Back in 2020, India banned about 267 Chinese apps, citing security risks and concerns over data privacy. This move came in response to the rising border tensions between India and China following the Galwan Valley clash. Fast-forward to 2025 and many of these apps have made a comeback, either in their original form or disguised under different names. Currently, at least 36 of the previously banned apps are now available for download on the Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store. Some of these have retained their original identity, while others have undergone minor tweaks in branding, logo, or ownership details. These apps belong to various categories, including gaming, shopping, entertainment, file sharing, and content creation.
As reported by India Today, among the returning apps to Indian app stores, file-sharing service Xender, streaming platforms MangoTV and Youku, shopping app Taobao, and dating app Tantan stand out. While MangoTV remains unchanged, the others have undergone minor modifications. For instance, Xender is now listed on Apple’s App Store as Xender: File Share, Share Music, though it is still unavailable on the Google Play Store. Similarly, Taobao now appears as Mobile Taobao, while Tantan has been rebranded as TanTan – Asian Dating App.
Interestingly, while some of these apps continue to be run by their original Chinese developers, others have taken different routes to re-enter the Indian market. Shein, the popular fashion retailer, made a return via a licensing deal with Reliance. The Indian government has confirmed that all user data related to Shein will now be stored within India, ensuring its Chinese parent company has no access.
Despite the bans, clone versions of many apps continue to surface. In some cases, the original developers have simply rebranded their apps with minor changes, keeping the core functionality intact. PUBG Mobile, for example, was banned in 2020 but returned in 2021 as Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) under South Korea's Krafton. However, even this version faced another ban in 2022, only to be reinstated in 2023 after meeting security and compliance standards.
The presence of these apps highlights how difficult it is to enforce an absolute ban. While the government can restrict access to certain applications, alternative versions, clones, and similar services often reappear under different names. Some of the returning apps now list ownership from India, Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea, Seychelles, Japan, and Bangladesh, making it even harder to track their origins.
