GetApps on Xiaomi: Why You Need This App and How to Remove It Safely

If you own a Xiaomi smartphone, you probably noticed in the list of installed programs app GetApps. It is pre-installed on all devices of the brand, but its purpose is not always obvious to users. Many people wonder what kind of service is it, why it is needed and most importantly - can it be removed to free up space in memory or get rid of unnecessary software?

In this article, we will take a closer look at what GetApps is on Xiaomi, how it works and what functions it performs, and you will learn what consequences it can entail, and get a step-by-step guide to safely remove it (if at all possible on your model), we will analyze alternative ways to disable the application if full removal is not available, and give recommendations for optimizing the operation of a smartphone without this service.

We will focus on security issues: can you remove system applications without the risk of “bricking” the device, which models Xiaomi allows you to do this and which are better to refrain from experimenting, and consider how GetApps affects the performance and autonomy of the smartphone, and whether it is worth getting rid of it at all.

What is GetApp on Xiaomi and why you need it

GetApps (or com.xiaomi.mipicks in system settings) is Xiaomi’s branded app store that is pre-installed on all of the brand’s smartphones. Unlike Google Play Market, it offers users access to apps optimized specifically for Xiaomi devices, as well as exclusive content that may not be available in the official Google Store.

The main features of GetApps:

• 📱 Application directory: here you can find both popular programs (social networks, instant messengers, games) and niche utilities adapted for the shell MIUI.
• 🎁 Exclusive offers: sometimes GetApps will feature bonus apps for Xiaomi users (for example, free premium features for a limited period of time).
• 🔄 Software updates: not only applications, but also some system components can be updated through this service MIUI.
• 🌍 Localized content: In some regions (e.g. China), GetApps replaces Google Play as the primary source of software.

It’s important to understand that GetApps isn’t just a Google Play backup; it’s closely integrated into Xiaomi’s ecosystem and is sometimes used to distribute branded services like Mi Home (for smart homes), Mi Fit (for fitness bracelets) or Mi Community (user community), and GetApps often distributes beta firmware and MIUI test builds for enthusiasts.

However, many users find this app unnecessary, especially if they prefer to install programs exclusively through Google Play or third-party sources, in which case the logical question is: can it be removed and how to do it without harming the system?

Can I remove GetApps from Xiaomi: official position and risks

Xiaomi does not officially recommend removing pre-installed system applications, including GetApps, because some MIUI features may depend on the service.

• 🔄 Firmware updates through Settings → The phone. → System updates are sometimes downloaded through GetApps infrastructure.
• 📦 Some proprietary apps (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) can check for GetApps to work properly.
• 🛡️ In Chinese versions. MIUI (GetApps is the main app store, and its removal can disrupt the system.

However, on most global versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI Global or MIUI EU), GetApps can be removed without serious consequences.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI China (Chinese firmware) removing GetApps can cause themes store crashes, updates and even some system features. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Also, it is worth considering that on some Xiaomi models (especially budget models, such as the Redmi 9A or Poco C31), GetApps can be protected from removal at the system level, in such cases, you only need to disable it or hide it from the menu.

If you do decide to get rid of this app, first check if it is used for mission-critical functions, for example, some devices have security updates or camera drivers on GetApps, and to make sure that it is safe to remove it, you can temporarily turn off the app and watch the smartphone work for a few days.

How to remove GetApps from Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

If you're sure GetApps aren't necessary for your smartphone to work smoothly, you can try removing it. There are several ways that they work, and their effectiveness depends on the device model and the version of MIUI.

Method 1: Remove via settings (for global firmware)

On some devices, GetApps can be removed in the standard way:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find GetApps (or com.xiaomi.mipicks) in the list.
3. Click on it and select Delete (if the button is active).

If the Remove button is inactive, then the application is protected from removal on your model.

Method 2: Remove via ADB (for power users)

If standard deletion is not available, you can use the ADB tool (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and enabling debugging mode over USB.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode).
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC, install ADB drivers and open the command line.
4. Enter the command: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks

If the command is successful, GetApps will be removed for the current user (no superuser rights).To completely remove it, root access will be required, but this is already a risky operation that can disrupt the MIUI.

Enable the developer mode

Activate debugging over USB

Install ADB drivers on PC

Make a backup copy of the data

Check the model and version MIUI compatible-->

Method 3: Disconnect (if deletion is not possible)

If you can’t delete GetApps, you can at least turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → GetApps.
2. Click Disable (the app will stop working and disappear from the menu).
3. To hide the icon, use a launcher that supports hiding applications (for example, Nova Launcher or POCO Launcher).

Disabling won’t free up memory, but will stop the application’s background activity and remove it from the interface.

What happens if you delete GetApps: the possible consequences

The consequences of removing GetApps depend on the smartphone model and the version of MIUI. In most cases, nothing critical happens on global firmware, but there are nuances:

On devices with Chinese firmware (MIUI China), removing GetApps may make it impossible to update the system via OTA (over the air), in which case, you will need manual firmware via Fastboot or Recovery to install new versions of MIUI.

Also, some Xiaomi apps (such as Mi Browser or Mi Video) may check for GetApps when you upgrade, and if they don’t, they may give you bugs or offer you to download missing components.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with a locked bootloader (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro or Xiaomi) 11T) attempt to remove the system application without root rights can lead to failure and the need to flash the device.

If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to limit yourself to disabling the application or hiding its icon, which will avoid potential problems without losing functionality.

Alternatives GetApps: how to replace the branded store

If you have removed or disabled GetApps, but still want to have access to Xiaomi-optimized apps, you can consider alternative options:

• 🌐 Google Play Market: Most of the apps from GetApps are duplicated in the official Google Store, but there are no exclusive themes and some proprietary utilities.
• 📦 APKMirror: A reliable source APK-Files where you can find the latest versions of Xiaomi apps (e.g. Mi Home or Mi Fit).
• 🔄 F-Droid: an open source store that offers alternatives to many standard utilities (e.g. Simple Gallery instead of Mi Gallery).
• 🎨 Tex-site MIUI: official resource themes.mi.com, where you can download themes and wallpapers for MIUI without using GetApps.

To install applications from third-party sources, do not forget to enable the Settings option → Annexes → Special permits → Installation from unknown sources. However, be careful: download APK-files only from verified resources to avoid viruses and spyware.

If you want exclusive Xiaomi features, such as sync with smart devices or access to beta versions of firmware, you can install only the necessary applications (such as Mi Home) manually without using GetApps.

💡

Before installing an APK from third-party sources, check the hash file (MD5) on the developer’s website to help avoid fake versions with malicious code.

How to optimize Xiaomi without GetApps

After removing or disabling GetApps, it is recommended to perform several actions to ensure that the smartphone works stably:

1. Clear the system cache: go to Settings → Memory → Clean up and delete unnecessary temporary files.
2. Turn off the autoload of unnecessary applications: in Settings → Applications → Autoboot, disable programs that should not work in the background.
3. Update the remaining apps: Check the relevance of versions in Google Play or through official developer sites.
4. Set up notifications: in Settings → Notifications, disable alerts from unnecessary services to reduce the system load.

It’s also useful to check if there are any other unnecessary pre-installed apps left in the system, such as many Xiaomi smartphones that have defaulted:

• Mi Browser (can be replaced with Google Chrome or Firefox)
• Mi Music and Mi Video (alternatives: YouTube Music or VLC)
• Mi Pay (only applicable to China and some parts of Asia)

Removing or disabling these apps will help to further free up memory and reduce background activity, which will positively affect the autonomy of the smartphone.

💡

Removing GetApps won’t result in significant performance gains, but it can reduce the number of background processes, especially if the app has been actively updated or sent notifications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about GetApps on Xiaomi