Xiaomi plans to preinstall PhonePe's Indus Appstore on all new smartphones sold in India and replace its GetApps app store with Indus Appstore on existing ones
Ivan Mehta / TechCrunch :
Context & Ripple Effects
PhonePe introduced Indus Appstore as an Android app users had to install themselves, despite launching with more than 200,000 apps. Xiaomi had already signaled a switch from GetApps in its earlier plan to replace its India app store, making this the execution phase of that distribution change.
The move pairs Xiaomi’s device footprint with an app store backed by PhonePe, which had positioned Indus around zero platform fees and in-app purchase commissions. It turns an app-store launch into a preinstallation channel rather than a sideload-only product.
First-order effects
- Xiaomi’s new smartphones sold in India will ship with Indus Appstore, giving PhonePe immediate default placement on those devices.
- Existing Xiaomi users in India will see GetApps replaced by Indus Appstore, while Xiaomi relinquishes control of that app-store surface in the market.
Second-order effects
- Indus Appstore’s app catalog gains a materially easier route to Xiaomi users than the original sideload distribution model, increasing the practical value of listing on the store.
- The arrangement makes handset preinstallation a more important route to app-store adoption, raising the stakes for other device makers and app-store operators seeking user acquisition in India.
Third-order effects
- If similar device partnerships spread, app-store competition in India could shift from standalone downloads toward control of default software distribution on smartphones.
- PhonePe’s commercial positioning and Xiaomi’s distribution role illustrate a broader separation between handset vendors and the services layered onto their devices; the durability of that model will depend on developer and user uptake.
The trend: This is one data point in the shift from sideloaded alternative app stores to OEM-backed, default distribution channels in India.