Flappy Bird Hack: iPhone Return Impossible, But Android APK Not Necessary Soon

The Flappy Bird iPhone version is unfortunately impossible due to the iOS app store policy by Apple. But Android users can rejoice since they won’t have to search for a Flappy Bird APK file anymore if creator Dong Nguyen actually brings the popular mobile game back.

In a related report by The Inquisitr, the creator originally “pictured how people play – One hand holding the train strap…. When you play game on a smartphone, the simplest way is just tapping.” But instead of being a mindless way to relax, it turned into a gaming addiction that reportedly caused people to lose their jobs and kids were breaking their phones in frustration.

This reality completely contradicted his intention for the game:

“I was just making something fun to share with other people. I couldn’t predict the success of Flappy Bird…. Flappy Bird was designed to play in a few minutes when you are relaxed. But it happened to become an addictive product. I think it has become a problem. To solve that problem, it’s best to take down Flappy Bird. It’s gone forever. My life has not been as comfortable as I was before. I couldn’t sleep. I don’t think it’s a mistake, I have thought it through.”

While Dong changed his mind and plans on bringing the game back, the re-release of Flappy Bird will include an update which will remind gamers to take a break. He’s also kind of out of luck when it comes to the Flappy Bird iPhone version. When it was deleted off of Apple’s app store a company called Mobile Media Partners bought the name. In addition, Apple’s developer documentation says that “if you delete your app, you can’t restore it.” The Google Play developer policy page, on the other hand, does not list a similar stipulation.

But there are workarounds for the Flappy Bird iOS version. If you happen to have a jailbroken iPhone or iPad then the easiest method is to download the Flappy Bird ipa file, drag the icon onto the Apps icon in iTunes, and then synchronize your Apple device with your computer.

But if you don’t have a jailbroken device here are the instructions for another Flappy Bird hack for the iOS version:

“The first requires you to find someone who previously downloaded the game and who trusts you. You’ll need to borrow their Apple ID for a few minutes because Apple allows apps to be installed onto multiple devices. Even though Flappy Bird is now unpurchaseable from the app store it’s still technically backed up on the store. First, open the App Store app, click the Updates tab at the bottom, then Purchased and Not On This iPhone. Search for the Flappy Bird game in the list and then tap the iCloud symbol to download it to your device. Now you can log out of your friend’s Apple ID and use your own. The only downside to this method is that shared apps require you to log into the other Apple ID for updates, but since the Flappy Bird iPhone version is unlikely to ever be updated again that shouldn’t be problem. Also, be aware that if you do a full sync with iTunes it may delete Flappy Bird.”