How can we get ICP filling number to legally distribute our iOS app in China?

It's great to hear your app is doing well in China! Regarding the new policy you mentioned, yes, China and Apple now require an ICP Filing number for mobile apps.

And Yes, you are right, on March 2024, apps without this number risk being removed from the China Apple App Store.

Getting an ICP Filing number involves a specific process and a Chinese entity. You'll need to submit some documentation and go through a review process with the MIIT (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) in China. If you don't have a Chinese entity, you won't qualify, so you'll need a partner in China to help you qualify. Assuming you qualify, speak and read Chinese fluently, it's not too complicated, but it does take a bit of time and attention to detail.

A good resource to check out is this article by 21YunBox: How to Get Mobile App ICP Filing Number in China. It explains the steps you need to take and what to expect during the process.

Hope this helps, and best of luck keeping your app thriving in China!

sma04 wrote:

Do you know if having all the backend servers of my apps hosted in China is mandatory to get this ICP filling ?

Currenlty my apps use has a backend hosted in Europe, and use a ".com" domain name.

That is why this policy is in place. Your Chinese partner will know the relevant Chinese laws.

I'm no Chineses lawyer, but I'm pretty sure hosting your servers in Europe is wrong on multiple levels.

Thanks for this valuable information.

Do you know if having all the backend servers of my apps hosted in China is mandatory to get this ICP filling ?

Currenlty my apps use has a backend hosted in Europe, and use a ".com" domain name.