Why Xiaomi users want AppGallery โ and should they?
Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO People often ask if they can install Huawei AppGallery, Huaweiโs official app store, for reasons ranging from wanting to access exclusive Chinese apps to using services that arenโt available on Google Play or Mi App Store. However, before installing it is necessary to weigh all the pros and cons".
On the one hand, AppGallery offers unique content, from Huaweiโs branded utilities (such as Huawei Health or Huawei Mobile Cloud) to localized versions of popular Asian services. On the other hand, it is an informal solution for Xiaomi devices, which is fraught with compatibility, updates and even security issues, and many apps in AppGallery are optimized for the Huawei ecosystem (for example, to work with the Huawei ecosystem). HMS Core, which can cause failures on smartphones of other brands.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to install Huawei AppGallery on Xiaomi, including the official ones. APK, You'll also learn about the potential risks and how to minimize them.
Official way: download APK from Huawei
The most reliable method is to download AppGallery directly from an official source, and Huawei allows its store to be installed on devices from other manufacturers, but with reservations.
- Go to the official website: open in the browser appgallery.huawei.com (preferably from the phone).
- Download. APK: Click the download button (usually located in the upper right corner). The file will be called something like AppGallery_XX.X.X.XXX.apk.
- Allow installation from unknown sources: go to Settings โ Annexes โ Special rights โ Install unknown apps and select your browser (e.g. Chrome or Mi Browser).
- Install. APK: Open the downloaded file and follow the instructions on the screen.
After installation, AppGallery will appear in the application menu, but for full operation you will need:
- ๐ฑ Registering a Huawei account ID (You can create directly in the app).
- ๐ Update services HMS Core (the app will suggest doing it itself).
- ๐ก๏ธ Provide all the permissions you request (without them, many functions will not work).
โ๏ธ Preparation for the installation of AppGallery
Important: The official version of AppGallery may not support some features on Xiaomi, such as:
- ๐ซ Automatic application updates.
- ๐ซ Payment systems (Huawei Pay).
- ๐ซ Integration with system services (e.g. notifications).
๐ก
If AppGallery doesnโt open after installing, try clearing the app cache in Xiaomiโs settings or restarting your phone.
Alternative methods of installing AppGallery
If it is official APK It is not suitable (for example, due to regional restrictions), alternative methods can be used, but they are less secure and may violate Huaweiโs rules.
1. Download from third-party sites (APKMirror, APKPure)
Sites like APKMirror or APKPure often host current versions of AppGallery, with the advantage of accessing older versions if the new one doesn't work.
- ๐ฆ Possibility of downloading modified (hacked) APK.
- ๐ Lack of security guarantees (viruses, spyware).
- โ ๏ธ Violation of Huawei License Agreement.
How to Check Security APK before installation:
- Compare the hash file (MD5/SHA-1) from the official Huawei website.
- Use VirusTotal to scan.
- Check other usersโ reviews on forums (for example, 4PDA).
2. Installation via Petal Search (Huawei alternative store)
Huawei Petal Search is not only a search engine, but also an alternative way to access apps from AppGallery.
- Download Petal Search APK official website.
- Install and open the application.
- In the settings, enable the option "Show apps from AppGallery".
This solution is suitable if the AppGallery itself does not run, but you want to access its content.
How is Petal Search different from AppGallery?
3. Use of a virtual machine (for experienced users)
If you need apps from AppGallery, but you donโt want to risk the main system, you can install them in a virtual environment:
- ๐ฅ๏ธ WayDroid or VirtualXposed to run Android in an isolated space.
- ๐ฑ UserLAnd โ easy virtualization right on your smartphone.
The disadvantage of the method is the complexity of the setting and possible lags. XDA Developers.
๐ก
sidenia APK And virtual machines are extreme measures. 1-2 Apps from AppGallery, try to find their analogues in Google Play or on developer sites.
Problems and Errors in Installing AppGallery on Xiaomi
Even if installed correctly, Huawei AppGallery may not work properly, and here are the most common problems and solutions:
| Mistake. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| "Device not supported" | AppGallery defines Xiaomi as an unsupported device. | Try to change build.prop (root required) or use Petal Search. |
| "No Internet connection" (with Wi-Fi running) | Lockdown DNS or VPN. | Turn it off. VPN, shift DNS on Google (8.8.8.8). |
| Applications are not installed from AppGallery | Absent. HMS Core or an outdated version. | Update. HMS Core through the app itself or download APK separately. |
| Continuous failures during launch | Conflict with MIUI or other Google services. | Clear the cache, disable battery optimization for AppGallery. |
| "The service is not available in your area." | Geolocking. | Use it. VPN servers in China or Europe (e.g. ProtonVPN). |
Critical error: If your phone starts to brake or overheat after installing AppGallery, immediately uninstall the app and check the system for viruses using Malwarebytes or Dr.Web.
๐ก
Before installing AppGallery, back up your data through Settings. โ System system โ Backup. It'll help you recover your phone if something goes wrong.
Security: Risks of installing AppGallery on Xiaomi
Installing Huawei AppGallery on an unaccompanied device is always a compromise between functionality and security.
โ ๏ธ Note: Apps from AppGallery may request extended permissions (access to the app) SMS, For example, Chinese social networks often collect data about users outside of China.
- ๐ Data collection: Huawei can transfer device information (model, IMEI, OS version) to your servers, even if you don't use their services.
- ๐ก๏ธ Vulnerabilities: Unofficial versions HMS Core can contain flaws that attackers will exploit.
- ๐ต Conflicts with MIUI: Some Xiaomi system features (such as Mi Share or Game Turbo) may stop working.
How to minimize the risks:
- Install Malwarebytes to monitor AppGallery activity.
- Turn off autostart for HMS Core in battery settings.
- Check the permission list in Settings regularly โ Annexes โ AppGallery โ Permits.
Alternative: If you only need individual apps (like Huawei Health), try finding them. APK APKCombo or APKPure without installing all AppGallery.
Comparison of AppGallery with Google Play and Mi App Store
Before installing Huawei AppGallery, it is worth comparing it with the already available stores on Xiaomi:
| Criteria | Google Play | Mi App Store | Huawei AppGallery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of applications | ~3 million | ~500 thousand. | ~1.5 million |
| Exclusive content | Google Services, Western Apps | Annexes for MIUI, topic | Huawei Services, Chinese Apps |
| Security | The High (Google Play Protect) | Medium (minimum moderation) | High (but risks with unofficial installation) |
| Regional restrictions | A lot (for example, there are no bank applications) | Small (but few international) applications | Strong (many apps are only for China) |
| Integration with the system | Full (Android) | Complete (MIUI) | Partial (required) HMS Core) |
Conclusion: AppGallery is justified if you need:
- ๐ฎ Games with support for Huawei GameCenter.
- ๐ฅ Health Apps (Huawei Health).
- ๐จ๐ณ Chinese services (Weibo, Douyin, Alipay).
In all other cases, it is better to use Google Play or APK-files from verified sources.
How to remove Huawei AppGallery from Xiaomi
If AppGallery didn't live up to expectations or caused problems, it can be removed. Here's how to do it right:
- Standard Removal: Go to Settings โ Annexes โ App management. Find AppGallery and click "Delete".
- Removal of Residual Files: Use SD Maid or Settings โ Warehouse โ Clean up, delete the folders. /Android/data/com.huawei.appmarket/ and /Android/obb/com.huawei.appmarket/ (via file manager).
Resetting permits
- If notifications remain after deletion, reset permissions to Settings โ Annexes โ Threefold โ Reset permits.
โ ๏ธ Note: If you have installed AppGallery with modified HMS Core, after removal, you may still have system processes that consume the battery, in which case the reset to the factory settings will help (but this is an extreme measure).
If your phone is slower after removing AppGallery, check:
- ๐ Battery consumption in Settings โ Battery (Look for suspicious processes).
- ๐ Use of memory in Settings โ Warehouse.
- ๐ก๏ธ Background activity via Greenify or Brevent.