“Fast apps” on Xiaomi: what is this program and how to use it

If you own a Xiaomi, Redmi or a smartphone POCO base MIUI, You may have noticed some weird icons on the app menu that say "Quick App" or "Quick App," and these mini-programs appear as if they were themselves, take up little space, but they raise a lot of questions about what it is, why it's needed, and why it doesn't get deleted like a regular app?

In fact, Quick Apps is a technology from Google that is integrated into Xiaomi’s firmware to speed up access to popular services without being fully installed. They work on a click-and-use approach without having to download from Google Play. But like any innovation, they have pros and cons to be aware of.

In this article, we will discuss in detail:

• 🔍 What are “Fast Apps” and how did they come to Xiaomi?
• ⚡ How They Differ From Regular Applications and Web Versions
• ⚙️ Where are the settings and how to manage them
• 🗑️ Can you remove unnecessary fast apps and how to do it?
• 🛡️ Are they safe for your smartphone and data?

We will also answer frequent questions from users and give practical tips on how to optimize work with this function.

What are “Fast Apps” and Why You Need Them

Quick Apps are lightweight versions of mobile apps that run instantly without installation, and the technology was introduced by Google in 2016 as part of the Android Instant Apps project, and later adapted by smartphone makers including Xiaomi.

The main idea: the user can access key functions of the service (for example, pay a bill, order a taxi or read the news) directly from Google search, messenger or app menu, without wasting time downloading a full-fledged service. APK-On Xiaomi, this feature is integrated into the file. MIUI and often pre-installed on new devices.

Examples of popular fast apps on Xiaomi:

• 📰 News aggregators (e.g. Yandex.News or Google News)
• 🚖 Taxi services (Yandex Go, Uber)
• 💳 Banking services (Sberbank Online, Tinkoff)
• 🎬 Entertainment platforms (KinoPoisk, IVI)
• 🛒 Marketplaces (Ozon, Wildberries)

It is important to understand that fast applications are not full-fledged programs – they are deprived of many functions, but take up 10–50 times less space (usually 1–5 MB vs. 50-200 MB in conventional applications). APK). This is especially true for memory-limited devices such as Redmi. 9A or POCO C31.

How to distinguish “Fast App” from the usual

At first glance, fast apps look like regular apps, but there are a few key signs:

Another way to check: go to Settings → Annexes → Manage applications and find the right application. If there's a line in the information about it, "Type: Fast App," then this is it.

⚠️ Note: Some fast apps may masquerade as system services, such as Mi Pay on some Xiaomi models implemented as a fast app, although it looks like part of the firmware.

How to Find and Manage Xiaomi’s Quick Apps

Managing fast apps on Xiaomi is a little different than working with regular programs, here’s where to look for them and how to set up:

1. View the list of installed:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management
• 🔍 In the top corner, click on three dots and select "Show system»
• 📌 In the list, look for apps marked “Fast” or “Quick App»

2. Quick application settings:

• 🛠️ Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Quick applications (on some versions) MIUI The path may be different: Settings → Additionally. → Fast services)
• 🔄 You can turn on/off auto-update here.
• 📥 Manage data access permits

3. Adding new fast applications:

Unlike regular programs, fast apps can’t just be downloaded from Google Play. They appear automatically when:

• 🔗 click on special links (such as from Google search or advertising)
• 📱 Use Xiaomi services (e.g. Mi Browser or GetApps)
• 🔄 Firmware updates (some preinstalled by the manufacturer)

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and newer, the path to setting up fast apps can change. If you can't find a section, try searching by settings (the magnifying glass icon in the top corner).

How to Remove Unnecessary “Fast Apps” with Xiaomi

Many users complain that fast apps are not removed in the standard way (via “Delete”). APK, They're loaded into the cache of the system, but there are several working methods:

Method 1: Through application settings

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Find the right fast application and tap it.
3. Click on “Delete Data” and “Clear Cache”
4. Return to the main screen – the icon should disappear

Method 2: Disabling Auto-Renewal

If the app appears again after cleaning, disable its update:

• 🛠️ Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Quick applications
• 🔄 Turn off the option “Auto-Update fast apps»
• 🚫 In the “Permissions” section, ban access to the Internet for unnecessary services.

Method 3: Resetting through ADB (advanced)

If the application persists in returning, you can delete it through ADB:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.example.quickapp

Where com.example.quickapp is the batch name of the application (you can find it through App Inspector or adb shell pm list packages). | grep quick).

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Before use ADB Backup your data through Settings → The phone. → Backup: A team error can cause system services to fail.

Security and Risks of Xiaomi’s “Fast Apps”

One of the main questions users have about the security of fast applications, which run without installation and often request access to contacts, location or payment data, and consider the main risks and how to minimize them:

Potential threats:

• 🕵️‍♂️ Data Collection: Some fast applications may share information about your device with third parties (especially with lesser-known services).
• 💳 Phishing: Scammers can create fake fast apps for banks or payment systems to steal card data.
• 📱 System load: Auto-update in the background consumes traffic and battery power.

How to defend yourself:

• 🔒 Limit permissions: Go to the settings of each fast app and turn off unnecessary permissions (such as accessing contacts or accessing your contacts). SMS).
• 🛡️ Use antivirus: Install Dr.Web or Kaspersky to scan suspicious fast apps.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI: New firmware versions improve protection against malicious fast applications.
• 🚫 Do not use unknown services: If the fast app appeared on its own and you did not request it, it is better to remove it.

Fast apps from Xiaomi’s official partners (such as Mi Pay or Mi Credit) are usually safe, as they are tested before integration into the system. MIUI. But third-party services (especially from unofficial sources) can pose a risk.

How to disable “Fast Apps” completely

If you don’t use this feature and want to get rid of it, there are several ways to completely disable fast apps on Xiaomi:

Method 1: Through the MIUI settings

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Quick applications.
2. Turn off the slider "Enable fast applications."
3. Confirm the action and restart the device.

Method 2: Blocking through Hosts (requires root)

If system shutdown does not help, you can block the download of fast applications by adding the following lines to the hosts file:

127.0.0.1 quickapp.mi.com


127.0.0.1 api.quickapp.cn

For this:

• Install a file manager with root access (such as Root Explorer).
• Open the file. /system/etc/hosts And add the lines at the end.
• Save the changes and restart the smartphone.

Method 3: Removal of the system APK (skilled)

Fast applications are managed by the system service com.miui.quickapp. ADB:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.quickapp

⚠️ Warning: This may cause some system features to crash, such as Mi Pay or GetApps. Backup before deleting!

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Disabling fast apps does not affect the operation of regular programs, but may limit access to some Xiaomi services (for example, quick payment via Mi Pay).

Alternatives to “Fast Apps” on Xiaomi

If you have decided to abandon fast applications, but want to keep the convenience of instant access to services, consider alternatives:

To save memory and speed up access to services, you can also:

• 🌐 Use it. PWA (Progressive Web Apps: Web applications that work as native but do not require installation, such as Twitter Lite or Spotify Web.
• 📱 Install lightweight versions of popular apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).
• 🔖 Add widgets to the home screen for quick access to features (such as a weather or calendar widget).

FAQ: Frequent Questions About “Fast Apps” on Xiaomi