissions. We receive these permissions through your carrier or mobile phone original equipment manufacturer, and we use them to provide you with the Array Services, including presenting Direct Download screen to you and facilitating the on-device installation of mobile applications at your election (where Array acts as the technical installer, not your carrier).

This paragraph — including phone manufacturer or carrier preinstalling AppLovin code and presetting these permissions — matches what I observed. Of course the “at your election” claim is contrary to my analysis of the execution path, and my tabulation of user complaints, indicating nonconsensual installations.

This post is part of AppLovin Nonconsensual Installs. See important disclosures.

Flipping through AppLovin APKs, it is easy to find labels and strings that appear to indicate nonconsensual installations. Examples are below.

These labels must be interpreted with care. Ultimately these are labels, not directly indicating actual application functionality. Anyone could name a function FlyToMoon(), but that doesn’t mean he has a rocket or a launchpad.

Furthermore, there could be proper reasons for certain silent installs. Consider the out-of-box experience, when it is routine for manufacturers and carriers to place apps on a user’s device. Consider installations in which user consent is obtained in some earlier part of the process.

Overall, I consider the execution path a more reliable method of determining what AppLovin’s code does. On the other hand, the execution path is complicated—requiring parsing thousands of lines of code to follow the flow, and requiring substantial technical skills to understand the code. In contrast, reviewing strings can be as easy as Edit-Find and dictionary meaning.

Labels and strings in Java code

AppLovin’s code includes various labels that indicate or reference nonconsensual installations. A representative example: com.applovin.array.apphub.tmobile includes a class called TmobileSilentInstallManager. The literal meaning of a “silent install” is one without user consent.

Elsewhere in AppLovin code, there are hundreds of references to “Install”, “Installer”, “installing”, “startInstall”, and the like, including more precise labels such as “andr_app_installing_start”, “an.ui.ntfn.installing_progress.enabled”, and “package_installing_successfully_finished_notification_id”. AppLovin logging also includes status messages like “Failed to start install”, “Failed to start installing”. These labels and strings leave no doubt that AppLovin can install apps—but they do not prove that installations are silent, automatic, or nonconsensual. Other labels, like “DirectInstallOrDownload”, indicate a nonstandard installation (not via Google Play) and suggest the install has few steps (calling into question what disclosure is provided and what consent obtained), but again are less than complete proof.

Labels in JavaScript code

The AppHub APK embeds a resource file, index-BFfWBgBF.js, which contains labels indicating non-consensual “auto” installations. The file merits close examination (see my execution path analysis), but even its labels reveal its purpose. For example:

e.IsAutoInstallEnabled="ui.dd.mp.installation_countdown"
e.AutoInstallDelayMs="ui.dd.mp.install_countdown_ms"
const wt = {
...
autoInstallDelayMs: 5e3,
isAutoInstallEnabled: !0,
...

shouldStartAutoInstall
SetInstallationOnDismissEnabled
isAutoInstall
AppAutoInstallTimerEnd

Other labels indicate that installation may occur simply when a user closes an ad:

e.IsOneClickInstallOnCloseEnabled
...
const wt = {
...
isOneClickInstallOnCloseEnabled: !0
...
SetInstallationOnDismissEnabled

A JavaScript “Breadcrumb” message logger even records a possible event, “Installation on ‘X’ button click”. Yet clicking an X is ordinarily understood as rejection, not consent. Similarly, an error handler describes “Failed to set installation on dismiss enabled”—implying that, when working correctly, the code can indeed install on dismiss. But what user thinks “dismiss[ing]” an ad is basis for an installation? Code snippets below.

catch(a => {
    pe.reportError(new Error("Failed to set installation on dismiss enabled", {

pe.leaveBreadcrumb({
    message: 'Installation on "X" button click', ...

Taken together, these labels describe scenarios where installations proceed without a user being asked to install or without the user agreeing to install.

Possible settings screen entries consistent with automatic installations

The resource file index-BFfWBgBF.js also includes a potential settings screen with the following labels:

zu = "Enable Direct Download",
Gu = "Download apps with a single click", ...
Ra = { EnableDirectDownload: zu,
EnableDirectDownload_Description: Gu, ...

From the resource file alone, it is unclear whether this screen is ever presented to users, and if so, under what conditions or with what default setting. Yet users consistently report unexpected app installations, suggesting that the option may be enabled by default—or hidden in a screen users do not ordinarily open.

My personal experience reinforces doubt about such a screen being shown to users. In spring 2025, I purchased a new T-Mobile phone directly from the carrier. On first boot, the out-of-box setup prominently displayed AppLovin screens urging me to download apps. At no point did I see any option to “Enable Direct Download” or to “Download apps with a single click.”

User complaints confirm that no such screen is shown. In reviewing complaints, I found no screenshots of such a screen being proactively shown. One user noted:

I found an app called Content Manager on my Samsung S24 that I bought through T-Mobile. There was an option there that says “Allow Install of New Apps” and I turned it off, and the ad installs stopped. (Skybreak, April 6, 2024)

This complaint reinforces the problem: a user would have no reason to hunt through a Content Manager settings screen to disable unwanted installs. Nor does failing to disable a buried option constitute consent for arbitrary app installations.

This post is part of AppLovin Nonconsensual Installs. See important disclosures.

A reliable way to understand what software does is to examine its source code and trace the execution path.  This is rarely possible for compiled code, but AppLovin is largely Java, which can be decompiled using tools such as JADX.  I reviewed decompiled source code alongside the full app manifests and relevant resource files embedded within APKs.  Together, these materials reveal both what the apps are permitted to do (via permissions), how execution proceeds from function to function, and, ultimately, what occurs.

Let me remark on three key challenges in interpreting the decompiled code.  First, length.  After decompilation using JADX, the AppHub APK totals a remarkable 626,053 lines of code.  Then there’s more in the AppLovin SDK, in install helpers, in manifests, and in JavaScript.  Of course most of the code is irrelevant to app installs.  In the excerpts linked below, I focus on what I found to be relevant.  But the execution path remains lengthy even after excerpting.

Second, both decompilation and deliberate obfuscation by AppLovin make parts of the code difficult to read.  Decompilation recovers some labels (function names and variable names), but others are lost and must be generated by JADX – yielding labels that are difficult to interpret (such as AbstractC1838d0) and not the labels actually used in AppLovin’s source code.  Meanwhile, AppLovin intentionally obfuscated (minified) its JavaScript—not unexpected, because they have no reason to help anyone read it, but still an impediment to understanding.

Third, Android’s architecture—including coroutine continuation functions for multithreading—adds further complexity.  This code is not the simple a() calls b() calls c() taught in introductory programming classes.

Nonetheless, with knowledge of Java syntax and Android architecture, and with determination and grit, the execution flow is apparent.  I worked on understanding this code on-and-off from February to September 2025, and I now feel I have a good understanding.  My remarks below are my best effort under important constraints, including both the size of the task and AppLovin’s intentional obfuscation.  I cannot guarantee perfection.  See my disclosures.

In the index below, I present code in the sequence in which it operates.  Where a function name is less than self-explanatory, I remark on its purpose.  In the linked pages, I introduce each block of code with a short narrative about key steps, and I use red text to mark the flow from one step to the next.  Occasional comments, marked with the prefix // , are added by me to explain selected areas.

In the AppLovin SDK

trackAndLaunchClick()

startDirectInstallOrDownloadProcess()

showDirectDownloadAppDetailsWithExtra()

AppHub mRemote.transact()

In AppHub wrapper

onTransact()

showDirectDownloadAppDetailsWithExtra() with service method AbstractC1838d0.m3826C(),delegate C2823r(), and Kotlin coroutine continuation with entry point mo410()

BinderC2829u.m4811d() creates intent DirectDownloadActivity

c3429t1.m5750a()

C3394o1 with continuation entry point mo410r()

In DirectDownloadActivity

onCreate()

onAppDetailsCreate()

setupAppDetailsFragment() and coroutine continuation class C3359j1 with continuation entry point mo410r()

DirectDownloadMainFragment C3374l2 and onViewCreated mo1147B() with coroutines C3339g2, C3332f2, and C3325e2, plus coroutine continuation orchestrator M5734P and URL builder m5748L

AbstractC3404p4.mo1147B() with C3334f4 and C3320d4 (WebView loader)

DirectDownloadMainFragment continuation entry point mo410r()

WebView loads JavaScript resources that implement auto-install

C4785e (WebView loader)

Variable wt (default configuration)

Wt() checks IsAutoInstall and installs if set

C() checks isOneClickInstallOnCloseEnabled and installs if set

Wt() checks if AutoInstallDelayMs is set, and if so uses av() to hook a timer’s onExpire event to the install function

c() install function

Ge.installApp() hooks /install-app endpoint

makeNativeXhrRequest()

makeHttpRequest() wraps browser-native XMLHttpRequest

Java URL interceptor prepares to run T-mobile InstallerHelper

DirectDownloadMainFragment C3374l2 creates C3298a3 which creates C5252f (WebView interception manager)

C5252f registers endpoint handler C5461u for /install-app

C5461u activates DirectDownloadPackageManager C2495r1 with coroutine resume function m4446F()

C0033f0 creates C0023a0 (installation executor) and coroutine resume function m431o() and continuation entry point mo410r()

mo410r() runs T-Mobile InstallerHelper startInstall()

In T-Mobile InstallerHelper

m14262a message dispatcher

sendEmptyMesage()

startInstall()

prepareInstall()

performInstallBundle()

m14247a (InstallParams method)

PackageInstaller (Android Package Manager from core Android)

This post is part of AppLovin Nonconsensual Installs. See important disclosures.

My work follows six prior critiques in which others questioned AppLovin practices, both as to app installations and beyond.  I organize those critiques here, in chronological order, to assist those who wish to reread them. I emphasize those reports and sections that, like my post today, consider nonconsensual installations.

Culper 1 – pages 7-25 about installs

Fuzzy Panda – Part II discusses Direct Downloads and other methods of gaming installs (citing my work), among other subjects

Culper 2 – broader topics: misrepresentation of Chinese ties, national security concerns

Muddy Waters – focused on tracking and persistent identifiers

Mike Shields – on installs (citing me)

Olivia Solon (Bloomberg) – reporting an SEC probe of AppLovin’s data-collection practices

Compared with prior reports, I provide a more detailed technical analysis. For example Solon’s report of SEC inquiry does not provide any source code, screenshots, packet logs, or other direct evidence of data collection violations. I also provide greater proof relative to prior reports of nonconsensual installations. For example, the prior reports about nonconsensual installs present snippets of code, whereas I trace the full execution chain from ad delivery all the way to installation. Similarly, prior reports offer a few complaints about nonconsensual installations, but I offer hundreds, plus I explore patterns of complaints across devices and situations, and I cross-check complaints against details in decompiled AppLovin code.