# Living Cells

> Cellular Automata Collection

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.malcolmsoft.livingcells](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.malcolmsoft.livingcells)

## Overview

- **ID:** `com.malcolmsoft.livingcells`
- **Platform:** Android
- **Type:** Android app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Malcolm-Soft
- **Category:** ENTERTAINMENT
- **Downloads:** 24,445
- **Rating:** 4.44 / 5 (220 ratings)
- **Version:** 3.0.2
- **Last updated:** 2023-08-29
- **First published:** 2011-04-16
- **Publisher country:** RU
- **Size:** 3.02 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-07
- **Store listing:** [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.malcolmsoft.livingcells)
- **Website:** [http://malcolmsoft.com](http://malcolmsoft.com/)
- **Privacy policy:** [https://malcolmsoft.com/my-work/privacy-policies/livingcells.html](https://malcolmsoft.com/my-work/privacy-policies/livingcells.html)

## Description

Living Cells is a versatile Chrome extension offering a rich collection of cellular automata simulations. It includes iconic automata such as Conway's Game of Life, its colored variant, the Generations family (which includes Brian's Brain), and the Turmites family — best known for Langton's Ant.

This interactive tool allows you to customize simulation rules, add or erase cells, and drag cell groups to influence the automata dynamics. You can personalize the appearance by selecting from preinstalled themes or creating your own, making it not only an engaging learning experience but also visually appealing. Additionally, Living Cells supports use as a live wallpaper, providing dynamic visuals on your desktop. Ideal for enthusiasts in mathematics, computer science, and generative art, this extension combines exploration and creativity in cellular automata.

## Rankings

- #399,939 — Overall

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE`
- `android.permission.INTERNET`
- `android.permission.VIBRATE`
- `android.permission.WAKE_LOCK`
- `com.google.android.finsky.permission.BIND_GET_INSTALL_REFERRER_SERVICE`
- `com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID`
- `com.malcolmsoft.livingcells.DYNAMIC_RECEIVER_NOT_EXPORTED_PERMISSION`

## Review summary

Users find the Living Cells app mesmerizing and visually appealing, especially as a live wallpaper with customizable settings. However, several users report challenges accessing settings on newer devices, difficulty with editing cell behavior rules, and some usability issues like a hard-to-use color picker and screen timeouts interrupting the experience.

### Pros

- Very satisfying and mesmerizing to watch the cells.
- Includes a visually neat and natural-looking background, suitable as a live wallpaper.
- Allows tweaking and customization of settings to create different cell reactions.
- Good implementation of the game with the ability to add cells on the fly.
- Has been maintained and improved over the years, showing developer commitment.

### Cons

- Difficulty accessing and adjusting settings on newer phones due to changes in long press behavior.
- No easy way to change or save rule sets without creating new ones; lacks live editing of rules.
- Color picker interface can be difficult to use.
- Live wallpaper feature does not always function properly on some devices.
- Screen turning off interrupts the experience as the app doesn't prevent screen from timing out.

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- [Generations](https://chrome-stats.com/d/simon.jeu.Generations) — 16,356 users, 5.00 / 5
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- [Connway's Game of Life](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.swingguiking) — 3,822 users
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- [Conway's Game of Life](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.softartdev.conwaysgameoflife) — 5,402 users

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/com.malcolmsoft.livingcells)