Chinese developers generated 52% of their App Store revenue from overseas markets in 2025, up from 32% in 2020, according to a study released by Apple on October 8. The study found that 76% of Chinese developers operated outside China in 2025, while overseas users downloaded their apps 3.8 billion times during the year.
The research, conducted by Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and Analysis Group economists, estimated that the mainland Chinese App Store ecosystem facilitated RMB 4 trillion in billings and sales in 2025, roughly twice its 2020 level. Physical goods and services accounted for about 91% of that total, and more than 95% of the overall billings and sales did not incur an Apple commission. [Apple, in Chinese]