3 min readNew DelhiFeb 13, 2025 08:16 AM IST
First published on: Feb 11, 2025 at 03:41 PM IST
In 2020, when border tensions between India and China hit an all-time high, the Indian government banned 59 Chinese-owned apps like TikTok, ShareIt, Shein, UC Browser, WeChat, Bigo Live, etc. This was followed by another ban wave in 2022, which saw popular games like PUBG and Garena Free Fire disappear from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
However, as relations between the two countries warm up, some previously banned Chinese apps are making a comeback. Some of these apps now have slightly different names while others have switched developers.
Xender, a popular file-sharing app that was banned back in 2020, is now available on the Apple App Store as “Xender: File Share, Share Music”, but the Android version of the app is still missing from the Google Play Store.
Earlier this month, Shein, another popular fashionwear app that was banned in the initial wave back in 2020 was relaunched by Reliance Retail. According to a recent news report by Reuters, all Shein products sold in India will be locally manufactured to comply with the country’s economic policies. Reliance also plans to bring Shein offering on Ajio, but it is still unclear when that will happen.
The app, which was quietly launched on February 1 is now called “SHEIN India Fast Fashion” and currently delivers in select cities like New Delhi and Mumbai, with plans to expand its network countrywide in the coming months.
TanTan, a Tinder-like dating app also made a comeback on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Now called “TanTan – Asian Dating App”, the iOS version of the app is developed by TanTan Cultural Development (Beijing) while the Android version is made by Tantan Hong Kong Limited.
Players Unknown BattleGrounds, also known as PUBG, was banned by the Indian government in 2020 but was relaunched as BattleGrounds Mobile India (BGMI) the next year. And while it was banned again in 2022, after talks with the Indian government, it was reinstated in 2023.
TikTok developer ByteDance is yet to reach an agreement with the Indian government. (Image Source: TikTok )
Will TikTok come back to India?
Following the United States Supreme Court’s decision to ban TikTok citing its ties to the Chinese Government, TikTok is once again in hot water.
Launched in 2016 by the Chinese developer ByteDance, the short-form video platform TikTok gained massive popularity around the world, with India emerging as the company’s second-largest market after China. While the app had millions of active users in India, the government decided to ban it in 2020 citing national security concerns.
While some developers like Krafton, the company behind PUBG have managed to reach some sort of agreement with the Indian government, TikTok has failed to do so despite the company reportedly talking to Indian authorities multiple times in the last few years. However, these talks seem to be heading nowhere as TikTok is yet to make an announcement.
A bunch of Chinese apps previously banned by the Indian government are now available in India. (Express Photo) 
TikTok developer ByteDance is yet to reach an agreement with the Indian government. (Image Source: TikTok )
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