Xiaomi smartphone owners often face intrusive notifications from the built-in app store GetApps, which is the equivalent of Google Play for Chinese firmware versions. In the shell of MIUI 12, this service can consume battery resources, consume traffic and annoy pop-up offers. Complete removal of the system component without root rights is impossible, but there are effective methods to completely block and disable it.
Disabling system processes requires care, as improper actions can affect the stability of the operating system. In this article, we will discuss safe ways to deactivate the service through settings, using the system. ADB-You will learn how to prevent automatic installation of advertising and unnecessary software.
Before we start taking any drastic measures, we need to understand that GetApps is deeply integrated into the MIUI ecosystem. Simply removing a shortcut from the desktop does not stop background processes. To achieve the desired result, you will need to consistently follow instructions on restricting access rights and disabling network activity of the service.
Analysis of the GetApps service in MIUI 12
GetApps (formerly known as the Mi App Store) is a software distribution platform that is active by default on global and Chinese firmware. In MIUI 12, it is expanded to not only update applications, but also collect analytics, offer personalized advertising, and put a strain on the device’s RAM.
The main problem is that the system perceives this process as critical, and when you try to delete it, you get an error message or you see that the delete button is inactive, and this is Xiaomi's security mechanism that prevents accidental damage to system files, but there are workarounds.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling system services may cause some shell functions to malfunction MIUI. Before you start manipulation, make sure you have a backup of important data.
Understanding the application architecture allows you to choose the right blocking method. Some users prefer to simply limit background activity, while others tend to completely delete executable files via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
Preparing the device for system changes
Before you make changes to MIUI 12 configuration, you need to activate the hidden developer menus. This is the basic step, without which access to debugging via USB will be closed. Go to the Settings menu → About phone and quickly press 7-10 times on the MIUI version.
After you have a message that you have become a developer, go back to the main settings menu. → For developers, we're interested in two things here: Debugging by USB and Installation through USB. Activate them by confirming the action with a code from SMS, if necessary.
☑️ Checklist of smartphone preparation
It’s also important to disable MIUI Optimization in some firmware versions, although it’s not always necessary for basic GetApps locking through ADB. If you plan to use third-party launchers or freeze tools, this step can be critical. The standard path to these settings is at the bottom of the developer menu.
Why do you need USB debugging?
Method of blocking through application settings
The safest, though not always the most efficient, way is to use built-in application management tools. This method doesn't require a computer connection. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps and find it in the GetApps or Mi App Store list.
Inside the app menu, click Stop. This will temporarily freeze the process. Then select Permission and disable all available rights, especially access to network, contacts and location, to prevent data collection and advertising.
Next, find AutoRun and prevent the application from running with the system. MIUI 12 also worth checking the battery saving settings for this service and select No restrictions mode (paradoxically, but sometimes it is necessary for control) or, conversely, a rigid restriction so that the system itself "kills" the process when locking the screen.
| Parameter | Action. | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-start | Shut down. | The service does not start when the phone is turned on |
| Permits | Ban everything | Blocking data collection and advertising |
| Notifications | Shut down. | Pop-ups will be lost. |
| Battery savings | Strict limitation | The system will be more likely to complete the process |
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If the Stop button immediately becomes active again after clicking, then the process is restarted by another system service, in which case only the ADB method will help.
Remove GetApps via ADB (for Advanced)
The most radical and effective method is the use of Android Debug Bridge tools. To do this, you will need a computer (Windows, macOS or Linux) and a USB cable. Download platform tools (Platform Tools) from the official Android developer site.
Connect your smartphone to your PC in debugging mode. Open the command prompt (CMD or Terminal) in the ADB folder and type in the adb device command. The phone screen will see a request for debugging permission, confirm it. If the console displays the device serial number, the connection is established.
To remove or disable a packet, use the pm uninstall command with the --user 0 flag. This will remove the app only for the current user, without affecting the system partition, which is safe for warranty.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicksOnce the command is executed, the app will disappear from the menu and stop working. If you want to return it, just execute the command cmd package install-existing com.xiaomi.mipicks or simply reset the phone to the factory settings.
⚠️ Attention: When in use ADB-Removing critical system components (e.g. com.android.systemui) can lead to a cyclic reboot (bootloop).
Blocking Advertising and Network Activity
Even if you don't want to remove the service completely, you can connect it to the outside world. MIUI 12 has an inbuilt ad blocking mechanism that partially affects GetApps. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Access to personal data.
Find msa (MIUI System Ads) and GetApps. Turn off the network access slider. The system will ask you to wait 10 seconds, then stop the connection. This is an effective way to stop advertising push notifications.
It is also recommended to disable personalization of ads in the store itself. Open GetApps, go to profile (My) → Settings → About the service. Here you need to find Personal recommendations and deactivate it. This will reduce the number of intrusive offers.
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Blocking access to the network through privacy settings is the easiest way to stop ads without using a computer and complex commands.
Possible problems and solutions
Users may encounter various difficulties when disabling system components, and often after updating MIUI, the settings are reset and GetApps is activated again, in which case the restriction procedure will have to be repeated.
Sometimes, after uninstalling through ADB, other applications may experience errors that depended on the store's libraries, such as notifying drivers or system components of updates, and the solution is to re-install the package.
If the phone is starting to behave in an unstable way, use Safe Mode for diagnostics. Press the turn off button, and when the turn off icon appears on the screen, press and hold it with your finger until it goes into Safe Mode, which will help you to understand whether the remote application is to blame.