BGMI is now available in India but you still can’t play the game, here is why
BGMI is now available to download for Android devices through Google Play Store. However, players might have issues opening the game due to technical errors.
In Short
- BGMI is now available to download on Google Play Store.
- But players are unable to play the game even after downloading.
- Krafton says there are some server-related issues and they are fixing it.
Battlegrounds Mobile India, also known as BGMI, is finally making its way back to the app stores, almost 10 months after it was banned in the country. Developer Krafton announced on Friday that the game would be coming back, and it would soon be available for download on both Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store. While the game is still not available for iOS devices, Android users can download the app through BGMI’s official website and click on the Play button to be redirected to the download page.
Notably, the game is still not visible within the app store, and even after downloading it from the website link, the game does not start, and players are unable to play it. Many players flagged the issue with the Android version of the game, following which the company issued an official statement.
Why BGMI is not working
According to Krafton’s statement, the company has updated the closed test track for BGMI, and players who opted for the public test of the game before its launch are now able to download the game from the Google Play Store. However, there is a technical error that is preventing some users from downloading the game. The company is aware of this error and is working to resolve it.
“Currently, the closed test track for BGMI is updated. Those who opted for a public test of the game before its launch are expected to get a message which takes them to the play store for downloading the game. However, the link won’t work, and the game cannot be downloaded as the servers have been shut. We also understand that some other users who had not opted for the closed test are also getting this message. This is a technical error, and we are working on resolving it,” reads the official statement.
Why BGMI was banned
In a series of events that began in September 2020, PUBG Mobile faced its initial ban in India alongside 117 other Chinese applications as a directive from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Responding to this setback, Krafton, the publisher of PUBG Mobile, collaborated with authorities to relaunch the game with India-specific modifications under the new name, BGMI. Unfortunately, this relaunch was short-lived, as BGMI faced another ban only a few months later.
BGMI was taken down from app stores, including Google Play and Apple App Store, in July 2022 under Section 69 of the Information Technology Act. Since then, the developer has been working with the Indian authorities to revive BGMI in the country.
BGMI is available for 90 days now
After months of the soft ban, Krafton recently announced the return of BGMI to app stores but with a 90-day trial period. The game developer has a three-month period during which the authorities will closely monitor the game. In a gesture of compliance, Krafton has made several alterations, including transforming the blood color from red to green. The company will be trying to adhere to the government’s regulations, as any violation could lead to a subsequent ban.
“We are highly grateful to the Indian authorities for allowing us to resume operations of Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI). We would like to extend our gratitude to our Indian gaming community for their support and patience over the past few months. We are excited to announce that Battlegrounds Mobile India will be available for download soon, and we cannot wait to welcome you back to our platform,” said Krafton India CEO Sean Hyunil Sohn in the official release last week.