I have a simple recipe for Android, to get about 800 downloads for free. 1) Publish your app as paid app 2) Start a discount at 0.00$ for 8 days 3) Receive 800+ downloads during this 8 days promotion 4) Switch the app to free app. It worked for me. I think that this system works because there are plenty of websites that shoutout Play Store offers at 0.00$, all over the world. This is free marketing for all our apps. If you find this recipe useful, please support me by downloading my simple BB3 apps: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=space.blam.bb3
The ugly truth that you are about to find out is that nobody will ever download your games if you don't promote it. Dafont 192.168.l.l FileHippo
After conversion to free, it turned down to 3-4 downloads per day. I know, it is bad, but 500+ badge still remains. It could help, maybe. The alternative is to keep the app paid and get installs only on promotion days. The installs during 8 days promotion will always be more than standard free installs of free listing.