ARCore explained

ARCore, also known as Google Play Services for AR, is a software development kit developed by Google that allows for augmented reality (AR) applications to be built. ARCore has been certified for a number of devices,^[2] but is software-locked on devices that did not complete the certification procedure. Spoofing the ID of a device that completed the procedure makes ARCore work on more devices.^[3] Requirements for certification include the "quality of the camera, motion sensors [and] a powerful enough CPU that integrates with the hardware design". Devices must also ship with Google Play to qualify for placement on the list of supported devices.^[2] New devices can be submitted through the Google AR OEM Portal.^[4]

Key technologies

ARCore uses a few key technologies to integrate virtual content with the real world as seen through the camera of a smartphone or tablet.^[5] Each of these technologies can be utilized by developers to create a high-quality, immersive AR experience.

Six degrees of freedom

• Allows the phone to understand and track its position relative to the world.
• A motion tracking process known as simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) utilizes feature points - which are visually distinct objects within camera view - to provide focal points for the phone to determine proper positioning (pose) of the device.^[6]

Environmental understanding

• Allows the phone to detect the size and location of flat surfaces - both vertical and horizontal - with feature points.
• Geometric plane can be calculated based on detected feature points.
• A scene semantics API is used to gather real-time semantic data about the user's surroundings and uses that data to identify objects and features in view.

Light estimation

• Lighting Estimation API allows the phone to estimate the environment's current lighting conditions and display images accurately in relation to real-world lighting.
  • Lighting cues such as shadows and highlights are used to more immersively display virtual objects.^[7]

Depth analysis

• Utilizes the phone's camera to create depth maps, which enable the device to more accurately determine the amount of space between surfaces based on what is captured.^[8]
  • In order to properly assess the real world, depth maps are created to measure the amount of space between objects or surfaces.
  • A depth-from-motion algorithm takes the motion data from the user's camera and utilizes it to create a more detailed depth map.^[9]

Geospatial capabilities

• This function's API uses GPS and allows creators to give users unique experiences based on their real-world location.^[10]
  • Google's visual positioning system (VPS) is utilized for this process.
• Matches the user's visual data with that of Google Maps to determine precise location.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Google Play Services for AR APKs. APKMirror. April 11, 2024. en-US.
2. Web site: ARCore supported devices. Google Inc.. 23 February 2020.
3. Web site: ARCore/Google Play Services for AR on Fairphone 5. 23 September 2025.
4. Web site: ARCore OEM device certification. Google Inc.. 23 September 2025.
5. Web site: Amadeo. Ron. Google's ARCore brings augmented reality to millions of Android devices. Ars Technica. Condé Nast. 6 November 2017. en-us. 29 August 2017.
6. Web site: Fundamental Concepts . ARCore . Google Inc. . 22 February 2024.
7. Web site: Get the Lighting Right . ARCore . 22 February 2024 . Google Inc..
8. Web site: Fundamental Concepts . 22 February 2024 . ARCore . Google Inc..
9. Web site: Depth Adds Realism . ARCore . Google Inc. . 22 February 2024.
10. Web site: Build global-scale, immersive, location-based AR experiences with the ARCore Geospatial API . ARCore . Google Inc. . 22 February 2024.