How to download games on Xiaomi: official and alternative ways

Downloading games to Xiaomi smartphones is a challenge that every device owner from the brand faces. Despite its apparent simplicity, the process can raise questions from choosing a secure source to solving compatibility issues or regional restrictions. In this article, we will examine all the current ways to install games, from standard methods through Google Play and Mi App Store to alternative solutions for users who do not have access to official stores.

Xiaomi devices (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark) feature MIUI hybrid firmware, which combines Android features with the company’s proprietary services, which opens up additional download opportunities but also imposes certain limitations, such as Google Play being disabled by default in some regions, and the Mi App Store with localized content instead, and we’ll show you how to get around these nuances and download any game without risking device security.

1. Download games through Google Play Market

The main and most secure way to install games on Xiaomi is to use the official Google Play store.This method is suitable for most global versions of smartphones (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13T or POCO X5 Pro), where Google services are installed by default.

• 🔒 Security: All applications are tested for viruses and malicious code.
• 🔄 Automatic Updates: Games are updated in the background without your involvement.
• ☁️ Sync: Game progress is saved in Google Play Games and available on other devices.

To download the game:

1. Open the Google Play Market app (color triangle icon).
2. In the search bar, type the name of the game (e.g. Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile).
3. Click on the game card, then select Install.
4. Confirm the permissions and wait for the download to be completed.

If your Xiaomi doesn’t have Google Play (for example, on Chinese firmware), you can install it manually.

1. Download the archive with Google Installer services from the official Xiaomi forum or trusted sites like apkmirror.com.
2. Unblock the file and install it. APK-First Google Account Manager, then Google Services Framework, and finally Google Play Store.
3. Reset the device.

💡

Before installing Google Play, check the Android version in Settings → About Phone. For Android 13 and later, download the current versions of the services (2023-2026), or compatibility errors may occur.

2. Install games via Mi App Store (for Chinese firmware)

On Xiaomi smartphones with Chinese firmware (China) ROM) Instead of Google Play, it uses the Mi App Store (or GetApps), which offers a wide range of games, but most of them are aimed at Chinese audiences. PUBG Mobile or Honor of Kings (known in China as ).

To download the game through the Mi App Store:

1. Open the GetApps app (green robot icon with box).
2. In the search box, enter the game name in English or Chinese (use a translator if you don’t know the characters).
3. Select the game from the list and click (download).
4. Confirm the installation if necessary.

Pay attention to a few nuances:

• 🌍 Regional restrictions: some games may not be available outside of China. VPN Chinese IP.
• 📱 Interface Language: The default store is in Chinese, but it can be switched to English in the profile settings.
• 🔄 Updates: Games from the Mi App Store are automatically updated, but only if you stay in China.

3. Download APK-files from official websites

If the game is not available on Google Play or Mi App Store, it can be downloaded in APK format from the developer's official website, which is suitable for popular projects such as Fortnite (which is removed from Google Play) or Minecraft (available on minecraft.net).

• ⚡ Direct download: no intermediaries, virus risk is minimal.
• 🆕 Early Access: Some games are posted on the site before they are in stores.

Installation instructions:

1. Open your browser and go to the official site of the game (for example, epicgames.com for Fortnite).
2. Find Download for Android and download it. APK-file.
3. Before installing, allow installation from unknown sources: go to Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install unknown applications and select the browser through which the file was downloaded.
4. Run the downloaded APK and follow the instructions on the screen.

Important: Never download APK from torrent trackers or obscure sites. Even if the file is called original (e.g. com.epicgames.fortnite.apk), it may contain Trojans or spyware. Official sources are the only safe option.

4. Alternative App Stores

If standard methods don't work, you can use third-party app stores, which offer a wide catalog of games, including those that are not available in your area.

• 🛒 APKMirror – a proven source with original APK-file-free.
• 🎮 Aptoide – an alternative store with custom repositories.
• 🌐 QooApp – specializes in Asian games (e.g. Japanese or Korean projects).
• 📱 Aurora Store – Anonymous Customer for Google Play without Account Link.

To install the game via Aptoide:

1. Download the APK store from the official website aptoide.com.
2. Install the file by allowing installation from unknown sources (see previous section).
3. Open Aptoide, find the game and click Install.

✅ Check the store's reputation (reviews on Reddit or 4PDA)

✅ Download only with HTTPS-webpage

✅ Use an antivirus (such as Malwarebytes) to check for it. APK

✅ Do not enter personal data in unverified applications

-->

⚠️ Note: Some alternative stores (such as ACMarket or BlackMart) distribute pirated content or modified versions of games (MOD APK). Their use violates the terms of the license agreement and may lead to a ban of the account in the game or lock the device.

5 Download games via Mi Share or Local Area Network

If you have a second smartphone or a computer with a game already downloaded, you can transfer it to Xiaomi without using the Internet.

• 📲 Mi Share – Xiaomi’s proprietary feature for transferring files over Wi-Fi Direct.
• 🖥️ Local area network - through FTP-server or cloud (for example, LocalSend).
• 🔌 USB-cable is a classic way to transfer large files.

Instructions for Mi Share:

1. On both devices, open Settings → Connection and Sharing → Mi Share.
2. On the source device, select the game file (APK or XAPK) and click Send.
3. On Xiaomi, accept the incoming file.
4. After downloading, open the file and install the game.

For USB transmission:

1. Connect Xiaomi to your PC via cable.
2. Select File Transfer (MTP) mode in the connection notification.
3. Copy. APK-file in the Download folder on a smartphone.
4. Disable the device and install the game through the file manager.

⚠️ Note: when transferring games larger than 2 GB (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile) Mi Share may cause errors. USB-cable or break the file into parts with an archiver (ZIP or RAR).

6. Install games with ADB (for power users)

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method is suitable for installing games that do not want to be installed in standard ways (for example, due to compatibility errors), it is an advanced method that requires command line skills, the advantage of bypassing some of the system limitations of MIUI.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools (download from developer.android.com).
• 🔌 USB-cable to connect Xiaomi to PC.
• 📄 APK-gamefile.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on Xiaomi: go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Open the command prompt (CMD) on your computer and type:

adb install path to file.apk

For example:

adb install C:\Games\com.epicgames.fortnite.apk

If the game weighs more 100 MB, use the flag -t fitting SD-map:

adb install -t path to file.apk

⚠️ Attention: misuse ADB Do not execute commands that you do not know the value of. For example, adb shell pm uninstall without specifying the package will delete a random application.

Comparison of ways to download games on Xiaomi

💡

For most users, the best choice is Google Play (if available) or official APKs from developer sites.

FAQ: Frequent questions about downloading games on Xiaomi