How to disable Xiaomi GetApps: The Complete Guide

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face a situation where the screen suddenly lights up with a pop-up offering to download a game or install an app.This is not a virus, but a regular feature of the proprietary GetApps store (formerly known as Mi Apps), which is deeply integrated into the shell of MIUI and HyperOS. The company’s marketing system is built in such a way that even after the initial setup, the device periodically reminds itself through system notifications.

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to remove the shortcut from the desktop, but this only hides the problem. Even after removing the shortcut, background services continue to work and generate advertising traffic, consuming battery power and mobile data. To (radically) solve the issue, you need to go through the setup chain, disabling not only the store itself, but also related services such as Mi Video and Mi Browser.

In this article, we will discuss a detailed algorithm of actions that will allow you to clear the interface of unnecessary visual noise. We will look at both standard methods through the settings menu, and more advanced ways of blocking through ADB for experienced users. It is important to understand that the complete removal of the system component may require caution, so as not to disrupt the other features of the shell.

Analysis of the source of GetApps notifications

Before we take any action, we need to understand the nature of these messages. GetApps is not just a program directory, it's a powerful analytics tool built into the core of the system. It tracks your actions, app usage rates, and even geolocation to suggest what algorithms think is relevant content. Often, notifications don't come from the application itself, but from components like msa (MIUI System Ads) or MIUI Daemon.

There are several types of annoying messages. The first type is direct ads in the notification curtain, which appears even when the screen is unlocked. The second type is recommendations in the Tools folder or on the lock screen. The third, the most aggressive type, is associated with the Mi Video service, which can run commercials or suggest installing codecs. Understanding the source allows you to choose a point method of combating.

It is worth noting that in different versions of firmware (Global, China, EEA) the paths to settings can vary slightly. In Chinese versions of MIUI, the default advertising is turned on as aggressively as possible, whereas in European builds (EEA), its manifestations are limited by GDPR legislation, but do not disappear completely. So there is no universal switch “Switch off everything”; a comprehensive approach is required.

Basic setting of notifications in the application

The easiest and safest way to reduce store activity is to restrict its rights to display information in the curtain. This will not remove the application, but make it “mutless.” To begin, find the GetApps icon in the list of all programs or in the tool folder. Press it and hold your finger until the context menu appears, then select “About” or “Application Information”.

In the menu that opens, look for Notifications, and you'll be offered several alert categories, and the defaults are Marketing Notices, Recommendations, and Application Updates, and you'll need to log in to each sub-item and uncheck all permissions, and pay special attention to Important Notifications, because it takes precedence over other settings.

Once manually set up, go back to the level above and find the Notification button (master switch). Completely disabling this switch will prevent the app from displaying any messages, including critical download errors. This is the best option for those who prefer to install the software manually through Google Play or F-Droid, ignoring the built-in store.

• 📱 Find the GetApps icon in the menu and hold it for 2 seconds.
• ⚙️ Go to "Application Information» → «Notifications».
• ❌ Turn off all sliders, especially Marketing Notifications».
• ✅ Check that the status is “prohibited».

Disabling Personalization and MSA

Even if you disable notifications from the app itself, banner ads can continue to appear elsewhere in the system, such as in the Security or Download menu, because the ads are managed by a separate system service, msa (MIUI System Ads), which is a critical step for a comfortable smartphone experience.

To find this hidden process, go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Access to Personal Data. In the list, find the msa process. The system will require you to wait 10 seconds, then turn off the switch. Note: the first time the switch may not switch or the window will pop up asking “Repeat in 10 seconds.” This is the standard behavior of system protection, just try 3-4 times in a row.

In parallel with msa, it is recommended to disable personalization of advertising in your account settings. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy → Advertising Services. Here you need to deactivate the item “Personalized Ads”. This will not remove the ads completely, but will make it less intrusive and stop collecting data about your interests for targeting.

⚠️ Note: When you turn off msa, some system themes or widgets may stop updating correctly. If you are actively using the interface theme, check the themes after making changes.

Also worth checking is the settings of the Mi Account itself, which often hides additional consents for recommendations inside the profile section, disabling these points breaks the connection between your device and the company’s ad servers, which has a positive effect on the speed of the interface.

Blocking Linked Services: Mi Video and Browser

Often the source of annoyance is not so much app store notifications as pop-ups from multimedia services. Mi Video is known for its tendency to offer codec installation or subscription to online cinemas immediately after the launch of any local file.

For Mi Video, the action algorithm is similar to the main store. Go to the app, click on the menu (three dots or bars) and select Settings. Find the Notifications or Push Notifications section and uncheck all the ticks. If you use a third-party player, such as a VLC or MX Player, you can simply turn off standard video in the application settings as described above.

Mi Browser is more complicated because it is often the default browser. If you are not using it, you should change your default browser to Chrome or Firefox in the system settings. If deletion is not possible (in some regions), you should find the News Feed or Push Notifications section in your browser settings and clear it completely. It is also useful to disable your browser access to geolocation and microphone if you are not using it.

Radical methods: disabling through ADB

For users who want to get rid of system debris and are not afraid to work with a computer, there is a method of disabling through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to “freeze” the application so that it will stop running at all, even in the background, effectively removing it for the user, but leaving the possibility of recovery.

First, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings. → About the phone and 7 times quickly click on the item "Version" MIUI» (or "Version" OS»). After that, the "Additional" section will appear in the "Developers" menu. USB And you can activate it. Connect your smartphone to your computer with a cable.

On your computer, download ADB platform tools from the official Android site. Open the command prompt (CMD) or terminal in the folder with ADB and enter the command to check the connection:

adb devices

You'll see a debugging request on your smartphone screen, click "Allow." If the terminal displays the serial number of the device, the connection is established. You can now type in commands to disable the packets. For GetApps, the command looks like this:

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

This command forcibly stops the user experience of the app store. To return everything as it was, use the command adb shell pm enable com.xibng.mipicks (the name of the package may vary, use adb shell pm list packages to clarify). You can also disable msa with the adb shell pm disable-user command. --user 0 com.miui.msa.global.

• 💻 Install the drivers. ADB and platform tools on the PC.
• 🔌 Put the debugging on. USB menu "For developers».
• ⌨️ Enter the command adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks.
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone to apply changes.

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Before using ADB, make sure to back up important data. Although the disable-user command is reversible, any manipulation of system packages carries a minimal but present risk of system instability.

Comparison of blocking methods

The choice of method depends on your technical background and goals. For the average user who is afraid of breaking something, standard notification settings are enough. For an advanced user who wants to maximize the purity of the system, the ADB method will suit. Below is a table comparing the effectiveness of different approaches.

Sometimes, switching the region to the settings (Settings → Additional → Region) to the “US” or “India” may temporarily change the set of advertising partners, but this is not a reliable solution. In some cases, changing the region to countries with strict legislation (for example, EU countries) does reduce the amount of advertising, but can disrupt local services such as themes or the cloud.

⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB Disabling critical system components (such as security or phone) can result in a cyclic bootloop, only disable packets that you are 100 sure of are intended%.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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A comprehensive approach that includes disabling notifications, MSA services, and personalization eliminates 95% of advertising noise without the need to obtain root rights or flash the device.