How to install an application on Xiaomi Android smartphone: all ways 2026

Install applications on Xiaomi, Redmi or smartphones POCO It seems like a simple task, but in practice, users face limitations. MIUI, This article covers all the current installation methods, from the standard Google Play Market to manual installation. APK-file ADB third-party.

Feature of firmware MIUI (version 14/15) — Aggressive security policies that often block external installations of applications, and we'll see how to get around these restrictions without risking to ensure which settings need to be changed in Settings. → Annexes → Special Access Rights and Why Some of the APK-The files refuse to be installed even after unlocking. Special attention will be paid to the unique problem of Xiaomi with “gray” icons of applications after installation – a phenomenon that is not found on other Android devices.

1. Installation through Google Play Market: The Basic Method

The official Google Play store remains the safest way to install apps on Xiaomi, but there are nuances here, too: For example, some models for the Chinese market (Xiaomi 13T Pro CN, Redmi Note 12 Discovery Edition) are devoid of Google services by default, in which case you will need to pre-firm the global version of MIUI or manually install GMS (Google Mobile Services).

If Google services are working on your device, the algorithm is simple:

• 📱 Open the Play Market app (color triangle icon).
• 🔍 Enter the name of the application in the search bar (for example, Telegram or VK).
• 📥 Click Install and wait for the download to be completed.
• 🔓 When requesting permissions, click Accept (in) MIUI 15 query interface changed – permissions are now grouped into categories).

It is worth noting that Xiaomi sometimes blocks the installation of applications from the Play Market due to regional restrictions. For example, users from Russia may not find Google Pay or YouTube Premium in the directory. VPN (ProtonVPN, for example, with a connection to servers in the United States or Europe before the launch of the Play Market.

⚠️ Note: When you first start Play Market on a new Xiaomi device, the system can request account confirmation via the new Xiaomi device. SMS. If the message does not arrive, check the Message settings. → Spam filter – sometimes the system filter blocks the service SMS Google.

Manual installation APK-File circumvention MIUI

Installation of applications from APK-Files are the only way to install software that is not available in the Play Market (for example, modified versions of Spotify, Netflix with unlocked features or beta versions of applications). MIUI It blocks these settings by default. To unlock the opportunity, do it:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Special Access Rights → Install Unknown Applications.
2. Select a browser or file manager (such as Xiaomi File Manager or Chrome) through which you will open the APK.
3. Activate the switch Allow installation from this source.

Then you can download it. APK-files from trusted sources (e.g. APKMirror, APKPure) and run them directly: MIUI 14/15 analyzes hash files APK It can block installation if the file has been changed (e.g. modified applications:

• 🔄 Rename the file (for example, with app_v2.1.apk on app.apk).
• 📁 Relocation APK The root folder of internal memory (sometimes) MIUI block installation from nested directories).
• 🔧 Use of alternative installers, for example, SAI (Split APK Installer) for applications with multiple files (XAPK).

3. Third-party app stores: an alternative to Play Market

If Google Play is not available or it does not have the right app, you can use alternative stores.

Before installing the store from APK-Make sure to check the file hash on VirusTotal or through the Malwarebytes app. for example, to check the hash in the file. MIUI:

1. Download the file to the device.
2. Install File Manager+ (available in GetApps)
3. Find the APK, hold your finger on the file → Properties → Hash SHA-256.
4. Compare the received hash with the official one on the developer’s website.

⚠️ Aptoide Store is often blocked by antivirus MIUI Security as "potentially dangerous." To avoid false positives, add it to the exceptions: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Aptoide → Battery → No restrictions.

Installation via ADB: for power users

If MIUI persistently blocks APK installation (e.g., an “App not installed” error emerges without explanation), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting your smartphone to your computer, but is guaranteed to bypass all system limitations.

Enable debugging on USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 times press)|Install Xiaomi drivers on PC (Mi) PC Suite)|Download ADB Tools from developer.android.com|Connect your phone to your PC in file transfer mode (MTP)-->

After preparation, perform in the command line (cmd):

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, enter the installation command (replace path/to/app.apk with the actual file path):

adb install -r -t -d path/to/app.apk

Team flags:

• -r - reinstall the application (if it has already been installed).
• -t - allow test installation (for some beta versions).
• -d - ignore the mismatch of versions (for example, when downgrading the application).

If the installation is completed with an error INSTALL_FAILED_INVALID_APK, problem:

• 🔴 Damaged. APK-file (shopping it over).
• 🔴 Incompatibility with the processor architecture (e.g., trying to install the system) APK for arm64 device armv7).
• 🔴 Conflict with the already installed version (remove the old application via adb uninstall com.package.name).

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If ADB If you can’t see the device, try changing the cable (some of the devices are not visible). USB-cables support charging only) or enable debugging mode USB (security parameters in additional developer settings.

5. Solving common installation errors

Even after unlocking unknown sources, Xiaomi users are faced with errors.

Particularly noteworthy is the “gray icon” error, a unique problem Xiaomi has when an app is installed but not launched.

• 🔹 APK It is designed for another version of Android (for example, Android 13, and on Android 12 device).
• 🔹 No signature of the application (characteristic of modified ones) APK).
• 🔹 Conflict with optimization MIUI (set the settings on → Additionally. → Developer mode → Turn off optimization MIUI).

6. Installation on devices without Google (Chinese firmware)

Xiaomi smartphones for the Chinese market (Redmi K60 Ultra, Xiaomi 14 CN) come without Google services. To install the Play Market or other applications, you will need:

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (requires a binding Mi Account and wait 7 days).
2. Install custom TWRP recavers (instructions are available on the XDA Developers forum for each model).
3. Swipe GMS (Google Mobile Services) through the Recovery or using the utility MIUI GMS Installer.

Alternative method (without unlocking the bootloader):

• 📥 Download Google Installer from apkmirror.com (version for the MIUI).
• 🔧 Install. APK Follow the instructions (you will need to connect to the VPN, Google’s servers are blocked in China).
• 🔄 After installation, restart your device and log in to your Google account.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note) 11T Pro+, POCO F4 GT) post-installation GMS This is due to a module conflict. IMS (IP-The solution is to patch the patch. IMS Fix through TWRP.

7 Storage Optimization: How to Make Space for New Applications

The “Not enough memory” error on Xiaomi often occurs not because of real space shortages, but because of storage fragmentation or MIUI limitations on the system partition.

• 🧹 Clear the cache of system applications: Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup → Application cache.
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary APK-Download files (sometimes they take up gigabytes).
• 🔄 Move the applications to SD-map (if supported): Settings → Annexes → Select an application → Warehouse → Change. → SD-map.
• 📦 Turn off preloading applications: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Settings → Preloading of applications.

If there is a free space, but installation is still impossible, the problem may be:

• 🔴 System partition limitations (typical for dynamic partition devices, such as Xiaomi) 12T). Solution - firmware through Fastboot with extension of the system partition.
• 🔴 Memory fragmentation. Run defragmentation through MIUI Security: Security → Cleanup → Deep cleaning → Defragmentation.

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On devices with MIUI 15, the Easy Mode feature has appeared, which automatically removes unused applications. To turn it off, go to Settings → Special Features → Easy Mode → Disable.

FAQ: Frequent questions about installing apps on Xiaomi