Free Fire 2018: Garena speaks out and the response is concerning

Ronny Rolim
Wed, 06 May 2026 11:50:25 +0530

Garena officially commented on the Free Fire 2018 APK circulating on the internet. Their statements about bans, data exposure, and unofficial versions are concerning.

While websites distribute MOD APKs with an Indian VPN promising Free Fire 2018, Garena has finally taken a stance. An internal source from Garena reached out to Free Fire Mania to comment on the files circulating on the internet — and got straight to the point on two aspects every player needs to understand before installing anything.

If you still don’t know what is being distributed on these sites, it’s worth reading our technical analysis of the Free Fire 2018 APKs — we tested the files on VirusTotal and documented the VPN scheme that the sites require. What Garena said complements all of this.

What Garena officially said

In an exclusive conversation with Free Fire Mania, an internal source from Garena who preferred to remain anonymous shared the following statement in May 2026:

"Garena does not support or recognize unofficial versions of Free Fire, including modified APKs known as 'Free Fire 2018'. These versions may pose risks to players’ security, including data exposure and potential penalties on accounts. We reinforce that the best and safest experience is available only through the official versions of the game. We continuously monitor activities that violate our terms of use and take the necessary measures to protect the community."
— Internal source from Garena, May 2026

This is a brief statement — but every word was chosen carefully. Let’s break down what this means in practice for those who play or are thinking of playing.

Garena confirmed that it actively monitors the use of unofficial versions of Free Fire — including the so-called Free Fire 2018.

"Data exposure" — what does this mean

Garena could have used generic terms like "security risk." It did not. It chose "data exposure" — and that is specific.

When you install a MOD APK of Free Fire 2018 and log in, your credentials pass through private servers that are not controlled by Garena. Who operates these servers? Generally, anonymous communities or individuals without a legal obligation to protect your data. Your email, password, device data, and potentially linked account information traverse through unverified infrastructure.

Add that to the Indian VPN that several sites require you to install before playing — a third-party unknown VPN that intercepts all traffic from your mobile, not just that of Free Fire. The data exposure that Garena mentions starts there, even before the first login.

"Possible penalties on accounts" — ban or more?

The second critical part of the statement is "possible penalties on accounts". It is not a vague threat — it is an active usage policy.

Garena states that it "continuously monitors activities that violate the terms of use". This includes the use of modified clients, even if the player is not using cheats or hacks. The simple act of connecting a Free Fire account to a private server via MOD APK is already a violation of the terms — and the system detects it.

The "penalties" may include temporary suspension, permanent ban, or complete account termination. A banned account loses everything: rare skins, unlocked characters, active elite pass, accumulated diamonds, and competitive history — with no right to recovery or refund.

What Garena monitors specifically

Use of unofficial clients or modified versions of the application

Connection to servers not authorized by Garena

Behavior patterns inconsistent with the official versions of the game

APK signatures that diverge from the versions distributed by the Play Store and App Store

Why doesn’t Garena act against the sites distributing the MOD

Sites like apktodo.net and fawz.online remain active even after Garena’s position. This happens for practical reasons: most operate in different jurisdictions and do not host the files directly — they use redirects to cloud repositories with temporary links, making direct legal actions difficult.

What Garena can — and does — is act against accounts that use these services. The player accessing the private server with their official account is easier to identify and penalize than the site operators.

The risk falls on the player, not on the site.

The only experience recognized by Garena

The statement concludes with a straightforward assertion: "the best and safest experience is available only through the official versions of the game". This includes the current Free Fire and Free Fire MAX — both available on the Google Play Store and the App Store, without the need for a VPN or MOD.

For those who miss the gameplay style of 2018, Garena occasionally launches themed modes and events that bring back elements from the classic era. Following these updates through the official channels is the only way to relive nostalgia without risking your account.

Situation | Garena's Position | Risk to the player
Free Fire via Play Store / App Store | ✅ Recognized and supported | None
Free Fire MAX via Play Store / App Store | ✅ Recognized and supported | None
Free Fire 2018 MOD APK | ❌ Not recognized | Ban + data exposure
Free Fire 2018 + Indian VPN | ❌ Not recognized | Ban + device risk
fawz.online and similar sites | ❌ No relation to Garena | Unverified download

Frequently Asked Questions about Garena's Position

Does Garena recognize Free Fire 2018?

No. In May 2026, an internal source from Garena confirmed to Free Fire Mania that "it does not support or recognize unofficial versions of Free Fire, including modified APKs known as Free Fire 2018."

Can Garena ban those using the Free Fire 2018 MOD?

Yes. Garena confirmed that it continuously monitors the use of unofficial versions and enforces "possible penalties on accounts" — which includes temporary or permanent bans.

What does Garena mean by "data exposure"?

When using a MOD APK, your credentials and device data pass through private servers not controlled by Garena. The VPN required by various sites also intercepts all mobile traffic — not just that of Free Fire.

To understand the complete technical scheme — Indian VPN, analysis on VirusTotal, and the sites distributing the APKs — read our complete investigation on Free Fire 2018 download. And check out everything about Free Fire 2018 with the complete history of the game since its launch.

Editorial note: The information attributed to Garena was obtained from an internal source who preferred to remain anonymous, in accordance with standard journalistic practice for source protection. Report from Free Fire Mania in May 2026. Free Fire Mania has been an official partner portal of Garena (FFCP) since 2018.