GetApps on Android Xiaomi: why you need, how it works and can it be removed

If you own a Xiaomi, Redmi or a smartphone POCO, We’ve probably noticed that the GetApps app (sometimes called the GetApps Store or App Market) is pre-installed, and it sets Xiaomi apart from other Android device makers, but its purpose isn’t always obvious to users. Some people think of it as a useful tool, others as an unnecessary ballast that takes up space in the system, and in this article we'll go into detail about what GetApps is, how it works on firmware. MIUI, and whether it should be removed.

It's important to understand that GetApps is not just another app store, but part of the Xiaomi ecosystem, which is tightly integrated with the company shell, and offers unique features that Google Play doesn't have, but also raises questions about security and privacy. We'll look at everything from installing apps without Google Play Services to the potential risks of malware infection, and how to completely deactivate the service if you don't need it, and what happens if you try to remove it manually.

What is GetApps and why you need it on Xiaomi

GetApps (or com.xiaomi.mipicks in the system) is the official app store from Xiaomi, preinstalled on all devices running MIUI. It performs several key functions:

• 📱 Alternative to Google Play: Allows you to install apps without being tied to Google services, which is relevant for Chinese versions of firmware or devices without any connection to Google. GMS (Google Mobile Services).
• 🔍 Local Guidelines: Offers applications that are optimized for a specific region (e.g., services popular in China or India).
• 🎁 Exclusive content: Sometimes beta versions of Xiaomi apps or promotions appear here earlier than in other stores.
• 🛡️ Security controls: Xiaomi claims that all apps are tested for viruses and malicious code (although this does not guarantee 100% protection).

It's important to note that GetApps is not a complete replacement for Google Play, and many global apps (like WhatsApp, Netflix, or Google Maps) are not there, but you can find niche utilities for Google Play. MIUI, Design themes or Xiaomi branded services, such as Mi Home for Smart Home or Mi Fit for fitness trackers.

Interesting fact: in China, where Google's services are blocked, GetApps is the main way to install apps. MIUI It duplicates some of the features of Google Play, but with a focus on local content, for example, in India, Paytm-type payment applications or streaming services like Hotstar are often distributed via GetApps.

How GetApps Works: Features and Differences of Google Play

GetApps looks like Google Play, but it has a very different architecture under the hood.

• 🌍 Regional reference: Store content depends on the firmware version. MIUI You'll see Chinese apps, global apps, international.
• 🔄 Background Updates: The app automatically checks for updates to installed programs, even if they were not downloaded through it.
• 📦 APK-Files: All applications are downloaded as.apk files that can be saved to the device and installed later.
• 💰 Pay-to-Pay Apps: Purchases are supported, but the payment system is integrated with Mi Account, not Google Pay.

One of the main advantages of GetApps is the ability to install apps without a Google account.

• 🚫 They don’t want to link the device to Google Services.
• 🔒 They use custom firmware without GMS.
• 🌐 Located in regions where Google Play is restricted.

However, there are also significant shortcomings:

⚠️ Note: Apps from GetApps don’t undergo the same strict moderation as Google Play.The risk of running into malware or fake programs is higher, especially if you download little-known utilities.

Another important difference is that GetApps can offer modified versions of apps (such as those with remote ads or advanced features) that are not always legal, so they can disappear from the store without warning.

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If you downloaded the app through GetApps, but it doesn’t update automatically, check your auto-update settings in the Settings section. → Application updates. Sometimes you need to allow background activity for com.xiaomi.mipicks in battery settings.

GetApps Security: Can You Trust This Store?

The main question that worries users is how secure is it to install apps through GetApps? The answer is ambiguous. On the one hand, Xiaomi claims to have multi-level verification of all upk files. On the other hand, there have been cases in history where malware has been spread through GetApps, especially on Chinese versions. MIUI.

Here are the key risks and precautions:

• 🛡️ Services from Xiaomi (Mi Home, Mi Fit) or well-known brands (e.g. Tencent, Alibaba) are usually safe.
• ⚠️ Lesser-known programs: Apps with few reviews or from unknown developers are better to download from Google Play.
• 🔍 Permission check: Always look at what permissions the app requests, for example if a flashlight asks for access to the app. SMS — It's suspicious.
• 📥 Download source: In GetApps settings, you can enable the option "Check Signature" APK", Reduce the risk of installing fake files.

Critical: In 2022, security researchers discovered that some versions of GetApps on Chinese firmware downloaded apps through unsecured software. HTTP-Xiaomi has released patches, but the risk remains for legacy devices.

To minimize threats:

1. Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (in the settings About the phone) → Updating the system).
2. Don’t disable the built-in Mi Security antivirus (it scans upk files before installing).
3. Use it. VPN When downloading applications, if connected to public Wi-Fi networks.

⚠️ Note: If you use custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the preinstalled GetApps may not work properly or at all. In this case, it is better not to try to restore it at all - this can disrupt the stability of the system.

How to remove or disable GetApps on Xiaomi

If you decide you don't need GetApps, you can disable it or delete it.

• 🔧 Disconnect: The safest way.The application will stay on the system, but will not waste resources.
• 🗑️ Removal: Only possible with root rights or through ADB. Without them, the system will restore it after restarting.
• 📵 Activity restriction: You can disable background work and notifications in settings.

Instructions for unsetting:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find GetApps (or com.xiaomi.mipicks) in the list.
3. Click Disable (if the button is inactive, click Stop first).
4. Confirm the action. The app will disappear from the menu, but it will remain in the system.

Removal via ADB (for advanced users):

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks

This command will remove the application for the current user without root permissions. After the reboot, it will not recover, but can return after resetting settings or updating. MIUI.

Important: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 11 or Redmi Note 10 Pro), GetApps is associated with system services.

• 🔄 Mi Account malfunction.
• 📱 Problems with updating the themes of design.
• ⚠️ Errors in checking the licenses of some Xiaomi applications.

⚠️ Note: If you are using the Chinese version MIUI (For example, on Xiaomi. 12S Ultra, then removing GetApps could disrupt the core services, as it replaces Google Play in the ecosystem, in which case it’s best to just disable it and hide the icon through the launcher.

Hidden features of GetApps: what the store can do, what you didn’t know

Many users find GetApps useless, but it has a few hidden features that can be useful:

• 🎨 Topics and wallpaper: In the "Themes" section you can download exclusive wallpaper and icons for MIUI, which are not in the standard Themes app.
• 🔄 Beta testing: Beta versions of firmware sometimes appear here MIUI or the application before the application is made through OTA.
• 📦 Local backups: You can enable saving all downloaded.apk files to a folder in your settings Download/GetApps.
• 🌐 Regional change: If you change your region to Mi Account, GetApps will have apps from another country (good for travelers).

One of the most interesting features is the ability to install apps on multiple devices at once, so if you're logged in to the same Mi Account on your Xiaomi Pad smartphone and tablet, you can send uploads directly between them without using the cloud.

Also, GetApps has a Guidelines section that analyzes your installed apps and suggests similar ones.The algorithm works better than Google Play if you are actively using the Xiaomi ecosystem (like wearing a Mi Band or managing a smart home through Mi Home).

Another little-known feature is compatibility check, and before installing GetApps shows if the app is optimized for your smartphone model and version. MIUI. This helps to avoid errors such as “Application not installed”, which often occur when manually installing upload files.

GetApps problems: errors and ways to solve them

Like any system component, GetApps can crash, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

If GetApps stopped working after the update MIUI, try:

1. Reset the device.
2. Clear the application data (Warning: This will delete the download history!).
3. Update your Mi Account services to Google Play (if any).
4. In extreme cases, reset the network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

On certain devices (e.g, POCO F3 or Redmi K40) GetApps can conflict with Google Play Protect by blocking uploads. In this case, you need to temporarily disable Play Protect in the Google Play settings.

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If GetApps still doesn’t work after all the manipulations, check if the system file is accidentally deleted. /system/priv-app/MiPick. It can be restored only through a complete reflashing of the device.

GetApps Alternatives: What App Stores Can You Use

If you have decided to opt out of GetApps but want to have an alternative to Google Play, consider the following options:

• 📱 APKMirror: One of the most secure sources of signature-checking upk files, suitable for installing applications that don't exist in your region.
• 🛡️ Aptoide: Decentralized store with open moderation: The risk of running into malware is higher, but there are unique apps.
• 🌍 Aurora Store: Customer for Google Play without the need for authorization. Allows you to download apps anonymously.
• 🔍 F-Droid: Open source software with a focus on privacy, no commercial applications, but lots of developer tools.

For Xiaomi users in China or on Chinese firmware, the alternative is:

• 🇨🇳 Baidu App Store or 360 Mobile Assistant are popular stores in China with a wide range of local applications.
• 📱 Mi App Store (a separate application for global versions) - a simplified version of GetApps without reference to Chinese services.

When choosing an alternative, pay attention to:

• 🔒 Security: Availability of virus screening for upk files.
• 🌐 Regional accessibility: Not all stores operate in Russia or Europe.
• 📥 Download speed: Some services (e.g. Aptoide) can slow down without any VPN.

⚠️ Note: If you use custom firmware like LineageOS or HavocOS, installing apps without Google Play may require manual installation of microG or Gapps. In this case, GetApps will not work at all, and alternatives like the Aurora Store will become the main way to get software.

FAQ: Frequent questions about GetApps on Xiaomi