Pokemon Go: How to download free-to-play game early on Android in UK and Europe

Pokemon Go Go Go!

The highly-anticipated free-to-play mobile game Pokémon Go has officially started rolling out worldwide, yet while fans in North America, Australia and New Zealand can now catch Pokémon in Augmented Reality to their hearts content, UK users are still waiting for the app to crop up on their smartphones.

However, if you're an eager British Poké-fan and can't bear the wait any longer, if you have an Android mobile there's a cheeky way into Niantic and The Pokémon Company's app a little early.

Rather than wait for the app to go live on the Google Play Store, here are the steps to follow to get into the Poké-goodness early:

Head on over to APKMirror on your smartphone (or download it on desktop and copy across).
The APK file will land in your downloads folder and show in your notifications bar, select it and the app should start downloading.
If your phone blocks the install this is because your settings are set to restrict app downloads from unofficial sources - go to Settings > Security >Unknown Sources and tick the box to "Allow installation of apps from unknown sources - go back to the app file and it will now download.
Let it download and then go catch so Pokémon!

As this is a standard app file there should be no need to re-download when it official becomes available in the UK.

Pokémon Go is an AR game that brings the world of Pokémon into our own. Not sure whether the game is for you? Check out the IBTimes UK preview before downloading for more information on Nintendo's latest foray into the hotly-contested world of mobile gaming.