Get Apps on Xiaomi: Why do you need this app and can you get rid of it?

If you own a Xiaomi, Redmi or a smartphone POCO, We've probably noticed a mysterious Get Apps app (sometimes GetApps or App Market) on the installed list, pre-installed on most of the brand's devices, but its purpose raises questions even among experienced users: Do you need it to run your phone? Is it safe? Can I remove it without consequences?

In this article, we will go into detail about what Get Apps is, how it relates to the Xiaomi ecosystem, and give clear recommendations on whether to leave it or get rid of it, and also talk about hidden features that even official instructions do not speak about.

What is Get Apps and Why Xiaomi Needs It

Get Apps is Xiaomi's proprietary app store, an alternative to Google Play Market. It's built into firmware. MIUI And it's designed to distribute software that's optimized for the brand's devices:

• 📱 Exclusive applications for Xiaomi (e.g. Mi Remote, Mi Home for smart home).
• 🔄 Regional versions of popular services (e.g. Facebook Lite for Asia).
• 🛡️ Previous articlePre-verified software – Xiaomi claims that all programs are moderated for viruses.
• 🎁 Promotions and promotional codes for ecosystem users (for example, discounts on the Mi Store).

But there's a downside to this store: First, it duplicates Google Play features by taking up space in memory; second, some users complain about automatically installing unwanted apps through Get Apps (especially on budget Redmi models); and third, the store actively collects data on user behavior, as stated in Xiaomi's privacy policy.

Basically, Get Apps is a tool to promote your own services and monetize your user base, but whether you need it is another question.

How Get Apps is related to MIUI and other Xiaomi services

Get Apps app is deeply integrated into shell MIUI. It interacts with:

• 🔄 System updates – sometimes offers to install new versions of the software come through this store.
• 📊 Mi Account – to synchronize downloads between devices (for example, if you have both a smartphone and a Xiaomi tablet).
• 🛒 Mi Store - here you can see promo codes for purchases in the company store.
• 🤖 AI recommendations – based on your downloads, the system selects “useful” content (which is not always convenient).

Moreover, Get Apps is closely linked to Xiaomi’s advertising platform, which is where sponsored apps are often distributed, which are installed in the background, such as Redmi Note 10, where users complained about automatic downloads of games like the one that is currently being used. PUBG Mobile or Free Fire through this store.

From a technical point of view, the application uses the same API, the same as other system services, so its removal may affect the work:

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If you notice that Get Apps installs games or programs, check the settings in Settings → Annexes → Get Apps → Notifications and disable the option "Autoinstall recommended applications".

Safe to use Get Apps: Risks and Benefits

From a security perspective, Get Apps is not malware — it is Xiaomi’s official service.

⚠️ In 2020, Forbes researchers found that Xiaomi, through Get Apps and other system applications, collects data on user behavior (including browser history and activity in apps), even if the personalization feature is disabled. The company later said it was a "misunderstanding" but the facts remain.

Advantages:

• ✅ Quick download of applications optimized for MIUI.
• ✅ Access to exclusive utilities (e.g. Mi Mover for data transfer).
• ✅ Less risk of viruses than third-party ones APK.

Risks:

• ❌ Data collection – even if you don’t use the store, it can send information about your device.
• ❌ Inserts – in some regions (for example, India, China) aggressive promotions are distributed through Get Apps.
• ❌ Autoinstallation of unnecessary software - especially relevant for budget models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3).

If you live in Europe or Russia, most of the risks are minimized by local data protection regulations, but in Asia or on gray firmware. MIUI Get Apps can be a lot more aggressive.

How to disable or remove Get Apps: step-by-step instructions

If you decide to get rid of an app, you have three options: disable, hide, or delete completely. The latter requires super-user rights (root), so it's not for everyone.

Option 1: Disconnect (without root)

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Get Apps (or App Market) in the list.
3. Click Disconnect → Confirm the action.
4. Return to the app menu and click Stop (to close all background processes).

Option 2: Hiding the icon (without deleting)

• 📱 Use a launcher from a third-party developer (e.g. Nova Launcher).
• 🔍 In the launcher settings, find the option “Hide apps” and add Get Apps there.
• ⚙️ Alternative: c MIUI You can remove the icon from the main screen, but the application will remain in the menu "All applications".

Option 3: Complete removal (root required)

1. Install a file manager with root support (e.g., Root Explorer).


2. Go to /system/priv-app/GetApps/ or /system/app/GetApps/.




3. Delete the GetApps folder (or rename it to GetApps.bak).




4. Reset the device.




5. Clear the cache in Recovery (optional).

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications without root can lead to cyclical restarts (bootloop) or crashes MIUI. If you are not sure, limit yourself to shutting down.

What happens if you delete Get Apps: the consequences and how to avoid them

After removing or disabling Get Apps, you may encounter the following problems:

The worst consequence is the loss of access to exclusive features, such as on some models (Xiaomi 12 Pro, POCO F4) Get Apps is used to distribute proprietary camera filters or game utilities, and if you don't use them, there's no loss.

Critical information: On firmware MIUI global-market (EEA) Deleting Get Apps usually goes without consequences, whereas on Chinese versions (China) ROM) This can cause errors in the system services.

Alternatives to Get Apps: how to replace the branded store

If you have removed Get Apps but want to keep access to Xiaomi’s exclusive utilities, consider these alternatives:

• 🛠️ APKMirror – here you will find the original APK-System application files (e.g. Mi Remote, Mi Home).
• 🔄 Xiaomi Community – the official forum where beta versions of software are posted.
• 📱 Aptoide – an alternative store with a section for Xiaomi devices.
• 🌐 Xiaomi official website – in the “Support” section, sometimes direct links to the APK.

For installation APK manually:

1. Download the file from a verified source.
2. Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications.
3. Launch it. APK and follow the instructions.

If you only need updates for system utilities, you can use it. ADB:

adb shell pm install -r /path/to/file.apk

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Even if you delete Get Apps, critical security updates will come through the standard Settings channel. → The phone. → Updating the system.

Optimization Tips: How to Reduce the Impact of Get Apps Without Removing

If you do not want to get rid of the application completely, but it interferes - use these tips:

• 🚫 Turn off auto updates: Settings → Annexes → Get Apps → Data data → Auto-update → Choose "Never".
• 🔔 Block notifications: Settings → Notifications → Get Apps → Turn off all switches.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache: Go to Settings regularly → Annexes → Get Apps → Storage and press "Clean the cache".
• 🛡️ Limit background activity: In the application settings, turn off "Background Activity" and "Autostart".

If you are annoyed by banner ads in the store:

1. Open Get Apps.
2. Go to Profile. → Settings.
3. Turn off the options "Personalized recommendations" and "Advertising notifications".

On some firmware (MIUI 13+) There's a hidden option to disable ads in all system applications:

1. Enter the code ##4636## in the Phone app.


2 Go to Phone Information → Wi-Fi settings.




3. Hold the pressed area with the MAC- address until the menu appears.




4. Select "Disable MIUI Advertising" (if available).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Get Apps on Xiaomi