How to Publish Your Mobile Game in China

By Marcos SabioLast Updated on Dec 16, 2025
How to Publish Your Mobile Game in China

China remains the world’s largest gaming market, projected to exceed USD 95 billion by 2030 with more than 670 million players. However, publishing games in China requires navigating mandatory government approvals, unique distribution channels, and strict regulatory requirements that differ significantly from Western markets. This guide covers everything you need to know about publishing your game in China, including required licenses, compliance requirements, distribution strategies, and costs. 

What is China’s Game Publishing System?

China’s game publishing system operates through a two-tier structure that regulates both content approval and operational compliance. Game operators must work with game publishers to publish a game in China:

This structure means that foreign companies cannot publish games directly in China and must work through licensed operators who maintain relationships with approved publishers.

What are the Legal Requirements for Publishing a Game in China?

Operating in violation of the above laws can result in fines ranging from CNY 50,000 to 500,000, business cessation and criminal liability in more serious cases. Proper licensing and compliance are mandatory for any commercial game operation in China.

What is the Application Process to Make a Game Available in China?

Step 1: Obtain Operator Licensing. The game operator must first secure a B25 Commercial ICP License (ICP许可证), which authorises the company to legally operate online games in China. Only Chinese entities can obtain this license, meaning foreign companies must either establish a local entity or partner with a licensed operator such as AppInChina.

Step 2: Partner with an Authorised Publisher. Game operators must work with a publisher that holds the Web Publishing Service License (网络出版服务许可证). This license is the only authorisation that permits entities to apply for Game Publishing ISBNs. The publisher verifies the operator’s B25 license and reviews the game for compliance with Chinese regulations. This review acts as a mock test before final submission to the NPPA.

Example of official Web Publishing Service License

Step 3: Submit the ISBN Application to NPPA. The authorised publisher submits the complete ISBN application to the National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA), including comprehensive game documentation, content descriptions, and technical specifications.

Step 4: NPPA Content Review. The NPPA conducts an extensive content review that typically requires six to ten months. Review timelines vary based on game complexity, with simple puzzle games potentially approved in under one month, while foreign or complex games often require a year. 

Step 5: ISBN Issuance and Legal Monetisation. Upon approval, the NPPA issues the Game Publishing ISBN, which legally authorises the game to operate and generate revenue in China. Without this ISBN, games cannot legally monetise through in-app purchases, subscriptions, or advertising in the Chinese market.

This entire process typically takes around 12 months to complete. 

What Do I Need to Publish My Game in China?

Compliance Requirements

1. B25 Commercial ICP License (增值电信业务经营许可证). The B25 Commercial ICP License is mandatory for all game operators in China. This license authorises companies to legally operate online games and is a prerequisite for working with game publishers to obtain the Game Publishing ISBN. Only Chinese entities can obtain this license, which means foreign companies must either establish a local entity or partner with a licensed operator like AppInChina.

2. Game Publishing ISBN (网络游戏出版物号). The Game Publishing ISBN is the core requirement for any commercial game in China. This government approval from the NPPA legally authorises your game to operate and generate revenue through in-app purchases, subscriptions, or advertising. The ISBN can only be obtained through a publisher holding the Web Publishing Service License, and the approval process typically takes twelve months, though this can vary depending on the complexity of the game. 

The ISBN application requires extensive documentation, including copies of licenses, complete game content exports, and comprehensive visual demonstrations. Incomplete or incorrect submissions face immediate rejection and can add three to six months per revision cycle to the approval timeline.

3. Software Copyright Certificate (软件著作权登记证书). The Software Copyright Certificate is mandatory for publishing on all Chinese app stores, including both Apple’s App Store China and all Android platforms. This government certification proves copyright ownership and must be obtained before app store submission. The certificate requires two to four weeks to process when submitted through a Chinese entity, and your game’s Chinese name on this certificate must exactly match the name used across all platforms.

4. ICP Filing (ICP备案). The ICP Filing is a mandatory registration with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology required for mobile games in China. The ICP Filing is required to obtain the mandatory Mobile App Filing. Only Chinese legal entities can obtain ICP Filings. Processing requires three to four weeks, with no government fees, though hosting and domain costs apply.

5. Mobile App Filing (移动互联网应用程序备案). The App Filing became mandatory in 2023 for all applications providing services in China. This registration must be completed after obtaining your ICP Filing and before submitting to any Chinese app store. Processing takes one to two weeks with no government fees. Without a Mobile App Filing, your mobile game cannot be published or updated on any Chinese platform, making this a critical checkpoint before distribution.

Technical Integration 

Beyond licensing, your game must integrate with multiple compliance systems:

  • Data Localisation Infrastructure. If your game collects any personal information from users, that data has to be stored on servers physically located in Mainland China. Games must integrate with approved Chinese cloud providers, such as Alibaba Cloud, Tencent Cloud, AWS China or Azure China. Cloud hosting costs typically range from USD 500 to 5,000 monthly, depending on your user base. Only Chinese entities can open accounts with these providers, though operators like AppInChina can help manage cloud accounts under their local entity.
  • Real-Name Verification System. All games must verify users’ real identities through phone numbers registered to national ID cards or direct ID verification. To learn more, read our full guide. 
  • Age Verification and Anti-Addiction System. Games must integrate China’s Age Verification System to restrict how long minors play. To learn more, read our full guide. 
  • Platform-Specific SDK Integration. While optional, it is common industry practice for large successful games in China to integrate with the app store’s login and payment system via joint operation, known as 游戏联运 in Chinese. Each app store has its own login and payment system for developers to integrate with. 

Content and Localisation

  • Full Chinese Localisation. Your game must be localised with all user-facing text translated to Simplified Chinese, including images and UI content. Games also need to have a Chinese name that matches your Software Copyright Certificate exactly. 
  • Infrastructure Compatibility. Popular Western services blocked by China’s Great Firewall must be removed or replaced. This includes Google Play Services, Firebase, AWS global regions, Facebook SDK, and most Western analytics and ad networks. You must implement China-compatible alternatives for payments, analytics, push notifications, and social features. AppInChina helps identify alternative solutions to minimise conversion work while maintaining functionality. Use our China Tech Stack Tester to check if any of the services you are currently using are blocked in China.

The documentation and technical requirements for publishing games in China are extensive, but working with an experienced partner significantly streamlines the process through parallel processing of multiple licensing and technical requirements and proven compliance infrastructure.

What Are My Options for Publishing a Game in China?

Option 1: Partner with a Licensed Game Operator

Working with a licensed Chinese game operator like AppInChina allows you to publish under their business license and obtain the mandatory ISBN through their publisher partnerships.  This is typically the best option for foreign companies with no entity in China for the following reasons: 

  • B25 License Requirement: Only companies holding a B25 Commercial ICP License can legally operate games and work with state-owned publishers to obtain the ISBN. Foreign companies cannot obtain this license directly.
  • Publisher Access: China’s game publishers verify the operator’s B25 license before processing ISBN applications. Without an established operator-publisher partnership, you cannot access the ISBN application process.
  • Complete Compliance: The operator handles all regulatory requirements, technical integration, and ongoing compliance obligations, including real-name verification, anti-addiction systems, data localisation, and regular reporting.
  • Better Revenue Terms: AppInChina offers significantly more favourable revenue-sharing than traditional Chinese publishers, allowing you to retain more earnings.

Important Note: According to Article 10 of Regulations on the Administration of Internet Publishing Services (网络出版服务管理规定), foreign and foreign-invested companies are legally prohibited from directly publishing or operating online games in China.  Two notable exceptions exist: Apple’s App Store China and Steam, though both still require games to obtain ISBNs for monetisation.

Option 2: Establish Your Own Chinese Entity

This option requires registering a legal entity in China, obtaining a B25 Commercial ICP License, and establishing partnerships with publishers for ISBN applications. While this provides operational control, it involves:

  • Significant upfront investment. USD 50,000 to 100,000 for entity establishment, license applications, and compliance infrastructure.
  • 6 to 12 months for entity establishment.
  • An additional 3 to 6 months to obtain the B25 license.
  • Dedicated local legal and compliance expertise.
  • Building publisher relationships and operational systems.

ISBNs are significantly harder to obtain when entities are registered in tier-1 cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, due to stricter requirements and higher scrutiny. Consider registering a Chinese entity in tier-2 cities, such as Tianjin, Hangzhou and Nanjing, or in tier-3 cities, such as Nantong, Yantai or Lanzhou, for easier ISBN approval. This may, however, complicate talent acquisition and business operations.

What Are the Revenue Share Models?

Understanding revenue structures is essential for financial planning when publishing games in China. The revenue split varies significantly between iOS and Android platforms, with China’s Android ecosystem presenting unique challenges for developers.

Android App Stores Revenue Share

China’s Android app stores impose substantially higher commission rates than their Western counterparts. Most Chinese Android app stores charge 50% of all revenues from in-app purchases and advertising, if games decide integrate with the app store’s login and payment SDK under the joint operation model (游戏联运).

Apple App Store China Revenue Share

The Apple App Store China maintains revenue terms consistent with Apple’s global model of 30% of all revenue, offering significantly more favourable revenue share for developers compared to Android platforms. Developers publishing through Apple’s App Store China retain substantially more revenue, though they must still obtain the Game Publishing ISBN to monetise through in-app purchases or subscriptions. Apple’s 30% commission applies to all transactions, but the absence of additional publisher fees makes iOS development considerably more lucrative in the Chinese market. 

Since 2021, Apple launched the App Store Small Business Program, which reduces the commission cut from 30% to 15% for eligible apps earning less than USD 1 million annually. This is also available for developers publishing on the Apple App Store China. 

How Long Does the Publishing Process Take?

Publishing a game in China typically takes around 12 months:

  • Game Publisher Review. During the first 4 months, operators work with publishers to make sure the game is functional and all of its content meets content review requirements. 
  • NPPA ISBN Approval. Once the game passes the publisher’s internal review, it will be sent to the NPPA for another round of content review and a final decision regarding the ISBN. The NPPA typically takes around 8 months to complete reviews due to a long waitlist. 

All other documents (SCC, ICP Filing, App Filing) can be processed in parallel while waiting for ISBN approval, making the total timeline roughly equal to ISBN wait time plus 2-3 months for other requirements. AppInChina accelerates the process through established publisher relationships, streamlined documentation handling, and parallel processing of multiple requirements.

How Much Does it Cost to Publish a Game in China?

Publishing costs in China vary by game complexity, but a typical budget is around USD 25,000. The main cost components include:

  • ISBN Application. The government license to monetise your game costs approximately CNY 100,000 and is typically the largest single expense in the publishing process.
  • ICP Filing. Costs include landing page creation and hosting services to comply with Chinese internet regulations for content providers.
  • Cloud Hosting in China. If your game collects personal information, Chinese data privacy laws require that data be stored on servers within mainland China, adding cloud infrastructure costs.
  • App Filing. Required for distribution through Chinese app stores, with costs varying based on the number of platforms and stores.
  • Software Copyright Certificate (SCC). Legal registration of your game’s intellectual property with Chinese authorities.

The USD 25,000 estimate covers standard publishing scenarios, but actual costs depend on your game’s technical requirements, the number of distribution channels, and whether you need additional localisation or compliance services. Working with an experienced distribution partner can help you accurately budget for your specific situation.

What Content Restrictions Must My Game Meet?

According to the Standards for Mobile Game Content published by the China Audio-video and Digital Publishing Association (CADPA), the following content is deemed inappropriate and does not meet content restriction standards:

  • No pornographic or sexual content: Games must not contain nudity, sexual themes, or suggestive content
  • No gambling elements: Mahjong and poker games currently receive no approvals due to gambling concerns
  • No political content: Games must not contain content that could “disrupt public order” or contradict official Chinese government positions

Refer to the Standards for Mobile Game Content for the full detailed list of restricted content. Content must be appropriate for the age ratings assigned by the China Audio-Video and Digital Publishing Association (CADPA). 

This is the China Audio-Video and Digital Publishing Associations’s (CADPA) rating system used for all games in China.

Which Chinese App Stores Should I Target?

China’s Android ecosystem consists of numerous independent app stores operated by device manufacturers and internet companies. Successful distribution requires submitting to multiple platforms. Based on the AppInChina Game Store Index, priority stores include:

At AppInChina, we recommend publishing to the top 10 Android app stores and the Apple App Store to maximise the coverage and reach of your game in China.

How Can AppInChina Help?

Publishing a mobile game in China means navigating a unique regulatory landscape and localisation process.

At AppInChina, we can help you with:

  • Licensed Operator Services. Publish your mobile game under our B25 Commercial ICP License to meet compliance requirements and partner with game publishers. We become the operator of your game in China, liaising with game publishers, while you retain full control over your game. 
  • Full Documentation Support. We handle Software Copyright Certificates, ICP Filings, App Filings, and ISBN applications with streamlined processes and established government relationships
  • Technical Integration. We manage SDK integration, data localisation, real-name verification, anti-addiction systems, and compliance infrastructure across all platforms
  • Distribution Management. We publish your mobile game to all major Chinese app stores.

If you’re looking to publish your game in the world’s largest gaming market, contact us today to get started.

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Launch Your Game With AppInChinaStandards for Mobile Game Content (Edition 2016)The AppInChina Game Store Index

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