Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often encounter a pre-installed app called GetApps when they first turn on the device. This app store is a standard component of the MIUI shell and the global version of HyperOS, raising many questions among users accustomed to pure Android or products of other brands. Many perceive it as an analogue of Google Play, but the functionality and architecture of these services differ significantly.
New gadget owners need to understand that GetApps is not a virus or malware, but an official software catalog developed by Xiaomi for their devices. Unlike Western markets, where the Google ecosystem dominates, in Asia and several other regions, own app stores are the norm. Understanding the principles of this service will allow you to manage your smartphone more effectively, avoid intrusive advertising and monitor the security of installed programs.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how this store differs from competitors, why it can be useful in certain situations and how to properly configure its work so that it does not interfere with everyday use of the gadget. You will learn whether it is possible to completely remove the system application without root rights and what risks its complete shutdown brings to the stability of the operating system.
What is the GetApps service
GetApps (formerly known as the Mi App Store) is a native app store integrated into the MIUI and HyperOS operating system. Its main task is to provide users with access to a database of software that has been tested for compatibility with specific models of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones.
The main difference from Google Play is the degree of moderation and regional features: While Google policies strictly regulate the presence of certain features in applications, GetApps often provides access to modified versions of programs or software that may not be available in your region through standard channels.
⚠️ Note: Apps from GetApps may not pass the same stringent security checks as Google Play.Always check the rights the program requests before installing.
It’s important to note that this service is deeply integrated into the update system, and some Xiaomi system components can be updated through this channel, ignoring other sources, to ensure the stability of the shell, as developers test the updates first on their distribution.
The main features and differences of Google Play
GetApps goes beyond just downloading files, it's a comprehensive platform that analyzes the programs installed on the device and offers them to be updated in the background. One of the key features is the presence of a Top Apps section that is formed based on popularity in a particular region, which allows you to find local services that are not represented globally.
It is worth highlighting the following technical features of the service:
- 🚀 Speed up downloads: servers are optimized for Xiaomi devices, which often provides faster download speeds compared to Google Play in regions with unstable Internet.
- 🎮 Game mode: built-in optimization for games, allowing you to download game data packets directly inside the application, bypassing additional downloads after installation.
- 🛡️ Security check: each downloaded program is scanned by the built-in Security antivirus for malicious code before installation.
While the interface is similar, the recommendation algorithms in GetApps work differently, relying less on the user’s search history and more on trends within the MIUI ecosystem, which can be both an advantage for finding new products and a disadvantage if you’re used to personalized Google SERPs.
Why are apps updated through GetApps, not Google Play?
Do I need GetApps on a Xiaomi smartphone?
The need for this service remains a controversial issue among users, on the one hand, for the average owner of Redmi or Xiaomi, who uses a standard set of social networks and instant messengers, having a second app store is redundant. All the necessary software is available on Google Play, which is more familiar and safe for most.
On the other hand, there are scenarios where GetApps becomes an indispensable tool, such as when using devices released exclusively for the Chinese market (CN Version), Google services may not work correctly or at all, in which case alternative app stores become the only way to install the necessary software.
Also, GetApps often features beta versions of Xiaomi apps that haven’t yet made it to the global release; for enthusiasts and testers, it’s an opportunity to get to new features before others; however, for stable daily work, critical apps are best kept on Google Play.
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If you don’t use Chinese versions of apps and you’re good with Google Play, just turn off notifications and auto-update in GetApps so you don’t get in the way.
Instructions for disabling advertising and notifications
One of the most common causes of user discontent is intrusive advertising, which can appear in the form of push notifications or banners inside the interface. Fortunately, the built-in MIUI settings allow you to significantly reduce information noise without the need to install third-party software.
To minimize advertising, follow the following steps:
- 📱 Open the GetApps app and go to profile (human icon).
- ⚙️ Click on the settings gear in the upper right corner of the screen.
- 🔕 Find the “Push Notifications” item and deaktivate all sliders related to recommendations and promotions.
- 🚫 In the General section, find the Personal Recommendations switch and turn it off.
After these steps are completed, the store will stop bothering you with pop-ups, but it is worth remembering that system notifications for updates to programs installed through it may continue to come if you do not turn off auto-update.
☑️ Privacy settings GetApps
Can I remove GetApps completely?
Complete removal of GetApps by the Android operating system is not possible, as it is a system application. the Remove button in the settings will be inactive or absent. Attempts to simply disable the application through the settings can lead to the system after a while to reactivate it automatically after updating the MIUI components.
For advanced users, there is a method of uninstallation via a computer using the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) tool, which requires connecting the smartphone to the PC via USB and entering special commands. It is important to understand that removing system components can lead to unstable operation of the device.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicksThis command removes the app store for the current user without affecting the system partition, allowing the application to return to factory status with a simple reset of the phone settings, but completely removes it from the interface. Before performing any manipulation with the ADB, it is strongly recommended to make a full backup of the data.
⚠️ Note: Removal of system components through ADB This may disrupt other Xiaomi services such as Themes or Mi Video, and only do so if you fully understand the consequences.
Comparison of safety and productivity
When choosing the source of app installation, security is always a key factor. Google Play Protect is considered the gold standard in the industry, scanning billions of devices every day. GetApps also uses its own verification algorithms, but the statistics of threat detection may differ.
Below is a comparison of the main parameters of the app stores:
| Parameter | Google Play | GetApps (Xiaomi) | Third-party APKs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security | Tall. | Medium/High | Low/Risk |
| Assortment | Global | Regional/Asia | Anybody. |
| Speed of updates | Depends on the developer. | Often faster for Xiaomi | Instantly. |
| Integration with OS | Native. | Deep (MIUI) | Absent. |
GetApps is justified if you are actively using the Xiaomi ecosystem and you want to quickly update your utilities. For banking applications and programs that work with sensitive data, priority should always be given to the official Google store.
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GetApps is a useful tool for Xiaomi owners, but requires a competent privacy setting. Complete removal is possible only through ADB, but carries risks for system stability.