HarmonyOS App Filing (ICP) Guide: 7 Steps and 5 Pitfalls to Avoid

A harsh truth: without filing, your HarmonyOS app can't go live

For overseas developers: China requires apps that provide internet information services in mainland China to complete an "app filing" (APP备案, similar to website ICP filing) with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT, 工信部). HarmonyOS is Huawei's own operating system, distributed through Huawei AppGallery.

Since 2024, MIIT has strictly required all apps to complete filing; apps without filing may not provide internet information services. Huawei AppGallery has also made it clear that HarmonyOS apps without completed filing will have their search and display affected, and may not even be installable.

But here's the problem: the filing process for HarmonyOS apps isn't exactly the same as for Android, and many developers get stuck on steps like "choosing the platform" and "entering the package name".

In this article I've pulled together the pitfalls I've hit and my hands-on experience, so you can get through it in one go.

First: does your app need filing?

Apps that need filing:

• HarmonyOS apps with servers in mainland China (the most common case)
• Apps that provide information services to users over the public internet

Apps that don't need filing:

• Offline apps: apps that don't provide internet information services over the public internet (e.g. purely local tools)
• Overseas apps: apps operated by an entity outside China, with servers located only outside China

Don't count on luck: if your app makes network requests but isn't filed, users who have turned on Pure Mode (纯净模式, a HarmonyOS security setting) won't be able to install it at all.

HarmonyOS app filing vs Android app filing: key differences

Many people assume filing a HarmonyOS app is like Android, where you just fill in a package name. In fact there are several key differences:

The most overlooked point: if your app has both an Android and a HarmonyOS version with the same name, you don't need to file them separately, but you do need to change the existing filing to add the HarmonyOS platform and enter the HarmonyOS package name. Every package name must be filed, and you can add several.

The full process: 7 steps to file a HarmonyOS app

Step 1: Prepare materials

Step 2: Get your HarmonyOS app's key information

Before filing with an access provider, you need several core parameters for your HarmonyOS app:

1. HarmonyOS package name (bundleName)

Sign in to AppGallery Connect, click "APP & Atomic Services", and search for your app name.

2. Public key and signature MD5/SHA256 values

Extract them from your signing certificate, following Huawei's official documentation App characteristic information and how to obtain it.

3. App ID

Find it on the "Certificates, APP IDs and Profiles" page in AGC.

Step 3: Choose an access provider and sign in to the filing system

For overseas developers: in China, filing is submitted through your cloud or hosting provider (the "access provider", 接入商), which then forwards it to the authorities.

Common access providers:

• Huawei Cloud: the most complete support for the HarmonyOS ecosystem; recommended first choice
• Alibaba Cloud, Tencent Cloud, China Mobile Cloud, China Telecom Cloud (Tianyi Cloud), China Unicom Cloud, etc.

Using Huawei Cloud as an example: sign in to the Huawei Cloud filing console → select "APP filing" → start filing.

Step 4: Fill in the filing information

Entity information: companies enter business license details; individuals enter ID card details. Note that digits and letters in ID numbers are easy to confuse: "5" and "S", "1" and "I", "0" and "O". A mistake fails validation immediately.

Basic app information:

• App name: same as the name on the store
• App icon: same as the published version
• Cloud service / server information: choose your server provider
• App content category: choose based on actual features
• App language: Chinese, English, etc.

Platform information (key step):

• ✅ You must select the "HarmonyOS" platform
• Enter the HarmonyOS package name (bundleName)
• Enter the public key and signature MD5/SHA256 values
• If you also have an Android version, select Android too and enter the Android package name

If you already have an Android filing and are adding HarmonyOS: choose "Change filing" → in platform information, additionally select "HarmonyOS" → add the HarmonyOS package name and other details.

Step 5: Access provider's initial review

Within 1–2 business days after submission, the access provider will verify by phone. Keep your phone available; missing the call may lead to rejection.

Step 6: MIIT SMS verification

Within 24 hours after the initial review passes, the filing phone number will receive an MIIT verification code by SMS. Sign in to the MIIT filing management system to complete verification. Missing the deadline may lead to rejection, so verify as soon as you receive it.

Step 7: Final review by the provincial authority + get your filing number

The provincial communications administration reviews the filing, usually in 15–20 business days. Once approved, you'll receive your filing number by email and phone.

After getting your filing number, enter the filing information in AGC:

1. Sign in to AGC → go to the app information page
2. Find the "Approval (filing) information" section
3. Select "Your app's servers are in mainland China"
4. Enter the sponsor type (company / individual)
5. Confirm whether the sponsor matches the developer account entity
6. Submit for validation

The five most common pitfalls

Pitfall 1: Filing information doesn't match store information

The package name, app name and entity information in the filing must exactly match what's on the store. A mismatch causes validation to fail.

→ Fix: for a package name mismatch, file a change with your access provider; for a name mismatch, change the store name or file a change.

Pitfall 2: Filing only Android and forgetting HarmonyOS

For an app that already has an Android filing, publishing a HarmonyOS version requires a filing change to add the HarmonyOS platform and package name. Without the change, filing validation for the HarmonyOS version won't pass.

Pitfall 3: Wrong entity ID number

Writing the digit 5 as the letter S, or the digit 0 as the letter O: these basic mistakes are the most common reason validation fails.

Pitfall 4: Missing or invalid privacy policy URL

Filing requires a privacy policy URL that must be accessible. If your privacy policy page returns a 404, the review will be sent back.

→ Suggestion: host your privacy policy with Huawei Cloud's hosting service for reliable availability.

Pitfall 5: Not updating information after changes

After changing the app name, features or entity information, you need to file a change within 30 days, or you may be penalized.

After filing: three things not to forget

1. Display your filing number: show the filing number on your app's "Settings – About us" page, linking to the MIIT filing lookup system
2. Annual verification: complete the filing information verification on time each year to keep it accurate and valid
3. Filing changes: for any change (name, package name, entity), submit a change through your access provider promptly

Filing timeline at a glance

Final thoughts

HarmonyOS app filing is essentially the same system as Android app filing; the key differences are platform selection and package name entry. Remember two things, "select the HarmonyOS platform, enter the HarmonyOS package name", and the rest of the process is basically the same.

As of March 2026, HarmonyOS phone installations had reportedly passed 55 million, with over 350,000 apps in the ecosystem, and that market will only grow. Filing is your ticket to the store, so the sooner you do it, the better.

Don't wait until review rejects you to find out you're not filed; by then, users already can't install your app.

Sources: Huawei app filing guide, Huawei app review checklist, Huawei private cloud filing guide, MIIT app filing notice