Get Force Arena Reborn running
The game isn't in the app stores, so your phone or PC will show a few warnings the first time. That's expected. Here's what each one means and what to tap.
Android
Android 7.1 or newer
- Download the APK from forcearena.net on your phone.
- When asked, allow your browser to install unknown apps.
- If Google Play Protect warns you, tap More details, then Install anyway. It warns because the game isn't on Google Play.
- Open the game on Wi-Fi. The first launch downloads about 300 MB of game data.
- Check your in-game inbox for your starter packs. Every new player gets a copy of every unit.
In Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand, Android requires an extra verification step with a 24-hour wait. forcearena.net has the steps.
Windows PC
64-bit Windows 10 or 11
- Download the Windows installer from forcearena.net. It doesn't need administrator rights.
- If SmartScreen pops up, click More info, then Run anyway. The installer isn't signed, which is normal for a fan project.
- If Smart App Control blocks it, use the portable ZIP instead: unzip it and run SWFA64.exe.
- The first launch downloads about 400 MB of game data.
On PC, Q, W, E and 1 to 4 play your cards, R or F uses your leader skill, and right-click moves. You can change the keys in the game's settings file.
iPhone
iOS 15 or newer · needs a Windows PC or Mac and a USB cable · iOS build released October 19
- Download the IPA from forcearena.net and install it with Sideloadly using a free Apple ID. On Windows, install iTunes and iCloud from Apple's website, not the Microsoft Store.
- On your iPhone, trust the developer profile in Settings. On iOS 16 or newer, also turn on Developer Mode.
- With a free Apple ID, the app stops opening after 7 days. Reinstall with Sideloadly to refresh it, or use SideStore to refresh on the phone.
A free Apple ID allows only 3 sideloaded apps at once.
If Sideloadly fails to log in
Apple changed its login backend, and Sideloadly's login is getting blocked. The Reborn team recommends, in order:
- Open iTunes on your PC, click your phone icon, check Sync with this iPhone over Wi-Fi and hit Apply. Close Sideloadly completely, reopen it and try again.
- Temporarily turn off Advanced Data Protection (Settings, your Apple ID, iCloud, Advanced Data Protection). Turn it back on after installing.
- Use AltStore instead. It's free, handles the login better and does the same job.
Updating and your account
- Install updates over the old version. Download the new version from forcearena.net and install it; you'll be asked to update. Don't uninstall first. Uninstalling deletes your account from that device unless you linked it or made a transfer code.
- Link your account. Google account linking works since the October 19 update. Link it in the game and write down your account ID so you can always recover your progress.
- Moving to a new device: link your Google account first, then sign in with it on the new device.
- The old TRANSFER coupon (Settings, Support, Coupon, then your commander name and the code TRANSFER) was the way to move an account before Google login existed. If you use it, the code works once, expires after 24 hours and must never be shared.
- Everyone starts fresh. No progress from the original 2017 to 2019 game carries over to Reborn.
If your browser blocks the download
The game grew fast, and some browsers now flag the download while the Reborn team finishes verifying it. This is the team's own advice. Only do this for files from forcearena.net.
- Chrome on PC: click the arrow or menu next to the blocked download and choose Keep or Keep anyway. Or download it with another browser, such as Firefox.
- Chrome on Android: if Chrome won't let the file through, the team suggests temporarily setting Chrome Settings, Privacy and Security, Safe Browsing to No protection, installing the APK, and then switching Safe Browsing straight back on.
Still stuck?
The game is in open beta, so bugs happen. Post in the Reborn Discord help channel with your device, what you tapped and what happened. That's where the developers are.