Xiaomi will Preinstall PhonePe’s App Store on its Smartphones Sold in India

Xiaomi announced on Thursday that its Android smartphones in India will come preinstalled with PhonePe’s app store.

Previously, Xiaomi’s devices included Google’s Play Store and its own GetApps. However, the company has signed a multi-year agreement with PhonePe to replace GetApps with the Indus Appstore, confirming TechCrunch’s earlier report on the partnership.

Google Play Store to Stay, Indus Appstore’s Rollout Unclear

Google’s Play Store will remain preinstalled on Xiaomi’s smartphones, but the companies did not clarify whether the Indus Appstore would be added to existing devices already sold or currently available for purchase. The timeline for implementation was also not disclosed.

PhonePe is positioning itself as a competitor to Google in India’s app market, offering developers zero commission on in-app purchases. Indus Appstore supports 12 Indian languages, includes a video-driven discovery feed, and hosts over 500,000 apps across various categories.

PhonePe Aims for Wider Adoption with Preinstalled App Store

Alternative app stores have struggled to scale due to the challenge of building user trust and persuading people to install yet another app store. PhonePe aims to overcome at least one of these obstacles by ensuring its app store comes preinstalled on new smartphones. However, the company has not yet shared any data on downloads or revenue generated for developers.

“As India’s digital ecosystem expands, the need for a locally-driven app marketplace has never been greater. At Xiaomi India, we have always supported ‘Make for India’ innovations, and this partnership with Indus Appstore is a strategic step in that direction,” said Sudhin Mathur, COO of Xiaomi India, in a statement.

Read the original article on: TechCrunch

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