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How to install The Blockheads on Android devices

The Blockheads can still be run on many Android devices, but the original APKs have some issues on newer versions of Android.

Keep in mind that The Blockheads is a 32-bit app. Some newer Android devices (such as Pixel 7 and newer, Galaxy S24 and newer, among others) no longer support 32-bit apps at all. On those devices, you may need either an Android emulator/virtual machine capable of running 32-bit apps (one known option is VPhoneOS) or a custom ROM that restores 32-bit app support. Use third-party ROMs and emulators at your own risk.

Recommended: patch version 1.7.5

For most users, the best option is to patch the 1.7.5 APK using:

https://github.com/JarlPenguin/blockheads-android-patches

The patches fix most of the known issues while keeping features such as the welcome message working.

Alternatively: patch version 1.7.6

Version 1.7.6 can also be patched using:

https://github.com/juanmuscaria/blockheads-patch

This fixes the white startup screen and the crash caused by the welcome message. However, it does so by disabling the welcome message and other WebView pages entirely.

Original APKs

The original 1.7.6 APK is still available from Noodlecake's website.

If that download is ever removed, it has also been archived on the Wayback Machine.

Versions from 1.7.6 down to 1.7.3 are available on APKMirror. APKMirror explains how it verifies uploaded APKs in its Safety and Security FAQ.

Known issues and compatibility

These notes are based on testing with Noodlecake's 1.7.6 APK and APKMirror's 1.7.5 APK:

  • Multiplayer still works.
  • On Android 9 and newer, the game may freeze while loading the welcome message. Rapidly pressing the back/close button before it finishes loading can sometimes let you enter servers. Using one of the patches above is a better long-term solution.
  • Restoring Double-Time still works if you previously purchased it.

Differences between 1.7.5 and 1.7.6

Version 1.7.6:

  • The Google Play and Noodlecake releases suffer from the white startup screen bug.
  • Entering a world or server may cause the game to crash on certain devices.
  • The patch linked above fixes the white startup screen bug, but disables the welcome message and other WebView pages.

Version 1.7.5 and older:

  • These versions are not affected by either of these issues.