China APK Store: What You Need to Know
If you are an app developer or a mobile user who wants to access the vast and diverse Chinese app market, you might have heard of the term "APK store". But what exactly is an APK store and why is it so popular in China? In this article, we will explain what an APK store is, what are the benefits and challenges of using one in China, and how you can publish your app on one of the top 15 APK stores in China.
china apk store
Introduction
An APK store is a platform that allows users to download and install Android applications (APK files) directly from the web, without going through the official Google Play Store. APK stores are very common in China, where Google Play is blocked by the Great Firewall. According to a report by AppInChina, there are over 400 APK stores in China, with a combined market share of over 50%.
Using an APK store in China has some benefits and challenges for both app developers and users. For app developers, publishing their apps on an APK store can help them reach a large and untapped audience, as well as avoid some of the restrictions and fees imposed by Google Play. However, they also have to deal with the fragmentation and complexity of the Chinese app market, as well as the risk of piracy and malware. For users, downloading apps from an APK store can give them more choices and flexibility, as well as access to some apps that are not available on Google Play. However, they also have to be careful about the quality and security of the apps they download, as well as the compatibility and performance issues that may arise.
The Top 15 APK Stores in China
There are hundreds of APK stores in China, but not all of them are equally popular or reliable. Here are some of the top 15 APK stores in China, based on their market share, monthly active users, daily active users, features, pros, and cons .
Huawei App Market
Features and statistics
Chinese Name: 华为应用市场
Parent Company: Huawei
Company Type: Tech Hardware/Software
Description: Huawei is a large company manufacturing telecommunications equipment and consumer electronics. In recent years, Huaweis mobile phones have become one of the best-selling phones world-wide, and is one of the top-selling phone brands in Mainland China. Huawei is also making headlines for its groundbreaking 5G network technology being rolled out across the world.
Market Share: 44.31%
Monthly Active Users (MAU): 421,788,000
Daily Active Users (DAU): 58,310,500
Pros and cons
Pros:
Huawei App Market is the default store installed on all Huawei phones sold in China, which gives it a huge user base and exposure.
Huawei App Market has a high-quality app selection and review process, which ensures the security and quality of the apps for the users.
Huawei App Market has a user-friendly interface and design, which makes it easy to navigate and search for apps.
Cons:
Huawei App Market is only available for Huawei phones, which limits its reach and compatibility with other devices.
Huawei App Market is affected by the US-China trade war and the US sanctions on Huawei, which may impact its access to some apps and services that rely on Google or other US-based companies.
Huawei App Market may have some censorship or content restrictions, which may limit the diversity and freedom of expression of the app developers and users.
Oppo Software Store
Features and statistics
Chinese Name: OPPO软件商店
Parent Company: Oppo
Company Type: Tech Hardware/Software
Description: Oppo is a Chinese consumer electronics and mobile communications company that produces smartphones, smart devices, headphones, and more. Oppo is known for its innovative and stylish products, such as its rotating camera phone and its fast-charging technology. Oppo is also one of the top-selling phone brands in China and globally.
Market Share: 16.67%
Monthly Active Users (MAU): 153,000,000
Daily Active Users (DAU): 21,200,000
Pros and cons
Pros:
Oppo Software Store is the default store installed on all Oppo phones sold in China, which gives it a large user base and exposure.
Oppo Software Store has a rich and diverse app selection, which covers various categories and genres, such as games, social media, entertainment, education, lifestyle, and more.
Oppo Software Store has a good reputation and trust among users, as it has a strict app review process and a high-quality customer service.
Cons:
Oppo Software Store is only available for Oppo phones, which limits its reach and compatibility with other devices.
Oppo Software Store may have some regional or language limitations, as it mainly caters to the Chinese market and users.
Oppo Software Store may have some censorship or content restrictions, which may limit the diversity and freedom of expression of the app developers and users.
VIVO App Store
Features and statistics
Chinese Name: VIVO应用商店
Parent Company: Vivo
Company Type: Tech Hardware/Software
Description: Vivo is a Chinese technology company that designs, develops, and manufactures smartphones, smartphone accessories, software, and online services. Vivo is known for its innovative features and designs, such as its pop-up selfie camera, in-display fingerprint scanner, and dual-screen phone. Vivo is also one of the top-selling phone brands in China and globally.
Market Share: 13.52%
Monthly Active Users (MAU): 123,900,000
Daily Active Users (DAU): 17,200,000
Pros and cons
Pros:
Vivo App Store is the default store installed on all Vivo phones sold in China, which gives it a large user base and exposure.
Vivo App Store has a wide and varied app selection, which covers many categories and genres, such as games, social media, entertainment, education, lifestyle, and more.
Vivo App Store has a high user satisfaction and loyalty rate, as it has a user-friendly interface and design, a fast app download speed, and a reliable app update mechanism.
Cons:
Vivo App Store is only available for Vivo phones, which limits its reach and compatibility with other devices.
Vivo App Store may have some regional or language limitations, as it mainly caters to the Chinese market and users.
Vivo App Store may have some censorship or content restrictions, which may limit the diversity and freedom of expression of the app developers and users.
Tencent My App
Features and statistics
Chinese Name: 腾讯应用宝
Parent Company: Tencent
Company Type: Tech Software/Internet
Description: Tencent is a Chinese multinational technology conglomerate that provides various Internet-related services and products, such as social media, online gaming, e-commerce, cloud computing, and more. Tencent is the owner of some of the most popular and influential apps in China and globally, such as WeChat, QQ, PUBG Mobile, and Honor of Kings. Tencent is also one of the largest and most valuable companies in the world.
Market Share: 10.32%
Monthly Active Users (MAU): 94,600,000
Daily Active Users (DAU): 13,100,000
Pros and cons
Pros:
Tencent My App is the default store installed on all Tencent-related apps and devices, such as WeChat, QQ, and Tencent Cloud Phone, which gives it a huge user base and exposure.
Tencent My App has a strong and loyal app community, as it integrates with Tencent's social media platforms and allows users to share, comment, and rate apps with their friends and contacts.
Tencent My App has a competitive and attractive app monetization model, as it offers app developers various ways to earn revenue from their apps, such as advertising, in-app purchases, subscriptions, and more.
Cons:
Tencent My App is mainly focused on Tencent's own apps and services, which may limit its diversity and openness to other app developers and users.
Tencent My App may have some compatibility or performance issues with some devices or operating systems, as it is optimized for Tencent's own products and platforms.
Tencent My App may have some censorship or content restrictions, which may limit the diversity and freedom of expression of the app developers and users.
Other notable APK stores in China
Besides the four APK stores mentioned above, there are many other APK stores in China that are worth mentioning. Here is a table that summarizes some of their features and statistics .
Name
Chinese Name
Parent Company
Company Type
Market Share
MAU
DAU
Xiaomi App Store
小米应用商店
Xiaomi
Tech Hardware/Software
5.76%
52,800,000
7,300,000
Baidu Mobile Assistant
百度手机助手
Baidu
Tech Software/Internet
5.02%45,900,000
6,400,000
360 Mobile Assistant
360手机助手
Qihoo 360
Tech Software/Internet
4.55%
41,700,000
5,800,000
Meizu App Store
魅族应用商店
Meizu
Tech Hardware/Software
2.64%
24,200,000
3,400,000
Sogou Mobile Assistant
搜狗手机助手
Sogou
Tech Software/Internet
1.87%17,100,000
2,400,000
Lenovo App Store
联想应用商店
Lenovo
Tech Hardware/Software
1.63%
14,900,000
2,100,000
ZTE App Store
中兴应用商店
ZTE
Tech Hardware/Software
1.54%14,100,000
2,000,000
PP Assistant
PP助手
Alibaba
Tech Software/Internet
1.49%
13,600,0001,900,000
Wandoujia
豌豆荚Alibaba
Tech Software/Internet
1.42%
13,000,0001,800,000
Anzhi Market
安智市场Anzhi
Tech Software/Internet
1.32%12,100,0001,700,000
Cool Market
酷安市场Coolapk
Tech Software/Internet
0.97%8,900,0001,200,000
Gfan Market机锋市场Gfan
Tech Software/Internet
0.90%8,200,0001,100,000
Mumayi Market木蚂蚁市场Mumayi
Tech Software/Internet
0.86%7,900,0001,100,000
Dangbei Market当贝市场Dangbei
Tech Software/Internet
0.79%7,200,000
How to Publish Your App on an APK Store in China
If you are an app developer who wants to publish your app on an APK store in China, you need to know the requirements and process of doing so, as well as the best practices and tips for maximizing your app's success. Here are some of the main steps and considerations for publishing your app on an APK store in China.
The requirements and process of publishing an app on an APK store in China
The requirements and process of publishing an app on an APK store in China may vary depending on the specific store you choose, but generally, they involve the following steps:
Prepare your app for the Chinese market. This may include:
Localizing your app's language, content, design, and features to suit the preferences and expectations of the Chinese users.
Optimizing your app's performance, compatibility, and security for the Chinese devices and operating systems.
Integrating your app with the Chinese social media platforms, payment systems, and other services that are popular and relevant in China.
Obtaining the necessary licenses and permissions from the Chinese authorities, such as the Software Copyright Registration Certificate (软件著作权登记证书), the Internet Content Provider License (ICP备案), and the Internet Culture Operation License (网络文化经营许可证).
Choose the APK store(s) that best suit your app's category, genre, target audience, and goals. You can use the table above as a reference, or do your own research and analysis of the different APK stores in China.
Register as a developer on the APK store(s) of your choice. You may need to provide some information and documents, such as your personal or company details, contact information, bank account information, app description, screenshots, icons, etc.
Submit your app for review and approval by the APK store(s). You may need to follow some guidelines and standards set by the APK store(s), such as the app size, content, quality, functionality, etc. The review and approval process may take from a few hours to a few weeks, depending on the APK store(s).
The best practices and tips for publishing an app on an APK store in China
Publishing an app on an APK store in China can be a rewarding and profitable venture if you do it right. Here are some of the best practices and tips for publishing an app on an APK store in China:
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Publish your app on the APK store(s) after it is approved. You may need to set some parameters for your app, such as the price, distribution region, update frequency, etc. You may also need to monitor and manage your app's performance, feedback, ratings, downloads, revenue, etc. on the APK store(s).
Do your market research and understand your target audience. Know what they want, need, like, dislike, expect, and value from an app like yours. Tailor your app's features, content, design, and marketing to their preferences and expectations.
Choose the right APK store(s) for your app. Consider the factors such as the market share, user base, app selection, review process, monetization model, and reputation of the APK store(s). You can also try to publish your app on multiple APK stores to increase your exposure and reach.
Optimize your app for the Chinese market. Make sure your app is compatible with the Chinese devices and operating systems, follows the Chinese regulations and standards, integrates with the Chinese services and platforms, and uses the Chinese language and culture.
Promote your app on the APK store(s) and beyond. Use various strategies and channels to market your app, such as app store optimization (ASO), social media marketing, influencer marketing, content marketing, paid advertising, etc. You can also leverage the features and tools provided by the APK store(s) to boost your app's visibility and downloads.
Conclusion
An APK store is a platform that allows users to download and install Android applications directly from the web, without going through the official Google Play Store. APK stores are very popular in China, where Google Play is blocked by the Great Firewall. There are many benefits and challenges of using an APK store in China, for both app developers and users.
In this article, we have introduced some of the top 15 APK stores in China, based on their market share, monthly active users, daily active users, features, pros, and cons. We have also explained how to publish your app on an APK store in China, as well as some of the best practices and tips for doing so.
If you are interested in publishing your app on an APK store in China, or want to learn more about the Chinese app market, you can contact us for more information and assistance. We are a professional and experienced team of app developers and marketers who can help you create, publish, and promote your app on an APK store in China.
Thank you for reading this article. We hope you have found it useful and informative. Please feel free to share it with your friends and colleagues who may be interested in this topic. And don't forget to leave a comment below if you have any questions or feedback.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) about publishing an app on an APK store in China:
Engage with your users and improve your app. Listen to your users' feedback, ratings, reviews, and suggestions, and respond to them promptly and politely. Use analytics and data to measure your app's performance, user behavior, satisfaction, retention, etc. Update your app regularly with new features, bug fixes, improvements, etc.
Q: How much does it cost to publish an app on an APK store in China?
A: The cost of publishing an app on an APK store in China may vary depending on the specific store you choose, but generally, it is free or very low. Most APK stores do not charge any fees for registering as a developer or submitting an app for review. However, some APK stores may charge a commission or a service fee for each download or transaction of your app.
Q: How long does it take to publish an app on an APK store in China?
A: The time it takes to publish an app on an APK store in China may vary depending on the specific store you choose , but generally, it is faster than publishing an app on Google Play. Most APK stores have a quick and simple app review and approval process, which can take from a few hours to a few days, depending on the APK store.
Q: How can I protect my app from piracy and malware on an APK store in China?
A: Piracy and malware are some of the common risks and challenges of publishing an app on an APK store in China. To protect your app from piracy and malware, you can take some measures, such as:
Using encryption, obfuscation, or other techniques to protect your app's code and data from being tampered with or copied.
Using digital signatures, certificates, or other methods to verify your app's identity and authenticity.
Using analytics, monitoring, or other tools to track your app's downloads, usage, performance, and feedback.
Using legal, contractual, or other means to enforce your app's intellectual property rights and terms of service.
Optimizing your app's performance, compatibility, and security for the Chinese devices and operating systems.
Integrating your app with the Chinese social media platforms, payment systems, and other services that are popular and relevant in China.
Testing your app's performance, compatibility, and security on the Chinese devices and operating systems.
Following the Chinese regulations and standards for app development and distribution.
Q: How can I promote my app on an APK store in China?
A: Promoting your app on an APK store in China is another important factor for your app's success on an APK store in China. To promote your app on an APK store in China, you can use various strategies and channels, such as:
App store optimization (ASO), which involves optimizing your app's title, description, keywords, screenshots, icons, etc. to improve your app's ranking and visibility on the APK store.
Social media marketing, which involves creating and sharing engaging content about your app on the Chinese social media platforms, such as WeChat, Weibo, Douyin, etc. to attract and interact with your potential users.
Influencer marketing, which involves collaborating with influential people or organizations on the Chinese social media platforms or other media outlets to endorse or recommend your app to their followers or fans.
Content marketing , which involves creating and publishing valuable and relevant content about your app on the Chinese websites, blogs, forums, podcasts, videos, etc. to educate and inform your potential users.
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