MI Store on Xiaomi: why you need a branded app store and how to use it

Introduction: Why Xiaomi has its own app store

If you own a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone, you’ve probably noticed the pre-installed MI Store app (formerly GetApps). Many users wonder why you need it when you already have Google Play? In fact, the MI Store is not just a take, but a key element of the Xiaomi ecosystem that solves several tasks at once.

First, it’s the official platform for branded services and updates. Here you’ll find exclusive apps for Xiaomi devices that aren’t available in other stores. Second, the MI Store is optimized for MIUI firmware, meaning that apps from it integrate better, cause less conflict and consume fewer resources. Finally, for users in China and some Asian countries, it’s the main (and sometimes the only) way to download apps due to limited access to Google services.

But there is a downside: MI Store is often criticized for intrusive advertising, unnecessary notifications and the inability to completely delete. In this article, we will understand how to use the store correctly, what hidden features it has, and whether it can be disposed of without consequences for the smartphone.

What is MI Store and how is it different from Google Play?

MI Store (formerly known as GetApps) is the official app store from Xiaomi, pre-installed on all devices with MIUI firmware. Unlike Google Play, which is universal for all Android devices, MI Store was developed specifically for the Xiaomi ecosystem and has several key differences:

• 🔹 Exclusive content: branded applications (for example, Mi Home for smart home, Mi Fit for fitness bracelets) and beta versions of firmware are published here MIUI, Which are not available on Google Play.
• 🔹 Localization for Asia: Many applications in the MI Stores are tailored to the Chinese market (e.g. Mi Pay, Mi Video with Asian content).
• 🔹 Optimization for MIUI: Apps undergo additional compatibility check with the Xiaomi shell, which reduces the risk of errors and brakes.
• 🔹 Alternative for regions without Google: China, where Google services are blocked, MI Store becomes the main source of applications.

But there are downsides to the MI Store, and the main one is that the app can’t be completely removed without rooting permissions, because it’s built into the MIUI system section, and users often complain about aggressive ads and spam notifications that are difficult to disable through standard settings.

Main features of the MI Store: what can be done in the application

MI Store is not only an app store, but also a feature-rich service for owners of Xiaomi devices.

One of the most useful features is the Updates section, where you can manually check for new versions of MIUI firmware. This is especially true for users who participate in a beta program or want to get an update before the official release.

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If you are disturbed by notifications from the MI Store, go to Settings → Apps → Application Management → MI Store → Notifications and turn off unnecessary alerts.

How to use the MI Store: step-by-step instructions

The interface of the MI Store is intuitive, but it has a few hidden features, and let's see how to use it effectively:

1. Authorization: When you first start up, the system will prompt you to log into your Mi Account. This is not necessary, but without authorization, you will not be able to download paid applications or participate in promotions.
2. Search: Use the search bar at the top to quickly find the app you want, such as type in Mi Fit for a fitness bracelet or MIUI 14 for updates.
3. Filters: In the Categories section, you can sort applications by types: games, utilities, themes, etc.
4. Updates: Go to the Updates tab to check the latest versions of installed programs and firmware.

If you need to update your firmware through the MI Store, follow this algorithm:

Important: firmware updates through the MI Store can come earlier than through the standard Settings → About Phone → System Update. However, installing beta versions of MIUI through the store is risky - they can contain critical errors.

Can I remove the MI Store and what happens if I do it?

One of the most common questions users have is: can I delete the MI Store? Technically yes, but with reservations:

• ❌ No root rights: you can only disable the application (Settings) → Annexes → MI Store → Disable), but not delete it completely. It will remain in the system and take up space.
• ✅ With root rights: with the help of ADB file manager with superuser rights (e.g. Root Explorer) can be removed APK-However, this may disrupt the work of Xiaomi’s branded services.
• ⚠️ Consequences of deletion: Branded applications (Mi Home, Mi Fit, etc.) will cease to be updated. MIUI (You can only restore the store through a full reset.

⚠️ Attention: if you delete MI Store on a device with a locked bootloader (for example, on most Redmi for the Russian market), this may result in a loss of warranty or locking of the Mi Account at the next update.

An alternative is to replace the MI Store with a third-party store (such as APKMirror or Aptoide), but this will require disabling MIUI protection from installing unknown sources (Settings → Privacy → Special Permits → Install Unknown Apps).

Hidden features of MI Store: chips that few people know

Most users use the MI Store only to download apps, but it has a few hidden features:

1. MIUI Beta Testing: In the Updates section, you may be asked to be a beta tester for new versions of the firmware, which allows you to get fresh features ahead of others, but is fraught with bugs.
2. Discounts and promotional codes: in the section "Promotions" (Promotions) often give out coupons for purchases in the official Xiaomi store or bonuses for games.
3. Removing Ads: If the ads in the MI Store are annoying, you can turn them off via Settings → Additional → Advertising Preferences (though this won’t work on all versions of MIUI).
4. Sync with Mi Account: If you are logged in, the store remembers your installed apps and allows you to quickly restore them after a phone reset.

Another little-known feature is the ability to download older versions of applications. If the new version of the program is unstable, you can find the previous release under My Apps → the selected application → Versions.

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MI Store is not only a store, but also a tool for managing the Xiaomi ecosystem, which makes it convenient to update firmware, synchronize data and receive exclusive content.

MI Store Problems and How to Solve Them

Like any system application, the MI Store may not work properly, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If the MI Store is constantly giving the error "I failed to connect to the server", try:

1. Check your internet connection (better to use Wi-Fi).
2. Reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings).
3. Update the MI Store app itself via Google Play (yes, it’s there too!).

⚠️ Note: If after the update MI Store through Google Play app stopped opening, delete the update (Settings) → Annexes → MI Store → Three points. → Remove updates. That'll bring back the factory version.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about the MI Store