How to update apps on Xiaomi phone: 5 proven ways

Updating apps on Xiaomi smartphones is a procedure that seems simple only at first glance. In practice, users face a lot of nuances, from the lack of an “Update” button in Google Play to errors in installation. APK-In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to update applications on firmware devices. MIUI (including Redmi, POCO Black Shark, and how to avoid common problems.

The feature of Xiaomi phones is the presence of two parallel update systems: through Google Play Market (for global versions) and through the proprietary service. MIUI App Store (for Chinese firmware) In addition, some applications, such as Mi Home or Mi Fit, are updated only through the built-in mechanisms of the system. APK and use of alternative stores such as Aurora Store or APKMirror.

It’s important to understand that not only is the lack of new features a problem, but security vulnerabilities are also a problem, as in 2023, Xiaomi’s outdated versions of WhatsApp found a critical flaw in how to execute code remotely. At the same time, blindly updating all applications in a row can lead to overheating of the device or conflicts with the firmware. Next, you will learn how to update the applications competently, taking into account the features of your model and version. MIUI.

1. Update via Google Play Market: step-by-step instruction

The main way to update apps on Xiaomi’s global versions is through Google Play Market, but even here, there are pitfalls, from the lack of an update button to the bug. DF-DFERH-01. Let's take it Step-by-step.

The first thing you need to do is check if your Google account is connected to your phone, and without that, the Play Market won't work. → Accounts and synchronization → Google and make sure your profile is active. If you don't have an account, add it through Settings. → Memory and accounts → Add an account.

• 📱 Open the Play Market app (color triangle icon).
• 👤 Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner.
• 🔄 Select "Applications and Device Management".
• ⚙️ Go to the tab "Updates available".
• 📥 Click “Update All” or select specific apps.

If the “Update everything” button is missing, it may mean:

• 🔌 No internet connection (check Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 📵 Background activity restrictions (go to Settings) → Battery → Power saving mode and disable restrictions for Play Market).
• 🛑 Blocking updates through MIUI Optimization (relevant to Chinese firmware).

Check the Internet connection|Log in to your Google account|Disable Power Saving Mode for Play Market|Clear the Play Market cache in the app settings|Make sure there is enough space on the device-->

On devices with Chinese firmware (without Google services), the Play Market is not by default. To install it, you will need to unlock the bootloader and flash the global version. MIUI Or use alternative stores.

2. Update through MIUI App Store (for Chinese firmware)

On smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO china-fixed (MIUI China) uses a branded store instead of Google Play MIUI App Store: It offers both localized versions of popular apps (like WeChat or Alipay) and global services like Facebook or Instagram, but with delayed updates.

GetApps is a very different interface from Play Market, and here's how to update apps:

1. Open the GetApps app (the icon with the blue robot).
2. Go to the "Updates" tab (second item in the bottom menu).
3. Click on “Update All” or select specific apps.
4. Confirm the action if necessary.

Important nuances:

• 🌍 Many global apps in GetApps can be in Chinese, even if you have English firmware.
• 🔒 Some updates require confirmation through SMS (relevant for banking applications in China).
• ⚠️ GetApps often offers “optimized” versions of apps that may conflict with global services.

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If GetApps doesn’t have the right app, try installing it through APK, But pre-installe permission to install from unknown sources in Settings → Privacy → Special permits → Installation of unknown applications.

Comparison of Play Market and MIUI App Store:

3. Manual update through APK-file

If the app is not updated through stores or you want to install a beta version, you can use it. APK-This method is suitable for experienced users, as it requires caution: unverified APK We recommend that you download files only from official sources:

• 🔗 APKMirror – Checks the integrity of files.
• 🔗 Official developer sites (such as Telegram or Telegram) VK).
• 🔗 Xiaomi Community – for system applications like Mi Home.

Instructions for installation of APK:

1. Download. APK-file to your phone or transfer it from your PC.
2. Open the Settings. → Privacy → Special permits → Installation of unknown applications.
3. Select the browser or file manager through which you will install the APK and allow installation.
4. Run the downloaded file and follow the instructions.

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK from unverified sources can lead to data theft or blocking of the Mi Account.Always check the hash amount of the file (MD5/SHA-1) on the developer’s website before installation.

For Xiaomi system applications (e.g. Mi Home, Mi Fit, Security) it is better to use official ones. APK From the Xiaomi Community forum, these apps are frequently updated through MIUI Updater, but manual installation allows you to get new features sooner.

4. Update of Xiaomi system applications

System applications like Mi Home, Mi Fit, Security or Themes are not updated through the Play Market, but through built-in mechanisms. MIUI. Often these updates come with firmware, but they can be installed separately.

Methods of updating system applications:

• 🔄 Through MIUI Updater: Settings → The phone. → System Update. Sometimes, service packs for system applications appear here.
• 📦 Even on global firmware, some system applications are only updated through a Chinese store.
• 🔧 Through MIUI Hidden Settings: To do this, activate the developer mode (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — click 7 times) and use Activity Launcher to access hidden settings.

Example of manual updates to Mi Home:

1. Download the latest version APK From the official Mi Home website.
2. Remove the current version of the app (if possible).
3. Install a new one. APK, following the instructions from the previous section.
4. Reboot your phone to make the changes take effect.

Through MIUI Updater|Through GetApps|Manually through APK|Not updating.|Another way.-->

If after the update the system application stopped working, try:

• 🔄 Reverse to the previous version (if there is a backup).
• 📥 Reinstall firmware via Fastboot (extreme case).
• 📧 Contact Xiaomi with error logs (you can get them through Settings) → The phone. → Revocation).

5. Alternative ways: Aurora Store and other stores

If you have Chinese firmware without Google services or prefer anonymity, you can use alternative app stores.

• 🛡️ Aurora Store is an open client for Google Play without tracking, allows you to download apps anonymously, but requires configuration.
• 📱 APKPure - a store with proven APK, updates.
• 🌐 F-Droid – for open source software (e.g. Signal or K-9 Mail).
• 🇨🇳 CoolApk – Chinese equivalent of Play Market (suitable for local applications).

Setting up the Aurora Store:

1. Download APK from the official Aurora Store website.
2. Install it by allowing installation from unknown sources.
3. When you first start, select an anonymous sign-in or log in via your Google account (optional).
4. In the settings, turn off "Download via Tor" if you have a slow Internet connection.
5. Go to the "Updates" tab and click "Update All".

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The Aurora Store allows you to update apps without the official Google Play, but some apps (such as banking) can block work on uncertified devices.

Advantages of alternative stores:

• ✅ No link to Google services.
• ✅ Ability to download old versions of applications.
• ✅ Less advertising and tracking.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Risk of downloading a modified application (always check the signature) APK).
• ❌ No automatic updates (must be checked manually).
• ❌ Some apps (such as Netflix) may not work due to a lack of Google certification.

6. Solving Application Update Problems

Even with the right actions, updating applications on Xiaomi can lead to errors.

The error "Can't be downloaded" in the Play Market (code 920, 923, 927):

• 🔌 Check your internet connection (try switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data).
• 🗑️ Clear the cache and Play Market data: Settings → Annexes → Google Play Market → Warehouse → Clear the cache/data.
• 🔄 Delete and re-add your Google account.
• ⏳ Wait. 1-2 The error is sometimes caused by overloading Google servers.

The app is not updated through GetApps:

• 🇨🇳 Check the region of your Mi Account (should match the firmware region).
• 📡 Turn it off. VPN — GetApps can block downloads when using a proxy.
• 🔄 Restart your phone and check the updates again.

Error "Application not installed" during installation APK:

• 📌 Make sure the downloaded version is compatible with your firmware (e.g. Mi Home for the app). MIUI Global will not be set up on MIUI China).
• 🔧 Put the debugging on. USB And try to set it up. APK through ADB: adb install path/to/file.apk
• 🗃️ Check the free space on the device (need at least 500 MB).

⚠️ Note: If the application crashes constantly after updating, check the permissions in Settings → Annexes → Application management → [name] → Permissions: After updating, some permissions are reset, especially on firmware. MIUI 13/14.

7 Automatic Update: How to Set Up

To avoid manually checking updates, you can set up an automatic installation, but this doesn’t always work smoothly on Xiaomi because of optimizations. MIUI.

At Play Market:

1. Open the Play Market and go to profile.
2. Select "Settings" → Network preferences".
3. Specify which connection to allow auto-updates (Wi-Fi only is recommended).
4. Return to profile and select "Settings" → Auto-update of applications".
5. Set "Always" or "Only through Wi-Fi".

On GetApps:

1. Open GetApps and go to the profile (the icon in the upper right corner).
2. Select "Settings" → Auto-update".
3. Turn on the option and specify the networks to download.

Why Automatic Update May Not Work:

• 🔋 Power saving mode is enabled for Play Market/GetApps.
• 📵 Limited background traffic for stores.
• 🛑 V MIUI Optimization Disabled Background Processes.
• 📡 Unstable Internet connection (especially relevant for mobile data).

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To check which applications are blocked by optimization MIUI, Go to Settings. → Battery → Energy saving regime → Apps and make sure Play Market and GetApps are not limited.

You can use the App Manager app (available in F-Droid) to fully control updates.

• 📊 Seeing the history of updates.
• 🔄 Reverse to previous versions.
• 🚫 Block updates for specific applications.

FAQ: Frequent questions about updating apps on Xiaomi