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How to install the Galaxy S7 Game Launcher on other Samsung devices

AndroidPIT Camilas Samsung galaxy s7 edge diary 6
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One of the features that Samsung brought to TouchWiz on the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge was the Game Launcher. I tested it out on the S7 Edge and was impressed by how much easier it could make life for gamers. One of our site's readers contacted me asking if it would be possible to use the Game Launcher on other Samsung models. The answer is yes, and I'll explain how to do it in this article. And no, it does not require rooting.

A brief explanation of the Game Launcher

The Game Launcher functions as a center for games. It automatically adds your games to a specific folder and feeds you suggestions for games you might like. However, the main draw here is the floating 'Game Tool' button.

The Game Tool uses some Google Play Games features, such as being able to record gameplay to share with other users. The tool is really useful for those who play a lot of games on their phone.  It's also great if you, like I do, get annoyed with capacitive keys being hit unintentionally during a match and hampering your performance.

samsung game launcher features
The Game Launcher on the S7 series. / © NextPit

Installing the Galaxy S7 Game Launcher on the Galaxy S6 and other variants

There are several ways of going about this, but for this tutorial, I consulted two different topics in the XDA Developers forum and tested the procedure out on a Galaxy S6 (SM-G920F), running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. Again, this process does not require root.

Getting the Galaxy S7 Game Launcher running on the Galaxy S6 is not difficult and only requires the installation of three packages. It requires downloading files from APKmirror. Keep in mind that you must download applications from an unknown source, and this is done at your own risk.

For more on installing APK files, check out our full article on this process.

AndroidPIT Google play Store 8990
Installing APK files lets you use apps that aren't available in the Play Store. / © ANDROIDPIT

Requirements

Before downloading the APKs, enable 'Unknown sources' to allow the installation of applications from sources other than Google Play. To do this, go to Settings then Lock Screen. Go into Security and tap Unknown sources. Remember that after you have installed the files, you can disable this setting again by following the same pattern.

Downloading

Now you need to download and install the following applications:

After you have downloaded and installed these three applications, that's it: your Game Launcher is ready. If you have downloaded the packages but still the application is not fully functioning, try the following:

  • Restart the device
  • Go to Settings hit Advanced Features then go into Games and make sure that Game Launcher and Game Tools are active
  • Go to Settings > Applications > Application Manager > Game Tools > Permissions and activate them

This method should work on the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge +, Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy Note 4. The Galaxy S5 should be fine with it, as well, in theory, if the device is running Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

Will you install the Game Launcher on your Samsung device? If so, what model? Let us know in the comments.

Acknowledgements to: Martin B and sushant1thakran.

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Camila Rinaldi

Camila Rinaldi
Head of Editorial

With over 10 years of reviewing smartphones and wearables, I recently became addicted to smart home gadgets. Even though I dove into the Apple ecosystem two years back, Android remains as one of my passions. Previously editor-in-chief of AndroidPIT and Canaltech in Brazil, I now write for the US market. I love my records and I believe that the best way to get to know a place is through its food.

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9 comments
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  • 1
    pirate691 Dec 5, 2019 Link to comment

    Not working on S4 running LineageOS Pie :(


  • 1
    Terry Tan Apr 5, 2017 Link to comment

    Not working on samsung tab s2 8.0 2016

    after Go to Settings hit Advanced Features then go into Games and make sure that Game Launcher and Game Tools are active - prompt error msg and auto close.


  • 1
    jiayang23 Nov 14, 2016 Link to comment

    game tools not working on samsung galaxy a8 on marshmallow. did everything that is said on the article but still not working. Help pls


  • Vincent Tay 1
    Vincent Tay Sep 30, 2016 Link to comment

    I just installed on T719, it works! The only problem i am aware of is the launcher screen doesnt adjust to the size of the screen. Other than that, it is all fine. Tyvm!


  • 1
    derekmski Sep 11, 2016 Link to comment

    Awesome this works on my Galaxy Tab A 8.0 after it was upgraded to Marshmallow!! Also those links take you to the outdated version but apkmirror has the newer versions of all those apks which I recommend installing instead of the older ones.


  • Executed F. 4
    Executed F. Aug 3, 2016 Link to comment

    Thanks i'll try it now


  • tekf33k3n 7
    tekf33k3n Jul 30, 2016 Link to comment

    GameMode app wouldn't install on GS6 running marshmallow. The others installed fine.


  • Bernard D Tamzil 9
    Bernard D Tamzil Jul 30, 2016 Link to comment

    Am still using android 5.1.1

    Moni Mihailov


    • 19
      Moni Mihailov Jul 30, 2016 Link to comment

      4.4.2 here ;)

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