Fake Google Chrome App With 100,000+ Downloads Promoted on Google Play

A fake version of Google Chrome appeared in the Google Play Store, boasting with more than 100,000 downloads, and even securing a sponsored position above the legitimate browser.

The counterfeit application copied Chrome’s branding but was published by an unrelated developer. Google removed the listing quickly after users raised concerns online.

Key takeaways

• A fake Chrome app appeared as a sponsored result above Google’s legitimate browser
• The counterfeit listing displayed more than 100,000 downloads
• The application originally appeared as a game called Ball Bounce before adopting Chrome’s identity
• Users who installed it reported finding an unrelated chat application

A fake Chrome app hiding in plain sight

The incident surfaced on Oct.14 when a Reddit user shared a screenshot showing two nearly identical Chrome apps in Google Play search results. The first was marked as sponsored, used Google’s Chrome icon and name, but listed Hizbartech as its developer. The real Google Chrome appeared beneath the fake app.

The fake listing also copied Chrome’s promotional screenshots and description, making it hard for casual browsers to tell the two apart.

The fake browser was originally a game

The application first appeared on Google Play in August 2026 as Ball Bounce, then changed its name and branding to Google Chrome in late September.

According to PiunikaWeb, it kept its original Android package identifier, com.ballbounce.Hizbartech, suggesting the developer repurposed an existing listing rather than publish an entirely new application.

This also puts the reported 100,000 downloads into perspective. The figure does not necessarily mean 100,000 people installed the counterfeit Chrome browser.

Reddit users who installed the fake browser said they found an unrelated chat application with avatars and automated responses instead of a working browser.

How to avoid downloading fake applications

The most obvious warning sign here was the developer’s name: Google LLC, not Hizbartech, publishes the genuine Google Chrome application.

Before installing an application, particularly one associated with a well-known brand:

• Verify the developer: Make sure the publisher is the company behind the product
• Don’t blindly trust sponsored results: Paid placement does not guarantee authenticity
• Look beyond download counts: Popularity doesn't prove an application is genuine
• Watch for unexpected changes: An application that suddenly changes its name or purpose deserves closer scrutiny**

Anyone who installed the counterfeit Chrome application should remove it and run a Google Play Protect scan. The same applies to users who still have Ball Bounce from Hizbartech installed.

The larger lesson is simple: finding an application in an official store is a useful security signal, but you still need to check who actually published it.

FAQ

Was the fake Chrome app malware?

Its deceptive branding was documented, but malicious functionality has not been independently confirmed.

Did 100,000 people download the fake browser?

Not necessarily. The download count may include installations from its earlier identity as Ball Bounce.

Is the fake Chrome app still available?

Google reportedly removed it on Oct. 14, 2026.

How can I identify the real Chrome app?

Check that the developer is Google LLC.