Breaking News | Why Xiaomi Shut Down Zili App | Silencing TikTok Competitor for Good!

Table of content:

• Introduction
• What is Zilli?
• When Zili was launched and how it gained popularity in India?
• Zili's unique features and how it compared to TikTok?
• Xiaomi's reasons for shutting down Zili
• How to redeem reward point in Zili app?
• Deletion of user data from Zili's servers
• Other Xiaomi apps that were banned in India
• Potential reasons why Zili was banned
• Conclusion

Introduction

Ah, Xiaomi's Indian business unit is having a tough time, isn't it? And to add to their problems, they've decided to discontinue one of their consumer-facing apps - Zili. This short video app was a popular TikTok alternative and had over 10 crore downloads on Google Play. But alas, it's time to say goodbye. According to a report from TechCrunch, Zili's website is down and the app will be discontinued on March 13th. Xiaomi's social media platform has apparently posted an in-app message announcing the shutdown.

So what exactly is Zili? Well, Xiaomi launched the app in 2018 as a response to TikTok's growing popularity. And when TikTok was banned in India in 2020, Zili experienced a surge in downloads. Within three weeks of TikTok's ban, Zili's downloads had already reached 8 million! Impressive, right? The app allowed users to download and save their content offline and also had a rewards points system called "Z-Points" that users could redeem for various prizes.

Unfortunately, Xiaomi has decided to shut down Zili due to an "operational adjustment". They've confirmed that all user data will be deleted from Zili's servers and will be "unrecoverable" after the shutdown date. But don't worry, Zili users can still redeem their reward points before the app disappears forever.

It's interesting to note that other Xiaomi apps, such as Mi Browser and Mi Video Call, were also banned by the Indian government. So, it's possible that Zili was banned for similar reasons. Xiaomi faces some tough challenges in India, and their decision to shut down Zili is just one more hurdle to overcome.

What is Zili?

Zili, the short-video app that is being shut down by Xiaomi, was launched back in 2018. Initially, it struggled to gain much traction as it competed against TikTok, the undisputed king of short-form video content. However, everything changed when TikTok was banned in India in 2020.

With TikTok out of the picture, Zili quickly became the go-to alternative for users in India. According to Sensor Tower data, Zili's downloads rose to a staggering 8 million within just three weeks of TikTok's ban. This growth added a significant number of users to the app, which had previously only seen 3 million downloads.

One of Zili's unique features that set it apart from its competitors was the ability for users to download and save their content offline. This was a major draw for users in areas with poor internet connectivity or those who wanted to view content later without using their data. Another feature that Zili offered was the ability for users to redeem reward points, known as "Z-Points," for cash prizes.

Compared to TikTok, Zili offered a more curated selection of content, with a focus on family-friendly videos. It also had a strong community aspect, with users able to follow and interact with each other on the app. Overall, Zili's features and user experience were compelling enough to attract millions of users in India, even without the massive marketing budget and brand recognition of TikTok.

When Zili was launched and how it gained popularity in India?

In 2018, Xiaomi launched the Zili app in India as a short video app that was similar to TikTok. However, it initially struggled to gain a foothold in the crowded Indian market.

That all changed in 2020 when TikTok was banned in India. Zili, along with some other short video apps, saw a flood of users looking for a TikTok alternative. According to Sensor Tower data, Zili's downloads had risen to 8 million within three weeks of TikTok's ban.

Zili's unique features, such as the ability to download and save content offline, helped it stand out from other TikTok alternatives. Additionally, Zili was pre-installed on the latest Xiaomi phones, which further expanded its user base and increased user engagement.

Despite its popularity, Zili faced stiff competition from other short video apps, including Indian startups trying to fill the gap left by TikTok. Ultimately, Xiaomi's decision to shut down Zili may have been influenced by these challenges, as well as the company's ongoing struggles to maintain its position in the Indian market.

Zili's unique features and how it compared to TikTok?

Zili, Xiaomi's short video app, was launched in 2018 and gained popularity in India after the government banned TikTok in 2020. Zili is similar to TikTok in many ways - users can create short videos and add music and filters to them. However, Zili also offers some unique features that set it apart from its competitor.

One of Zili's standout features is its offline download option. This allows users to download videos and watch them later without an internet connection. Zili also offers a rewards program where users can earn "Z-Points" by engaging with the app, which can be redeemed for cash or other prizes.

Zili's user interface is another aspect that differs from TikTok. While TikTok is known for its algorithm-based "For You" page, Zili's interface is more focused on content discovery. Users can browse through various categories, such as comedy or sports, to find videos that interest them.

Overall, Zili offers a unique take on the short video format that differentiates it from its competitors. However, with Zili's impending shutdown, users will have to look elsewhere for their short video fix.

Xiaomi's reasons for shutting down Zili

Xiaomi has thrown a curveball by shutting down its short-video app Zili, leaving many users in the lurch. The reason given by the company is an "operational adjustment", which sounds like a fancy way of saying they're throwing in the towel on this app.

Zili was Xiaomi's take on the TikTok craze, which exploded in popularity after TikTok was banned in India in 2020. However, while Zili gained traction initially, it failed to maintain its momentum in the long run. Other short-video apps stepped up to the plate, and it seems Zili just couldn't cut it.

But there could be other factors at play. Xiaomi has had a run-in with the Indian government before, with some of its other apps like Mi Browser and Mi Video Call getting banned. It's possible that Zili was added to the list of blacklisted apps, but Xiaomi hasn't confirmed this.

Xiaomi has a lot of different irons in the fire, with a diverse range of products and services. Maybe they just want to pare down their offerings and focus on what they're really good at. Or perhaps they're feeling the heat from other Chinese smartphone makers in India and need to channel all their resources towards their core business. Who knows?

Regardless of the reason, Zili's users are left high and dry. They enjoyed the app's cool features and rewards program, and now it's all going down the drain. We'll have to wait and see whether Xiaomi comes up with a new short-video app or decides to branch out into other areas.

How to redeem reward point in Zili app?

Are you one of the many Zili users wondering what will happen to your reward points now that the app is shutting down? Fear not, my friend! Zili has got you covered by allowing you to redeem your reward points before the app is officially shut down on March 13th.

To redeem your points, all you have to do is go to the "Rewards" section within the app and check your Z-Points balance. From there, you can select the option to redeem your points for new features or virtual gifts for your favorite creators.

It's important to act fast though, because once the shutdown date arrives, all user data will be deleted and lost forever. So don't miss out on this opportunity to make the most of your Zili experience and redeem your reward points while you still can!

Deletion of user data from Zili's servers

So, here's the deal: if you're a Zili user, you might want to pay attention to this part. Xiaomi has confirmed that all user data will be deleted from Zili's servers after the app is discontinued on March 13. That means all those videos of you lip-syncing to your favorite songs or doing your best dance moves will be gone forever, poof! And before you ask, no, there's no way to recover them. Xiaomi has made it very clear that the data will be "unrecoverable" after the said date.

But wait, there's more! Zili users can redeem their "Z-Points" reward points before the closing date. So, if you've been hoarding those reward points, now's the time to cash them in. Whether you want to use them to download more videos or simply show them off to your friends, this is your chance to make the most of them.

Overall, it's a bummer that Zili is shutting down, especially for those who enjoyed using the app. But if you're a user, don't forget to redeem your reward points before they disappear into thin air, and say goodbye to your videos before they're gone forever.

Other Xiaomi apps that were banned in India

Xiaomi has had its fair share of challenges in India, and not just with the recent shutdown of its Zili app. In fact, the company has had a number of its apps banned by the Indian government in the past. Here are some other Xiaomi apps that were banned in India:

• Mi Browser: The Indian government banned the Mi Browser along with 58 other Chinese apps in June 2020 due to security concerns.
• Mi Video Call: This app was also banned in June 2020 along with the Mi Browser.
• ShareSave: Xiaomi's e-commerce app was also banned by the Indian government in 2020.
• Mi Store: The Indian government briefly banned the Mi Store app in 2018 due to concerns about the app promoting unapproved products.

These bans have undoubtedly affected Xiaomi's position in the Indian market, and the recent shutdown of Zili adds to the company's woes. However, Xiaomi has stated that it remains committed to the Indian market and will continue to focus on its core business services. Only time will tell if Xiaomi can recover from these setbacks and regain its position as a leading smartphone maker in India.

Potential reasons why Zili was banned

Xiaomi has been no stranger to controversy in India, with a few of their apps previously banned by the Indian government. While the company has not confirmed why Zili is being discontinued, many speculate that it could be due to concerns over user data privacy and national security. India has been cracking down on Chinese apps in recent years, citing concerns over the misuse of user data and links to the Chinese government. It's possible that Zili fell victim to this ongoing campaign against Chinese apps. Alternatively, it could be that Zili simply wasn't performing well enough to justify its existence in the crowded Indian short video app market. Regardless of the reasons behind its shutdown, Zili's closure is sure to leave a void in the Indian short video app market.

Conclusion

Xiaomi's journey in India has been anything but smooth sailing. After facing the heat from the Indian government with a ban on several of its apps, including Mi Browser and Mi Video Call, the Chinese smartphone maker is now shutting down its popular short-video app, Zili. With over 10 crore downloads on Google Play, Zili was a significant competitor to TikTok, which was banned in India in 2020. Although the company has stated that the move to shut down Zili is an "operational adjustment," the closure could signal the challenges faced by foreign tech companies operating in India. The decision also poses a significant challenge to other homegrown TikTok competitors, trying to fill the void left by the ban. Only time will tell whether Xiaomi's move to shut down Zili will impact its position in the Indian market, which is critical to its long-term success.

So, what does the shutdown of Xiaomi's Zili app mean for other short video app competitors in India, particularly TikTok? Well, it's hard to say for sure, but it could potentially create more opportunities for homegrown startups to fill the void left by the ban of TikTok and now Zili. It's also possible that other foreign-owned apps could face increased scrutiny and pressure from the Indian government, which could result in more shutdowns or bans. One thing is for sure, though: the competition in India's short video app market is as fierce as ever, and companies will need to work hard to keep up with the ever-changing regulatory landscape.