---
title: "Chinese iOS Assistants Install Paid Apps for Free, Cutting Annual App Store Revenue by 35%"
locale: "en"
language: "en-HK"
published: "2017-02-21T12:18:51+08:00"
updated: "2026-03-17T23:04:44.729Z"
canonical: "https://accordhk.com/blog/chinese-ios-assistants-install-paid-apps-for-free-cutting-annual-app-store-revenue-by-35-192"
---

# Chinese iOS Assistants Install Paid Apps for Free, Cutting Annual App Store Revenue by 35%

Unofficial Chinese app stores such as PP Assistant and XY Assistant let users install paid iOS apps for free without jailbreaking. Citing 2016 game industry figures, the article reports annual App Store revenue losses of up to 35%, alongside harm to game and software developers.

## In brief

Chinese iOS assistants let users install paid apps for free without jailbreaking by bypassing Apple's account system. This February 2017 article cites 2016 industry figures and reports annual App Store revenue losses of up to 35%, also harming developers.

Many people now have unofficial versions of the [App Store](<http://hkmobileapps.com>) installed on their phones. Most of these so-called knockoff App Stores come from China, including unofficial [apps such as PP Assistant and XY Assistant](<http://appcompanyhk.com>)。

Traditionally, the only channel for downloading apps on [iOS](<http://hongkongmobileapps.com>) devices has been the App Store. However, the unofficial App Stores mentioned above also let users download apps and install large numbers of [paid apps for free](<http://appcompanyhk.com>). They require no jailbreaking and do not damage the software bundled with [Apple](<http://appdeveloperhk.com>) devices. Instead, they simply create an opening in the [software](<http://hongkongmobileapps.com>) and add a payment-account gateway to bypass Apple's account system.

According to the Chinese broadcasting authority's 2016 Annual Report on China's [Game Industry](<http://appcompanyhongkong.com>), revenue from [mobile games](<http://mobile-application-development-company.com>) reached 81.92 billion in 2016 (including platform stores such as [Google Play ](<http://android-app-development-hk.com>)). The mobile assistant apps mentioned above already accounted for 8 billion, causing annual App Store revenue losses of up to 35% and also harming the interests of game and [software developers](<http://appsdeveloperhongkong.com>).

> [Chinese iOS Assistants Install Paid Apps for Free, Cutting Annual App Store Revenue by 35%](<https://www.newmobilelife.com/2017/02/15/app-store-piracy/>)

## Frequently asked questions

### Which unofficial iOS assistants does the article mention?

The article names PP Assistant and XY Assistant as examples of unofficial apps from China that function as knockoff App Stores.

### Do these assistants require users to jailbreak their devices?

According to the article, they do not require jailbreaking or damage the software bundled with Apple devices. They create an opening in the software and add a payment-account gateway to bypass Apple's account system.

### What mobile game revenue figures does the article cite for 2016?

It cites mobile game revenue of 81.92 billion, including platform stores such as Google Play. The mobile assistants mentioned in the article accounted for 8 billion.

### How does the article describe the impact on the App Store and developers?

The article reports annual App Store revenue losses of up to 35%. It also says these assistants harm the interests of game and software developers.