Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often encounter a pre-installed component that raises questions about its functionality and need.This component is known as GetApps (formerly the Mi App Store) and is a branded app store from a Chinese manufacturer. It is integrated deep into the shell of MIUI and HyperOS, automatically updated and can impose the installation of third-party software, which annoys many users accustomed to pure Android.
The presence of this store is not accidental, as Xiaomi is actively developing an ecosystem of services to monetize its devices, especially in the budget segment. However, for a Russian user with access to Google Play, GetApps functionality is often redundant and serves only as a source of background activity and advertising notifications. In this article, we will discuss in detail the nature of this service, assess the risks of its removal and provide step-by-step instructions for completely disabling or removing the application.
Before you take any drastic action, you need to understand that system applications in Android are protected from normal removal. You will not find the “Delete” button in the standard application management menu, since GetApps has system component rights. Uninstallation will require special tools such as ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or the presence of Root rights, but there are simpler methods to hide its activity.
The nature and functionality of GetApps in the MIUI system
GetApps is not just a desktop shortcut, but a full-fledged system service that checks for pre-installed apps in the background and offers new ones. Unlike Google Play, which is the de facto standard for global versions of Android, Xiaomi’s store is primarily focused on the Chinese market, where Google services are blocked, which is why it often acts as an intrusive “passenger” in global firmware.
The main purpose of this component is to promote its own ecosystem of applications and games, as well as to collect analytical data on user preferences. The system process constantly monitors installed software, checking versions with the servers of the manufacturer. If you do not use Chinese analogues of popular services, the functional value of GetApps for you tends to zero, while the consumption of battery resources and traffic remains.
Importantly, the app is closely linked to other shell services, such as MSA (MIUI System Ads), which are responsible for displaying ads in system interfaces. Disabling one component can reduce the effectiveness of another, but removing it completely requires caution. Users often confuse GetApps with a conventional security update, without realizing that it is a separate store that can be isolated without harming the smartphone.
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Before any manipulation of system applications, create a complete backup of data via Mi Cloud or computer to avoid losing important information in the event of a crash.
Many Redmi owners notice that after a setup reset or major firmware update, GetApps returns to its place even if it was previously removed.This is because the installation package (APK) is stored in a secure system partition. To prevent automatic reactivation, you need not only to delete the application, but also to prevent the system from re-installing it through special commands or blockers.
Should I Delete: Risk and Consequence Assessment
The decision to remove GetApps should be considered, as interference with system processes always carries potential risks. On the one hand, getting rid of excess software frees up RAM and reduces the load on the processor. On the other hand, aggressive removal of system components can lead to unstable operation of the MIUI shell or the emergence of cyclical restarts (bootloop), especially on older smartphones.
Note that some system applications may depend on libraries delivered through this store. While this dependence is rare on global firmware, the theoretical possibility of conflict exists. If you are actively using the Xiaomi ecosystem (smart home, themes, cloud), then a complete removal can disrupt the synchronization of certain services, although the basic functions of the phone will remain functional.
⚠️ Note: Complete removal of system packets through ADB flag-headed "-k" (saving data) or without it is an irreversible operation without a backup of the firmware.
For most users, the best solution is not to physically delete files, but to freeze them or debug them via USB, a method that hides an application from the list of active processes, prevents it from starting and accessing the network, while maintaining the ability to quickly restore to its original state, which minimizes risks and allows you to test the stability of the system without GetApps.
If your smartphone is critical to the job and you’re not ready for experimentation, it’s best to limit your background activity restrictions. However, if you’re an experienced user and want to clean up the system as much as possible, using debugging tools is standard practice in the Android enthusiast community.
Preparing a smartphone to remove system components
Before you start removing or disabling GetApps, you need to properly prepare the device. Android's standard security settings prohibit external interference with the system, so the first step is to activate the developer mode. This is a hidden menu that gives access to advanced smartphone management functions.
To activate the developer mode, go to Settings → About Phone and find the MIUI Version (or OS Version). You need to quickly click on this item 7-10 times in a row until the notification “You became a developer” appears. Then a new section will appear in the settings menu Additional → For developers where you need to activate the Debugging switch over USB.
- 📱 Make sure that the battery charge of the smartphone is at least 50-60%, so that the device does not turn off during execution of commands.
- 💻 Prepare your computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) and the original USB-wire-line.
- 🔌 When connecting to a PC, select the "File Transfer" mode» (MTP) and confirm the debugging permission in the pop-up window on the smartphone screen.
You will also need to set a minimum set of drivers. ADB You can do this by downloading it. SDK Platform Tools from the official Android website or using specialized utilities like Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools that automate the process. Without these tools, deep-level interaction with the smartphone file system is impossible.
☑️ Checking readiness for removal
Method 1: Disconnecting through settings (Safe Method)
The easiest and safest way to get rid of GetApps intrusiveness is to disable it through the standard app management menu, which doesn't physically delete files, but completely shuts down the service, prevents it from starting and accessing the Internet, which for most users is enough to forget about the existence of the store.
Go to Settings → Apps → All apps and find them in the GetApps list (may appear as the App Store). Click on it and select the option to Disable or Stop, then Disable. If the button is active, the system will warn you of the possible consequences, but in the case of the app store, they are minimal. After that, the shortcut will disappear from the desktop, and the processes will cease to consume resources.
However, this method has a significant drawback: the system can automatically reactivate the application after updating the firmware or performing memory cleanses.In addition, on some versions of MIUI, the shutdown button can be blocked (serted), which requires the use of more advanced methods.
| Parameter | Disconnection in settings | Removal via ADB | Root removal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Tall. |
| Risk to the system | Minimum | Medium. | High-pitched |
| Return of changes | Instant. | Demands a PC. | Requires flashing. |
| Efficiency | Partial | Complete. | Complete. |
If the shutdown button is not available, move to the next section. It is important to understand that even if you successfully shut down the application files remain in memory, taking up space, although they do not affect the performance.
Why can the shutdown button be gray?
Method 2: Remove via ADB (For Advanced Users)
The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method is the most effective and allows you to completely remove the packet from the active user of the system. This does not erase files from the system partition forever (it requires Root rights), but makes the application invisible and inoperable for the current user.
To start, connect your smartphone to your computer, open the command prompt (CMD or Terminal) in the ADB tool folder, and type in the adb device command. The phone screen should show a connection confirmation. If the device is displayed with device status, you can proceed to delete. The key here is the correct packet name, which for GetApps usually looks like com.xiaomi.mipicks or com.xiaomi.market.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicksIf you typed it right, the Success message will appear in the console, and then the application will disappear from the installed list, its processes will stop, and notifications will stop coming. It is important not to confuse the name of the package, since removing system components like Security or Settings can cause the phone to malfunction.
⚠️ Attention: Uninstall Team -k Remove the application only for the current user (user) 0). System files remain in the section /system, So after resetting to factory settings (Factory Reset), the application will return.
To restore the remote application, if you suddenly have problems, use the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.xiaomi.mipicks. This will return the store to its original state without the need to flash the device. This method is considered the “gold standard” for removing bloatware on Android without losing warranty (because the bootloader remains closed).
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ADB allows you to remove system applications without Root rights, while maintaining a warranty on the device, but requires care when entering packet names.
Blocking Advertising and Background Activity
Even if you don't decide to delete it completely, you can significantly reduce GetApps' aggressiveness by limiting its rights. In the app settings, find the Permissions section and deny access to location, contacts, phone and storage. Without this data, the store will not be able to generate personalized offers and collect information about you.
Special attention should be paid to the notification settings. In the Notifications menu, turn off all categories, especially those responsible for Recommendations and Promotions. Also in the Battery and Performance (or Energy Saving) section, select Background Limitation or Hard Limitation mode, which will prevent the store from starting processes when you are not using it.
- 🚫 Turn off AutoRun: In the app menu, find AutoRun and make sure the switch for GetApps is turned off.
- 🌐 Blocking access to the network: with the help of firewalls (for example, NetGuard) you can completely prohibit the application from accessing the Internet, saving it on the phone, but depriving the functionality of the app.
- 🎯 Disable personalization: in the settings of the store itself (if it opens), disable the options “Personal recommendations” and “Automatic update of applications».
The complex application of these measures turns GetApps from an active stimulus to a passive file that consumes no traffic and does not bother with notifications. This is a good compromise for those who are afraid to make changes to the system through the command line, but want to maintain the comfort of using a smartphone.