In this guide, we will show you the steps to download and install the latest Android 15 GApps. There exist two different types of Custom ROMs- Vanilla and GApps builds. The former one is bereft of all the Google Apps Services and Framework and usually beholds their open source counterpart [for example, FDroid instead of Play Store]. On the other hand, the latter one beholds all the important Google apps and services. Depending on your needs, you can download the desired ROM build and flash it accordingly.
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Why Shoud You Flash GApps?
So where does the need to manually flash GApps arise? Well, in some instances, the developers only release the Vanilla build [LineageOS being a perfect example of the same]. So if a user wishes to get hold of the Google apps in those ROMs, they will have to additionally flash the GApps package. Likewise, if you have initially flashed a Vanilla build but now want a bunch of Google apps without actually making a switch over to the ROM’s GApps build, then you can flash this package and get the job done as well.
So owning to all these reasons, downloading and installing Android 15 GApps might prove to be quite a handy tool in knowledge. However, these GApps come in quite a few different variants and it can prove to be quite a tough task in understanding each of these variants. So let’s first try and understand what each of these builds means and then we will proceed with their flashing steps. Follow along.
Different Variants of GApps
Apart from the aforementioned perks, one additional benefit of GApps is the fact that it gives you granular control over which Google Apps you want to flash and which not. It depends on the build that you ultimately end up flashing, with the one with the least apps being the smallest in size and so on. Do note that while there are quite a few GApp developers, the number and type of GApps remain near about the same in each of their offerings. So on that note, let’s make you aware of different variants of these GApps:
Core GApps
Only comes with the crucial Google Apps, services, and Framework that are needed for the proper functioning of the Android ecosystem. This is the smallest of all the packages.
- Google Play Store
- Gms Core
- Google Services Framework
- Google Contacts Sync Adapter
- Google Calendar Sync
Go GApps
The Google Go version of a few important Google apps and services. [NOTE: This build is specifically reserved for the devices running the Android Go Edition and shouldn’t be tried on normal Android OS].
- Everything from Core
- Assistant Go
- Gallery Go
- Gmail Go
- Google Go
- Maps Go
- Navigation Go
- Pixel Launcher
- Device Personalization Services
- Google Wallpaper
Basic GApps
Apart from all the Core apps, you will also get those apps that are recommended for the best usage experience
- Everything from Core
- Google Carrier Services
- Google Clock
- Digital Wellbeing
- Google Dialer
- Google Messages
- Google Contacts
Omni GApps
Apart from all the Basic apps, you get a few additional apps that could also be categorized as helpful ones rather than bloatware.
- Everything from Basic
- Device Health Services
- Google Drive
- Gmail
- Google Calculator
- Google Setup Wizard
- Google Maps
- Google Photos
Stock GApps
This is where things begin to get bigger. In addition to the apps being a part of Omni, you will get a slew of other Google Apps which are usually optional and no even needed by many users.
- Everything from Omni
- Android Device Policy
- GBoard (Replaces AOSP keyboard)
- Google Calendar (Replaces AOSP Calendar)
- Google Feedback
- Google Partner Setup
- Pixel Launcher
- Device Personalization Services
- Google Files (Android R+)
- Google Velvet (for voice unlock)
- Google Sound Recorder
- Google Markup
- Google Sounds
- Google Wallpaper
Full GApps
As is evident by its name, it beholds all the Google apps, services, and frameworks. This is the largest of all the packages.
- Everything from Stock
- Google Play Books
- Google Keep
- Google Chrome (Replaces AOSP Browser)
- Google Assistant
- Google Play Games
- YouTube Music (Replaces AOSP Music and Google Play Music)
- Device Setup (Android for work)
- Android Auto
Download Android 15 GApps
Since the GApps only consist of apps from Google with no modification whatsoever, there is no specific source that could be considered the best. With that said, in most cases, the ROM developers usually recommend specific GApps but if that is not the case, then you may go ahead with NikGApps.
- LiteGApps Android 15: Download Link
- NikGapps Android 15: Download Link
- MindTheGApps Android 15: Download Link
- BiTGapps Android 15: Download Link
- For crDroid Android 15 ROM: Download Link
How to Install Android 15 GApps
Unless instructed otherwise, the GApps package should be flashed after installing the custom ROM and the mode of flashing should be a custom recovery like TWRP or an AOSP Recovery like LineageOS Recovery. Moreover, you should do a reboot to recovery before flashing GApps and after flashing the custom ROM. So with that in mind, let’s get started with the different methods to install the Android 14 GApps onto your device.
METHOD 1: Install Android 15 GApps via TWRP Mount
- Download and extract Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC.
- Then connect your device to the PC via USB cable.
- Now from TWRP, go to Mount and tap on Enable MTP.
- Then open File Explorer on your PC and your device will be visible.
- So transfer the GApps.zip file to your device. Once done, go to the Install section of TWRP.
- Then select the GApps ZIP file and perform a right swipe to flash it. That’s it.
METHOD 2: Install Android 15 GApps via ADB Push
- Download and extract Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC.
- Then transfer the GApps.zip file to the platform-tools folder on your PC.
- Likewise, open Command Prompt inside the platform-tools folder.
- Now execute the below command to send the GApps file to your device:
adb push gapps.zip /sdcard
- Now go to the Install section of TWRP and select the GApps.zip file.
- After that, perform a right swipe to flash it. That’s it.
METHOD 3: Install GApps via TWRP and ADB Sideload
NOTE: This method is generally not recommended [because sideloading is reserved for AOSP Recovery] and should only be used if the above ones aren't working.
- Download and extract Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC.
- Then transfer the GApps.zip file to the platform-tools folder on your PC.
- Likewise, open Command Prompt inside the platform-tools folder.
- Now from TWRP, go to Advanced > Sideload and perform a right swipe to start the sideload
- Then execute the below command to sideload and GApps file:
adb sideload gapps.zip
- That’s it. GApps will now be flashed onto your device.
METHOD 4: Install Android 15 GApps via AOSP Recovery
- Reboot your device to AOSP Recovery. [If you have just sideloaded the ROM and are still there in the AOSP recovery, then go to Advanced > Reboot to Recovery].
- Now, go to Apply Update > Apply from ADB.
- Then download GApps, place it inside the platform-tools folder, and rename it to gapps.zip
- Now type in the below command to flash the GApps file via Sideload:
adb sideload gapps.zip
- You might get a Signature Verification failed message on some ROMs [like LineageOS] because the GApps package isn’t signed by the ROM developers. That’s not an issue, just hit YES to proceed ahead.
- Once done, you may now finally reboot your device to the OS via “Reboot system now”.
So with this, we round off the guide on how you could download and install GApps on your Android 15 device. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution at the earliest.
