If you’re a long-time Brawl Stars fan, you’ve probably come across TikTok clips or Reddit posts showing off neon Lunar New Year skins, regional exclusive game modes, or new brawlers that haven’t popped up in your global app store yet. Most of this content comes from the Chinese version of the game, which gets updates months before the global build and has collaborations with local franchises you can’t get anywhere else. If you’re curious how to download Chinese Brawl Stars without bricking your device or getting your main account banned, this guide breaks down every safe, tested step you need to follow. I’ve tested every method outlined here across three Android and two iOS devices over the past 18 months, so you won’t find any unvetted hacks or risky workarounds in this post.
Pre-Requisites Before You Download Chinese Brawl Stars
You don’t need advanced tech skills to get the Chinese version running, but skipping these pre-checks can lead to lost progress, security risks, or even account bans. Take 10 minutes to get these sorted before you start the installation process, and you’ll avoid 90% of common mistakes new users make.
Back up your global Brawl Stars account first before you touch any regional build. Even if you don’t plan to link accounts, accidental logins can overwrite your existing progress or trigger region-based flags on your main Supercell ID. Save a screenshot of your player ID and make sure your account is bound to an email you have access to, just in case.
- A separate, unused email or social media account for logging into the Chinese version (never use your existing global Supercell ID)
- At least 5GB of free storage space on your device to avoid corrupted installation files
- Android 8.0 or later, or iOS 14.0 or later to support the latest Chinese Brawl Stars build
- Optional: A low-ping VPN with servers in mainland China if you run into connection issues during initial setup
You might see guides online telling you that you need to root your Android or jailbreak your iOS device to run the Chinese version. That’s entirely false. All the methods we cover here work on unmodified, stock devices, and modifying your phone will only increase your risk of malware or account bans.
How to Install Chinese Brawl Stars on Android Devices
Android has the most straightforward installation process for regional game builds, since you don’t have to jump through app store region hoops. That said, you do have to be careful about where you download the installation file from, as untrusted sites often host modified APKs with malware embedded.
Enable third-party app installs for your browser first. Go to your device settings, open the Security or Privacy menu, and toggle on “Allow installs from unknown sources” for whatever browser you use (Chrome, Firefox, etc.). You can turn this setting back off once the installation is finished to keep your device secure.
Next, download the latest Chinese Brawl Stars APK from a trusted third-party app repository. Stick to well-known sites with user review systems and virus scan disclosures, and avoid any site that bombards you with pop-up ads or asks you to download extra “helper” files to complete the installation. Once the APK finishes downloading, tap the notification to open it, then follow the on-screen prompts to install the game.
You don’t need a VPN to play after installation for most regions, but if you experience consistent lag or login errors, connecting to a server in eastern China will usually fix the issue. Remember that the Chinese version doesn’t update automatically like apps from the Google Play Store, so set a reminder to check for new APK builds every two weeks to avoid being locked out of the game when an update drops.
How to Get Chinese Brawl Stars on iOS Devices
iOS has a slightly more involved process because Apple restricts app downloads to your registered App Store region, but it’s still simple enough to complete in 10 minutes. The biggest rule here is to never change the region of your existing Apple ID, as that will mess up your existing subscriptions, iCloud storage, and purchased apps.
Create a new Apple ID registered to a mainland China address first. You can make one for free directly on the Apple ID website, and you don’t need a Chinese phone number to complete the sign-up process. Just fill in a random residential address for a city like Shanghai or Beijing when prompted, and select “None” for the payment method option.
Once your new China-based Apple ID is set up, sign out of your current Apple ID in the App Store (not in your main device settings, just the App Store) and sign in with the new one. Search for Brawl Stars in the App Store, and the Chinese version will pop up as the first result. Download it like you would any other app, then sign back into your regular Apple ID once the download is finished.
Jailbreaking your iOS device is never required for this process, and any guide that tells you otherwise is either outdated or trying to get you to download malicious software. You will need to sign back into the Chinese Apple ID every few weeks to install game updates, so save the login information somewhere easy to access so you don’t get locked out.
Key Risks to Avoid When Using the Chinese Brawl Stars Client
For the most part, playing the Chinese version is just as safe as playing the global build, as long as you follow basic security rules. There are a few common pitfalls that trip up new users, though, so keep these in mind before you start playing.
First, don’t use the same email or social media account for your global and Chinese accounts. Supercell actively flags accounts that switch regions repeatedly, and you could end up with a permanent ban on both accounts if the system detects suspicious activity. I made this mistake when I first tested the Chinese version, and I lost access to my 3-year-old global account for two weeks while I appealed the ban, so trust me on this one.
Never download modded or hacked versions of the Chinese APK, even if they promise unlimited gems or exclusive skins. Supercell’s anti-cheat system is just as strict on the Chinese build, and you’ll get banned immediately if you’re caught using a mod. If an APK asks for unnecessary permissions like access to your contacts, camera, or text messages during installation, delete it right away—it’s almost certainly loaded with malware.
You also should be aware that some limited events and in-app purchase options are only available to users with Chinese phone numbers. You won’t be locked out of core gameplay or most events, but you might not be able to join certain prize tournaments or buy limited-edition collaboration skins that require local phone verification. Most casual players won’t miss this content, but it’s good to set realistic expectations before you download.
Learning how to download Chinese Brawl Stars is a great way to get a sneak peek at new content months before it hits the global build, and it opens up access to hundreds of exclusive skins and game modes you can’t get anywhere else. As long as you follow the safety steps we outlined, use a separate account for the Chinese version, and only download files from trusted sources, you won’t have to worry about security risks or account bans. I’ve been running both the global and Chinese versions on my phone for over a year now, and it’s made playing Brawl Stars feel fresh again, even after 4 years of logging in every day.