How to Remove GetContact as the Default App on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

GetContact is automatically installed on most Xiaomi smartphones and often becomes the default app for calls, messages or contact identification. Many users complain about its intrusive notifications, data collection and inconvenient interface. If you want to return a standard Phone and Messages from Google or MIUI, or remove GetContact altogether, this guide will help you understand all the nuances.

Complicating the problem is that Xiaomi integrates the application at the MIUI firmware level, so simple uninstallation via menus is often not available.We will look at legal ways to disable (including hidden settings), circumvent restrictions through ADB, as well as alternative solutions for those who do not want to risk the stability of the system.

Why GetContact is set by default on Xiaomi

GetContact (developed by Getir Perakende Lojistik, a Turkish company) is marketed as a tool to identify incoming calls and block spam, but its main function is to collect and share user contact data in encrypted form, and here are the key reasons why Xiaomi is integrating it into firmware:

• 📊 Partner Agreement: Xiaomi benefits financially from pre-installing the app (similar to agreements with Facebook or Google on other devices).
• 🛡️ Replacement of Google Services: In some regions (e.g. Turkey, India) GetContact is positioned as an alternative to Google Contacts with advanced spam blocking features.
• 🔄 Bypassing Android restrictions: The app uses system permissions that are not available to regular programs from the Play Market, such as access to call logs in the background.

According to MIUI 13/14 firmware analysis, GetContact is embedded in the system application suite under the name com.getcontact or com.get.miui (depending on the version), which means that it cannot be removed by standard means without root or ADB permissions.

Method 1: Disabling Default Rights (without root)

If GetContact is the default app for calls or messages, check your system settings.This method works on all versions of MIUI (12 to 14) and requires no additional tools.

Go to: Settings → Applications → Application Management → GetContact → Default Rights.

Here you will see sections:

• 📞 Phone – responsible for processing outgoing / incoming calls.
• 💬 Messages - manages SMS/MMS.
• 🔍 Number identification – identification of incoming calls.

Turn off all switches and choose as an alternative standard MIUI (Phone, Messages) or Google (Google Phone, Messages) applications.

⚠️ Note: Once default rights are disabled, GetContact can continue to run in the background while consuming the battery. To fully deactivate it, go to Settings → Annexes → GetContact → Battery → Limit background activity.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root)

If disabling the rights is not enough, you can delete GetContact using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that does not require root, but requires a computer and enabled debugging over USB.

Steps:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install it. ADB-drivers and execute the command:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.getcontact

An alternative command may be required for MIUI 14 (if the packet is renamed):

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.get.miui

Once executed, GetContact will disappear from the application menu, but its files will remain in the system.

Method 3: Blocking through MIUI Optimization (hidden setting)

MIUI has a hidden MIUI Optimization menu that allows you to disable system applications without ADB. This method works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with MIUI 12+ firmware.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##.
2. In the menu that appears, select Phone Information → MIUI (or MIUI Optimization) menu.
3. Find GetContact in the list and turn off the switch.

If the combination does not work, try an alternative method:

1. Install the QuickShortcutMaker app.
2. Find com.miui.permcenter.autostart.AutoStartManagementActivity.
3. Run it and turn off autoboot for GetContact.

Method 4: Complete removal with root rights

If you have root rights (e.g., through Magisk), you can completely remove GetContact from the system, a method that is suitable for power users, as improper actions can lead to unstable MIUI operation.

Use any root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer) and follow the steps:

1. Go to /system/priv-app/GetContact or /system/app/GetContact.
2. Delete GetContact.apk and GetContact.odex files (if any).
3. Reset the device.

Alternatively, you can use the command in Terminal:

su


mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/priv-app/GetContact




rm -rf /system/app/GetContact




reboot

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications may disrupt the work MIUI, especially if GetContact is linked to other services (e.g. Mi Account) before deleting, back up via TWRP Or OrangeFox.

💡

If calls stop working after deleting, restore the TeleService.apk file from a backup. Often GetContact intercepts the system call, and deleting it requires re-registering the phone on the network (rebooting usually helps).

Method 5: Alternative Calling and SMS Apps

If you don’t want to mess around with removing GetContact, consider installing alternative apps that can completely replace the standard Phone and Messages, offering additional features:

• 📱 Google Phone is the official Google app with spam filter and number identification support. Install from Play Market and assign by default.
• 🔒 Truecaller is a popular spammer-based call ID that has Russian-language support but collects contact data (you can turn off the settings).
• 💬 Messages by Google – Replacement of the Standard SMS supportive RCS (Enhanced Messaging Opportunities).
• 🛡️ Simple Dialer – a lightweight application without advertising and data collection, with open source.

To assign an alternative application by default:

1. Install the selected application from the Play Market.
2. The next time you call or SMS, the system will suggest you select an application to handle the action.
3. Choose the right one and always mark.

If the system does not offer a choice, clear the cache and GetContact data in Settings → Applications, then try again.

💡

Alternative apps (like Google Phone) are often more stable than GetContact because they are optimized for a wide range of devices and are not dependent on MIUI firmware.

What to do if GetContact returns after MIUI update

One of the most common problems is getting GetContact automatically restored after a firmware update or settings reset, which is because the application is part of the MIUI system image. Here's how to prevent it from coming back:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → ⚙️ → Auto Update and Turn Off the Option.
• 📦 Use Magisk modules: Install Universal Debloater or MIUI Debloater via Magisk to block GetContact installation at system level.
• 🔒 Block Application Domains: Through the hosts file or Blokada app, block the getcontact.com and api.getcontact.com domains.

If you use custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), GetContact won’t be installed by default, but be aware that informal firmware may take away some MIUI warranty and features (like Mi Share or Game Turbo).

FAQ: Frequent questions about GetContact on Xiaomi