Because you are playing a modded, offline version (usually signed with a different signature than the official app), you cannot connect to Google Play Games. If you delete the app or change your phone, your progress is lost forever. There is no cloud backup.
Modded versions of these old APKs typically unlock premium features that normally require real-money purchases: my talking tom mod apk old version
If you are running a Chromebook or a Windows 11 Android subsystem, old ARM-based APKs will crash immediately. You won't get a warning; the cat just won't wake up. Because you are playing a modded, offline version