BGMI unbanned: Battlegrounds Mobile India is now available to download on Google Play
BGMI's return to Google Play India comes days after its developer thanked the Indian government for lifting its ban.
In Short
- BGMI is available to download for free on Google Play Store.
- The action title is still not playable due to server-related issues.
- This issue on BGMI will be fixed soon, though we are awaiting official details.
By Abhik Sengupta: UPDATE: Krafton states that BGMI is not available to download anymore. An official statement from the company reads:
"Currently, the closed test track for BGMI is updated. Those who opted for a public test for the game before its launch are expected to get a message which takes them to the Play Store for downloading the game. However, the link won't work and the game cannot be downloaded as the servers have been shut. We also understand that some other users who had not opted for the closed test are also getting this message. This is a technical error and we are working on resolving it."
Below is the original story.
Battlegrounds Mobile India, popularly known as BGMI among fans, is now available for download on the Google Play store for Android smartphones. Users may not find the listing directly via the app store, though if you visit BGMI's official website and click on the Play button, you will be redirected to the download page. From there, you can download the game for free. Currently, BGMI is not available on Apple App Store for iOS, though the game may be available in the coming days.
However, it appears that users still cannot play BGMI due to server-related issues. This problem will likely be fixed soon. India Today Tech has reached out to Krafton for more details.
BGMI's return to Google Play India comes days after its developer thanked the Indian government for lifting its ban. BGMI was removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store last year for security reasons. BGMI's previous iteration, PUBG Mobile, remains banned in India for similar security reasons and links to China. Some lawmakers had also opposed the game's availability in India due to the title's effects on children.
It was also reported that BGMI's current return is conditional, and the Indian government has laid out some rules for Krafton. Firstly, the government has asked the developer to add a time limit to the game, likely to deescalate addiction. Secondly, BGMI is reportedly required to tweak its UI (user interface) to be appropriate for Indian audiences. Interestingly, before its ban, Krafton's BGMI was already tailored for Indian users. The company had also announced a partnership with Microsoft Azure to safeguard Indian users' data.
Krafton has not confirmed these details, though the company has said it is grateful to the authorities to resume BGMI's operation in India. Krafton India CEO Sean Hyunil Sohn said in a release last week, "We are highly grateful to the Indian authorities for allowing us to resume operations of Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI). We would like to extend our gratitude to our Indian gaming community for their support and patience over the past few months. We are excited to announce that Battlegrounds Mobile India will be available for download soon and we cannot wait to welcome you back to our platform.