Users of budget and mid-budget smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco often face intrusive notifications from an app called GetApps. This service automatically appears on the desktop after the first device is turned on or the firmware update MIUI and HyperOS. Many gadget owners perceive it as a virus or malware that slows down the system and steals traffic.
However, GetApps is an official app store developed by Xiaomi, similar to the Google Play Store or App Store, preinstalled in the system partition and designed to distribute software, games and themes. Unlike third-party downloaders, this service has deep permissions to access the MIUI shell, which allows it to function even after attempts of standard uninstallment.
In this article, we will examine the functionality of this service in detail, its impact on battery autonomy and data security, you will learn whether it is possible to completely get rid of this component without obtaining root rights and how to minimize its aggressive behavior if complete removal is impossible.
Functional purpose of the service GetApps
GetApps’ main goal is to provide an alternative platform for mobile content distribution, which is the main channel for app distribution in China because Google’s services are blocked there, and for global firmware versions (Global ROMs), the store is an additional tool for the manufacturer to monetize.
The system process often runs in the background, checking for updates for already installed programs. MIUI uses this channel to (push) notifications about new games, promotions and recommended content. Sometimes updates come through GetApps faster than through Google Play, which is theoretically a plus for speed.
It's important to understand that this service is very integrated with the system components of the shell, and it's not just about the installation. APK-Files, but also widgets, themes, and some system personalization functions. Disabling key components can lead to unstable interface performance.
- 📲 Automatic update of installed applications without user participation.
- 🎁 Exclusive access to beta versions of games and apps optimized for Xiaomi.
- 🎨 Centralized management of the themes and fonts of the system.
- 📢 Push-notifications about new items in the catalog and promotional mailings.
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If you do not use Chinese applications, GetApps functionality is almost useless for you, since all the necessary software is available in Google Play.
Security analysis and resource impact
Data security is one of the most talked-about issues in the context of Xiaomi’s ecosystem: GetApps collects telemetry, including a list of installed applications, how often they are used, and device model, and sends it to the company’s servers to generate personalized recommendations.
From a virus perspective, the store itself is safe and free of malicious code. However, its aggressive notification policy and background activity can strain the processor and RAM. On devices with little RAM (3-4 GB), this can lead to noticeable micro-fries of the interface.
⚠️ Attention: GetApps tends to automatically enable Acceleration Mode for games, which can conflict with third-party optimizers.If you notice increased battery consumption in standby mode, check the usage statistics of this application.
Privacy-conscious users often point out that the app requests a wide range of permissions, including access to location, contacts, and storage, while technically necessary for a store to operate, in practice, such permissions are used for targeted advertising.
Instructions: How to disable notifications and advertising
Complete removal of a system application without superuser rights (Root) is impossible, but it can significantly reduce its activity. The first step is to turn off intrusive notifications, which are most often the most disturbing smartphone owners.
You need to go to the settings of the app itself. Find the GetApps icon on your desktop, press it, and select About or Information. From the menu that opens, look for Notifications and uncheck all the boxes, especially those related to recommendations and promotions.
Next, limit background activity. In the same app information menu, find the "Out-Open" option and turn it off, and it's also recommended that you stop working in the background so that the system will force you to stop the process when you're not using the store.
☑️ Privacy settings GetApps
There's also a hidden setting inside the store itself, so open GetApps, go to the profile (human icon) and click on the settings gear, and you'll find Personalized Recommendations and deactivate it, which will reduce the frequency of banner ads coming in the store interface.
Methods for complete removal of system component
For those who want to get rid of GetApps completely, there are more radical methods. The safest way is to use them. ADB (Android Debug Bridge from a computer. This method does not require unlocking the bootloader or root rights, but requires a PC and a computer. USB-cable.
First, you need to turn on the developer mode on your smartphone. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI version seven times. Then activate Debugging by USB from the Developer menu.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicksThis command will delete the app for the current user, and the system will continue to consider the file as present, but it will not use it, and it will disappear from the interface, and if you want to return the store, you just need to reset the phone to the factory settings.
Risks of using ADB
An alternative method is to use specialized uninstallation applications, such as Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools or Universal Android Debloater, which have a graphical interface and allow you to safely remove system debris with a single click, ticking the desired components.
| Deleting method | Difficulty | Risk to the system | Possibility of return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disconnection in settings | Low. | Absent. | Instantly. |
| ADB (command line) | Medium | Minimum | Resetting settings |
| Root + System App Remover | Tall. | High-pitched | Just flashing it. |
| Third-party installers | Low. | Medium. | Depends on the method. |
Why does the app return after removal?
Many users notice that after a while the GetApps icon reappears on the desktop, even after successfully removing it from the desktop. ADB. This is due to the self-healing mechanism of the system. MIUI.
The system component Security periodically checks the integrity of the installed software. If it detects the absence of critical applications, according to developers, it initiates their reboot and installation in the background.
To prevent this, you need to turn off auto-update system applications. Go to the GetApps store settings (if you can still see it) or the bootloader settings, and find Auto Update. You should also turn off the Internet during the cleaning procedures so that the system does not have time to download the installation package.
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GetApps is a system component that MIUI considers important, and complete removal is only possible if you block it from re-installing through modified hosts or freezing it through Root rights.
Google Play Store and Alternatives
The big question is, why do you need GetApps when you have Google Play? For most people outside of China, the answer is "nothing," and the Google Play Store provides stricter security controls, up-to-date app versions, and a robust payment system.
GetApps often contain apps that may not be available in your region through Google, or modified versions of them, but the risk of running into malware in third-party stores is always higher, as moderation there is less strict.
If you need an alternative source of software, it’s best to use time-tested platforms like F-Droid (open source) or APKMirror.They provide a high level of trust and don’t embed ad modules into the system as deeply as the native Xiaomi store does.
- 🛡️ Google Play Protect scans apps more than Xiaomi’s built-in tools.
- 🌍 GetApps is only useful if you live in a region where access to Google services is limited.
- ⚡ Updates over Wi-Fi in GetApps can occur without the user’s knowledge, consuming traffic.
Impact on the performance of other system services
Disabling GetApps rarely affects the basic functionality of the phone, but it can affect the operation of the Themes app. Since both services are tied to a single Mi Account account and update servers, disabling one can lead to errors in the work of the other.
For example, desktop widgets will stop updating or new subscription wallpaper will stop loading, but the basic functions of the smartphone – calls, messages, camera and browser – will continue to work normally.
In some cases, after the store is removed, the system may more often suggest that it be re-installed through the Security pop-ups, which is a standard firmware behavior designed to bring the user back to the ecosystem.