Xiaomi's fan-based business model hit hard as India bans Chinese apps

Xiaomi has banked on its fans in Mi Community and word-of-mouth publicity to grow in India. Mi Community is now banned.

The ban on Mi Community could not have come at a worse time for Xiaomi. Just when the Chinese smartphone giant was recovering from poor sales and supply chain issues, the ban has hit right at the core of its India business model.

Since its entry into India in 2014, the community has played a crucial role in its rapid growth and continues to remain at the centre of its consumer outreach programme.

With over 10 million downloads on the Play Store, the Mi Community is the most convenient medium for the 100-million-member platform. Xiaomi may be pushed to changing