Update apps on Xiaomi: a complete guide to error solutions

Updating apps on Xiaomi smartphones is a process that seems simple only at first glance.In practice, users face download freezes, compatibility errors, conflicts between the Play Market and the branded brand. MIUI Store, as well as problems with manual updating through APK-This is especially true for devices with MIUI Global and MIUI China, where update mechanisms work differently.

In this article, we will explore all the available ways to upgrade, from automatic to forced through ADB, and also reveal nuances that are not written in the official instructions, such as why some applications are updated only through the MIUI Store, how to circumvent the restrictions of regional versions of firmware, and what to do if the update “hangs” by 99%.

If you are using Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO based on MIUI 12-14 (or later), this guide will be suitable for your device.

1. Automatic Update via Play Market

The most common way is to use the Google Play Market, which is suitable for most apps, but has limitations on devices with MIUI China (where the Play Market is often absent out of the box).

To enable automatic update:

1. Open the Play Market and tap the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
2. Select Settings → Network settings → Auto-update applications.
3. Specify the preferred option: 🔄 Through any network channel – updates will be downloaded over the mobile network (risk of overspending traffic). 📶 Wi-Fi Only – The Recommended Choice for Saving. ❌ Do not update automatically – manual control.

Xiaomi devices with MIUI China Play Market may not be available, and you will need to manually install it via APK (instructions in section 4).It is also worth considering that some system applications (such as Mi Home or Mi Fit) are updated exclusively through the MIUI Store, even if they are installed from the Play Market.

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If the app is slowing down after the update, try clearing its cache in Settings → Apps → [App Name] → Storage → Clear the cache.

2. Update via MIUI Store (GetApps)

MIUI Store (or GetApps) is Xiaomi’s branded app store, which is often ignored by users who prefer the Play Market.

• 📦 Exclusive updates for system applications (e.g. Theme Store, Security).
• 🚀 Quick download thanks to Xiaomi servers in China (relevant for users with a mobile phone) MIUI China).
• 🔒 Less restrictions on regional firmware versions.

To update the apps through the MIUI Store:

1. Open the GetApps app (Blue Package Icon).
2. Go to the Update tab (in the lower menu).
3. Click Update All or select specific apps.

If GetApps is not available on your device (for example, on your device). POCO F1 with global firmware, it can be installed manually, downloading APK from the official website of Xiaomi (app.mi.com) MIUI Store requires a Mi Account account.

3. Manual update through APK-file

If the automatic update does not work (for example, due to error 920 in the Play Market or a region lock), you can install the update. APK-This is a manual file. This is a method that works for you:

• 🔓 Bypassing regional restrictions (for example, for Google Pay on the Internet) MIUI China).
• 📥 Installation of beta applications.
• 🛠️ Restoring the application after a failure.

Step-by-step:

1. Download APK from a trusted source (we recommend APKMirror or APKPure).
2. Before installation, allow installation from unknown sources: Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Browser or File Manager] → Allow installation from this source
3. Open the downloaded APK and follow the installer's instructions.

⚠️ Attention: Installation APK from unverified sources can lead to malware infection.Always check the hash file (SHA-1) developer's website.

Download the file only from the official website or APKMirror

Check the hash file (SHA-1) with File Manager+

Allow installation for only one source

After installation, disable permission for unknown sources-->

4. Forced update via ADB (for power users)

If the application refuses to update through standard methods (for example, due to an error) INSTALL_FAILED_UPDATE_INCOMPATIBLE), can be used ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method requires connecting your smartphone to your PC and basic command line knowledge.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB Tools on your PC.
2. Turn on USB Debugging on Smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times to Activate Developer Mode) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB
3. Connect the device to your PC and execute the command to install APK: adb install -r -d path to file.apk Flag -r replaces the existing application, -d allows you to downgrade the version.

This method is useful for:

• 🔄 Downgrades of the application version (for rollback to stable build).
• 🔧 Install modified versions (e.g. YouTube Vanced).
• 🚫 Bypassing manufacturer locks (e.g. for Netflix on non-certified devices).

Automatic through Play Market

Manual via MIUI Store

Installing APK manually

ADB or other-->

5. Solving common errors in the update

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, Xiaomi users are faced with errors.

If the error persists, try:

1. Reset the device.
2. Remove Play Market Updates (in Settings) → Annexes → Google Play Store → ⋮ → Remove updates).
3. Reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings).

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Error 920 is solved 80% of the time by cleaning the Play Market cache and restarting the device.

6.Optimizing Updates: How to Save Traffic and Battery

Automatic app updates can consume up to 300-500MB of traffic per month (according to a 2023 OpenSignal study) to reduce costs:

• 📵 Turn off Play Market background activity: Settings → Annexes → Google Play Store → Battery → Background activity → Limit
• 🔋 Set up “Adaptive Charging” (for devices with a MIUI 13+), not to allow updates to be launched during charging.
• 🕒 Schedule nighttime updates through Google Play or third-party utilities like AutoUpdateManager.

For devices with limited traffic (e.g. Redmi) A1 s 4G-modem recommended:

1. Use the MIUI Store instead of the Play Market, which consumes 20 to 30 percent less data due to compression.
2. Disable automatic updates for underutilized applications (in the settings of each application in the Play Market).
3. Use Lite versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).

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On devices with MIUI 14, you can enable Traffic Saving Mode in Settings → Connections and Sharing → Traffic Savings. This will limit background activity of all applications, including updates.

7. Features of updates on custom firmware

If you use custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, HavocOS), the application update process has nuances:

• ⚠️ Absence MIUI Xiaomi system applications (such as Mi Home) will not automatically update.
• 🔧 Problems with Google services on some firmware (for example, AOSP) Google Play Services may not be available, which will block updates.
• 📥 Manual installation of GApps – required for the Play Market (recommended NikGApps package).

Decisions:

1. To update Xiaomi system applications, download APK from xiaomi.eu (for MIUI EU ROM) or app.mi.com (for MIUI China).
2. If the Play Market is not working, install MicroG as an alternative to Google Play Services.
3. For firmware without GApps, use the Aurora Store (an anonymous client for the Play Market).

⚠️ Note: On custom firmware, updating system applications (such as Settings or Security) can lead to soft-brick (cyclical reboot!

8. Frequent Questions (FAQ)