How to Find and Install Apps on Xiaomi Devices: A Complete Guide to 2026

Searching for the right application on Xiaomi devices can turn into a real puzzle, especially if you are faced with the limitations of regional stores, the lack of an application in Google Play or the specific settings of MIUI. Unlike “pure” Android, Xiaomi firmware has its nuances: from duplicate stores (Mi App Store and GetApps) to hidden system tools for installing APK. This article will help you understand all ways of searching for software – from official to alternative ones – and also tell you how to bypass typical errors like “App is incompatible with your device.”

We'll look at not only the standard methods through the stores, but also little-known techniques, from manual installation through ADB to using global versions of MIUI to access blocked applications. Special attention will be paid to Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV series, Redmi Smart TV), where software search has its own peculiarities. If you are looking for a specific application — for example, Netflix in 4K or YouTube Music with background play — here you will find working solutions for your model.

1. Search through official stores: Google Play vs Mi App Store

Xiaomi smartphones have two main app stores installed by default: Google Play (for global firmware versions) and Mi App Store (built-in store from Xiaomi), their capabilities vary greatly, and the choice depends on which application you need.

Google Play contains most international apps, but can block access to some services due to regional restrictions. For example, users from Russia will not find Google Pay or HBO Max. Mi App Store, on the contrary, offers localized versions of popular Chinese services (for example, WeChat, Alipay), but often lacks global applications like TikTok or Disney+.

• 🔍 How to Search for Google Play:
• 🛒 Features of the Mi App Store:

⚠️ Note: If you are using the Chinese version MIUI (For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro for the domestic market, Google Play may not be available. APK Or reflash the device to the global version.

2. Search for applications on Xiaomi TVs (Mi TV, Redmi Smart TV)

Xiaomi TVs run on Android TV or PatchWall (in models for India), and there is a nuance in app search, with the main problem being the lack of Google Play on many models (especially those released before 2022), instead using the Mi TV App Store, where software choices are extremely limited.

To find the right app on Mi TV, follow these steps:

1. Check the built-in store: 📺 Go to the Apps → Mi TV App Store. 🔍 Enter the name of the app. If it's not available, try the English version of the name (e.g. "netflix" instead of "netflix").
2. Install Google Play manually (for Android models) TV): 🔗 Download. APK-Google Play Services, Google Play Store and Google Account Manager files from APKMirror (select Android versions) TV). 📁 Transfer files to the flash drive, connect it to the TV and install through the File Manager. 🔄 After installation, restart the TV and log in to your Google account.

Use alternative stores:

• 🛍️ Install the Aptoide TV or APKPure through APK. These stores offer more apps than the standard Mi. TV App Store.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall (e.g. Redmi Smart) TV X55 In India, you can't install Google Play in standard ways. The only way out is to stream it to the global version of Android. TV, that voids the guarantee.

Download APK-Files from a verified source (APKMirror, APKPure)

Connect the USB flash drive to the USB 2.0 port (USB 3.0 may not work)

Enable installation from unknown sources in security settings

Restart the TV after installation-->

Install applications via APK: security and instructions

If the application is not in official stores, there is a manual installation option. APK. This method is suitable for smartphones and TVs, but requires caution: unofficial sources can spread malware. APK securely:

• 🔒 Where to download APK: 📥 APKMirror – checks files for viruses and offers previous versions of applications. 📥 APKPure – has its own verification system. ❌ Avoid random sites with suggestions like “download mod up” – this is a frequent source of viruses.
• 📲 How to install on a smartphone: 🔧 Allow installation from unknown sources: Settings → Annexes → Special access → Installation of unknown applications. 📁 Open the downloaded one. APK via File Manager or Explorer. ⚠️ If the error “App not installed” appears, check compatibility with your version of Android (for example, check the compatibility with the Android version, APK Android 12 will not be installed on Android 10).
• 🖥️ How to install a TV on the TV: 📁 Use the File Manager (preinstalled on most models) or ES Conductor (install it through the APK). 🔌 Connect the flash drive with APK ce USB-TV port and select the file to install.

On Xiaomi TVs with PatchWall firmware (such as Redmi Smart TV for India), APK installation can be blocked even when unknown sources are resolved, in which case only flashing to a global version of Android TV or using ADB will help.

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Before installing an APK, check the hash file (MD5/SHA-1) on a site like VirusTotal to make sure the file has not been altered by malicious hackers.

4.Search for hidden and system applications on Xiaomi

MIUI firmware contains many hidden apps and services that are not displayed on the menu, but can be useful. For example, smartphones have a built-in Test Mode for screen and battery diagnosis, and televisions have color calibration tools. Here's how to find them:

• 📱 On a smartphone: 🔢 Enter the phone code ##4636### in the application - the Test menu will open with information about the battery, network and sensors. 🔧 To see all installed applications (including system ones), go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → All applications. 🔍 To find hidden settings, use Activity Launcher (available on Google Play) to show all activity (screens) of system applications.
• 📺 On TV: 🎛️ Enter the Settings combination on the remote → On TV. → Press 5 times on "Version" MIUI TV" — Opening a menu for developers. 🔧 In the developer menu you can include debugging by USB, This will allow you to install applications through ADB.

Some MIUI system applications can only be run through ADB. For example, to open the hidden EngineerMode menu (for testing iron), follow the command:

adb shell am start -n com.android.engineeringmode/.EngineerMain

⚠️ Warning: Changing hidden settings can cause the device to run unstable or reset to factory settings. For example, misconfiguring build.prop settings via EngineerMode can make the smartphone unusable.

5. How to bypass regional restrictions and find blocked applications

Many apps on Google Play or Mi App Store are blocked by region, such as HBO Max not available in Russia and Google Pay in some Asian countries, and here are working ways to get around these restrictions on Xiaomi devices:

• 🌍 Changing Regions in Google Play: 📱 Install. VPN (For example, ProtonVPN or Windscribe and connect to a server in the country where the application is available (for example, the United States for the application). HBO Max). 🛒 Open Google Play, go to Profile → Settings → General. → Country and profiles and add a new profile with address in the right country. ⚠️ After a region change, some previously installed applications may disappear from the library.
• 🔄 Use of alternative accounts: 📧 Create a new Google account with the country where the app is available, log in to it on your device and download the software you need. 🔐 For the Mi App Store, change the region in your Mi Account settings (but this may require confirmation by the user). SMS locally).
• 📦 Installation through APK: 🔗 Download. APK Apps from a site like APKMirror (select the version for your region, for example, com.netflix.ninja-USA.apk). ⚠️ Some applications (such as banking) may block work if detected. VPN or informal installation.

For Xiaomi TVs, changing the region is more difficult: it often requires a complete firmware reflash to the global version of Android TV. The alternative is to use Smart DNS (for example, through a router) to bypass geo-blocking in applications like Netflix or Disney+.

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Changing your region to Google Play only works if you don’t have active subscriptions (like YouTube Premium or Google One) or cancel your subscriptions first, or they’ll be lost.

6. Search for applications through ADB and other advanced methods

If the standard methods didn't work, you can use developer tools like ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for power users and allows you to install applications without the system's limitations.

1. Put the debugging on. USB: 📱 On a smartphone: Settings → The phone. → Press 7 times on "Version" MIUI" (status "You became a developer"). Then go to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB. 📺 On TV: Settings → On TV. → Press 5 times on "Version" MIUI TV", Then turn on the debugging. USB developer-menu.

Connect the device to the PC:

• 🖥️ Install Android SDK Platform-Tools on the computer.
• 🔌 Connect your smartphone/TV to USB and confirm the debugging authorization.
• Install the app via ADB: adb install path/to/file.apk Example for installing YouTube Vanced: adb install C:\Downloads\vanced.apk
• Check the list of installed packages: adb shell pm list packages This command will show all applications on the device, including system ones.

With ADB, you can also remove embedded apps (such as unnecessary Mi Credit or Mi Video services), but this requires root rights or commands:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 name.packet

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications through ADB It can cause individual functions to fail (for example, icons in the notification panel disappear or update errors). MIUI). Before deleting, back up via adb backup.

7. Solving Common Errors in Search and Installation of Applications

When searching and installing applications on Xiaomi, users often encounter errors, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

If the error persists, try the following steps:

• 🔄 Resetting Google Play Settings: Go to Settings → Annexes → Google Play Store → Warehouse → Clear the cache/data. Delete your Google account and add it again.
• 📡 Network problems: If an error occurs when you download, try connecting to another network (for example, from mobile Internet instead of Wi-Fi). VPN — Some applications block the installation when using it.
• 🔧 Manual Dependency Setup: Some apps (such as games) require Google Play Games or ARM Translation Layer (for emulation) ARM on x86).

FAQ: Frequent questions about finding apps on Xiaomi