How to Install Google Services on Chinese ROM Phone (Play Store Step by Step)

Chinese ROMs from brands such as Oppo, OnePlus, vivo and iQOO usually do not come with Google Mobile Services (GMS), because Google’s services are restricted in China. That means no Play Store, Gmail or Google Maps out of the box.

The good news is that on most of these phones you can turn Google services on Chinese ROM Phones in a few steps. This guide shows the steps for each brand, what to do when they fail, and what to avoid. The main steps come from Smartprix.

How to install Google services on a Chinese ROM phone - OnePlus, vivo and Oppo — Image credit: OnePlus, vivo and OPPO (YouTube footage)

How to Install Google Services on Chinese ROM at a Glance

Brand (software)	Where to start	Then
Oppo and OnePlus (ColorOS)	Settings, then search for “Google Mobile Services” and switch it on	Sign in with your Google account; if the Play Store is missing, install it from the App Market
vivo and iQOO (OriginOS)	Settings, More connections, Android Auto, then Google Basic Service Management	Tap Download now, install the Play Store, then add your Google account in Settings
Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO (HyperOS)	Settings, Account and sync, Google basic services (reported path)	Install the Play Store, then sign in

Menu names change between models and software versions. The Smartprix guide was written in May 2025 for the ColorOS and OriginOS versions of that time, so on a newer phone such as one running ColorOS 16 or OriginOS 6, the wording may be slightly different. If you cannot find a setting, use the search box in Settings.

Before You Start

Use a stable internet connection. The first sign-in and the Play Store verification both need one.
Charge the phone and keep it on Wi-Fi.
Have your Google account details ready. Only enter them inside the Google sign-in screen of the phone.
Do not install random “Google installer” APKs from unknown sites. Use the switch in Settings and the phone’s own app store.

Oppo and OnePlus (ColorOS): Step by Step

Open Settings and search for Google Mobile Services.
Switch the toggle next to it on to activate GMS.
Tap the Google button below it and sign in with your Google account.
The Play Store should install automatically. If it does not, open the App Market or App Picks and search for “Google Play”.
The text is in Chinese, so tap the Install button next to the Play Store.
Open the Play Store and install the apps you need, such as YouTube, Gboard, Android Auto and Google Docs.
Restart the phone so that all services run correctly.

vivo and iQOO (OriginOS): Step by Step

Open Settings, tap More connections and choose Android Auto.
Turn on Google Basic Service Management.
Tap Download now to get the Google Play Store.
Press Install when it sends you to the download page.
After the installation, go to Settings > Accounts and add your Google account.

You can also open the vAppStore (or the iQOO app store) and search for “Google Installer” or “Google Play Store”. Some OriginOS versions let you install Google apps directly from there. Then follow the prompts and add your account under Settings.

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO (HyperOS)

Chinese-language guides report that Xiaomi phones have a “Google basic services” switch under Settings > Account and sync. After enabling it, you install the Play Store and sign in. We could not verify these steps on a new HyperOS 3 phone, so treat them as a starting point. Xiaomi is also the hardest brand to fix if something goes wrong: according to Notebookcheck, the bootloader of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra cannot be opened easily, so alternative ROMs are not an option. See our Xiaomi 17 Ultra comparison for details.

The Play Store Is Installed, but It Does Not Work

Stuck on “verifying” or content will not load. The first launch includes a device and account check. Guides say this is usually a network problem, so try a stable connection, and some guides suggest a VPN for this first step.
Turn on the Google service switch first. Some users found that the installer crashed because they had not enabled the switch.
Check Play Protect. Open the Play Store settings and look at the Play Protect certification. It may still be incomplete on some phones.
Restart the phone after the first setup so that all Google services start correctly.

What Still Does Not Work After You Add Google Services

Google services solve app compatibility, but they do not change the hardware or regional limits of a Chinese ROM phone. Notebookcheck reports that the Chinese Xiaomi 17 Ultra lacks eSIM, Android Auto and Wear OS compatibility, and that the Chinese Oppo Find X9 Pro has no eSIM and can be hard to pair with Wear OS watches. Warranty and update promises also stay limited. Read our Chinese ROM vs Global ROM guide for the complete list.

Is It Safe to Install Google Services This Way?

Using the built-in switch and the phone’s own app store is the safest route, because the files come from the manufacturer’s store. Third-party one-click installers are riskier, since they are unofficial software. If you must download an APK of the Play Store, take it from a trusted mirror and not from a file that someone sent you, because guides warn that sideloaded files can be altered. Our guide on whether it is safe to buy a Chinese ROM phone covers the other risks.

How to Install Google Services on a Chinese ROM Phone FAQ

Do Chinese ROM phones come with the Google Play Store?

Usually not. They are not pre-installed because of restrictions in China.

How do I enable Google Mobile Services on OnePlus or Oppo?

Search for Google Mobile Services in Settings, switch it on, sign in with your Google account and install the Play Store from the App Market if needed.

How do I get the Play Store on a vivo or iQOO phone?

Go to Settings, More connections, Android Auto, turn on Google Basic Service Management and tap Download now.

Is installing Google services on a Chinese ROM safe?

The built-in method is the safest. Avoid unknown one-click installers.

Why does the Play Store say “verifying”?

It is usually a network problem on the first launch. Try a stable connection, and some guides suggest a VPN for the first sign-in.

Will Google services break after an update?

We did not find a source that says so for the built-in method. Third-party installers are the riskier option.

Will Android Auto work after I install Google services?

It depends on the phone. The Chinese Find X9 Pro supports Android Auto, but the Chinese Xiaomi 17 Ultra does not.

Can I use Gmail and Google Maps on a Chinese ROM phone?

Yes, once Google services are enabled and the apps are installed from the Play Store.

Do I need to flash a global ROM instead?

Not necessarily. Many users only need the Google switch. Flashing is optional, and some brands such as Xiaomi make it difficult.

Which Chinese ROM phone is easiest to set up?

Oppo and OnePlus have the simplest built-in method, according to the guide we used.

Sources:

Axee Davies

Axee Davies is the founder of AxeeTech, publishing gaming guides, codes, and Windows how-tos since March 2013. A tech enthusiast for 13+ years — starting with smartphones and Android rooting — he now runs a site that puts out a new guide every day for Roblox players, traders, and Windows users. More about AxeeTech

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