To play on Android, install a source port app, then copy the folder to the device.

The turning point for the CD-ROM requirement came with . In this official update, id Software explicitly removed the SafeDisc CD check from the game executable. Therefore, the safest and most reliable "No-CD patch" for Quake 3 Arena is actually the official 1.32 Point Release update issued by the developers themselves. Benefits of using the Official 1.32 Patch:

He held his breath and double-clicked the icon. The screen went black. For a second, he feared a virus had fried his motherboard. Then, the rhythmic, industrial thrum of the id Software intro blasted through his speakers. Sarge appeared on the screen, cigar in mouth, shotgun in hand. No prompt. No disc required.

The Ultimate Guide to the Quake 3 Arena No-CD Patch: History, Setup, and Modern Compatibility