How to update your apps on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Updating apps on Xiaomi smartphones is a seemingly simple procedure, but many users face unexpected difficulties. MIUI The App Store offers outdated versions, and updates get stuck at the boot stage. In this article, we’ll look at not only standard upgrade methods, but also little-known techniques for solving typical problems, from store failures to manual installation. APK-file.

The peculiarity of Xiaomi devices (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models) lies in the dual ecosystem: in addition to Google Play, the MIUI App Store is actively used here, which sometimes conflicts with Google services. For example, some applications (such as Mi Home or Mi Fit) are updated exclusively through it. And in China, there is no access to the Play Market at all – updates come only through MIUI. We took into account all these nuances and prepared a universal guide that will suit all regions and versions of the firmware.

Update via Google Play Market: The Basic Method

The most common way is to use the official Google Play Store, which is suitable for most applications, except for Xiaomi system utilities (for example, Security or Themes).

Open Play Market and tap the profile icon in the top right corner. In the drop-down menu, select App and Device Management. Here you will see a list of programs with available updates — they can be installed individually or all at once by clicking Update All. Note: if the button is inactive, check for Internet connection and free space on the device (requires a minimum of 500 MB).

• 🔄 Auto Update: Enable Auto Update in Play Market Settings (we recommend select Wi-Fi Only to avoid mobile traffic consumption).
• 📥 Download queue: If updates are “hanging”, go to the Library → Download and restart the process.
• 🚫 Restrictions: Some apps (e.g. banking) may block auto updates for security reasons.

Important: On devices with global MIUI firmware (such as Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12), Play Market may conflict with system services. If updates are not installed, try clearing the store cache in the app settings.

2. branded MIUI App Store: update system applications

Many users do not know that Xiaomi has a second store - MIUI App Store (or GetApps), which updates branded utilities: Mi Browser, Mi Video, Security and others.

• 🌍 You use Chinese firmware (where there is no Play Market).
• 🔒 The app is blocked in your region (e.g. Mi Pay in Europe).
• 📦 Play Market offers an outdated version (a frequent problem with Mi Home).

To update apps through the MIUI App Store:

1. Open the GetApps app (the icon with the blue robot).
2. Go to the Updates (or Updates) tab.
3. Click Update All or select specific programs.

If GetApps is not on your device, you can manually install it by downloading the APK from Xiaomi's official website (link: app.mi.com).Beware: some versions of the store may contain ads for the Chinese market.

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If the MIUI App Store doesn’t open, check if Google Play Services are enabled in your phone settings (even for Chinese firmware, this is sometimes required).

3. Manual update through APK-Files: When nothing works

If standard methods fail (e.g., the application is not updated due to regional restrictions or server error), the manual APK option remains, which is suitable for advanced users, as it requires caution:

First, download the current version of the APK from a trusted source (recommended by apkmirror.com or the developer's official website). Make sure the file matches your CPU architecture (e.g. arm64-v8a for most modern Xiaomi).

Download APK from official source | Check version (must be newer than current) | Allow installation from unknown sources | Backup app data | Make sure 1 GB of free space is available

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Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, find the Browser (or file manager from where you will install APK) and enable permission to Install Unknown Applications. Then open the downloaded file and follow the installer's instructions.

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK from unverified sources can lead to malware infection.Always check the hash file (MD5) Use an antivirus (e.g. Mi Security).

4. Update system applications via Recovery Mode

Some Xiaomi system utilities (such as MiuiSystemUI or MiuiHome) are only updated through Restore mode, a method that requires caution, as improper actions can lead to resetting.

Download the official service pack for your model from en.miui.com/a-234.html (select the version corresponding to your firmware: Global, China or EEA). Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root directory of internal memory.

1. Turn off the phone.


2. Press the Power + Volume Up buttons before the Mi logo appears.




3. From the Recovery menu, select Install update.zip to System.




4. Confirm the installation and wait until the completion (do not interrupt the process!).

This also helps if, after upgrading via OTA (Settings → About Phone → System Update), some applications stop working, such as the Mi Gallery crashes after major MIUI updates.

5. Solving problems with "hangover" updates

A common complaint of Xiaomi users is that updates get stuck during the download or installation phase, and here are the typical reasons and ways to fix them:

• 📶 Weak Internet: switch from mobile to Wi-Fi or vice versa. Sometimes it helps to change DNS (for example, at 8.8.8.8).
• 🗄️ Lack of memory: free up at least 1 GB (ideal 2 GB). Use the built-in Cleaner utility (Settings) → Memory).
• 🔒 Conflict with MIUI Optimization: Disable it in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers and deactivate MIUI Optimization).

If you’re up to 99% on a specific app (like WhatsApp or Facebook), try:

1. Clear the cache and data of Play Market and Google Play Services.
2. Remove the update for Google Play Services (in the app settings).
3. Restart the phone in Safe Mode (press the Power, then hold the Power off until the request appears).

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If the problem occurs with only one application, it is likely to be the cache of the app.Try to delete the app data (but note that this will reset all settings!).

6. Automation of updates: hidden settings MIUI

MIUI has hidden features that allow you to flexibly configure the update process, such as disallowing auto-update for individual applications or setting a limit on mobile traffic, to access these settings:

Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management, then tap three dots in the top right corner and select Special Access → Application Auto Update. Here you will see three options:

• 🔄 Through any Internet – updates are installed automatically, even over the mobile network.
• 📶 Wi-Fi Only – Recommended Mode to Save Traffic.
• ❌ Do not update automatically – manual control.

For individual applications (such as Mi Browser or Mi Music), you can set individual rules. Find the desired application in the list, tap on it and select Mobile Network Data → Auto Update.

Another useful trick: if you want to receive notifications about new versions, but do not install them automatically, turn off auto-update in the Play Market, but leave alerts on in Settings → Notifications → Google Play Market.

7. Update applications on Xiaomi without Google services

In some regions (such as China) or custom firmware (such as Xiaomi.eu), Google services are not available, and you will have to rely on alternative methods:

• 📱 MIUI App Store: As mentioned earlier, it is the main source of updates for Chinese firmware.
• 🌐 Third-party stores: APKPure, Aptoide or Aurora Store (the latter allows you to download apps from the Play Market without a Google account).
• 🔗 Official sites: many developers (for example, Telegram or other websites) VK) offer direct references to APK.

To install applications without Google Play, you will need:

1. Enable Unknown Sources in Security Settings.
2. Use a file manager (such as Mi File Manager) to open an APK.
3. Regularly check updates manually (auto-updates are not available in this case).

⚠️ Note: On devices with Chinese firmware (China) ROM) Some apps (such as Gmail or YouTube) may not work even after manual installation due to the lack of Google Play Services. MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about updating apps on Xiaomi