Chinese developers boost Apple App Store

Developers in China generated 4 trillion yuan ($596.8 billion) in total billings and sales in Apple's App Store system in 2025, up from nearly 2 trillion yuan in 2020, showcasing the vitality and innovation prowess of China's software developers, according to a new study conducted by the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and market research company Analysis Group.

For more than 95 percent of the total 4 trillion yuan, China-based developers paid zero commission to Apple, the study said.

The study also found that China-based developers are achieving greater success on the global stage with more than half of their total revenue now coming from overseas users, and that three out of every four China-based developers are active in international markets.

"Apple has always believed in the power of local talent, and we've seen that firsthand through the incredible developer community in China," said John Ternus, Apple's CEO. "Developers across the country are building successful businesses and making apps that have a meaningful impact on people's lives every day. We're incredibly proud of what this community has accomplished and are deeply committed to supporting developers across China as they continue to grow."

The new study examined the economic activity facilitated by the China App Store and the ways developers are finding success. Apps remain an essential part of everyday life, seamlessly woven into how people work, connect, play and shop, with categories like artificial intelligence, gaming and mobile commerce continuing to evolve.

In 2025, an average of nearly 167 million people visited the App Store in China each week, according to the study.

Specifically, in 2025, the China App Store ecosystem resulted in 3.7 trillion yuan in total billings and sales from physical goods and services; these sales are commission-free and represented 91 percent of the total sales facilitated on the App Store.

Digital goods and services made up 149 billion yuan of the App Store ecosystem, and 212 billion yuan came from in-app advertising.

"China's long-standing strength in mobile gaming, the importance of large online marketplaces for general retail purchases and the growing use of AI in digital experiences were drivers of how people spent time with their favorite apps," the study said.

Developers are achieving success beyond China by reaching a growing number of users across the world through the App Store. The share of earnings for China-based developers from users outside of China increased from 32 percent in 2020 to 52 percent in 2025.

In 2025, 76 percent of China-based developers were active outside of China, and downloads of Chinese apps by users outside the country reached 3.8 billion, the study said.

Successful gaming studios like Kuro Games are tapping into the App Store's global reach across all 175 countries and regions available to deliver hit titles like Wuthering Waves to fans.

Solon Lee, CEO of Kuro Games, said, "The App Store has been instrumental in helping us reach tens of millions of players in nearly every corner of the world — connecting us with a truly global audience of passionate players."

The study also found that small developers have done exceptionally well with the App Store in China. Total earnings for small developers in China more than doubled in the five years between 2020 and 2025, and with the help of the App Store, 75 percent of these developers were conducting business outside the China storefront.