Native app vs mobile web
Native Android apps (from Google Play) offer push notifications and tighter integration with your phone. Mobile web apps work in Chrome or Firefox and need no installation. For NSFW content, web apps are usually the route, since Google Play restricts sexually explicit apps.
Google Play restrictions
Google Play doesn't allow sexually explicit apps. Replika, Polybuzz, Kindroid, Nomi AI, Romantic AI and EVA AI are on Google Play; Replika doesn't allow explicit content. SpicyChat AI offers an Android APK from its own website (it isn't on Google Play), while Jupi AI is iPhone-only and Joi AI is web-only. For full NSFW access on Android, use the web versions of platforms like SweetDream AI, Candy AI or FantasyGF in your phone's browser.
Add to Home Screen
The best compromise: use a mobile web app and add it to your home screen via Chrome. This creates an app-like icon and experience without app store restrictions. SweetDream AI and Candy AI both run in the mobile browser, and AI Peeps is built as an installable web app (PWA).
Performance on budget devices
AI companion apps can be resource-intensive, especially with image and video features. If you have an older or budget Android phone, a web app avoids installing anything, and a text-focused platform is a lighter starting point than one built around images and video.
Notification and background features
Native apps can send notifications when your AI companion "messages" you. Web apps can too (via browser notifications), but the experience is less seamless. If notifications matter to you, prioritize native apps like Replika, Kindroid or Nomi AI — Nomi can even reach out first after you've been away.