The recent ban on 59 Chinese apps by the Indian government targets several highly used apps in the country.?
While some like TikTok were largely meant for entertainment, others like SHAREIt, UC Browser, CamScanner catered to more critical use-cases, like scanning documents, sharing files or even storing your data in a digital locker.
Some of these apps include CamScanner, Shareit, Parallel Space and Vault. While some of these apps are available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store at the time of writing, chances are that they will be pulled down shortly, as is the case with TikTok.
In their absence, here are some alternatives to all these apps that users in India can easily switch to.
A popular vlogging app that crossed the 2 billion download mark back in April this year, TikTok has enjoyed a huge user base in India. If not for TikTok, people in India will be able to find similar content, app dynamics and other such similarities on the following platforms -?
1. Instagram, though much more extensive than TikTok, has dedicated spaces to replicate TikTok¡¯s mechanism. Users can chose to post short 15-seconds clips through Insta stories or go for full-length videos through IGTV. In both the cases, the Facebook-owned platform is able to hand out a TikTok like entertainment.
2. Snapchat was originally meant for videos that disappear in a span of 24 hours. The app, however, added the function of saving one¡¯s Snapchats, thus providing a TikTok like account layout on the app. TikTok users are often seen posting similar content on both their Instagram and Snapchat profiles. Hence, many of them are now promoting their Instagram, Snapchat and even YouTube accounts to their TikTok following.
3. India came up with its own version of TikTok with Mitron, a similar video based platform that lets users create short videos through their registered accounts to gain followers or to follow someone else.
4. Roposo is another made-in-India app that lets users create short videos and then share them to other platforms, including WhatsApp status.
5. Following suit,?Chingari is an Indian-made short video app that offers similar functionality as TikTok. Since the ban on TikTok, the app saw a huge surge in its users in India.?
Much like TikTok, UC Browser has a large user base in India, especially for its News section. Here are some alternatives that Indians can use post its ban.
1. Google Chrome is the most natural choice for anyone to use as a web browser on an Android device. As for those using iPhones, Safari browser is always the prime option.
2. For similar, and arguably a faster experience, Mozilla Firefox is also a trusted bet for users of both Android and iOS to surf the web.
3. To stay on top of the daily News, both Android and iOS users can download the Indiatimes app.
4. Google News is also a trusted source of information to get your daily dose of News.
Indian government has cited security and privacy issues with these listed apps as a reason to ban them. Considering CamScanner is mostly used to store scanned copies of official documents, it probably might not be a good idea to continue the practice.
Those looking for alternatives can either use Google Drive or Microsoft Office Lens for the same functionality as CamScanner. Here is how -
1. Google Drive has an option to scan documents and like paperwork right through the app. Just open the app < click on the ¡®Plus¡¯ icon to upload a new document < use the ¡®Scan¡¯ option under the ¡®Create New tab¡¯ to scan any document.
The app will open the camera app for a normal image, which will then be converted to a scanned document through the Google Drive app.
Considering Google Drive is available by default on all Android devices, using it for scanning documents cuts your need to download any other app. Drive is also available on iOS.
2. Microsoft Office Lens also lets you scan and upload documents in a similar manner. Users can then store the document on OneNote or OneDrive in addition to the device.
A big plus of the Office Lens is that it lets you convert the scanned documents to PDF, Word or even PowerPoint files. The app is great for those working on a Microsoft ecosystem on their work laptops.
1. Files by Google is one of the best file managing systems available for Android devices. The app is primarily meant to keep ones files arranged so as to clean up space and enable easy access to the files.
The app does, however, come with a function similar to what ShareIt is known for. It enables fast transfer of files from one device to another, even when offline.
2. inShare is another app built on a similar concept and allows easy transfer of files including videos, images, music, apps and more.
Parallel Space is used to create multiple accounts on apps on a single device. This includes instant messaging apps as well as apps for gaming. With it banned now, interested users can use these two apps, among others -?
1. Multi-parallel is, in essence, a similar app that lets users clone apps within their devices to use multiple accounts. With more than one million downloads on Google Play Store, the app has received a 4.5 rating out of 5 for its functionality.
2. Super Clone caters to a similar user base and lets users clone the apps on their phones to use multiple accounts. The idea is to let users manage both work-life profiles on their smartphones separately.
A digital locker to hide images and videos, Vault has also been banned by the Indian government and here are some of its alternatives -?
1. Gallery Vault has the same function as vault, to let users hide their files in a special locker, accessible through an additional layer of security. Only the users who know the password for the app can access any of the files stored in it.
2. With a rating of 4.6, LockIt also proves to be a valuable digi-locker for users to keep their files safe.