If you own a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone, you've probably noticed a strange Jewels Blast app on your installed list, a gem-filled game that you haven't downloaded yourself. Where does it come from? Is it safe to use? And why do so many users want to get rid of it?
Jewels Blast is a pre-installed system application from Xiaomi, which belongs to the category of “block” games (match-3) and is distributed through the proprietary shell MIUI as part of partnership agreements with developers.
Jewels Blast
It is worth noting that such games are often the subject of controversy: some consider them harmless entertainment, others – unnecessary garbage, taking up a place in the memory. Next, you’ll learn exactly how Jewels Blast integrates into MIUI, what permissions it requests, and why it’s difficult to remove in standard ways.
What is Jewels Blast and why does Xiaomi need it?
Jewels Blast is a casual three-in-a-row game where the player must pair the same gems to score points, essentially a clone of popular games like Candy Crush or Bejeweled, but with an emphasis on aggressive advertising and microtransactions, developed by Shanghai Happy Elements Network Technology Co., Ltd., which collaborates with Xiaomi to pre-install its products.
The main features of the game:
- 🎮 Gameplay: Classic match-3 mechanics with hundreds of levels, bonuses and movement restrictions.
- 💰 Monetization: Free game with advertising between levels and the option to buy domestic currency (Coins, Boosts).
- 📱 Integration: preinstalled on many Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices under the guise of a "system application."
- 🔄 Updates: Updates automatically via Google Play or the MIUI App Store.
For Xiaomi, these games are part of a business model: the company receives a commission from developers for installing and user activity, which reduces the cost of smartphones, but leads to a pile of unnecessary software. It is important to understand that Jewels Blast is not a virus or malware - it is a legal application, but with an aggressive advertising strategy.
Interesting fact: on some models (for example, Redmi Note 11 or POCO X4 Pro) the game can appear even after resetting, as it is sewn into the MIUI firmware as “recommended” software.
How does Jewels Blast get on Xiaomi’s smartphone?
There are several ways this game can end up on your device:
- Pre-installation: On most Xiaomi smartphones (especially budget and mid-range), the Jewels Blast is installed in the factory as part of a suite of partner applications, for models released after 2020.
- Update MIUI. When you update your firmware through Settings → About Phone → System Update, new “recommended” games are sometimes added, including Jewels Blast.
- Installation via MIUI App Store. If you’ve ever used Xiaomi’s branded app store, the game could have been installed automatically as a “popular offering.”
- Advertising in other applications: Some system utilities (such as Mi Video or Mi Browser) may offer to download Jewels Blast through banners.
Important: Even if you delete the game in the standard way (clamping the icon and selecting "Delete"), it can return after the next MIUI update.This is because the application is tied to the system services com.miui.systemAdSolution and com.xiaomi.mipicks.
⚠️ Warning: If Jewels Blast appeared on your smartphone without your knowledge, it does not mean that the device is infected with a virus. However, it is worth checking the settings for installing applications in Settings → Applications → Special Permissions → Install unknown applications to prevent the installation of third-party software.
Is it safe to use Jewels Blast?
From a security perspective, Jewels Blast is not malware, but it has a few controversial aspects:
- 📊 Data Collection: The application requests access to Warehouse, Internet and Device (to display targeted advertising).The privacy policy specifies that game activity information and device ID are collected.
- 🎯 Aggressive advertising: Banner ads can redirect to third-party sites or suggest installing other games. Some users complain of pop-ups even outside of gameplay.
- 💳 Microtransactions: The game actively promotes real money purchases (e.g., Coins packages for 99-499 rubles), which can be dangerous for children or inexperienced users.
- 🔋 Charge consumption: Background game processes can consume up to 5-10% of battery power per day if you don't turn off autoplay.
For comparison, here is the Jewels Blast permission table and their potential risks:
| Permission | What's it for? | Potential risk |
|---|---|---|
| Internet | Download levels, advertisements, updates | Transfer of data on activity in the game |
| Warehouse | Keeping progress, cache | Access to other files on the device (theoretically) |
| The device | Identification for advertising | Collection of information about the smartphone model, MIUI version |
| Vibration. | Tactile feedback | No risk. |
If you decide to leave the game, it is recommended:
- Disable notifications: Settings → Applications → Jewels Blast → Notifications → Disable.
- Prohibit AutoRun: Settings → Battery and Performance → AutoRun Control → Jewels Blast → Disable.
- Limit background activity: Settings → Apps → Jewels Blast → Battery → Limit background activity.
💡
If the game is installed on a child’s device, be sure to include parental controls in Settings → Digital Well-Being → Parental Controls to restrict purchases.
How to remove Jewels Blast from Xiaomi?
Remove Jewels Blast in the standard way (via the app menu) is not always possible, as it can be tied to system services.
Method 1: Remove via ADB (for power users)
This method requires connecting the smartphone to a computer and using ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
- Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
- Activate Debugging by USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Connect your smartphone to your PC, open the command line and type in: adb devices (your device should appear).
- Run the command to remove: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.happyelements.JewelsBlast2 (if it doesn't work, try com.happyelements.AndroidJewels).
Method 2: Disconnecting through MIUI settings
If deletion is not possible, you can disable the application:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find Jewels Blast on the list.
- Click Disable (if the button is active).
- Confirm the action – the application will disappear from the menu, but will remain in the system.
Method 3: Using third-party utilities
Applications like App Inspector or Package Disabler (require root rights) allow you to remove or freeze system programs, but this can disrupt the stability of MIUI, so use it at your own risk.
Backup your data | Check the MIUI version (deletion blocked in some firmware) | Turn off autoplay before deleting | Make sure that ADB drivers are installed on PC-->
⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications may cause MIUI malfunctions, especially if the game is tied to com.miui.systemAdSolution services. Before deleting, check reviews about your smartphone model on forums (e.g., 4PDA or XDA Developers).
What if Jewels Blast returns after being deleted?
If the game reappears after a MIUI update or reboot, it means that it is restored by the system process.
- 🔄 Disable Automatic Update: Go to Google Play → Settings → Auto-Update Apps → Do not update automatically.
- 📵 Lock in MIUI Optimizer: In some firmware versions, you can turn off application recovery via Settings → Special Features → MIUI Optimizer → Disable (not working on all devices).
- 🛡️ Use a firewall: Applications like NetGuard or Blokada can block Jewels Blast network activity, preventing it from being updated.
- 📥 Install custom firmware: A radical method is to flash alternative firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) where there are no pre-installed games.
On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 11 or Redmi K40) it helps to disable the service com.xiaomi.mipicks via ADB:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicksIf nothing helps, you just have to ignore the game or accept it, and newer versions of MIUI 14 and HyperOS have less trouble returning apps.
💡
On devices with global firmware (EEA), Jewels Blast is removed more easily than on Chinese versions of MIUI, where it is protected by the system.
Jewels Blast Alternatives: Which Games Are Worth Trying?
If you are interested in match-3 gameplay, but are not satisfied with aggressive monetization of Jewels Blast, pay attention to these alternatives:
| Game. | Features | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Candy Crush Saga | Classic genre, thousands of levels, social functions | Very intrusive advertising and donations |
| Bejeweled Classic | Simple graphics, without unnecessary bells and whistles | Paid extensions |
| Toy Blast | Bright design, frequent updates | Lots of advertising between levels |
| Garden of Words | A game with match-3 elements | Slow progress without buying |
| Two Dots | Minimalist design, puzzles | Limited number of lives |
If you prefer games without ads, look for paid versions (for example, Bejeweled 3 for 200-300 rubles) or emulators of old games (for example, Zuma through RetroArch).
How to turn off ads in games without root rights?
Frequent problems with Jewels Blast and their solutions
Users often face the following problems:
- 🔳 App not responding at launch. Solution: clear the cache in Settings → Apps → Jewels Blast → Storage → Clear the cache. If it doesn't work, reinstall the game.
- 💸 Write-offs without confirmation. Solution: check your purchase history on Google Play → Account → Order history and request a refund within 48 hours.
- 📵 The game puts the battery in the background. Solution: Limit background activity in the battery settings and turn off autostart.
- 🔒 Not deleted via ADB Solution: Try an alternative command: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.happyelements.JewelsBlast2 Flag -k saves cache, which sometimes helps bypass protection.
If you delete the game and you have errors like "Com.miui.systemAdSolution has stopped", it means you have removed the system component and you can only restore it through resetting or flashing.