Xiaomi, the prominent Chinese smartphone manufacturer, announced on Thursday that its Android devices sold in India will feature the Indus Appstore from local fintech company PhonePe, replacing the existing GetApps store. This multi-year agreement aligns with earlier reports by TechCrunch about a potential collaboration between the two companies.
While Xiaomi phones will still include Google’s Play Store, details remain vague regarding whether the Indus Appstore will be made available on existing devices or when the new arrangement will take effect.
PhonePe aims to compete with established players like Google in the Indian app market by offering developers a platform with zero fees for in-app purchases. The Indus Appstore supports twelve Indian languages, boasts a video-enhanced discovery interface, and hosts over 500,000 apps across various categories. However, alternative app stores often struggle to gain traction due to the need to build user trust and encourage consumers to adopt yet another app store.
By pre-installing its app store on new smartphones, PhonePe seeks to mitigate trust barriers. Although the fintech firm has not disclosed user download statistics or revenue figures for developers, the initiative reflects broader trends in India’s rapidly expanding digital landscape.
Sudhin Mathur, COO of Xiaomi India, stated, “As India’s digital ecosystem continues to grow, the demand for a locally driven app marketplace has never been more critical. At Xiaomi India, we have always championed ‘Make for India’ innovations, and this partnership with Indus Appstore is a strategic step in that direction.”
The collaboration suggests a significant shift in the app distribution landscape in India, potentially enhancing local app availability and supporting Indian developers while providing a competitive alternative to global app stores.
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