Over time, virtual reality overcomes all sorts of limitations and presents its potential to the world. Virtual reality has taken only the first steps in its development. What we see is nothing but the tip of the iceberg.
Today, the scope of VR has spread to many areas. The experience of virtual reality can be divided into gaming and non-gaming. Education, entertainment, space, medicine, architecture, tourism, etc. are examples of non-gaming virtual reality experiences.
To experience virtual reality, you will need a virtual reality headset, a smartphone (Android) and a virtual reality app. Virtual reality applications are designed to be used in various scenarios on their smartphones (Android and iPhone).
As Facebook, Google and other large corporations take the lead in the development of the VR industry, various VR applications are flooding the market.
In this article, we will discuss the best VR apps available for Android devices.
18 Best VR Apps for Android
- Google Cardboard
- Google Daydream
- Google Expeditions
- Google Arts & Culture
- Google Earth VR
- YouTube VR
- Full immersion in virtual reality
- Netflix VR
- space titans
- InCell VR
- Starfighter Minos VR
- Thrill in Virtual Reality: Rollercoaster 360
- New York Times VR
- AAA VR Cinema
- Apollo 15 VR Moon Landing
- In virtual reality
- Theater VR for cardboard
- Zombie shooter VR
1. Google Cardboard VR
Google Cardboard tops our list of the best virtual reality apps. The Cardboard VR app allows you to experience many virtual scenes. Whether it’s visiting new places or immersing yourself in games, flying free in space, etc.
You can watch and play to your heart’s content with Google Cardboard. Too bad Google has discontinued Google Cardboard. But you can still enjoy pre-saved VR experiences on Cardboard.
- Google Cardboard is simple and fun. Thanks to this, you can get an affordable virtual reality experience.
- You have hundreds of experiences to choose from. For example, you are swimming in a river, playing tennis in space, watching MJ stand on stage, etc.
- Available for both Android and iPhone.
2. Google Daydream VR
Google Daydream is another addition to the Google VR franchise. With this application, you can enjoy high-quality virtual reality (VR) on Daydream-enabled phones. With an ever-growing collection of VR experiences, your favorite games and apps won’t be enough.
But like other Google VR product, Google Daydream was discontinued in 2019 due to lack of immediate success. But you can still download and install the Google Daydream VR app without any support from the Google team.
Google Daydream is available on Android Nougat 7.1 and later.
3. Google Expeditions VR
Google Expeditions is one of the top educational virtual reality apps. If you are a teacher, you can take your class on a virtual tour of some of the world’s top attractions. With the Google Expeditions VR app, you will fully immerse yourself in the joy of learning and traveling.
- Google Expeditions is available for free on iOS and Android devices.
- It is ideal for a small study group. It also comes in two modes. The first is guide mode (teacher) and the other is guide mode (student).
- Each of these expeditions contains notes, curriculum, discussion boards, panoramic view, etc.
Note. The content of the Google Expeditions app has been merged with the Google Arts & Culture app.
4. Google Arts and Culture VR
Are you an art lover? Interested in ancient civilizations? Google Arts & Culture is a non-profit initiative. Google Cultural Institute, partnering with over 2,000 museums and art galleries in 80 countries, has brought together the world’s cultural heritage to make it accessible to everyone, everywhere.
Now you can visit the preserved cultural knowledge from the comfort of your home.
- You can take a photo and convert it with Art Transfer.
- With Art Selfie you can find portraits that look like you.
- With Art Projector you can see what the image looks like in real size.
- With Pocket Gallery, you can roam the galleries and discover art.
- Experience the culture in 360 degrees with 3D video.
- With the Art Recogniser, you can learn more about a particular piece of art by pointing your device’s camera at the piece of art (feature only available in select museums).
5. Google Earth VR
Your dream of traveling the world comes true with the fully immersive Google Earth VR. Google developed this app to map the entire earth, and in virtual reality, you can travel from one place to another in just a few seconds.
With Google Earth, you can roam the streets of major cities and landmarks around the world. Just find the name of the place you want to see and click “Street View”.
- Google Earth VR is free to download and use. And compatible with most VR devices.
- Immerse yourself in a 360-degree view of important landmarks around the world.
- Walk and play in the earth’s atmosphere and space.
- Navigating the Google Earth VR app via Google Assistant.
6. Virtual reality on YouTube
YouTube VR is a popular choice for watching music videos in virtual reality. An extensive video library makes it the best choice for VR entertainment. This application allows you to view virtual reality on your smartphone by tapping and dragging the screen. You can also enjoy watching virtual reality videos with a VR headset.
- The YouTube VR app has a built-in grip handling module that allows you to navigate using voice control.
- Besides watching videos for fun, you can also create content with this app.
- Allows users to create 180-degree and 360-degree videos with full immersion in the environment.
7. Total immersion in virtual reality
Fulldive VR is a social VR app where you can chat, like, share or follow friends. Listen to music, surf the web, watch YouTube, play games, etc. You can enjoy a variety of Fulltime VR experiences.
By performing tasks like chatting, watching videos, browsing, etc., you can earn passive money like bitcoin, ethereum and other cryptocurrencies.
- You can watch videos on YouTube, including 3D in virtual reality.
- Broadcast 3D 360-degree video to your audience in virtual reality.
- With Fulltime VR, you can enjoy virtual reality viewing. It also supports VR images from photo gallery, VR videos from your video player, etc.
8. Netflix VR
The Netflix VR app is another popular VR entertainment app. Users can choose two viewing modes in Netflix VR. The first mode puts you in a living room with a colossal TV playing Netflix. The second mode is to watch Netflix in the void. The viewing angle is synchronized with the movement of your eyes.
- You can subscribe to Netflix and access numerous cherished movies and shows in 3D.
- Compatible with most VR headsets.
- With static view mode, you feel comfortable in a cozy room and watch Netflix on a wall-mounted TV.
- An immersive virtual reality mode in which 3D content is played according to your eye movements.
9. Space Titans
Want to go on a space adventure in virtual reality? The Titans of Space VR app is the right choice. With this application, you can fully immerse yourself in a virtual tour of our solar system.
The Titans of Space is a semi-educational, semi-entertainment app. You can take a trip to the sun, moon and eight planets and learn some common and unusual facts about the cosmos.
- Space Titans can be downloaded for free.
- Improved 3D effects.
- The application uses a reduced scale to measure the distance between two celestial bodies. Similarly, the sizes of bodies are also calculated on a reduced scale.
- It plays immersive music that will accompany you on your journey.
Download Space titans wallpaper
10. InCell VR
Incell VR is a virtual reality app for learning and playing. While there aren’t many great VR gaming apps currently available, the Incell VR app has made a name for itself in the VR gaming arena.
The background of the game is set in the year 2100, where the player is reduced to a tiny size. The battlefield is inside the human body. The main goal of the player is to protect the human body, fight dangerous viruses and learn more about human biology.
11. Starfighter Minos VR
If you are a Star Wars fan, Minos Starfighter VR will blow your mind. This is an arcade first-person space shooter for virtual reality. In the game, the player will have to replace the space fighter and fight against hordes of aliens in various space environments.
What’s more, the sound and graphics quality makes it more immersive than the competition. So far, the Minos Starfighter VR gaming app is considered one of the best and is available on the Google Play store.
With this VR gaming app, you can sincerely say, “My journey is a sea of stars.”
12. VR Thrills: Rollercoaster 360
Are you an adventurous person? With VR Thrills: Roller Coaster 360, you can enjoy an exciting rollercoaster ride from the comfort of your sofa. This VR app is one of the best entertainment apps for android.
The application contains many videos of roller coaster rides in first person. And in a virtual environment, you can feel like on a real roller coaster.
- VR Thrills: Roller Coaster 360 is available for Google Cardboard.
- It contains real rollercoasters and fantastic rides that will make your jaw drop.
- The latest version of the app has a Create Ride feature. Using this feature, you can create and customize your ride.
- You can share your customized ride with your friends or take a ride on one of the 150,000 created rides.
Download VR Thrills: Roller Coaster VR
13. New York Times VR
The New York Times VR app is one of the best virtual news outlets. So, if you are tired of watching the news on TV, you can have a fully immersive 360-degree audiovisual experience with this application.
The application contains videos ranging from 30 seconds to full-length news reports. The news covers several interesting topics, from fashion to climate.
Not only news, but New York Times VR also serves as an educational virtual reality with many short videos (less than 10 minutes). For example, exploring the former planetary member of our solar system, Pluto, traveling to the land of salt and fire, etc. are some of the popular Virtual videos on New York Times VR.
Moreover, the New York Times is careful about the data. Average user data consumption allows you to download videos for later viewing.
Unfortunately, the New York Times has withdrawn its NY VR app from the market. But you can still enjoy great content on YouTube VR.
14. Cinema AAA VR
The AAA VR Cinema app plays videos and cinemas in virtual reality on Google Cardboard. With this application, you can watch high quality videos on non-standard devices.
In addition, it contains features such as 180-degree head tracking, 360-degree view, and resting head. With them, you can watch videos and movies without interruption. AAA VR Cinema is one of the best virtual reality applications for watching video content.
- AAA VR Cinema supports unlimited video length.
- Get completely immersed in 180-degree head tracking and 360-degree viewing with stereos placed side by side and top to bottom.
- Graphics options allow you to play videos on Android devices with low performance.
- Thanks to the head rotation reset function, you can lie on the bed and watch a movie.
- You can also play or share videos from the Google Gallery app.
15. Apollo 15 VR Moon Landing
Apollo 15 Moon Landing VR uses data from the 1971 Apollo Moon Landing Mission to create a VR tour of the Moon. So, if you are interested in the historical moment of humanity landing on the moon, we highly recommend this VR app.
Download Apollo 15 Moon Landing VR
16. In virtual reality
Within VR is a platform that offers an incredible immersive virtual reality experience. Discover the best VR content from various genres such as news, health, sports, documentaries, etc.
The Inside app is the go-to place for cinematic VR. The Inside app supports all major headsets and smartphones, including Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Sony, iPhone, iPad, and Android.
17. Cardboard VR Cinema
If you are looking for a VR app to watch videos in your phone’s gallery, VR Theater is the right choice. This app is free to download and install without any in-app purchases.
VR Theater is a unique VR application that allows you to watch videos in 2D and 3D. The user interface is simple and neat. You can watch videos in 180-degree and 360-degree mode for a fully immersive virtual reality experience.
Download VR theater for cardboard
18. Zombie shooter VR
Zombie Shooter VR is a first-person shooter in virtual reality. This game is filled with bloodthirsty post-apocalyptic zombies ready to attack you. Players start empty-handed and must navigate through a subway tunnel filled with zombies. Watch for zombies to appear to attack you.
The application has a free trial system. You can play the game for free during the whole trial period, and if you like this VR game, you can go for a purchase.
Conclusion
These are some of the best VR apps available on the Google Play Store. You can fully enjoy the delights of virtual reality. With just a compatible Android device and a VR headset, you can enjoy the best 3D content available today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best app for watching VR movies?
There are two kinds of VR apps for watching movies in virtual reality. First, the application contains a video library. YouTube VR, Netflix VR, Within VR, etc. are some examples. The second type refers to the VR video player app with which you can play the videos stored on your phone. For example, AAA VR Cinema, KMPlayer VR, VR Theater, VLC 360, etc.
How do I set up my Android phone for VR?
First, check if your Android phone supports virtual reality. Then you need to download the VR app from the Google Play store. There are many free VR apps available on the internet. Launch the VR app from the app drawer, play the video in the app, then place your device in the dedicated VR headset position. And voila, your Android is set up for an enjoyable virtual reality session.
Does Netflix have VR movies?
While Netflix doesn’t have VR movies, you can still watch standard shows in VR modes. The Netflix VR app offers two virtual reality modes. You feel comfortable in a rustic living room where NetFlix runs on a wall-mounted TV in first mode. And you are set to watch Netflix shows and movies in the void in the second mode.
What is the best virtual reality app for Android?
Below are some of the best virtual apps available for Android: Google Cardboard, Google Daydream, Google Expeditions, Google Arts & Culture, Google Earth VR, YouTube VR, Fulldive VR, Netflix VR, Titans Of Space, InCell VR, Minos Starfighter VR. – VR Thrills: Roller Coaster 360– New York Times VR– AAA VR Cinema– Apollo 15 Moon Landing VR– Within VR– VR Theater For Cardboard– Zombie Shooter VR