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China Telecom and Wireless Mobile terminal preinstalled app requirements

China preinstallation and distribution duties for device makers and app distribution workflows.

Apply the 2017 manufacturer and app-distributor rules together with the stricter preinstallation notice effective 1 January 2023.

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Author
Sorena AI
Published
Jul 5, 2026
Updated
Oct 15, 2026
4 sections3 primary sources
Overview

A is a mobile communication terminal that connects to a public mobile network, has an operating system and lets users install and uninstall apps. Smartphones, tablets and qualifying wearables are representative examples; industrial terminals, special-purpose in-vehicle terminals and products that do not connect to a public mobile network fall outside the 2022 notice's explained terminal scope. The 2017 interim provisions regulate terminal manufacturers and app-distribution service providers. For manufacturer-preinstalled programs with a user-interaction entry on the main or auxiliary screen that can operate independently, also apply the 2022 MIIT-CAC notice effective 1 January 2023.

Section 1

Manufacturer and distributor duties

The 2017 provisions set the disclosure, consent, charging, channel and distribution controls. The 2022 notice supplements those provisions rather than replacing them: it narrows the removability exception, makes the company that preinstalls an app responsible for it, and requires manufacturers to prevent operating-system replacement and unauthorized app installation during product distribution. Apply the duties by role: a terminal manufacturer owns the factory image and channel controls, an app provider owns its app conduct and disclosures, a distribution platform owns review and traceability, and a billing provider owns billing confirmation records.

  • Do not collect personal information, start apps or bundle-promote other apps without clear notice and user consent; do not call terminal functions unrelated to the service.
  • Disclose app name, function, uninstall method, developer, required permissions and personal-information collection purpose, method and scope.
  • For paid apps, disclose price and charging method and obtain user confirmation before charging.
  • Control sales channels so apps are not installed without user consent and warn users about channel-installation risk.
  • Retain the production app list, disclosure screens, consent tests, channel controls and the person or entity that preinstalled each app as release evidence.
Section 2

Uninstallability and build consistency

All preinstalled apps outside the current must have a safe and convenient uninstall method. Under the 2017 provisions, associated resource, configuration and user-data files must also be conveniently removable when that does not affect safe terminal use.

  • The current is closed: system settings and file management; multimedia capture; calls, text messages, contacts and browser; and the app store. A label such as system app or vendor service does not add another category.
  • At most one performing the same basic function may be set as non-uninstallable.
  • Do not forcibly restore an app after the user removes it during an operating-system upgrade.
  • Keep preinstalled software consistent before and after network access permission; report newly added preinstalled software or major function changes to MIIT in a timely manner.
Section 3

Distribution-platform controls

App stores and manufacturers that preinstall distribution platforms have additional traceability duties.

  • Verify provider, operator and developer identity and contact information.
  • Review and test apps, monitor them after publication, remove unlawful or malicious apps and operate complaints handling.
  • Disclose requested terminal permissions and their purpose.
  • Retain app, version, launch time, function, purpose, MD5 checksum (a file fingerprint) and server-access information for at least 60 days.
  • Keep charging confirmations and original billing data for at least five months where providing billing services.
Section 4

Supervision and effective date

The interim provisions took effect on 1 July 2017, and the supplemental MIIT-CAC preinstallation notice took effect on 1 January 2023. MIIT and provincial communications administrations supervise the 2017 duties; MIIT and CAC jointly supervise the 2022 preinstallation controls. Authorities can require correction or app removal, and administrative penalties under the applicable law may be recorded and published.

  • Maintain a complaint and report channel and respond within the published or required period.
  • Support regulator and testing-body access for supervision testing.
  • Keep software-build evidence tied to the exact terminal model and network-access record.
Operationalize the requirement

Prepare the China connected-device launch file

Connect the applicable China route, cited source, accountable owner, approval, product configuration and change history in one reviewable model file.

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Review the China route

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Primary sources

References and citations

Interim provisions on preinstallation and distribution of mobile smart terminal apps
miit.gov.cn5 citations
Referenced sections
  • Official MIIT text for manufacturer and distributor duties effective 1 July 2017, including notice, consent, removal, traceability, complaints and supervision.
  • Official MIIT text for regulated actors, notice, consent, charging and distribution-channel duties effective 1 July 2017.
  • Supports removal of non-basic apps and associated files, the one-app-per-basic-function limit, upgrade non-restoration and network-access consistency duties.
Show 2 more
  • Official source for identity verification, review, monitoring, removal, permission disclosure, traceability and billing-data retention duties.
  • Sets the 1 July 2017 effective date, complaint handling, supervision testing, correction and app-removal framework.
MIIT and CAC notice further regulating preinstalled mobile apps
miit.gov.cn4 citations
Referenced sections
  • Current supplemental preinstallation rules effective 1 January 2023, including the narrower basic-function list and manufacturer-responsibility controls.
  • Defines the preinstalled programs covered by the 2022 notice and adds manufacturer responsibility, permission-management and distribution-stage controls from 1 January 2023.
  • Sets the current closed list of basic-function categories and requires every other preinstalled app to be removable from 1 January 2023.
Show 1 more
  • Provides for joint MIIT-CAC supervision of preinstallation conduct from 1 January 2023.

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