PokerStars App Guide 2026: Download, Best Settings & Home Games

Last Updated on October 10, 2026 by Bala Kumar

Ask ten poker players which mobile app they trust most, and PokerStars will come up in almost every answer. The brand has been dealing hands online since 2001. Its mobile app gives you most of what the desktop client does, from cash games and Spin & Gos to the Sunday Million.

The tricky part in 2026 is that “the PokerStars app” is no longer one app. Depending on where you live, you might download PokerStars, a country-specific version like PokerStars EU, the Betfair app in the UK, or a FanDuel-branded app in the United States.

This guide explains which version you need, how to install it safely, which settings to change on day one, and how to run a private Home Game with friends from your phone. If you’re still comparing rooms, see our full list of top poker sites.

Which PokerStars App Do You Need? (2026 Update)

This is the part most guides get wrong, because a lot changed this year.

PokerStars UK: now on Betfair

In August 2026, PokerStars’ parent company Flutter launched the PokerStars Network. Betfair Poker left the iPoker network on August 13 and became “PokerStars on Betfair,” running PokerStars software with a shared player pool. Sky Poker and Paddy Power Poker are set to follow later this year, which should add more UK traffic to the same tables. You can read more about the brand in our Betfair Poker review.

On October 7, 2026, PokerStars UK players moved across too. Here is what that means in practice:

• You download the Betfair desktop client or mobile app.
• Existing PokerStars players log in with their PokerStars username and password. Balances, T-Money and active tournament tickets transfer automatically.
• If you already have a Betfair account, log in with your Betfair details instead. Withdraw any leftover funds from your old PokerStars.uk cashier first.
• Balances are held in GBP.
• The Sunday Million, WCOOP and SCOOP are all still available.

The move also brought a new loyalty scheme called Stack+. You opt in once from the poker lobby and earn points in real-money cash games and tournaments.

• Rakeback starts at 500 points and climbs through seven levels, up to 25%.
• Points reset each calendar month, but you keep your level through the following month.
• Rakeback has no wagering requirements.

PokerStars USA: now on FanDuel

In New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan, PokerStars runs as “PokerStars exclusively on FanDuel.” The three states share one player pool. The switch on April 1, 2026 brought a brand-new app rather than the classic PokerStars software.

Player feedback has been mixed. Some reviewers say the new interface feels slower than the old one, while others find navigation clean and loading quick. If you played on the old app, expect a short adjustment period.

PokerStars EU and other regulated markets

Many European countries require locally licensed poker. So you’ll see PokerStars EU, PokerStars.es, .fr, .it, .pt and others, each with its own app.

The games and look are close to identical. The main differences are which players you sit with (some markets have separate player pools) and which bonuses are on offer. Always download the version for the country you live in. Using another country’s app can get your account restricted.

How to Download the PokerStars App

iPhone and iPad (iOS)

1. Open the App Store and search “PokerStars” (or “Betfair” in the UK, “PokerStars FanDuel” in the US).
2. Check that the developer is the official PokerStars, Betfair or FanDuel company before installing.
3. Tap Get, then open the app and log in or register.

iOS is the easy route because the app is in the official store in nearly every regulated market.

Android

Android depends on where you live:

• Google Play is available: search, install and you’re done.
• Google Play isn’t available: download the installer (APK file) from the official PokerStars website on your phone. Allow “install from unknown sources” for your browser when prompted, then install.

Safety tip: only ever download the APK from the official PokerStars, Betfair or FanDuel website. Never use a link from a forum, Telegram group or third-party “mod” site. Fake poker apps are a common way to steal login details.

System requirements

Requirements vary by market and update. As a guide, the Portuguese version currently needs Android 5.0 or newer (about 123 MB) or iOS 14.0 or newer (about 287 MB).

Any phone from the last five or six years should run it comfortably. Older or budget phones may struggle if you play several tables at once.

The First Settings to Change

Most players install the app and never touch the settings. That’s a mistake. Spending five minutes here makes the app easier to use and helps you avoid costly misclicks.

1. Switch to a four-colour deck.
Clubs turn green and diamonds blue. On a small screen this stops you mistaking a flush draw for nothing. It’s the single most useful change for mobile players.

2. Set up your bet-size buttons.
Instead of dragging a slider, set preset buttons for the sizes you use most, such as 33%, 50%, 75% of the pot and all-in. You’ll act faster and make fewer accidental bets. Not sure which sizes make sense? Our pot odds calculator shows how each bet size changes the price your opponent gets.

3. Turn on biometric login.
Face ID or a fingerprint is quicker than typing a password, and safer than saving the password on your phone.

4. Control your notifications.
Keep alerts for tournament start times and “your turn” reminders. Turn off promotional messages if they distract you during a session.

5. Use the tournament info widget.
Recent PokerStars updates added an in-table tournament panel showing blinds, average stack and payouts without leaving the table. Keep it visible during tournaments.

6. Set your responsible gaming limits now.
Deposit limits, session reminders and time-outs are all in the app. It’s much easier to set them while you’re calm than in the middle of a losing session.

One more thing to know: third-party helper tools that give real-time advice are banned on every major site. Read our guide to real-time assistance (RTA) rules and which tools get you banned before installing anything alongside the app.

PokerStars Home Games: Play Privately With Friends

Home Games is one of the most underrated features on PokerStars. It lets you create a private “Poker Club” that only invited players can join. Inside it, you run your own cash games and tournaments, for real money or play money, depending on your country’s rules.

Home Games came to the mobile app in 2020, first on Android and then iOS, so your group can play entirely on phones.

How to set up a Home Game

1. Open Home Games. Find the Home Games section in the lobby. On mobile it’s often under the “More” menu.
2. Create a Poker Club. Choose a club name and an invitation code, which works like a password. PokerStars reviews club names before they go live, so keep it clean.
3. Share your Club ID and code. PokerStars emails you the club details. Send the Club ID and invitation code to your friends, then approve them as they request to join.
4. Schedule your games. In the club’s “Manage Games” area, create a tournament or a cash table. Choose the game (Hold’em, Omaha and more), blinds, buy-in and start time.
5. Track results. The club lobby keeps a history of games and lets you run leaderboards. That’s perfect for a season-long league with friends.

Club setup is often smoother on the desktop client, where there’s more room for menus. Once your club exists, everyone can play from their phones.

Practical tip: if your group plays for real money, everyone must be in a country where PokerStars real-money play is allowed, and on a compatible player pool. If not, play-money Home Games are a great way to keep a weekly game going. New players in the group can warm up first on our free Texas Hold’em practice table or preflop decision trainer.

PokerStars App: Pros and Cons

What we like

• A polished, stable app with years of development behind it
• Big tournament brands on mobile: Sunday Million, WCOOP, SCOOP, Spin & Go
• Home Games for private clubs
• Strong responsible gaming tools built in
• UK players now get up to 25% rakeback through Stack+

What to watch out for

• Several different apps for different countries can confuse new players
• Android users in some regions must install manually from the website
• US players are still adjusting to the newer FanDuel app
• The iOS app is fairly large on older phones with limited storage

PokerStars vs Other Poker Apps

PokerStars still has the deepest mix of games and tournament brands. GGPoker now leads on global traffic, with roughly 36% of observed cash game seats against about 25% for PokerStars in 2026 industry tracking.

For a side-by-side look, read our GGPoker review for 2026 or our GGNetwork review. European players can also compare Unibet Poker, which is popular with recreational players. US players can check BetRivers Poker.

Final Verdict

The PokerStars app is still one of the best ways to play poker on your phone. In 2026, though, the first step is downloading the right version for your country. UK players now go through Betfair, US players through FanDuel, and most of Europe through local apps.

Once you’re in, take five minutes on the settings. A four-colour deck, bet presets and limits will save you money over time. And if you miss your old kitchen-table game, Home Games can bring it back in about ten minutes.

Before you start:

• Compare current welcome offers on our poker bonuses page.
• Plan your stakes with our bankroll calculator.
• Brush up with our ultimate poker tournament strategy guide.

For weekend action, check our roundup of poker tournaments this Sunday. The latest updates are always on our poker news page.

FAQs

Bala Kumar

Founder of PokerClubGames.com and a Poker Researcher with 10+ years of experience in SEO, WordPress development, and gaming content strategy. Specializes in researching online poker sites, poker apps, tournaments, bonuses, and poker strategies. Experienced in poker platform reviews, affiliate marketing, and creating SEO-focused poker content for global audiences.

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