Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often encounter pre-installed software whose purpose is not always obvious, one of which is GetApps (formerly known as Mi Apps), a system component that appears on the screen immediately after the device is first activated and may raise questions for users accustomed to pure Android or other shells.
GetApps is Xiaomi’s own app store, an alternative to Google Play, built deep into the MIUI or HyperOS shell, and serves as the main distribution channel for software in regions where Google services are limited, or simply as an additional source of income for the manufacturer.
In this article, we will discuss in detail why this application is needed, whether it can be disposed of without harm to the system, and what risks it carries, you will learn how to properly configure notifications and whether you should trust this source to install programs at all.
The main purpose and functionality of the service
GetApps’ fundamental mission is to provide users with access to a catalog of mobile apps and games. Unlike Google Play, it is specifically optimized for the MIUI ecosystem and often offers exclusive themes, wallpapers and utilities that may not be available or hidden in the standard Play Store, especially for Chinese firmware versions where Google services are initially absent.
One of the key features is a system of recommendations and personalized selections. Algorithms analyze the programs you install and offer similar or complementary utilities. However, this is also the main source of irritation for many users: intrusive advertising. The application can periodically issue push notifications with suggestions to download a new game or update the software, even if it is not urgently necessary.
Importantly, GetApps is also responsible for automatically updating some of Xiaomi's system components.If you completely uninstall or block this service in the wrong way, you may encounter problems updating embedded applications like Gallery, Music or Explorer.The system will try to contact the update server, not find it, and give out bugs.
- 📱 Provides access to the catalog of applications adapted for the shell MIUI/HyperOS.
- 🔄 Provides background updates to system components and pre-installed utilities.
- 🎁 Offers exclusive content: themes, fonts and wallpaper from the community designers.
- 📢 Broadcasts promotional offers and recommendations based on user behavior.
⚠️ Note: Complete removal of system components through ADB It can cause unstable shell operation. It is recommended to use the method of deactivation, not removal.
Differences from Google Play Market
Users often ask why they need a second store if they have a proven Google Play. The main difference is moderation and content availability. App validation is less rigorous in GetApps, allowing new programs to be cataloged faster, but also increasing the risk of malware.
In terms of interface and integration, GetApps is more closely related to Xiaomi’s system settings, for example, when installing games from here, the system can automatically suggest turning on Game Mode or Acceleration more aggressively than when installing from third-party sources, and there are often special promotions with internal Mi Credit currency that are not available in the Play Store.
Technically, both stores use different app signing mechanisms. Apps installed through GetApps may not update automatically if you try to download them. APK-This creates a certain isolation that you need to consider when managing versions of programs.
⚠️ Note: When you download apps from third-party sources (not Google Play or GetApps), Xiaomi will issue a serious security alert.
How to Disable or Limit GetApps
If you are not using this store and you are annoyed by its notifications, the safest way is to disable it.This will not physically remove the application from the memory partition, but will prevent it from running and consuming CPU resources. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → All applications and find it in the GetApps list.
Inside the app menu, you need to find the "Disable" button. If it's active, click it. In some regions or firmware versions, this button can be hidden or replaced with "Delete Updates." In the latter case, remove the updates first, then you can turn it off completely. This is standard practice for Android system software.
☑️ Pre-switch check
You can also turn off ad personalization, even if you're not using the store. Go to GetApps, go to About Me or Settings, and uncheck "Receive recommendations" and "Auto Update" to reduce network activity and background processes.
- 🔒 Open your smartphone settings and find the application management section.
- 🚫 Select GetApps and press the Force Stop button before turning it off.
- 📉 Clear the cache and app data to free up space before locking.
- ✅ Confirm the action to disconnect in the system dialogue.
Removal via ADB for advanced users
For those who want to get rid of the built-in store completely and have experience with USB debugging, there is a method of uninstalling via a computer, which requires connecting a smartphone to a PC, turning on the developer mode and using the ADB utility (Android Debug Bridge), a more radical method than simply turning off.
Before starting the procedure, make sure you understand the risks. Incorrectly removing system packages can lead to a “boot loop” (cyclic reboot) or loss of update functionality. The removal command looks like an adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks. Please note that the batch name may differ depending on the firmware region (Global, China, EU).
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicksIf the icon is missing after completing the command, but you want to return everything back, use the command adb shell cmd package install-existing com.xiaomi.mipicks. This will restore the system package to factory state. Always check the exact name of the package through the command adb shell pm lists | grep xiaomi before deleting.
What happens if you delete a critical system package?
Safety and potential risks
The security of data in GetApps remains a controversial issue, and like any free app from a major electronics manufacturer, it collects telemetry, which is data about what apps you install, how often you use them, and what you search for, and is used to target advertising and improve the company's services.
From a virus perspective, the store is relatively secure, as Xiaomi does basic file verification. However, the level of protection here is lower than in Google Play Protect. There are cases when apps with intrusive advertising or hidden subscriptions appear in the directory. Users should be careful when installing programs with low ratings or few reviews.
To improve security, it is recommended that GetApps setups enable Security Check before installation, and don’t ignore permission requests: if a simple calculator from this store requires access to contacts and geolocation, it is better to refrain from such installation.
Comparison of application installation sources
To better understand GetApps’ place in the Android ecosystem, it’s useful to compare it to other installation methods. Below is a table showing the key differences between official stores and third-party sources.
| Criteria | Google Play | GetApps (Mi Apps) | Third-party APKs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security | High (Play Protect) | Medium (baseline) | Low (at your own risk) |
| Assortment | Huge, global. | Limited, lots of Chinese software | Unlimited, including fashions |
| Auto-update | Automatic, stable. | Automatic, only for their applications | Manually or through third-party managers |
| Advertising | Minimum, targeted | Aggressive, pop-up windows | Depends on the source of the download |
The table shows that GetApps is a niche tool that is useful for owners of Xiaomi equipment in specific scenarios, but it is unlikely to become the main source of software for the average user in Europe or the United States, its presence is a compromise between the functionality of the ecosystem and the intrusive marketing.
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Tip: If you use GetApps only to update Xiaomi system applications, disable the “Recommendations” and “Notifications” settings in its settings to keep the interface clean.
Summary and recommendations
To sum up, GetApps is an integral part of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone software, and its primary purpose is to distribute content and monetize the device through advertising, and for most users, having it is not useful, but only battery and RAM resources.
The best solution is not to delete (to avoid system errors), but to properly configure: disable notifications, ban on auto-start and limit background activity, which will keep the system stable by getting rid of information noise.
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GetApps is a Xiaomi system store that can be safely disabled in settings, but removing it completely requires ADB skills and carries risks.
If you value cleanliness and data security, use Google Play as your primary source, and keep GetApps on the shelf in case you need to update specific system components or find a rare design theme.