In 2020, India banned several Chinese apps over security concerns, a move that followed the deadly Galwan Valley clash, where several Indian soldiers lost their lives. The ban was seen as a strong step to safeguard national security and digital sovereignty. However, years later, there are signs that diplomatic ties between the two nations might be improving.
Many of the once-banned Chinese apps are quietly making their way back to Indian app stores, often under new names or rebranded versions. Despite this, TikTok remains absent from the list, leaving users wondering if it will ever make a return.
According to an India Today report, 36 apps of the more than 200 apps that were banned are available once again on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Apps that are available on Inidan app store are of gaming, content creation, entertainment, file sharing, and shopping. Few of the apps have its original name, where some can be found in a new name. Report says that most of them reappeared after November 2020.
Popular Banned, But Returned App
Some familiar names are making a quiet comeback to Indian app stores. Popular file-sharing app Xender, which was banned in June 2020, has resurfaced on Apple’s App Store as “Xender: File Share, Share Music.” While it remains unavailable on Google Play Store in India, it can still be accessed in other countries. Streaming platform Youku has also returned with a slightly modified name, though its core features remain unchanged.
E-commerce giant Taobao is now listed as “Mobile Taobao,” and dating app Tantan has rebranded itself as “TanTan” – Asian Dating App. Meanwhile, MangoTV has made a return without any changes.
Interestingly, out of the 36 apps that have reappeared, only 13 are from Chinese companies. The rest originate from countries like India, Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea, Seychelles, Japan, and Bangladesh. While some apps have tweaked their names or ownership details, their presence signals a shifting digital landscape in India.
Apps that re-entered India by changing name include Shein, a fashion app, which obtained a licensing deal with Reliance. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed in December 2024 that Shein, the popular fashion app, would now store its data in India, ensuring that its Chinese parent company has no access. This move was seen as a step toward addressing security concerns while allowing the app’s return.
Meanwhile, gaming enthusiasts witnessed a similar pattern with PUBG Mobile. After being banned in 2020, it reentered the Indian market in 2021 as Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI). However, the game faced another ban in 2022 before making a comeback in 2023, this time after complying with security regulations.
Despite these bans, clone versions of many apps continue to surface, making a complete crackdown difficult. The reappearance of several previously banned apps also coincides with India and China working to improve diplomatic relations following past military tensions at the border.
