How to permanently remove GetApps on Xiaomi: disable, delete and hide

GetApps (or Theme Store) is a standard service on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones that offers themes, wallpapers and plugins for MIUI. However, many users find it unnecessary: it takes up space in memory, consumes traffic for background updates and constantly appears in the list of newly opened applications. Worse, GetApps can not be removed by standard MIUI tools, since it is built into the system partition.

If you want to get rid of this app, there are a few ways, from simply hiding the icon to completely removing it through ADB or disabling system processes. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for MIUI 12-15, including bypassing restrictions on new firmware versions. Importantly, some actions will require unlocking the bootloader or superuser rights, but we will start with the safest options.

Before you start, check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. POCO may be different: Settings → System → About the device. This will help you choose the right way, as Xiaomi tightened control over system applications on MIUI 14+.

1. Hide the GetApps icon without deleting

The easiest and safest way is to remove the app from the menu without touching the system files, which won't stop the background processes, but will visually clean the desktop.

For this:

1. Click and hold the GetApps icon on the home screen.
2. In the menu that appears, select Delete (or Hide if you use the POCO Launcher).
3. Confirm the action – the icon will disappear, but the application will remain in the system.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 13 Global), this method does not work, instead of deleting the option App Information appears.

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In search, type GetApps (or Theme Store).
• 🚫 Click Disable – This will stop background activity, but will not delete files.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling through settings may lead to errors in operation MIUI Themes (e.g. wallpaper or font resetting) If you use custom themes, this method is not suitable.

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If the GetApps icon keeps popping up after the reboot, try using a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Hyperion Launcher) that lets you hide system applications at the interface level.

2. disable automatic updates GetApps

Even if you don't open GetApps, it can update in the background, consuming traffic and battery power.

Step 1. Go to Settings → Applications → App Management → GetApps.

Step 2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Remove Updates (if the button is active).

Step 3: Go back to the main menu of the app and tap the Mobile Data, then turn off the Background Mode switch.

To completely disable updates via Google Play (if the app is set as a custom one):

• 🛒 Open the Google Play Store.
• 🔍 Find GetApps (Developer – Xiaomi Inc.).
• 🔄 Click on the three dots next to the Update button and uncheck the Auto Update box.

3. Remove GetApps via ADB (no root)

If previous methods didn’t work, you can uninstall the app via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which doesn’t require root rights, but requires a computer and enable developer mode.

Preparation:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-Cable (use the original cable for stability).

Instructions for Windows:

1. Download ADB Tools and unpack it into the C:\adb folder.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd → Enter).
3. Enter the commands in order: cd C:\adb adb devices (should appear the device with the serial number).
4. Execute the command to remove: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks An alternative command may be required for MIUI 14+: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks

Developer mode is on

Allowed debugging by USB

Installed ADB drivers on PC

The phone is connected to the original cable.

Downloaded by ADB Tools-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) after removal ADB You may lose access to the theme store in the settings MIUI. To return, follow the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.xiaomi.mipicks

4. Complete removal with root rights

If you have a bootloader unlocked and you have Magisk or another root manager installed, you can delete GetApps permanently, including system files. This method is suitable for experienced users, since incorrect actions can lead to a bootloop.

Method 1: Through a file manager (e.g., Root Explorer):

• 📂 Go to the file. /system/priv-app/MiPick or /system/app/MiPick.
• 🗑️ Remove the entire folder or rename it (for example, in the MiPick_bak).
• 🔄 Reset the device.

Method 2: Termux with root:

1. Install Termux from F-Droid.

After deleting, check the system: sometimes you lose access to the theme settings in Settings → Display → Themes. If it is critical, restore deleted files from the backup.

5.Blocking through Hosts (for experienced)

If you don't want to delete GetApps, but you need to stop it from connecting with Xiaomi servers, you can block domains through the hosts file, which will stop content updates and advertising in the application.

Instructions:

1. Install any file manager with root access (such as Mixplorer).
2. Open /system/etc/hosts file in the text editor.
3. Add the line at the end of the file: 127.0.0.1 api.mipcdn.com 127.0.0.1 app.market.xiaomi.com 127.0.0.1 sdkconfig.ad.xiaomi.com
4. Save the changes and restart the device.

This method doesn't remove the app, but it makes it useless: it stops downloading new themes, wallpaper and ads. MIUI The hosts file can be reset to a standard.

6.Alternative methods for new MIUI versions

Since MIUI 14, Xiaomi has tightened the protection of system applications, and standard ADB commands may not work, and root removal leads to errors.

Method 1: Using Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools

• 🖥️ Download the Xiaomi utility ADB/Fastboot Tools.
• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC and start the program.
• 🔍 In the list of applications, find GetApps and click Uninstall.

Method 2: Recoiling back to the old version

If GetApps updates automatically and interferes with work, you can manually install the old version of APK:

1. Download APK GetApps version 5.0.1 (stable for most firmware) with APKMirror.
2. Remove updates through Settings → Apps → GetApps → Remove updates.
3. Block auto-updates in Google Play (see section 2).

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On MIUI 14+, standard ADB commands are often blocked.Use specialized utilities (e.g., Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools) or rollback to older APK versions to get around the restrictions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about GetApps on Xiaomi