ARCore and Android: Everything you need to know!

One of the hot new features on newer flagships is their ability to work with augmented reality (AR) applications. Pokémon Go was the first big AR game release, and Apple introduced its Animoji feature in late 2017. On the Android side, Google has been working to provide a standardized AR ecosystem with ARCore.

This is everything you need to know about ARCore!

Origins with Tango

ARCore isn't Google's first foray into augmented reality. Earlier development kits and phones had Tango (first known as Project Tango); these were devices with dedicated camera hardware to do most of the same thing that ARCore now does in software. There were two phones that worked with Tango — the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro and the Asus Zenfone AR. The phones themselves were fine, but the AR implementation was half-baked at best. Requiring dedicated hardware and shipping on niche devices meant that Tango was never going to take the world by storm, but the lessons that Google and developers learned with Tango are still relevant with ARCore.

More: What's the difference between Tango and ARCore?

What phones work with ARCore?

ARCore launched on Google's Pixel line, but quickly spread to devices from other manufacturers. LG and Samsung flagships from the last couple years are supported, as well as the Asus ZenFone AR. As time goes on, expect most Android phones to support ARCore.

More: Every Android phone with ARCore right now

Which apps support ARCore?

ARCore applications range from lighter fare like being able to stick BB-8 on your desk to making sure that IKEA furniture you're looking at actually fits in your living room. There are education apps that can help you explore the world or the human body, and games for fighting aliens. Check out which apps you can use — you're sure to find something entertaining or useful!

More to come!

Google is just getting started with ARCore. There will surely be new features announced at this year's Google I/O developer conference and alongside this year's Pixel phones. Stay tuned to Android Central for more!

More: Google's answer to ARKit is ARCore, and it's available right now

Tom Westrick
Latest in Virtual Reality
Vivo Vision Discovery Edition design reveal
This is Vivo's mixed reality headset
Samsung Project Moohan on display
Google ignored Android XR at GDC 2025, and indie VR devs are concerned
A panel of VR experts on stage at GDC 2025, discussing the "VR gaming visibility crisis."
Quest developers are joining forces to solve the 'VR visibility crisis'
A mockup of a mixed reality ornate ballroom with a Meta Quest 3. Ballroom made with Adobe AI
This new Meta Quest v74 feature is set to revolutionize immersive experiences
A promo image of the Meta Quest 3 on a grid background surrounded by eight bestselling VR titles in 2024, including Gorilla Tag and Batman: Arkham Shadow.
Meta's head of Oculus Publishing debunked Quest Store 'theories' and hinted at their Quest 4 audience at GDC
An official Gorilla Tag screenshot made to look like a "monke" is wearing a pink support headset
Gorilla Tag finally fixed its voice moderation problem
Latest in News
Top Charts in the Play Store on the Galaxy S25 Ultra
Google Play Store will get more tools to protect users from scammy apps
Google Gemini Image Query on Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Gemini could soon allow you to upload multiple images in a single prompt
Google Maps on Android Auto
Gemini could soon replace Google Assistant in Android Auto 14.0
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 on cobblestone road
One UI 7 Beta 3 for the Galaxy Z Flip 6, Fold 6 brings two notable AI additions
Gemini 2.5 Pro graphics and benchmark results.
Gemini 2.5 Pro is Google's latest AI model with thinking and multimodality built-in
Nothing Phone 3a Pro
Nothing OS 3.1 update lets Phone 3a, 3a Pro users snap and save to Essential Spaces