Xiaomi store in the phone: what is the name, where to find and how to use

Have you just bought a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone and noticed a pre-installed app with the brand logo, but aren’t sure what it’s called? Or maybe you deleted it by mistake and now don’t know how to return?This article will help you understand all the nuances of the Xiaomi brand store – from the official name to hidden features that are not even told in the instructions.

Many users confuse Mi Store, Xiaomi Store and GetApps — and this is not surprising, because the brand regularly renames its services. We analyzed the current versions of MIUI 12-14 on different models (including Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5) and collected the latest information, and we will also tell you why some features of the store may not be available in your region and how to get around it.

The official name of the Xiaomi store in 2026

Today, Xiaomi’s branded smartphone app store is called GetApps (formerly the Mi App Store or Xiaomi App Store), a name used in all modern MIUI firmware since version 12.5.

But there are nuances:

• 📱 On smartphones for the Chinese market, the store is called (Xiaomi Yingyong Shangdian) and has advanced functionality.
• 🌍 In global versions (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T Pro Global) uses the name GetApps with English-language interface.
• 🔄 On older devices (up to) MIUI 11) the Mi App Store name may be retained, and it can be updated through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Important: On POCO devices, the store may be called the POCO App Store, but it’s the same GetApps with a different branding.

Where to find a Xiaomi store on your phone?

If the app is not manually removed, the icon should be on the home screen or in the app menu, and the icon looks like a white packet with green ribbon and the Mi logo (or POCO for the respective devices).

If there is no icon, check the following places:

1. Tools folder – often GetApps is hidden there along with other system utilities.
2. Settings → Applications → Application Management → All applications – find in the GetApps list and turn on the icon display.
3. Search System – Swipe your finger down the home screen and type in a GetApps or Mi Store request.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI EU), the store can be disabled by default to activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show System Processes.
3. Find GetApps in the list and click Enable.

What is the difference between GetApps and Google Play?

Many users ask, “Why do you need a branded store if you have Google Play?” In fact, GetApps offers unique features that are not available in the standard Android store:

GetApps are especially useful for:

• 🎨 Installation of themes and wallpapers optimized for MIUI.
• 🔧 Download branded utilities like Mi Remote (DU remote), Mi Fit (for wearable devices) or Mi Home (smart home).
• 📱 Getting beta versions of firmware and exclusive updates.

💡

If you live in Europe or Russia, GetApps may not display the paid app section due to local payment restrictions, so change the region in your Xiaomi account settings to India or Indonesia (but consider the possible consequences for other services).

How to use the GetApps store: step-by-step instructions

The GetApps interface is intuitive, but there are a few hidden features that will make it easier to work with:

1. Authorization

Without a Xiaomi account, you won’t be able to download most apps.

1. Open GetApps and click on the profile icon in the lower right corner.
2. Select Sign in and enter data from your account (or register a new one).
3. Confirm the entry via SMS or email.

2. Search and installation of applications

The search algorithm in GetApps is different from Google Play:

• 🔍 Enter the application name in English – localized requests may not work.
• 📌 Use filters: Click on the funnel icon in the upper right corner to sort by popularity, rating or date of addition.
• 🛡️ Pay attention to the official developer icon (blue tick next to the name).

Updating the annexes

To update all applications at once:

1. Go to the Control section (the gear icon at the bottom).
2. Select Updates.
3. Click Update All or select specific apps.

💡

Unlike Google Play, GetApps allows you to roll back the app to the previous version. To do this, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Install the old version (the feature is not available for all apps).

Problems with the GetApps store and their solutions

Even a system application can not work properly, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI GetApps store stopped opening, try clearing its cache. → Annexes → Application management → GetApps → Warehouse → Clear the cache. Don't clear the data, or you'll have to log in again! 1. The app won't open or crash. 🔄 Reboot the phone. 🗑️ Clear the cache (see warning above). 📥 Update GetApps through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system. 🛠️ If nothing helps, set up APK-file from the official website app.mi.com (only for power users!). 2. applications or updates are not loaded 🌐 Check your internet connection (better to use Wi-Fi). 📡 Switch to another. DNS (for example 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1). 📍 Change the region in your Xiaomi account settings (e.g. India or Singapore). ⏳ Wait a few hours - sometimes problems are related to overloading Xiaomi servers. 3. paid applications are not displayed This restriction is due to Xiaomi's policy in some regions: 💳 Use Google Play to Buy Apps. 🌎 Change your account region to a supported one (e.g. Indonesia), but note that this may affect other services. 📲 Install. APK-The hidden features of GetApps, which few people know about, are much more than just installing apps. Here are a few life hacks: 1. Many Xiaomi apps (such as Mi Home or Mi Fit) have closed betas that can be installed via GetApps: Open the app page. scroll down to the Beta section (if any). Click Participate in Testing and Follow the Instructions. 2. If you have Mi Theme Editor removed, you can still install themes via GetApps: Search for Mi Theme. Install the app (even if it has already been removed). → Screen. → Topics. 3. GetApps App Backups Allows You to Back Up Your Installed Applications (including Their Data): Go to Management → Backup. Select the backup applications. Click Create backup and wait until you complete. Copies are saved to /MIUI/backup/AllBackup It can be rebuilt even after the phone is reset. 💡If you often install APK-manually enable Security Check (in the application settings) in GetApps, it scans the installed files for viruses and malicious code. Security: Can we trust GetApps? One of the most common questions is, "Is it dangerous to install apps from GetApps?" The answer is yes, it's safe, but with reservations. Security benefits: 🛡️ All applications are tested by Xiaomi for viruses and malicious code. 🔒 Annexes signed with official certificates. 📜 There is a review and rating system that helps avoid questionable programs: 🕵️ In some regions (e.g. China), applications may collect more data than in global versions. 📦 GetApps includes apps that have not been moderated in Google Play (e.g., emulators or modified versions of games). 🌍 Local versions of the store may contain apps with ads in local languages. ⚠️ Note: If you install applications from GetApps on a device with an unlocked bootloader, the risk of malware infection increases, in which case it is recommended to use an antivirus (such as Mi Security) for additional verification. For maximum safety: 🔍 Before installing, read reviews from other users. 📌 Install only high-rated apps (4.5)+). 🛡️ Enable the Security Check option in GetApps settings. 📲 Regularly update the store through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system. FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi store Can GetApps be removed from your phone? Technically yes, but not recommended.GetApps is a system app and its removal could lead to: 🔄 Problems with updating other system applications. 🎨 Loss of access to branded themes and wallpaper. 📱 Incorrect operation of some functions MIUI. If you want to remove it, do it through ADB: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks Recovery will require a flashing. Why aren't GetApps some of the apps that Google Play has: 📌 Some developers don’t host their apps on GetApps (like Netflix or Spotify). 🌍 In your area, you may be restricted from certain categories (e.g., microtransaction games). 📱 The app may not be compatible with your version. MIUI Solution: try changing your account region or installing an app through Google Play. How do you move your purchases from Google Play to GetApps? Unfortunately, transferring purchases between stores is not possible. Xiaomi and Google use different payment and licensing systems. If you bought an app on Google Play, it won’t be available on GetApps, and vice versa. Exception: some apps (like Mi Fit Premium) sync purchases between platforms, but it depends on the developer. Can I use GetApps without a Xiaomi account? Technically, but with serious limitations: ✅ You can browse apps and read descriptions. ❌ You will not be able to install or update applications. ❌ Personalized recommendations will not be available. ❌ You can't participate in beta testing. It takes less than a minute to register a Xiaomi account and you can access all the functions of the ecosystem. Why does GetApps consume a lot of traffic? The store can consume traffic for the following reasons: 📥 Auto-Update Apps (disabled in GetApps settings). 🎯 Personalized recommendations (the store uploads data about your preferences). 📊 Analytics (sending usage statistics). To reduce traffic consumption: Open GetApps and go to Settings → Network Settings. Turn off Auto Update over mobile. Limit background activity in Phone Settings → Apps → GetApps → Battery → Background activity.