Get Apps on Xiaomi Redmi: what is this application, how does it work and can it be removed

If you own a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone (or any other device of the brand), you probably noticed in the list of installed programs the Get Apps app. It appears out of the box, is not deleted in standard ways and periodically sends notifications about new games and programs. What is this service, why does Xiaomi need it, and why many users want to get rid of it? In this guide, we will discuss in detail all aspects of Get Apps – from functionality to hidden settings and alternatives.

Get Apps is not a virus or malware, but a Xiaomi app store that duplicates (and sometimes complements) Google Play. However, its behavior does not always suit users, from intrusive advertising to suspicious permissions in security settings. Next, you will learn how to minimize its impact on the phone or completely deactivate – if necessary.

What is Get Apps and Why Xiaomi Needs It

Get Apps (sometimes displayed as com.xiaomi.mipicks in the app list) is Xiaomi’s proprietary catalog of programs and games preinstalled on all of the brand’s devices. It’s essentially the Google Play analogue, but with a few key differences:

• 📱 Localized content: Applications and games are selected based on the user’s region (for example, different sets of programs are available for Russia or India).
• 🎁 Exclusive offers: Sometimes there are applications that are not in Google Play (for example, Xiaomi branded services or affiliate promotions).
• 💰 Own monetization: Xiaomi earns from advertising and affiliate programs, so Get Apps actively promotes paid subscriptions and games.
• 🔄 Updates bypassing Google: Some Xiaomi system apps (such as Mi Browser or Mi Video) are updated through Get Apps, not the Play Market.

For Xiaomi, this service performs several tasks:

1. Reduced dependence on Google (especially relevant for Chinese firmware versions where Google services are not available).
2. Additional channel of monetization through advertising and affiliate programs.
3. Ecosystem Control: Users are more likely to install Xiaomi branded apps (such as Mi Home or Mi Fit).

However, for the average user, Get Apps often becomes a source of irritation: it takes up space in memory, sends notifications about “recommended” games and sometimes even installs applications without explicit consent (for example, after updating the firmware).

How Get Apps Works: Permissions, Notifications, and Background Activity

To understand why Get Apps is so active, let's look at its technical features. The app has a wide range of permissions that allow it to:

It’s especially frustrating that Get Apps is included in the AutoRun and Battery Optimization list by default, allowing it to run in the background even when applications are closed, which leads to:

• ⚡ Increased battery consumption (up to 3-5% per day with active use).
• 📶 Excess traffic (the app regularly accesses Xiaomi servers to check for updates).
• 🔔 Intrusive notifications (game advertisements, suggestions to install “useful” programs).

In addition, Get Apps is integrated into Xiaomi system services, so it can not be simply removed or disabled without consequences. → Apps that may not be updated by proprietary programs such as Mi Community or Security.

⚠️ Note: Some users complain that after manually removing Get Apps (via the app) ADB or root access) the dark theme in the system settings stops working or access to the Mi Cloud cloud storage disappears.

Can I remove Get Apps from Xiaomi Redmi: official and unofficial ways

Spoiler: Remove Get Apps completely without root rights or ADB It's not possible -- it's a system application that's protected from uninstallation, but there are a few ways to minimize its impact:

1. Disabling notifications

The easiest and safest method:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Get Apps (or com.xiaomi.mipicks) and select it.
3. Slip on Notifications and turn off all switches.

Limitation of background activity

To reduce battery consumption:

1. In the Get Apps app settings, select Battery.
2. Set the Restricted or Manual Optimization mode.
3. Turn off AutoRun in the Special Access section.

3. Delete via ADB (for advanced users)

If you are willing to take the risk, you can uninstall the app via Android Debug Bridge:

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

This command will only remove Get Apps for the current user (without affecting system files).However, after resetting settings or updating the firmware, the application can return.

4.Alternative: Disconnection via Miui Hidden Settings

For firmware devices MIUI 12-14 is an undocumented method:

1. Install the Miui Hidden Settings app (available on Google Play).
2. Go to System Apps and find Get Apps.
3. Turn off the options Show in Launcher (hide from the menu) and Run in Background (ban background work).

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) After disabling Get Apps, system applications stop updating through the Software Update, in which case they will have to be manually updated via Google Play.

Why Get Apps Installs Programs Without Demand and How to Stop It

One of the most annoying features of Get Apps is the automatic installation of apps after a firmware update or the first Internet connection. MIUI 14 Many users have found games like Free Fire or on the home screen PUBG Mobile that hasn't been installed.

This is due to the Recommended Apps feature, which is enabled by default in Xiaomi’s settings. Here’s how to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings. → Additional settings → Recommended annexes.
2. Turn off the slider Show recommended applications.
3. In the same menu, tap on Reset Settings to clear the list of previously offered programs.

If this partition is missing from your firmware, try an alternative path:

1. Open Get Apps and go to your profile (the icon in the upper right corner).
2. Select Settings → Personalization.
3. Turn off the Home Screen Recommendations and Auto Install Updates options.

Unfortunately, even after that, Get Apps may occasionally offer to install new programs through notifications, and to get rid of this completely, you will have to combine disabling notifications (described above) and restricting Internet access for the application.

💡

If unwanted apps appear on the screen after the firmware update, check the Download folder – often theirs. APK-Files remain there and can be manually deleted.

Get Apps Alternatives: Which App Stores Can You Use Instead

If you decide to opt out of Get Apps but want to have access to alternative app stores, consider the following options:

For Xiaomi devices without Google services (such as the Chinese version), the best alternative would be the Aurora Store, an open client for Google Play that allows you to install applications without official services.

1. Download APK from the official Aurora Store website.
2. Install the file by allowing installation from unknown sources.
3. When you first start, select an anonymous sign-in (without linking to your Google account).

If you need exclusive Xiaomi apps (such as Mi Home or Mi Fit), you can download them directly from the official Mi App Store website in the format of the app. APK. It is safer than using Get Apps, as you control the installation process.

Get Apps and Security: Does the app transfer data to China?

One of the most common questions is, is it safe to use Get Apps, and does it transmit your activity data to servers in China? Unfortunately, there's no definitive answer, but there are a few facts:

• 📡 Telemetry collection: Like many Xiaomi system applications, Get Apps sends anonymous usage data (such as which apps you download.
• 🔒 Traffic encryption: All requests to Xiaomi servers are transmitted via protocol HTTPS, So it's hard to intercept data, but the fact that we collect it can be a concern.
• 🌍 Regional servers: For users from Russia, Europe and India, data is stored on local servers (not in China), but this does not guarantee complete anonymity.

If you are concerned about privacy, follow the following steps:

1. Open the Settings. → Xiaomi Account → Confidentiality.
2. Disable Personalized Recommendations and Send Usage Data.
3. In Get Apps settings, turn off Analytics and Improvements.

To block data transmission completely, you can use a firewall (such as the NetGuard app) to prevent Get Apps from accessing the Internet, but this can disrupt system application updates.

⚠️ Note: On devices with Chinese firmware (China) ROM) Get Apps can have extended permissions, including access to SMS and Call Log. If you buy Xiaomi from China, be sure to reflash it to the global version (Global) ROM).

Frequent problems with Get Apps and how to solve them

Even if you don't plan to remove Get Apps, it can cause a variety of problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to solve them:

1. There are constant notifications of new games

Decision:

• Open the notification, tap on ⚙️ → Disable notifications from this application.
• Or go to Settings. → Annexes → Get Apps → Notifications and disable all categories.

2. the application is not updated or gives an error

Decision:

• Clear cache and data: Settings → Annexes → Get Apps → Warehouse → Clear cache/Clean data.
• Check your internet connection (the app doesn’t work through some of the apps). VPN).
• Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → Update of the PO.

3.Get Apps won't open or fly out

Decision:

• Reboot the phone.
• Remove updates for the app: Settings → Annexes → Get Apps → ⋮ → Remove updates.
• If the problem persists, reset the application settings to factory.

4.After getting Get Apps removed, system features stopped working

Decision:

• Restore the application through ADB: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.xiaomi.mipicks
• Or, reset your settings to factory (the data will be deleted!).

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If system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Browser) are lost after manipulation with Get Apps, they can be restored through Google Play or the official Xiaomi website.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions about Get Apps