By Hemant Sharma There was a time when TikTok videos were everywhere in India. PUBG Mobile was a daily addiction for millions of gamers. SHAREit was the fastest way to transfer movies, photos and files. UC Browser was used by many people as their main mobile browser. Then, almost overnight, many of these apps vanished from Indian app stores.
The main reason was digital security. The Government of India used powers under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act to block several apps, saying they were harmful to India’s sovereignty, integrity, defence, security and public order. In June 2020, 59 apps were blocked. In September 2020, another 118 apps were blocked. In November 2020, 43 more apps were blocked. Later, in 2022, more apps, including Garena Free Fire, were also affected.
Here are the top 10 popular apps that became famous banned apps in India.
1. TikTok
TikTok was the biggest name in India’s app ban story. Before the ban, it had become a cultural wave. Small-town creators, dancers, comedians, teachers, singers and influencers used TikTok to reach millions. It gave ordinary people a stage and changed India’s short-video market.
The Government of India included TikTok in the 59 apps blocked in June 2020. The official reason was linked to data security, privacy concerns and national security.
After TikTok disappeared, Indian users moved to Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Moj, Josh and other short-video platforms. Even in 2026, TikTok remains the most remembered banned app in India.
Category: Short-video social media
Ban year: 2020
Main reason: Data security and national security concerns
2. PUBG Mobile
PUBG Mobile was one of the most loved mobile games in India. It created a full gaming culture with squads, live streams, tournaments, YouTube gaming channels and esports careers. For many young users, PUBG Mobile was not just a game; it was a daily social space.
In September 2020, the government blocked 118 mobile apps, and the list included PUBG Mobile Nordic Map: Livik and PUBG Mobile Lite.
Later, Battlegrounds Mobile India, or BGMI, came as an India-focused version. BGMI is available in India in 2026, but the original PUBG Mobile ban remains one of the biggest app-ban moments in Indian digital history.
Category: Battle royale game
Ban year: 2020
Main reason: Security and data-sharing concerns
3. Garena Free Fire
Garena Free Fire became even more popular in India after PUBG Mobile was banned. It worked smoothly on budget smartphones, which made it a favourite among school students, college players and young gamers from smaller towns.
In February 2022, India banned 54 more apps, and Garena Free Fire was the biggest name in that list. Reports at the time said the app was blocked on security grounds.
Free Fire’s ban shocked the gaming community because it had a massive Indian user base. Some related versions and newer attempts have appeared over time, but the original Free Fire ban remains one of the most discussed gaming bans in India.
Category: Battle royale game
Ban year: 2022
Main reason: Security concerns
4. UC Browser
UC Browser was once one of the most widely used mobile browsers in India. It was popular because it loaded pages quickly, compressed data and worked well on slow internet connections. Before cheap 4G became common, many Indians used UC Browser to save mobile data.
The app was included in the first list of 59 apps blocked in June 2020.
Its ban was important because UC Browser was not just an entertainment app. It was a daily-use internet tool for millions. After its exit, users shifted to Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Samsung Internet and other browsers.
Category: Mobile browser
Ban year: 2020
Main reason: Data privacy and security concerns
5. SHAREit
SHAREit was the king of offline file transfer in India. Before fast mobile internet became normal, people used SHAREit to send movies, songs, photos, videos, games and documents without using data. It was common in schools, hostels, offices and mobile shops.
SHAREit was also part of the 59 apps blocked by the Indian government in June 2020.
The ban changed file-sharing habits in India. People started using Nearby Share, Bluetooth, WhatsApp, Google Drive, Telegram and other tools. Still, SHAREit remains one of the most famous banned utility apps in India.
Category: File-sharing app
Ban year: 2020
Main reason: Data security concerns
6. CamScanner
CamScanner was one of the most useful apps for students, office workers, shopkeepers and professionals. It turned a phone camera into a document scanner. People used it for IDs, forms, bills, certificates, notes and PDF files.
The government included CamScanner in the June 2020 blocked-apps list.
Its ban created a big gap because many people depended on it for daily document work. After that, users moved to Adobe Scan, Microsoft Lens, Google Drive scanner and other Indian or global scanning apps. CamScanner’s case showed that even productivity apps could face restrictions if data security concerns were raised.
Category: Document scanner
Ban year: 2020
Main reason: Privacy and data security concerns
7. WeChat
WeChat is much more than a messaging app in China. It works as a chat app, payment tool, mini-app platform, social network and business communication system. In India, it was not as big as WhatsApp, but it had users among students, business people and people connected with China-based companies.
WeChat was included in India’s June 2020 ban list, while WeChat Work and related services appeared in later blocked-app lists.
The ban affected cross-border communication for some users, especially those dealing with Chinese contacts, businesses or education links.
Category: Messaging and social platform
Ban year: 2020
Main reason: Security and data concerns
8. Shein
Shein was extremely popular among young Indian shoppers before the ban. It offered trendy fashion at low prices and became a favourite for budget clothing, party wear, accessories and fast fashion.
The original Shein app was included in the June 2020 list of banned apps.
However, Shein’s India story changed later. In 2025, Reliance Retail brought Shein back to India through a licensing arrangement and launched a new Shein India Fast Fashion app, with reports saying the products were designed and made in India. This return is different from the original banned app situation.
Category: Fashion shopping app
Ban year: 2020
Main reason: Data security concerns
2026 status note: Returned through Reliance-led India arrangement
9. AliExpress
AliExpress was popular among Indian buyers who wanted cheap gadgets, accessories, mobile covers, electronics, fashion items, tools and small imported products. Many users liked it because it offered low prices and a huge product range.
In November 2020, the Government of India blocked 43 more apps, and AliExpress was included in that list.
Its ban affected small buyers, gadget lovers and some resellers who used to order products from overseas sellers. After the ban, Indian shoppers shifted more toward domestic ecommerce platforms and brand stores.
Category: Online shopping app
Ban year: 2020
Main reason: Security and sovereignty concerns
10. Club Factory
Club Factory was another very popular shopping app in India before the ban. It was known for cheap fashion, accessories, home items and lifestyle products. Many users compared it with Shein because both became famous among price-sensitive young shoppers.
Club Factory was included in the June 2020 list of 59 blocked apps.
The ban reduced the presence of China-linked fast-fashion and low-cost shopping apps in India. It also helped Indian ecommerce platforms capture more of the budget shopping audience.
Category: Online shopping app
Ban year: 2020
Main reason: Data and security concerns
Other Popular Apps Also Banned in India
Apart from these top 10, several other known apps were also blocked in different rounds. These included Helo, Likee, Bigo Live, Xender, UC News, Weibo, Baidu, Mobile Legends, Alipay, WeTV and many more. The government’s official lists show that bans covered social media, gaming, shopping, browser, utility, video, dating and payment-related apps.
Conclusion
India’s app bans changed the country’s digital market forever. TikTok, PUBG Mobile, UC Browser, SHAREit, CamScanner, Shein and AliExpress were not small apps; they were part of daily life for millions. Their ban opened space for Indian apps, global alternatives and stronger debate around data privacy, national security and digital sovereignty.