Why GetApps are Interfering with Users and Can It Be Safely Deleted
The GetApps app (or Xiaomi App Store) is installed by default on all smartphones of the brand - from the budget Redmi Note to the flagship Xiaomi 14. Officially, it is positioned as an alternative to Google Play, but in practice becomes a source of irritation for many users. The main claims: aggressive advertising in notifications, background activity, traffic consumption and battery charging, as well as the inability to standard remove through the app menu.
Technically, com.xiaomi.mipicks (internally called GetApps) refers to MIUI system applications, making it difficult to uninstall. The manufacturer blocks the ability to delete through normal settings, citing βuser experience optimization.β However, experienced Xiaomi device owners find workarounds from disconnecting through ADB to deep reset with subsequent clean firmware. It is important to understand that not all methods are equally safe, and some can lead to loss of warranty or unstable system operation.
In this article, weβll look at 5 proven ways to remove GetApps, from the simplest (no superuser rights) to the most radical (unlock the bootloader). Each method is tested on current versions of MIUI 14/15 and adapted to the models of 2022-2026. Warn in advance: if youβre new to setting up Android, start with the first two methods β they require no special knowledge and minimal risk.
Method 1: Disable GetApps without deleting (the safest)
If your goal is to get rid of intrusive notifications and background activity, but you don't want to risk system stability, start with software shutdown, which does not require superuser rights, and reversible: if necessary, the application can be activated again.
Instructions for MIUI 12-15:
- Open Settings β Applications β Application Management.
- In the search box, enter GetApps (or the App Store for Russian firmware).
- Slip on the app, then select Disable (the button will become active after clicking on the three dots in the upper right corner).
- Confirm the action in the dialog window.
What this method does:
- β The application will stop running and consume resources.
- β Notifications for βrecommended gamesβ and updates will disappear.
- β You can return GetApps at any time.
β οΈ Note: On some models (POCO F5, Redmi K60) After disabling GetApps, access to branded themes may disappear MIUI. If you use custom themes, check their performance after deactivation.
βοΈ Preparing to disable GetApps
Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root rights)
For users willing to take more drastic measures, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) removal is suitable.This method does not require unlocking the bootloader, but will require a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and the ADB Tools package.
Step-by-step:
- Download Googleβs Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
- On the phone, activate Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in the About Phone settings), then turn on Debugging over USB.
- Connect your phone to your PC and in the command line (in the folder with ADB) do:
adb devices
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicksIf the command is error-free, GetApps will be removed for the current user (not systemically).
adb shell cmd package install-existing com.xiaomi.mipicksAdvantages of the method:
- π§ Doesn't require root rights.
- π± Works on 90% model Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO (except for devices MIUI for POCO, where another team may be required).
- π Reversible process.
β οΈ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global Stable 14.0.6) after removal ADB There may be errors when updating the system OTA. Before using this method, disable automatic updates in settings.
π‘
If the ADB command is not working, try first to run the adb shell pm clear com.xiaomi.mipicks, then repeat the deletion.
Method 3: Removal with root rights (for advanced)
Complete system removal of GetApps is possible only if root rights are available, which is suitable for owners of unlocked devices or those who are ready to go through the procedure of unlocking the bootloader (which cancels the warranty).
- Unlocked bootloader (Bootloader Unlocked)
- Installed by Magisk or another root manager.
- A file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
Instructions:
- Open the file manager and go to /system/priv-app/MiPick or /system/app/MiPick.
- Delete the MiPick folder (or rename it to MiPick.bak for recovery).
- Reset the device.
Alternatively, use Titanium Backup or System App Remover (requires root):
- π Freeze the app com.xiaomi.mipicks.
- ποΈ Delete all associated data and cache.
- π If necessary, restore it through a backup copy.
| Deleting method | Root is required. | Reversibility | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disconnection in settings | β No. | β Yes. | Minimum (loss of MIUI themes) |
| ADB-removal | β No. | β Yes. | Medium (OTA problems) |
| Root removal | β Yes. | β οΈ Partially. | High (loss of warranty, brick) |
| Flip-flashing | β Yes. | β No. | Critical (complete loss of data) |
β οΈ Note: Removing system applications through root may cause a cyclic bootloop on some firmware. Create a full backup before manipulation. TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery.
What if the phone does not turn on after removing GetApps?
Method 4: Clean firmware without GetApps (radical method)
If all previous methods fail, the most reliable but time-consuming option is to install custom firmware without pre-installed Xiaomi applications, a method that is suitable for experienced users willing to sacrifice a warranty for the sake of full control of the device.
Recommended firmware without GetApps:
- π± Pixel Experience (Pure Android without shell) MIUI).
- π LineageOS (stable but with minimal functionality).
- β‘ Xiaomi.eu (modified) MIUI without Chinese services).
Step-by-step process:
- Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (requires Xiaomi account binding and waits 7-30 days).
- Install custom Recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
- Download the firmware from the XDA Developers forum or xiaomi.eu.
- Fly through the Recovery by running Wipe Dalvik/Cache, Data, System.
Pros of the method:
- π§Ή Complete absence of all pre-installed Xiaomi apps.
- π Increased productivity and autonomous operation time.
- π§ Ability to fine-tune the system.
π‘
Installing custom firmware is the only way to permanently get rid of GetApps and other MIUI system applications, but it requires technical skills and leads to a loss of warranty.
Method 5: Reset to factory settings followed by locking
If you don't want to deal with ADB or root, but you're willing to donate data to your phone, you can use a hard reset followed by locking GetApps, which works by resetting pre-disabled applications after the reset.
Algorithm of action:
- Make a backup copy of important data (photos, contacts, messages).
- Go to Settings β About the phone β Reset settings.
- Choose to erase all data and wait for the process to complete.
- After restarting, do not connect to the Internet (use the aircraft mode).
- Open Settings β Apps, find GetApps, and disable it immediately (as in Method 1).
- Only then connect to the Wi-Fi/mobile network.
Why it works:
- π GetApps is activated only when you first connect to the Internet after resetting.
- π« If you disable it before syncing with Xiaomi servers, it wonβt be updated.
- π΅ The method does not require technical skills, but resets all settings.
β οΈ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) After reset, an updated version of GetApps can be installed automatically through MIUI Optimization. To avoid this, before reset, turn off automatic updates to system applications in Settings. β The phone. β Updating the system β Settings (β) β Auto-update of applications.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When trying to remove GetApps, users often encounter typical problems that can be prevented in advance, and here are the most common errors and solutions:
1. "ADB team not working"
- π Check if the debugging is on USB and whether access to the device on the PC is confirmed.
- π Reinstall Xiaomi drivers via Mi PC Suite.
- π Make sure you use the correct package name: com.xiaomi.mipicks (not com.miui.mipicks, as some forums write).
2. βThe topics were lost after deletion MIUI"
- π¨ Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) and use icons from Google Play.
- π Restore GetApps through ADB (The command is given in Method 2).
βThe phone shall not be switched on after removal by rootβ
- π οΈ Flick the original firmware through Fastboot (instructions on the official forum Xiaomi).
- π‘ If the bootloader is blocked, contact the service center (independent recovery is impossible).
4. "GetApps is back after MIUI update"
- π Turn off automatic update of system applications in settings.
- π΅ Use Magisk Module DisableForceEncrypt to block the recovery of remote applications.
π‘
Before any manipulation of system applications, check the version of MIUI in Settings β About Phone β MIUI version. Some ADB commands work only on specific builds (for example, 14.0.4.0 vs 15.1.2.0).