Where to Find Apps on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Search and Installation

You bought a new Xiaomi smartphone or updated the firmware to MIUI 14/15, But you can't find the right app, or you might want to install a program that isn't in the official store, and this article will help you understand all the ways you can find and install apps on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO. We will look not only at the obvious options, but also at hidden features that few people know about.

The problem with finding applications on Xiaomi often arises due to the features of the shell MIUI. For example, some regional firmware does not have Google Play Market, and the Chinese versions do not even have a branded GetApps store. In addition, after resetting or updating the system, applications can “hide” in unexpected places. In this article, you will find solutions for all these cases – from basic to advanced.

1. Standard App Store GetApps

GetApps (formerly Mi App Store) is a proprietary app store from Xiaomi, which is preinstalled on all devices with a mobile app. MIUI. It offers both popular global apps and exclusive content for Xiaomi users:

• 📱 Open the app menu (swipe up from the bottom of the screen)
• 🔍 Enter in the search box "GetApps" or "Apps"
• 📌 The store icon usually has a white package with a green logo.
• 🌐 If there is no icon, check the Tools or Xiaomi folder"

GetApps has a few useful features that many people don’t know about:

• 🎁 Section "Selections" with thematic collections of applications
• 🔄 Ability to update all applications at once (Table "Updates")
• 📥 The "Quick Installation" function for APK-files (in store settings)
• 🛡️ Built-in application security check before installation

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If GetApps doesn’t have the right app, try changing the region in the store settings. → Settings → Region and choose India or Russia – there are usually more available programs.

In this case:

1. Open the store and click on the profile icon (in the upper right corner)
2. Select (Settings) → (Language)
3. Choose English or Russian (if available)

2.Google Play Market: How to Find and Set Up

On global versions of Xiaomi, Google Play Market is preinstalled by default, but in Chinese firmware (China) ROM) If you don't have a store icon:

• 🔍 Check the Google folder in the app menu
• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes the icon appears after the reboot
• 📥 Install Google Installer from GetApps (if available)
• 🛠️ Manually browse the Google Services Framework (for advanced users)

If Google Play Market is available, it doesn’t work:

Make sure there is an internet connection|Check the date and time on the device|Clear the app's cache in Settings → Annexes → Google Play Market → Memory.|Update Google Play Services in the App Settings|Reset the device-->

For Chinese firmware, there is a special way to install Google Services:

1. Download Google Installer from Xiaomi’s official website (support section)
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Security
3. Install. APK-file and follow the installation wizard instructions
4. After installation, restart the device

3. Search for applications through the system menu

Many people don't know, but in MIUI There's a built-in app search feature that works even if you don't remember the name of the program:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar
2. At the top of the screen, find the search bar (magnifying glass icon)
3. Enter the name of the application or part of it
4. The system will show not only installed programs, but also offer to install new ones from GetApps.

This search also works for system applications that may be hidden, such as to find "Security" (antivirus from Xiaomi):

• 🔍 Enter “security” or “security” in search"
• 📌 The system will show even those applications that are hidden in folders
• 🔄 If nothing is found, check if the application is disabled in the settings.

For advanced users, there is a way to find all installed applications, including system ones, that do not appear in the menu:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Click on three dots in the upper right corner
3. Select "Show all applications"
4. Here you will see a complete list, including service programs.

4. Installation of applications through APK-file

If the application is not available in Google Play or GetApps, you can install it through the APK-This is the official installer format for Android:

1. Download. APK-file from a verified source (e.g., APKMirror or the official developer website)
2. Open the Settings. → Security → Permits
3. Activate the option "Unknown sources" (in new versions) MIUI You need to allow for each browser separately)
4. Open the downloaded file through Explorer or GetApps (there is an installation function) APK)

Be careful with APK-file! MIUI It has built-in protection, but it's not perfect:

• 🛡️ Check the hash file (MD5) developer's website
• 🔍 Use VirusTotal to scan the file
• 📌 Only install from verified sources.
• 🔄 After installation, disable permission for unknown sources

V MIUI 14+ There is a new function called Sandbox for APK", So, it allows you to test the application in an isolated environment before you fully install it:

1. When trying to establish APK The system will offer the option "Install in the sandbox"
2. Choose this option and wait for an isolated environment to be created.
3. Test the app – it will work without access to your data
4. If everything is good, install the full version.

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Installation APK From unknown sources, it can violate the warranty on devices with a blocked bootloader. On Chinese firmware, this often leads to the blocking of the Mi Account.

5. Hidden applications and how to find them

V MIUI Some system applications are hidden from the user, but they can be returned:

If the application has been disabled and it is not even in the list of all programs, try:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Press three points. →"Show all applications"
3. Find the desired application in the list and click "Enable"
4. If there is no “Enable” button, the application is removed from the firmware

Some hidden functions require activation through the codes of the engineering menu, for example, to return. FM-radio on models where it is disabled by default:

##4636## → Testing → FM- Radio → Include

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In some models POCO Game Turbo mode is hidden for gamers. To activate it, go to Settings → Additionally. → Special facilities → Game Turbo and turn on the switch.

6. Alternative App Stores

If the standard stores don’t fit, you can use alternative sources, and here are the most popular and safe options for Xiaomi:

• 🌍 APKMirror is the largest base APK-security-checking files
• 🛡️ Aptoide – an alternative store with an open distribution model
• 📦 APKPure – Quick Downloads and Own Update System
• 🔍 F-Droid – Open source store (free apps only)
• 🎮 Aurora Store – Anonymous Customer for Google Play (without a Google account)

When using alternative stores, take precautions:

⚠️ Note: Some alternative stores (such as ACMarket or BlackMart) distribute pirated software and may contain malicious code.

For the installation of alternative stores:

1. Download. APK-file from the official website of the selected store
2. Allow installation from unknown sources (as described in Section 4)
3. Install the file and open a new store
4. In the new store settings, turn off automatic update installation (to avoid conflicts)

On devices with MIUI Some alternative stores may be blocked by security to get around it:

• Add the store to Security exceptions (Settings) → Security → Application privileges)
• Turn off the application installation check in Settings → Additionally. → Confidentiality → Special access → Installation of unknown applications
• Use it. VPN When downloading applications (some stores are blocked by geolocation)

7. Recovery of Remote Applications

If you accidentally delete a standard app (such as Camera, Gallery or Calls), it can be restored without resetting.

Method 1: Through GetApps

1. Open GetApps and go to the "Management" section (cog icon)
2. Select "Remote Apps" or "Recovery"
3. Find the desired application in the list and click "Restore"

Method 2: Through system settings

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management
2. Press three points. →"Show all applications"
3. Find a remote application (it will be marked as “Not installed”)
4. Click on it and select "Install" or "Restore"

Method 3: Through Fastboot (for power users)

If the standard methods don't work, you can restore the application through Fastboot.

fastboot flash system system.img

But this way requires:

• Unlocked loader
• Official firmware for your model
• Experience with ADB and Fastboot

⚠️ Warning: Misuse of Fastboot can lead to a device blink (completely inoperable).This method is only recommended if you know exactly what you're doing and you have a backup of data.

8. Solving search and installation problems

If you can’t find or install the app, here’s a checklist to diagnose the problem:

Check your internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data)|Make sure there is enough memory on the device.|Check if your Mi Account is blocked (on Chinese firmware)|Update the firmware to the latest version|Check regional restrictions (some apps are not available in your country)|Turn it off. VPN/Proxies that can block access to stores-->

Let’s look at the most common mistakes and their solutions:

If none of these methods worked, try:

• 🔄 Reset the settings of Google Play Market (Settings) → Annexes → Google Play Market → Warehouse → Reset)
• 📥 Install an older version of the app (sometimes newer versions are not compatible with your firmware)
• 🛠️ Reset network settings (Settings) → System system → Resetting settings → Resetting network settings)
• 🔧 Update Google Play Services manually through APK

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On Chinese firmware (China) ROM) Many global applications (such as Google Maps or Gmail) will not work without a full flashing to the global version.

Frequently asked questions