Owning a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone often involves learning about the features of MIUI and its successor HyperOS. One of the most intrusive elements of the ecosystem is the GetApps app store, which manufacturers build deep into the system. Many users face a situation where standard removal is impossible, and the constant appearance of advertising and notifications is annoying.
Trying to simply remove the label from the desktop is not working as the system component continues to run in the background, consuming resources and collecting data. To get rid of this application requires more advanced methods that go beyond the usual Android settings. In this article, we will look at proven ways to deactivate and remove embedded software.
Before taking drastic action, it is important to understand the risks: Interfering with system packages can lead to instability of the smartphone if critical dependencies are removed. However, if your goal is a clean system without unnecessary software, the following methods will help to achieve the desired result safely.
What is GetApps and Why It’s Hard to Remove
GetApps (formerly known as the Mi App Store) is Xiaomi’s own app store pre-installed on all of the brand’s devices with global and Chinese firmware versions, formally designed to distribute localized content and games, but in practice often acts as a channel for (push) advertising and promotion of the manufacturer’s services.
The difficulty of deleting the application is that it is system-based, and in Android, these programs are protected from being deleted by the average user to avoid accidental damage to the device's functionality. The standard "Delete" button in the settings menu is either missing or inactive.
In addition, GetApps often has hidden dependencies with other MIUI services, such as Security or Downloads. Attempting to roughly delete files through root file managers without understanding the structure can lead to bootloop, which is why the most secure and effective method is considered to be the use of debugging tools.
⚠️ Warning: Before any manipulation of system applications, be sure to back up your critical data. Although the methods described are safe, human error or software failure can lead to loss of information.
Understanding the nature of this app helps you choose the right strategy, so we don't just break the phone, we take back control of the device by disabling unnecessary features that the manufacturer considers necessary, but which the user considers garbage.
Preparing a smartphone to remove system components
To perform the operation to remove or disable GetApps, you will need to prepare not only the smartphone itself, but also the computer. Without an external device with the Windows, macOS or Linux operating system, you will not be able to perform a deep cleanup, since the built-in Android tools do not grant such rights to the average user.
The first step is to activate the hidden developer menu, go to the phone's settings, find the About section, and quickly click on MIUI Version or OS Version several times (usually 7 times).
Inside this section, find and activate USB Debugging, which gives your computer access to the Android command line, and enable the USB Debugging option (Security Settings) option if available in your firmware version to avoid being blocked by Xiaomi’s security system.
☑️ Checklist of Xiaomi preparations for GetApps removal
It is important to use quality USB-A cable that supports data transfer, not just charging. Cheap cables are often the reason the computer can't see the connected device, which interrupts the setup process at the initial stage.
Remove GetApps via ADB without Root Rights
The most reliable way is to use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) toolkit, which does not require unlocking the bootloader or obtaining superuser rights (Root), which preserves the warranty on the device.
After connecting the smartphone to the computer and installing the drivers, open the command line (or terminal) in the folder with the ADB files. Make sure the device is determined by entering the command adb devices. On the phone screen should appear a window requesting debugging permission, where you need to press "Allow".
To remove or disable GetApps, we need to know the exact name of the package. In the case of the Xiaomi store, it usually looks like com.xiaomi.mipicks or com.xiaomi.miglobalmarket.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicksIf you want to simply disable the app, leaving the possibility of recovery, use the command:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicksWhat if the ADB can’t see the phone?
Once the command is successfully executed, the application will disappear from the list of installed programs. -k --user 0 It does not physically delete files from a partition of the system, but only hides them for your user profile, freeing up space and stopping processes.
Alternative methods: disabling through settings
Not all users are ready to work with the command line. In some versions of the MIUI firmware, it is possible to restrict the functionality of the application store through standard settings, although complete removal is not available by this method, which is a good compromise for those who are afraid of harming the system.
Go to the settings of the GetApps application through the "Apps" menu" →"All apps. Search the list for Services and Feedback or directly for GetApps. Inside the app menu, you need to find Auto Update and disable it.
- 🔴 Open your phone settings and go to the "Applications" section".
- 🔴 Find in the GetApps list (may be called "Apps" or have a package icon).
- 🔴 Click Stop, then Permissions, and disallow everything.
- 🔴 In the "Additional" menu, turn off autostart and background activities.
This method does not remove APK-The file is from memory, so the space will not be vacant, but the background processes will be blocked, which will positively affect the battery life, and the advertising in the system should also stop appearing if you turn off recommendation services in the settings of the Mi Account.
⚠️ Note: After updating the firmware HyperOS or MIUI settings can be reset and the GetApps app is activated again, in which case the disabling procedure will have to be repeated.
Using third-party launchers can also help hide the presence of this application, but won't solve the problem of it working in the background.So the combination of turning off in settings and limiting background activity is the minimum necessary action if you're not using ADB.
Use of specialized utilities for cleaning
There are helper apps that automate the ADB experience by providing a user-friendly graphical interface, and one of the most popular tools is Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools or universal utilities like Universal Android Debloater.
These programs scan the list of installed packages and tag system applications that can be safely removed. The interface of such utilities is usually clearer than text commands, and contains descriptions of the functions of each package, which reduces the risk of removing a critical component by mistake.
When using these tools, it is important to choose proven download sources, as programs with system access rights can become an attack vector if they contain malicious code. Always check digital signatures and community reviews about the version of the software.
After cleaning through the utility, it is recommended to restart the device and check its operation within a few hours. If you notice the disappearance of important functions (for example, the gallery or calls stopped working), the application can be restored through the command adb shell cmd package install-existing com.xiaomi.mipicks.
Comparison of disposal methods and their consequences
The choice of method depends on your skills and goals. For clarity, compare the basic approaches to solving the problem with GetApps in the table below.
| Method | Difficulty | Efficiency | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disconnection in settings | Low. | Medium (remains in memory) | Minimum |
| ADB (Uninstall user 0) | Medium | High (full concealment) | Low (reversible) |
| Root rights and system removal | Tall. | Maximum | High (loss of warranties, risk of bricks) |
| Third-party debloaters | Medium | Tall. | Depends on the software. |
As you can see from the table, ADB is the middle ground, providing high cleaning efficiency and does not require the in-depth technical knowledge comparable to obtaining Root rights. The risks of using ADB are minimal, since deletion is only for the current user, not from the system partition.
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If you plan to sell the phone, restore the applications that are removed through ADB with the install-existing command.This will return the device to factory state for the new owner.
Complete removal from the system partition (via Root) is recommended only for advanced users who know exactly which libraries depend on the packet being removed. In most cases, this is not necessary, since hiding for user 0 gives the same visual and functional result.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
During the cleaning process, users may encounter various errors, such as the ADB command may respond with "Failure [not installed for 0]", which means that the packet has already been deleted or has a different name, in which case the name of the packet helps to clarify through the command adb shell pm list packages | grep xiaomi.
Sometimes, after removing GetApps, other system applications may stop updating if they were tied to its libraries, in which case you will have to restore the remote component, and there may be errors in the work of the design theme if the application store was used to download interface elements.
- 🔵 Device unauthorized error: reconnect the cable and confirm the key print on the smartphone screen.
- 🔵 Command Not Found Error: Make sure you are in the file folder ADB Or they have added a path to the environment.
- 🔵 Phone does not respond: try restarting the device in Fastboot mode (clamping the power button and volume down) and exit it.
⚠️ Warning: If after removing system components, the phone began to constantly restart, go to Recovery mode (clamping the power and volume up) and reset to factory settings (Wipe Data).
The stability of Xiaomi Redmi after cleaning is usually improved, as RAM is freed and background processes are reduced. However, if you notice strange behavior of the system, always remember the possibility of rollback changes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I delete GetApps without a computer?
Will GetApps return after the firmware update?
Is it safe to remove other Xiaomi system apps through ADB?
Do you need Root Rights to remove GetApps?
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Deleting GetApps via ADB is a safe procedure that does not violate the warranty, as it does not make changes to the system partition, but only a screed application for the current user.