Get Apps on Xiaomi: what is this app and how to use it

If you own a Xiaomi, Redmi or a smartphone POCO, You may have noticed the Get Apps app, which is pre-installed, and many people ignore it, preferring Google Play, but it's actually a powerful tool with unique features. In this article, we will take a closer look at what Get Apps is, how it works, how it differs from other app stores, and why it’s worth using.

Get Apps is not just an alternative to Google Play, but an official app store from Xiaomi, optimized for the brand’s devices, offering not only games and utilities, but exclusive themes, wallpaper, branded services (such as Mi Cloud or Mi Home), as well as localized content for different regions, and many users do not even suspect that Get Apps allows you to get free premium themes and wallpapers weekly – a feature that is not found in the standard Google Play.

Next, we’ll go through all the key aspects, from installation and setup to hidden features and solving typical problems. If you want to make the most of your Xiaomi device, this guide is for you.

What is Get Apps and Why You Need It

Get Apps (formerly Mi App Store or Xiaomi App Store) is an official app store designed by Xiaomi specifically for its devices. It is pre-installed on all smartphones of the brand, including the Xiaomi, Redmi lineups, POCO And Black Shark. Unlike Google Play, this store is very integrated with firmware. MIUI, It has a number of advantages:

• 🔹 Optimization for MIUI: Apps undergo additional screen compatibility testing, which reduces the risk of errors and brakes.
• 🎁 Exclusive content: Here you can find Xiaomi branded themes, wallpapers, fonts and services that are not available in Google Play.
• 🌍 Localization for different regions: In some countries (e.g. China), Get Apps replaces Google Play as the main store.
• 🛡️ Additional security: Xiaomi scans apps for viruses and malicious code using its algorithms.

It’s important to understand that Get Apps doesn’t compete with Google Play, but complements it.

• 📱 Mi Remote – the official application for equipment management through the IR port.
• 🏠 Mi Home – Xiaomi Smart Home Control Center.
• 🎨 Weekly Free Premium Themes (Available only through Get Apps).
• 🔧 Branded utilities, such as Mi Mover for data transfer or Mi Drop for file sharing.

Some apps in Get Apps can be updated faster than Google Play, thanks to direct integration with Xiaomi servers, but there are also disadvantages: the directory is smaller, and some global applications (for example, Netflix or Disney).+) may be absent.

How to use Get Apps: step-by-step instructions

Get Apps interface is intuitive, but it has hidden features that many people don't know about.

1. First start and setup

When you first open the app, you can ask for permissions to access the storage, contacts, and location, and you can do this to:

• 📁 Downloads and updates of applications (storage).
• 📞 Contact syncs for some services (e.g. Mi Cloud).
• 🌐 Display of localized content (location).

If you do not want to provide access, you can opt out – most features will remain available.

2. Search and installation of applications

To find the app:

1. Open Get Apps (the icon with the blue robot Mi on a white background).
2. Enter the title in the search bar or select a category (Games, Themes, Utilities, etc.).
3. Click Install - the application will download and install automatically.

Please note: some apps in Get Apps may be in Chinese. To avoid this, in the store settings (Profile) → Settings → Language of content) select Russian or English.

Updating the annexes

Get Apps can update both its apps and those installed from Google Play.

1. Go to the Update tab (the arrow icon down).
2. Click Update All or select specific apps.
3. Confirm the action.

Tip: Turn on Auto Update in the settings so as not to follow the releases of new versions.

View ratings and reviews|Make sure that the application is in Russian|Check the permissions it requests|Version with Google Play (if any)

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4. Hidden functions

Few people know that Get Apps has:

• 🎁 Free Premium Themes: The Themes tab gives out paid themes daily (click Free next to your favorite).
• 🔍 Manual search for updates MIUI: In some regions, you can check firmware updates here (Profile) → Settings → Update MIUI).
• 📦 Application Archive: In the Management tab, you can see all programs ever installed and clear the cache.

💡

If the app from Get Apps doesn’t install, try clearing the store cache in your phone’s settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Get Apps → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

Differences between Get Apps and Google Play and other stores

Many people ask, why do you need Get Apps when you have Google Play?

The main advantage of Get Apps is the integration with the MIUI. For example, the themes and wallpapers installed through this store automatically apply to your phone’s settings, whereas downloaded from Google Play may require manual customization.

However, there are also disadvantages:

• 📉 Smaller directory: Many global applications (e.g. banking or streaming services) are not available here.
• 🌐 Regional restrictions: Some content may not be available in some countries.
• 🔄 Duplicate Updates: If the app is installed from both stores, version conflicts may occur.

💡

Get Apps is indispensable for Xiaomi owners in China, where Google Play is blocked, and in other regions it is useful for accessing exclusive content and branded services.

How to solve typical problems with Get Apps

Despite the optimization, users sometimes encounter errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

1.The application does not open or fly out

If Get Apps does not start:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 🧹 Clear the cache: Settings → Annexes → Get Apps → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔧 Update the store: check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📥 Reinstall: Download the latest version from the official Xiaomi website (Support section).

2. Fails to install or update the application

Frequent causes and solutions:

• 📶 No Internet: Check Wi-Fi or mobile connection.
• 📱 Lack of memory: Free up storage space.
• 🔒 Installation lock: Include Unknown sources in Settings → Special facilities → Rights of annexes.
• 🌍 Regional restrictions: Try to use VPN (Like Mi. VPN).

Annex in Chinese

If the interface or content is displayed in Chinese:

1. Open Get Apps.
2. Go to Profile. → Settings → Language of content.
3. Choose Russian or English.
4. Restart the app.

If the language doesn’t change, try clearing the app data (Settings) → Annexes → Get Apps → Warehouse → Clear the data).

⚠️ Note: Some apps in Get Apps may be designed for the Chinese market only (e.g. Mi Pay or Xiaomi Finance) and installed on global versions. MIUI It can lead to errors or incorrect work.

How to remove or disable Get Apps

If you don't use Get Apps, you can disable it or uninstall it (on some firmware), but remember: it's a system application, and removing it can affect the stability of the phone.

Method 1: Disconnect (without root)

To hide the application without completely removing:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Get Apps in the list.
3. Click Disable (if the option is active).

After that, the icon will disappear from the menu, but the application files will remain in the system.

Method 2: Removal (root or ADB required)

For complete removal, you need access to root or commands. ADB:

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

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications could disrupt work MIUI, Especially if you use branded services (such as Mi Cloud or themes).

If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to simply disable the application or leave it – it does not consume resources in the background.

💡

Remove Get Apps only if you are not using exclusive Xiaomi features (themes, Mi Home, etc.) Otherwise, it is better to simply disable auto updates in its settings.

Hidden features of Get Apps: what the store can do, what you didn’t know

Most users use Get Apps only to install apps, but it has a lot of hidden features.

1. Free premium themes and wallpaper

The Topics tab gives out paid themes and wallpapers every day to get them:

1. Open the Topic section.
2. Scroll down to the Free Block today.
3. Click Apply – Theme or Wallpaper will be set automatically.

These themes are synced with your phone’s settings and are available in Settings. → Topics.

2. Accelerated loading of applications

In some regions, Get Apps uses Xiaomi servers with high download speeds.

• Go to Profile. → Settings → Network.
• Enable the option to Use Accelerated Download (if available).

3. Backup of applications

In the section Management → Archives are available:

• 📥 Save. APK installed applications on the phone.
• 🔄 Restore previously deleted programs.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache of all applications at once.

4. Access to beta versions MIUI

In some firmware through Get Apps you can participate in testing new versions MIUI:

1. Open Profile. → Settings → Update MIUI.
2. Click Join Beta Testing (if option is available).
3. Follow the instructions for getting early updates.

⚠️ Attention: Beta versions MIUI They may contain errors and may not work smoothly, and install them only on a backup device or if you are ready for possible failures.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Get Apps