AnTuTu Benchmark: The Benchmark for Android

Mobile devices have improved so much that high-end models can now rival desktop computers, but it's reasonable to want to verify that performance yourself. That's where AnTuTu Benchmark comes in—arguably the go-to benchmark for Android, with a solid iOS version too. Installing AnTuTu Benchmark isn't as straightforward as with other apps, so we're here to help.

What Happened, and Where Is It?

When obtaining Android apps, you have three general options: use the official store, adopt an alternative to Google Play, or download the APK manually. But in the case of AnTuTu Benchmark, only the third option works. Why? Long story short: in March 2020, Google declared war on its developer, Cheetah Mobile, citing "multiple violations" of its terms of service. Cheetah Mobile insists its involvement in AnTuTu is minimal and that it has remained an independent project, but nothing changed: AnTuTu was expelled from the Play Store.

Now, Google thinks this decision solves a problem, but in practice it created new ones, because its store became filled with fakes claiming to be "the new AnTuTu". The only reliable source to download AnTuTu Benchmark is its official site, but there's an extra detail: its installation happens in two phases.

How to Install AnTuTu Benchmark

• The first one is relatively simple: visit the official AnTuTu Benchmark page with your mobile browser, go to the Download section, and tap the green Download button. Notice the Download 3D below? We'll get back to that later.
• The AnTuTu Benchmark APK requires a download of between 35 and 40 megabytes, depending on the version. Once complete, allow its installation, and if the device warns that you need to enable "unknown sources" on the phone, do so.
• The first run of AnTuTu Benchmark will request additional permissions on the phone that you must grant. When its interface loads, you'll notice a large circle with the phrase "Install and test". Here begins the second phase.
• Return to the official AnTuTu page, and tap the Download 3D link mentioned above. That will download the main module, also known as 3DBench. The download is huge: 600 megabytes on average, and it will keep growing. You'll need enough storage, a good connection, and plenty of battery.
• Once the 3DBench APK download is finished, proceed with its installation, and when you open it, AnTuTu Benchmark should detect it automatically, starting the benchmarking session.

In Summary

Despite the difficulties its developer has with Google, AnTuTu Benchmark hasn't lost its position as the number one benchmark for Android. Personally, I'd like to see a merge of its APKs to make installation simpler (even if the package size increases), and if the method changes in the future, we'll update this post. What's curious is that Apple has no problem with AnTuTu, and its download remains available unchanged on the App Store. Final tip: don't compare scores generated by different versions of AnTuTu; try to keep results under the same build to avoid errors.

Official AnTuTu Benchmark site: Click here.