GetApps on Xiaomi: features, settings and disable

Owners of Redmi and Poco smartphones often encounter a confusing system application called GetApps, which is preinstalled in the shell of MIUI or HyperOS. It is the official app store from Xiaomi, which functions as an alternative to the Google Play Store. Many users perceive it as an intrusive element, saturated with advertising and unnecessary notifications, but it is an important part of the ecosystem of the Chinese manufacturer.

When you look at what kind of software get apps is on Xiaomi, you have to understand that it's not a virus or malware, but a legitimate service for content distribution, and it allows you to install apps without being linked to your Google account, which is relevant for devices shipped to the Chinese market or in situations where Google services are not available, but for users in the CIS and Europe, this service is often a hidden promotion tool.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the functionality of the store, methods of combating intrusive advertising and ways to completely deactivate the component. You will learn what threatens to delete the system file and whether it is worth spending time on its configuration. Xiaomi implements this service intentionally, so just get rid of it will not work.

The main purpose and functions of the service

GetApps’ main goal is to create its own independent software distribution platform, a way for the company to monetize devices that sell at a low price, allowing developers to promote their products and users to access applications that may not be available in their region or removed from other stores.

Unlike Google Play, the Xiaomi store often offers early access to beta versions of games and apps tailored specifically for Snapdragon and MediaTek processors.

• 📱 Automatic update of installed applications without user participation.
• 🎮 Game section where exclusive bonuses and discounts are available for Xiaomi owners.
• 🔒 Security check of downloaded files with built-in antivirus.
• 📲 Managing Permits and Access Rights for Installed Programs.

Importantly, the service is deeply integrated into the MIUI shell, and can offer similar applications when you download new files or update your system. While it's convenient for beginners, this intrusiveness often hinders experienced users. Understanding how get apps work will help you manage your behavior effectively.

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GetApps is often used by Xiaomi for (push) sales and new product notifications, even if you haven’t opened a store in months.

The difference between Google Play and Mi GetApps

There is often confusion between Google’s standard store and its Chinese-branded solution, with the main difference being moderation and content availability policies: Google Play is strictly enforced by security and copyright rules, whereas GetApps may have less stringent moderation, sometimes leading to questionable software.

Another key difference is account binding: Google Play requires Gmail to sync purchases and installs across devices. Xiaomi requires a Mi Account, but many features are available without authorization.

It is worth mentioning that some firmware versions have a division into GetApps and Mi GetApps. Technically, they are the same application, but with different features depending on the region of the firmware (Global, China, EEA).

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GetApps is not a complete replacement for Google Play due to the lack of many of Google’s popular Western apps and services.

Why are there notifications and advertisements?

Aggressive monetization is the main reason users are looking for ways to get rid of this app. Ads in GetApps can appear in the notification curtain, on the desktop, or pop up over other windows. It's part of Xiaomi's business model to reduce the cost of hardware.

Notifications are often disguised as system messages about security or available updates, prompting users to click on them, which actually leads to the promotion page of the game or partner app, and the mechanism of advertising is built on the analysis of your preferences and the history of your smartphone use.

⚠️ Note: Some notifications may mimic messages about viruses or critical system errors. Do not follow links in such messages unless you are sure of their source - this is a marketing ploy.

To minimize the spam flow, you need to manually disable several hidden switches inside the store’s settings. By default, all personalization options and recommendations are activated immediately after the first smartphone or firmware update is turned on.

How to Turn Off Advertising and Notifications

Complete removal of the system component without root rights is impossible, but you can significantly reduce its activity. This requires you to go to the settings of the application itself. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find in the list of GetApps (or MI Store) and open it.

Inside the store interface, click on the profile icon or menu (three dots), then select Settings. Here you need to find the section responsible for notifications and disable all sliders associated with recommendations, promotions and auto-update.

Settings → Notifications → Disable “Receive Notifications”

It is also recommended to disable autostart. This will prevent the process from starting in the background, which will save battery power and RAM. Find the Apps → Autostart section of the phone in the settings and uncheck GetApps.

After doing this, the number of pop-ups should decrease, but it is worth remembering that after a major update to MIUI, the settings may reset, and the procedure will have to be repeated.

Can I remove GetApps from Xiaomi?

Since GetApps is a system application, the standard "Delete" button on the smartphone menu is usually inactive or absent. Trying to remove it through the standard interface will only lead to an error.

One way to do this is to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) over a computer, which is secure, doesn't require root rights, and allows you to uninstall the app for the current user without affecting the system partition. You need to enable developer mode and USB debugging in your phone settings before you start.

• 🔌 Connect your smartphone to a PC with installed ADB.
• 💻 Enter the command to delete the packet: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks.
• ✅ Check the result – the application will disappear from the menu.
• 🔄 To return, use the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.xiaomi.mipicks.

There are also System App Remover applications, but they require root rights. Root rights are insecure and can disrupt banking applications. ADB It is considered the safest and most effective.

Security and impact on the operation of the smartphone

On the one hand, Xiaomi is a big, reputation-driven corporation, and there have been no massive data breaches through the service, and on the other hand, the privacy policy allows you to collect quite a lot of telemetry about user activities.

The impact on performance depends on the activity of background processes. If you do not turn off autostart and notifications, the service can consume up to 5-10% of battery power per day and take up space in RAM. For weak budget models, this can be tangible.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party modified versions of the store (MOD) The risk of contracting the virus increases many times over. Use only official versions or proven methods. ADB.

If you don't use the store, it's redundant, but removing it completely can disrupt the Game Turbo that's often tied to GetApps libraries. Weigh the pros and cons before radical action.

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The best solution is not to remove the app completely, but to disable all notifications and auto-start via ADB or settings, while maintaining system integrity.