How to make Google Play store by default on Xiaomi smartphones: all ways

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones often come pre-installed with GetApps, which automatically becomes the primary app store for downloading software. This creates inconvenience for users accustomed to Google Play — especially when the system stubbornly redirects to GetApps when trying to install an APK or open a link to an app. In this article, we will analyze why this happens, and show three working methods to make Google Play the default store on any Xiaomi device (including Redmi and POCO), regardless of the version of MIUI.

The problem is with Android's default settings: it chooses the "recommended" store to install apps, focusing on the region, firmware and manufacturer's policies. On Xiaomi, it's almost always GetApps, even if you've never used it. Fortunately, you can fix this without root rights - you just know where to look for the options you want. Next, you'll find step-by-step instructions for different versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS), and solutions for cases where standard methods don't work.

Why Xiaomi is making GetApps the default store?

The manufacturer is setting up MIUI to promote its services as much as possible, as part of Xiaomi’s business model, and here are the key reasons why GetApps is becoming a priority:

• 📦 Google Play is blocked in China, so Xiaomi initially optimizes firmware for the domestic market, where GetApps is the only legal option.
• 💰 Monetization: The company earns on advertising and affiliate programs in its store, so actively “pushes” users to it.
• 🔒 Security (Xiaomi version): In some regions, GetApps is positioned as a more secure source of applications (although this is a controversial claim).
• 📱 Firmware for the global market: Even in international versions MIUI Priority is given to GetApps to unify the experience of use.

It's important to understand that this is not a system error, but a conscious decision by the developers, but the user has the right to change the settings to suit their needs, and we'll show you how to do this.

Method 1: Change the default settings in the application menu

The easiest method is to manually specify Google Play as the main store through Android settings, which works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner and select the Default Apps.
3. Find the Application Installer section (or the App Store in newer versions).
4. In the list of available options, select the Google Play Store (if not, see Method 3).

If there is no Application Installer, try an alternative path:

1. Go to Settings → All settings → Additional → Special features.
2. Activate the option to Install Unknown Applications (if disabled).
3. Return to Settings → Apps and repeat the steps above.

Update Google Play to the latest version|Check your internet connection|Close all background applications|Reboot your smartphone (optional)-->

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware after the update MIUI The settings are reset and GetApps is prioritized again, in which case repeat the procedure or use Method 2.

Method 2: Reset application settings (if the first method didn’t work)

If Google Play does not appear in the installer list or the system ignores your choice, cache and data resetting for all applications associated with installing the software will help.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three points → Reset application settings (or Reset preferences).
3. Confirm the action. The system will clear the cache and return all application settings to the factory.
4. After the reboot, repeat Method 1 – now Google Play should appear in the list.

If the reset doesn’t work, check if Google Play is disabled in the settings:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications.
• 📱 Find the Google Play Store and make sure it is not disabled (online is not active).
• 🗑️ Clear cache and data for Google Play Services and Google Play Store.

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If Google Play doesn’t show up after you reset, try removing updates for GetApps through the same App Management section, which sometimes helps to return Google Play to priority.

Method 3: Use ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

If standard methods don't work, you can manually set Google Play as the default installer via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires you to connect your smartphone to your computer, but it gives you 100% results.

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version number → Come back to the extra. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
3. Run the command to reset the installer by default: adb shell cmd package reset-preferred-package-installer
4. Then force Google Play as installer: adb shell cmd package set-preferred-package-installer com.android.vending
5. Reboot your smartphone.

After these actions, all links to installing applications (including: APK-files) will open in Google Play. If the command does not work, check if blocked ADB In the developer settings (Debugging by USB → Allow debugging).

Table: Comparison of default store change methods

⚠️ Note: The method of removing GetApps through root is not recommended - this can cause malfunctions in the system updates and services Xiaomi. If you are not an experienced user, limit the first three ways.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after a successful default store change, users are faced with nuances, and here are the most common situations and ways to fix them:

• 🔄 After updating MIUI GetApps opens again: This is standard firmware behavior. Repeat Method 1 or use ADB-commands for permanent fixation of Google Play.
• 📥 APK-Files do not open in Google Play: Check what is in the security settings (Settings) → Privacy → Special permits → Install unknown apps for Google Play is allowed to install from your file manager.
• 🔒 Install button in Google Play is inactive: Clear cache and data for Google Play Services and Google Play Store, then restart your device.
• 🌐 Google Play not updated: Remove updates for the app (Settings) → Annexes → Google Play → Three-pointed → Remove updates, then update it through the store itself.

If none of the methods worked, you may have Chinese firmware installed on your device (e.g. Xiaomi.eu or official for the Chinese market), in which case Google Play may be limited at the system level, the solution is to reflash your smartphone to a global version of MIUI or HyperOS.

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On Chinese firmware (CN ROM) devices, Google Play often crashes or is not available at all. Check the firmware region before buying Xiaomi – Global ROMs do not have this drawback.

More tips for comfortable work with Google Play

To avoid problems in the future, follow these guidelines:

• 🔄 Turn off GetApps auto-update: Go to Settings → Annexes → GetApps → Notifications and deactivate all alerts.
• 🛡️ Use it. VPN for stable operation: In some regions (for example, China or Iran), Google Play may be blocked. VPN Servers in the US or Europe will solve the problem.
• 📁 Create a Google Play shortcut on the home screen: Long-term retention on the app icon → Add it to the main screen, which will speed up access.
• 🔍 Check the permissions: In Settings → Annexes → Google Play → Permits make sure all necessary options are included (storage, phone, etc.).

It’s also useful to know that Xiaomi sometimes limits the functionality of Google Play on budget models (such as Redmi 9A or POCO C31) due to weak iron, in which case the store can run slowly or give errors when installing heavy applications, the solution is to clear the cache or use Lite versions of applications (such as Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions