I noticed that many cross-platform app teams focus on iOS publishing, while on Android they either release to only one or two channels or have no idea about the differences between domestic app stores. Unlike iOS which has only the App Store as a single entry, each Android vendor in China has its own developer platform and review rules. The same app can have quite different listing requirements on different channels. Here is an overview of mainstream domestic app stores, along with their features and key publishing points, to help teams plan their launch schedule per channel.
Huawei AppGallery
Huawei AppGallery is one of the largest Android traffic channels in China, with broad device coverage. Developers need to register an enterprise or individual account on the Huawei Developer Union. When uploading an app, a software copyright certificate is required. The review focuses on app quality, privacy compliance, and permission rationality, with strict checks on in-app advertising and push behavior. Huawei requires app signing, and the signing certificate must be properly configured.
Xiaomi App Store
The registration threshold for Xiaomi Developer Platform is relatively low, and individual developers can also join. The listing review is fast, but apps must comply with Xiaomi's UI specifications and permission management requirements. Xiaomi restricts in-app self-update behavior, and apps are required to use the official update channel. After listing, developers can apply for Xiaomi's exclusive promotion slots, which is beneficial for traffic acquisition.
OPPO and vivo
The OPPO Software Store and vivo App Store are both vendor-built-in channels with large user bases. Both require software copyright, privacy policies, and permission explanations. OPPO pays attention to package size and startup speed during review, while vivo strictly reviews in-app induced behavior. The two platforms support joint publishing; after submitting on one platform, developers can synchronize distribution to the other.
Tencent MyApp
Tencent MyApp relies on the Tencent ecosystem and is a representative third-party distribution channel. Enterprise qualification is required for listing, and the review is relatively strict, requiring complete test accounts and functional descriptions. MyApp supports in-app payment integration (WeChat Pay, QQ Wallet) and is suitable for apps with in-app purchase needs. It has high search weight but also fierce competition.
Other channels
360 Mobile Assistant, Baidu Mobile Assistant, and Alibaba app distribution (such as Wandoujia) are also common channels with relatively fragmented traffic, suitable for long-tail coverage. Small channels have lower listing thresholds and faster reviews, but user quality varies. Review standards among third-party app stores are inconsistent; some channels are more lenient on software copyright requirements, but privacy compliance is the bottom line for all channels. Apps that abuse permissions or lack a privacy policy will not pass on any channel.
Unified preparation before listing
Before multi-channel distribution, several preparations are common: apply for a software copyright (required by most major channels), prepare a privacy policy and permission explanation, and complete app signing. The Android signing keystore can be generated online through the Appuploader official website, and app icons can also be generated via the website's online tool to meet size requirements for various channels. Completing these preparations once can save a lot of repetitive work when distributing to various channels.
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