A lot of people come to me asking: "No matter what I search in the app store, I can't find Binance — has the app been shut down?" The answer is no. Binance is still fully operational; it's just been removed from app stores in certain regions. To download the Binance app, the right approach is to go to the official Binance website for the official download link. Android users can directly download the official Binance APK, while iPhone users should follow our iOS installation guide. Let me explain the full story and the solutions below.
The Real Reason Binance Is Missing from App Stores
Regulatory Changes Led to Delisting
In September 2021, China issued notices regarding the crackdown on cryptocurrency mining and trading. Following this, major domestic app stores gradually removed cryptocurrency exchange apps, including Binance.
This isn't unique to Binance — Huobi, OKX, Bybit, and other exchanges were all delisted too. Whether you search in the Huawei AppGallery, Xiaomi App Store, OPPO Software Store, vivo App Store, or the Apple App Store (China region), you won't find any of these exchange apps.
The App Itself Is Fine
This is an important point — not being able to find it doesn't mean the app has problems, nor does it mean Binance has collapsed or disappeared. Binance remains the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange. In overseas app stores (such as the US or Hong Kong App Store, Google Play, etc.), you can search for and download it normally.
It's simply because domestic app stores have complied with local regulations.
What "Not Found" Looks Like in Different Stores
The experience of not finding Binance varies slightly across app stores:
Huawei AppGallery
Searching for "Binance" shows "No results found," or displays a bunch of unrelated apps (like third-party "Binance analysis" or "Binance market" apps — don't download these).
Xiaomi App Store
Search results come up empty, or the store recommends other finance apps. Sometimes a notice appears saying "This app is temporarily unavailable due to relevant regulations."
Apple App Store (China Region)
Completely unsearchable. Sometimes searching "Binance" brings up copycat apps with similar icons and names, but they're not official. Never download these — they could be phishing software.
Google Play (If Accessible)
If your phone can access Google Play, you can find and download Binance normally. However, most domestic Android phones don't come with Google Play pre-installed.
The Right Way to Download
Since app stores don't have it, what's the correct way to download? It's actually quite simple.
Android: Download the APK Directly
The most convenient method for Android is downloading the APK file from the official website.
- Open the official Binance website in your browser
- Tap the "Download App" button
- Select "Android" and download the APK file
- Tap to install after download completes
- If prompted about unknown sources, enable installation from your browser in settings
The whole process takes 3-5 minutes. The installation package is about 200-300MB, so make sure your network is stable.
iPhone: Switch Your Apple ID Region
iPhones require a few extra steps:
- Register an Apple ID for an overseas region (e.g., US or Hong Kong)
- Sign out of your current China region account in the App Store
- Sign in with the overseas Apple ID
- Search for "Binance" and download
- After installation, you can switch back to your domestic ID
For step-by-step instructions with screenshots, see our iOS installation guide.
Desktop: Use the Web Version or Desktop Client
If you don't want to deal with phone installations right now, you can use Binance's web version directly in your computer browser. Binance also offers desktop clients for Windows and Mac with functionality essentially identical to the mobile app.
How to Tell Real Binance from Fake
Since the official app can't be found in regular app stores, many people have to download through other channels, which creates opportunities for scammers. There are many counterfeit Binance apps designed to steal money.
How to Identify Fake Apps
- Check the icon: The official Binance icon has a yellow background with a black diamond logo — many fakes have subtle differences
- Check the file size: The official installation package is usually over 200MB. If it's only a few MB or a few dozen MB, it's almost certainly fake
- Check the website domain: Binance's official domain is binance.com — any other domain is fake
- Check permission requests: If the installation demands unusual permissions (like reading SMS or contacts), it's likely malware
The Safest Approach
Download through the official Binance website. On the official site, you can also verify the installation package's hash value to ensure the file hasn't been tampered with.
What About Third-Party App Stores?
You might wonder: if domestic app stores don't have it, can I use third-party app stores?
Not Recommended
Third-party markets like Wandoujia, Tencent MyApp, or CoolAPK — I don't recommend downloading Binance from these sources. Two reasons:
- The installation packages on these platforms may not be the latest version
- There's no guarantee of file integrity and security
Acceptable Alternatives
If your Android phone has Google Play installed, downloading from Google Play is safe. Otherwise, downloading the APK directly from Binance's official website is the most reliable option.
App Updates After Installation
Binance installed via APK won't auto-update (since it wasn't installed from an app store). So how do you update?
- When you open the app and a new version is available, the app will display an update prompt — just follow the instructions
- You can also periodically visit the official website to download the latest APK and install it over the existing version
- iPhone users who downloaded through an overseas App Store can receive normal automatic updates
Security Reminders
When the official app isn't available through regular stores, security risks increase. Pay special attention to these points:
- Always download from official channels: Never download from unofficial websites, chat groups, or forums
- Don't trust search engine ads: The top results from search engines may lead to phishing sites
- Check the app immediately after installation: Open it and verify the interface looks normal and functions work correctly
- Set up security verification right away: Enable Google Authenticator, fund password, and anti-phishing code
- Stop using it immediately if you notice anything unusual: If the app asks for your recovery phrase, private key, or requests a transfer to an address, it's 100% a fake app
FAQ
Will app stores ever relist Binance?
That's hard to say — it depends on changes in domestic policy. It's unlikely in the short term. But this doesn't affect usability; downloading from the official website works just as well.
I downloaded it from an app store before, but now the app won't open. What should I do?
The version is probably too old. Go to the official website and download the latest version. Your account and data won't be lost — just sign in to the same account.
Someone sent me a "latest Binance installation package" — can I trust it?
No. No matter who sent it — a friend, group member, or someone claiming to be support — never install packages from unknown sources. Always download from the official website yourself. It's worth spending an extra two minutes for your safety.
I found an app called "Binance Lite" in the search results — is it real?
Binance has indeed released a Lite version, but if you found it in a domestic app store, it's almost certainly fake. The real Binance Lite is only available in overseas App Stores or Google Play.
Can't I just use the web version instead of downloading the app?
You absolutely can use the web version. However, the app provides a much better experience — smoother operation and timelier push notifications. For long-term use, installing the app is recommended. That said, for occasionally checking prices, the web version works just fine.