Fake Google Chrome app with over 1 lakh downloads found on Google Play: How to spot and what to do next
A fake version of the Google Chrome browser appeared on the official Google Play Store , displaying over 1 lakh (100,000) downloads and securing a paid “sponsored” placement directly above Google’s genuine browser. The deceptive listing copied Chrome’s official branding, app icon, promotional screenshots and store description, but listed an entirely unrelated entity as its creator. Following widespread user complaints online, Google moved quickly to take down the fake listing.
Fake Google Chrome app hiding in plain sight as an adThe issue came to light on October 14 after a Reddit user posted a screenshot showing two nearly identical Chrome apps appearing side-by-side in Google Play search results. The top result – promoted via a paid sponsored slot – featured the official Chrome name and logo, but displayed Hizbartech as the publisher. The legitimate Google Chrome app, published by Google LLC , appeared underneath the imposter ad.
The fake listing copied the look and feel of the authentic browser, as well as the store copy, so everyday users looking for the browser could easily be fooled.
From a casual game to a fake browserReported investigations show that the fake app did not start life as a browser clone. The app first appeared on the Play Store in August 2026 as a mobile game named Ball Bounce. But in late September 2026, the developer altered the existing listing, changing the title, graphics and descriptions to impersonate Google Chrome. The application kept the original base Android package name of com.ballbounce.Hizbartech.
This repurposing explains the high download metric: the 1 lakh (100,000) installs reflected historical downloads accumulated while the app operated as a casual game, rather than 100,000 users intentionally installing a cloned browser.
Users who downloaded the app reported that it did not function as a web browser at all. Instead, it opened into an unrelated chat utility featuring digital avatars and automated replies.
How to spot fake apps and avoid scamsThe clearest indicator that the app was a fake was the developer profile. Google’s official browser is published by Google LLC, not third-party accounts like Hizbartech. “Key verification checks” are the key to prevent malicious downloads on Android:
Fake Google Chrome app hiding in plain sight as an adThe issue came to light on October 14 after a Reddit user posted a screenshot showing two nearly identical Chrome apps appearing side-by-side in Google Play search results. The top result – promoted via a paid sponsored slot – featured the official Chrome name and logo, but displayed Hizbartech as the publisher. The legitimate Google Chrome app, published by Google LLC , appeared underneath the imposter ad.
The fake listing copied the look and feel of the authentic browser, as well as the store copy, so everyday users looking for the browser could easily be fooled.
From a casual game to a fake browserReported investigations show that the fake app did not start life as a browser clone. The app first appeared on the Play Store in August 2026 as a mobile game named Ball Bounce. But in late September 2026, the developer altered the existing listing, changing the title, graphics and descriptions to impersonate Google Chrome. The application kept the original base Android package name of com.ballbounce.Hizbartech.
This repurposing explains the high download metric: the 1 lakh (100,000) installs reflected historical downloads accumulated while the app operated as a casual game, rather than 100,000 users intentionally installing a cloned browser.
Users who downloaded the app reported that it did not function as a web browser at all. Instead, it opened into an unrelated chat utility featuring digital avatars and automated replies.
How to spot fake apps and avoid scamsThe clearest indicator that the app was a fake was the developer profile. Google’s official browser is published by Google LLC, not third-party accounts like Hizbartech. “Key verification checks” are the key to prevent malicious downloads on Android:
- Check the publisher directly underneath the app title to ensure it matches the official creator or parent company.
- Paid ad placements only mean someone paid for visibility; they do not guarantee legitimacy.
- High install tallies do not automatically confirm safety, especially if an older app has been repurposed.
- Be alert to installed apps that unexpectedly change their identity, icon, or functionality.
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