GetApps on Xiaomi: what is this application and how to disable or remove it

If you own a Xiaomi smartphone, you've probably noticed the mysterious GetApps service on the installed list, which appears immediately after the first setup of the device, takes up space in memory and sometimes shows annoying activity. But what is it really? Should you be afraid of it, and most importantly, how to get rid of it?

In this article, we’ll look at all aspects of GetApps, from the official purpose to the hidden features that the manufacturer prefers not to advertise, why the application can not be removed by standard methods, what risks it carries, and what alternative ways are there to completely remove it (including ADB and root rights), and we’ll also analyze how safe it is to use this service and what data it collects.

The material will be useful to both beginners and experienced users MIUI. We have gathered up-to-date information for all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and other models. POCO (including Xiaomi lines 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13 and POCO F5/X5).

What is GetApp on Xiaomi and why you need it

GetApps (full name – com.xiaomi.mipicks) is a branded app store from Xiaomi, which is pre-installed on all devices with a MIUI shell. Officially, it is positioned as an alternative to Google Play, but with a number of unique features:

• 📱 Localized content: Apps and games optimized specifically for the Chinese and global markets (including regional services).
• 🎁 Exclusive offers: discounts, promotional codes and bonuses for Xiaomi users (for example, free themes for users) MIUI).
• 🔄 Updates bypassing Play Market: Some system applications (such as Mi Browser or Mi Video) are updated through GetApps.
• 📊 Data-based recommendations: analysis of installed applications for personalized offers.

However, in practice, most users outside of China never use GetApps. The reasons are simple:

1. Most of the apps are duplicated in Google Play.
2. The interface and content are often not tailored to a global audience (e.g., Chinese descriptions).
3. The service consumes resources in the background (up to 50-100 MB of RAM) and consumes battery power.

An important caveat: GetApps cannot be completely removed without root rights, as it is a system component of MIUI and is responsible for updating a number of branded services. However, it can be disabled or limited - more details in the following sections.

Is GetApps App Safe: Does It Collect Data?

One of the most common questions users have is how secure GetApps is and whether it's spying on users.

According to Xiaomi’s privacy policy, the app does collect the following data:

• 📱 Information about the device: smartphone model, version MIUI, language of the system, region.
• 🔍 List of installed applications (for forming recommendations).
• 📡 IP-address and network data (for geotargeting content).
• 🕒 Time of use (for example, how often you open a service).

However, there are a few key points:

1. There is no access to personal data (photos, messages, contacts) – only meta-information.
2. Data collection can be turned off in the settings (instruction below).
3. Unlike some Chinese apps, GetApps does not share data with third parties (as Xiaomi claims).

However, if you are paranoid about privacy, it is best to turn off the service completely – especially if you do not use it.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with global firmware (MIUI Global, the data is transmitted to servers in Singapore (MIUI China – servers in China, which can be critical from the point of view of the Internet GDPR.

How to disable GetApps on Xiaomi without root rights

If you don't want to delete the app completely (or you can't), you can turn it off so it doesn't waste resources or show notifications. Here's a step-by-step guide:

More on each step:

1. Go to Application Settings: Open Settings → Applications → Application Management (on some versions of MIUI, the path may differ: Settings → All applications).
2. Find GetApps: Type in the GetApps search box or scroll through the list to the app with the blue robot icon.
3. Disable the application: Click the Disable button (on some firmware it may be called Remove Updates → Disable). Confirm the action.
4. Disable AutoRun: Return to the app menu, select Battery → AutoRun and turn off the permission for GetApps.
5. Limit background activity: In the Data Consumption (or Mobile Traffic) section, find GetApps and disallow background data transfers.

Following these actions, the annex:

• ✅ Stop showing notifications.
• ✅ It will not consume battery in the background.
• ✅ It will not be able to update automatically.

But! It will stay in the system and take up space (about 100-150 MB). If you need to get rid of it completely, read the next section.

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If the Disable button is inactive, try removing all app updates first (the Remove Updates button) and then try again.

How to completely remove GetApps from Xiaomi (ways for advanced users)

If you want to remove GetApps permanently, you'll have to use one of three methods: through ADB, through root rights, or through MIUI Hidden Settings. Let's look at each option.

Method 1: Removal via ADB (no root rights)

This method is suitable for most users and does not require unlocking the bootloader.

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB smartphone.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on MIUI Version. Then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on USB Debugging.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (cmd or Terminal).
3. Enter the commands in turn: adb devices (you should see your device) adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks

If the command is successful, GetApps will be removed for the current user (but will remain in the system for other profiles).

Method 2: Removal with root rights (for experienced)

If you have root rights (for example, through Magisk), you can permanently delete GetApps:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/MiPick (or /system/app/MiPick on some firmware).
3. Delete the MiPick.apk and MiPick.odex files (if any).
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect removal of system files can lead to shell collapse MIUI We recommend backup before action!

Method 3: Through MIUI Hidden Settings (for some firmware)

On some versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 12-14), you can hide GetApps via hidden settings:

1. Open the MIUI Hidden Settings app (if not, download it from Google Play).
2. Go to the Manage Applications section.
3. Find GetApps and click Disable or Uninstall for all users.

This method doesn’t work on all devices, but it can be useful if ADB doesn’t work for some reason.

What happens if you disable or remove GetApps: the possible consequences

Before you get rid of GetApps, you need to evaluate the risks.

The most serious problems can occur when completely removing root rights:

• 📱 There may be errors in the work MIUI (For example, the launcher or settings).

If you are not prepared for such consequences, it is better to limit yourself to disabling or blocking through ADB.

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Disabling GetApps does not affect the basic functions of the smartphone (calls, Internet, camera), the risks are minimal if you do not use root methods.

GetApps Alternatives: What App Stores Can You Use

If you have removed GetApps but want to have access to alternative app stores, consider the following options:

If you need exclusive themes or services for MIUI, you can download them directly from the official Xiaomi Themes website in.mtz format and install them manually.

Frequent questions about GetApps on Xiaomi