Best Ways to Play Android Games on PinePhone?

[chaebol2th]

Hey everyone,
I've been experimenting with running Android games on my PinePhone, and I wanted to share some findings while also seeing what others have tried.
Since PinePhone runs Linux-based OSes like Manjaro, Mobian, and PostmarketOS, getting Android apps to work isn’t always straightforward. Here are a few methods I’ve tested:

1. Anbox – This allows you to run Android apps inside a Linux container. It works decently for basic apps, but performance can be hit-or-miss with heavier games.
   
2. Waydroid – A more optimized solution that runs a full Android system inside a container. It provides better performance and supports the Play Store and APK installations natively.
   
3. Emulation (QEMU or Box86/Box64) – Not the best for gaming, but some people have managed to run older Android versions through emulation.
   

What Works & What Doesn’t?

• Simple 2D games (puzzle, card, retro) work fine on Waydroid.
  
• More demanding 3D games may struggle without GPU acceleration.
  
• Touchscreen responsiveness depends on the OS and Waydroid’s integration.
  

If you’ve tried running Android games on PinePhone, what worked best for you? Also, does anyone have recommendations for lightweight games that run smoothly?
Let’s figure out the best gaming setup for PinePhone together! ?