Mi Store in the Xiaomi phone: what it is, how it works and why you need it

Xiaomi smartphone owners often encounter the Mi Store app preinstalled, the manufacturer's app store. But what is this service, how does it differ from Google Play, and why some users prefer to remove it? In this article, we will discuss in detail the purpose of the Mi Store, its features, and the nuances of work that are not written in the official instructions.

Many people mistakenly believe that the Mi Store is just an analogue of the App Store or Google Play, but in fact it has unique features that are closely integrated with the Xiaomi ecosystem. MIUI, Branded services like Mi Cloud or Mi Home, and apps that are optimized specifically for the brand’s devices, however, things are not so smooth, with some users complaining of intrusive advertising, unnecessary notifications or even suspicious permissions that the store requests. So, is it worth using it or better to get rid of it once and for all?

Next, we’ll look at all aspects of working with the Mi Store, from basic setup to hidden features that only experienced users know about, and if you’ve already decided to remove the app, you’ll find proven ways to do it without harming the system.

What is the Mi Store and why you need it in your Xiaomi phone

Mi Store (or Mi App Store) is the official app store from Xiaomi, preinstalled on all smartphones of the brand under the control of the shell MIUI. Unlike Google Play, which is aimed at a global audience, this service was originally created for the Chinese market, but over time it has been adapted for international versions of firmware.

The main purpose of the Mi Store is to provide users with access to:

• 📱 Xiaomi branded apps (e.g. Mi Fit, Mi Home, Mi Browser) that may not be available on Google Play.
• 🎨 Exclusive themes and wallpapers for MIUI, including dynamic and animated options.
• 🔧 Service utilities such as Mi Mover (for data transfer) or Security (for device protection).
• 🌍 Localized versions of popular Chinese apps (e.g. Weibo, QQ Music adapted for foreign users.

But the Mi Store has a downside: First, it often duplicates Google Play functionality, which leads to confusion among newcomers; second, in some regions (e.g. Europe), the store may be unstable due to Xiaomi’s restrictions on distributing certain apps; and finally, not everyone is happy with automatic app updates through the Mi Store, which can consume traffic in the background.

Interestingly, in the latest versions MIUI (starting MIUI 12) Mi Store has been somewhat reduced, with some features being moved to GetApps (another Xiaomi store focused on the global market.

How to open and use the Mi Store: step-by-step instructions

Finding the Mi Store on your Xiaomi smartphone is simple: its icon is usually located on the home screen or in the app menu, it looks like a white package with green ribbon and says "App Store" or "Mi Store." If there is no icon, then the application has been removed or hidden, which we will talk about later.

To start using the store, follow the following steps:

1. Open the Mi Store app (you may need to accept the terms of use).
2. Sign in through your Mi Account (if you haven’t done it before) and without authorization, some features will not be available.
3. Study the homepage: Here you can see recommended apps, promotions, and updates for installed programs.
4. To find a specific application, use the search bar at the top of the screen.

The Mi Store interface is intuitive, but there are a few hidden features:

• 🔄 In the “Updates” section, you can manually check for new versions for installed applications (including system versions).
• 📁 In Management (three-point icon) there is an option “Auto Update” which is better to disable if you want to control traffic flow.
• 🌐 You can change the region of the store in the settings (useful if you are traveling or using Chinese firmware).

Please note that some apps in the Mi Store may be paid, but there are often promotions with free handouts of premium content. MIUI Or iconpaks sometimes sell out at a discount of up to 90%.

Check the reviews and rating of the application

Make sure the developer is official (e.g. Xiaomi Inc.)

Disable auto updates in settings

Download only on Wi-Fi if the file is large-->

Mi Store vs Google Play: What’s the difference and what’s the best thing to use

The main difference between the Mi Store and Google Play is the target audience and the range. If Google Play is a universal platform for all Android devices, then the Mi Store is focused exclusively on the Xiaomi ecosystem.

So what's better? There's no one answer, it depends on what you're trying to do.

• 🔧 If you need Xiaomi branded utilities (for example, to set up a smart home or camera), then you can not do without the Mi Store.
• 🎮 If you prefer global games and apps, then Google Play remains a top priority.
• 🛡️ If you are concerned about security, it is better to install apps from Google Play, as there are higher chances of running into proven software.

Many Xiaomi experienced users use both stores in parallel, with Google Play for the main apps and the Mi Store for exclusive content, but it’s worth remembering that duplicate services can use up additional resources (memory, battery) and send unnecessary notifications.

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If you notice that the Mi Store is draining your battery a lot, check its resolutions in Android settings. Often the app runs in the background and consumes traffic to check for updates.

Can I remove Mi Store from Xiaomi phone and how to do it?

Many users want to get rid of the Mi Store for a few reasons: intrusive advertising, unnecessary notifications or just wanting to free up space.

Removal methods depend on the type of firmware of your device:

• 📱 Global firmware (Global) ROM): Mi Store can be disabled or removed without root rights, but it can return after the update MIUI.
• 🇨🇳 Chinese firmware (China) ROM): Deletion is possible only with superuser rights (root), since the application is protected by the system.
• 🛠️ Custom firmware (like LineageOS): Mi Store is usually absent initially, but if it is, it can be removed as a regular app.

To disable Mi Store (without deletion):

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Mi Store in the list and select it.
3. Click “Disable” (the icon will disappear, but the files will remain in the system).

For complete removal without root rights:

1. Install the app ADB AppControl (available on Google Play).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks
3. Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications can lead to unstable work MIUI, Especially if you're using Chinese firmware, in some cases, the Mi Store will automatically recover after the update.

If you still decide to delete the store, but are afraid of the consequences, there is a compromise option - hide its icon using a launcher (for example, Nova Launcher) or disable notifications in the application settings.

Mi Store Security: Risks and How to Avoid Them

Although the Mi Store is the official app from Xiaomi, it is not without risks, and users' main complaints are related to:

• 🔍 Data collection: The store requests access to location, contacts, and even SMS (Officially – for targeted advertising).
• 📦 Suspicious applications: in the Chinese version of the store there are programs with closed code or unclear functionality.
• 🔄 Auto-updates that may install new versions without your knowledge.

To minimize the risks, follow these guidelines:

1. Before installing the app, check the developer (must be Xiaomi Inc. or another well-known brand).
2. Turn off auto-updates in the Mi Store settings (Updates section).
3. Do not log in to the store unless you plan to download paid content.
4. Clean the app's cache regularly in Settings → Annexes → Mi Store → Warehouse.

The Mi Store can contain apps that are not adapted for overseas users, and collect more data than the global version. If you don't live in China, you'd better reflash the device on Global. ROM or EEA ROM (Europe).

⚠️ Note: In 2023, Xiaomi was caught collecting user data through system apps including the Mi Store.Although the company said the problem was solved, it's worth manually checking the store's permissions in Android settings.

If you suspect that the Mi Store is behaving suspiciously (e.g., consuming a lot of traffic or sending data to unknown servers), you can use tools like NetGuard or PCAPdroid to track its activity.

Hidden Mi Store features that few people know about

Most users use the Mi Store only to download apps, but it also has hidden features.

1. Application beta testing

In the Mi Store, you can participate in the beta testing of Xiaomi branded applications.

1. Open your profile in the Mi Store (the avatar icon in the upper right corner).
2. Go to the Beta Tester section.
3. Choose the available programs and submit an application.

This will allow you to get new features before other users.

2. Recovery of Remote Applications

If you accidentally deleted the Xiaomi branded app (such as Mi Calculator or Mi Music), it can be returned via the Mi Store:

1. Open the Control section (three dots in the upper right corner).
2. Select "Installed."
3. Find the desired application in the list and click “Restore”.

3. Exclusive themes and wallpaper

The Mi Store has a hidden section with premium themes that don’t show up in the standard theme store. MIUI. To find him:

1. In the search bar, enter premium themes.
2. Scroll down - sometimes there are free collections.

4. Application compatibility check

Before installing some apps (like smart home apps), the Mi Store shows whether it’s compatible with your smartphone model.

In addition, in the Mi Store you can find hidden settings MIUI, For example, some system tweaks (for example, to change the animation of the interface) are distributed through this store as separate modules.

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Mi Store is not just an app store, but a tool for deep customization MIUI. Here you can find utilities that are not available through Google Play or standard settings.

Frequent Mi Store problems and how to fix them

Even the official app has crashes, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try reinstalling the Mi Store:

If the problem is related to regional restrictions (e.g. you live in Europe but the store is showing Chinese content), try changing the region in your Mi Account account:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com.
2. In the profile settings, find the Region section.
3. Choose your country (e.g., Russia or Europe).

After the region change, it may be necessary to restart the device for the changes to take effect.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about the Mi Store