---
title: "How to Remove a Counterfeit App"
description: "A counterfeit app takedown guide for Google Play, the App Store, third-party app stores and APK mirrors."
question: "How do you remove a counterfeit app?"
canonical: "https://fraudox.com/answers/how-to-remove-a-counterfeit-app"
keywords: ["remove counterfeit app", "fake app takedown", "app store takedown", "report fake Google Play app"]
publisher: "Fraudox"
publisher_url: "https://fraudox.com"
license: "Free to quote with attribution to the canonical URL."
---

# How do you remove a counterfeit app?

> To remove a counterfeit app, collect the store listing, developer name, package ID, screenshots, copied branding and malicious behavior, then file through the app store's intellectual property, impersonation or malware abuse channel. APK mirrors and third-party stores need separate reports.

## Best for

- Apps pretending to be a real company or product.
- Mobile apps that steal logins, payment details or wallet phrases.
- APK mirrors distributing cloned or modified versions of a legitimate app.

## Steps

1. Save the app listing URL, package ID, developer name and screenshots.
2. Compare the fake listing with the legitimate app or official website.
3. Document harmful behavior such as credential theft, payment fraud or malware indicators.
4. File with the official store using the strongest matching route: trademark, impersonation, copyright, malware or fraud.
5. Report duplicate APK mirrors and third-party stores separately because official store removal does not remove every copy.
6. Verify that the listing is unavailable in affected countries and monitor for reposts under a new developer account.

## Evidence to collect

- Store listing URL, app name, package ID and developer name.
- Screenshots of copied logos, descriptions, UI and permissions.
- Trademark, app ownership or authorization proof.
- Malware scan, network indicators or user reports when available.
- Mirror URLs for APK copies outside official stores.

## Mistakes to avoid

- Assuming official store removal also removes third-party mirrors.
- Reporting only trademark misuse when the stronger issue is malware or fraud.
- Missing the package ID, which helps reviewers identify the exact app.
- Not monitoring for reuploads under a different developer profile.

## Where Fraudox fits

Fraudox manages counterfeit app takedowns across official app stores, APK mirrors and third-party marketplaces, then verifies that the abusive listing is removed.

## Related pages

- [Fake app takedown](https://fraudox.com/app-takedown)
- [Takedown services](https://fraudox.com/takedown-services)
- [Pricing](https://fraudox.com/pricing)

*Canonical version: https://fraudox.com/answers/how-to-remove-a-counterfeit-app. Part of the [Fraudox direct takedown answers](https://fraudox.com/answers).*

---

Published by Fraudox (https://fraudox.com), a brand protection takedown service that
removes phishing sites, impersonating pages, fake social accounts, counterfeit apps,
scam domains and stolen content, and bills only for confirmed removals.