Smartphone owners Xiaomi, Redmi i POCO often encounter an incomprehensible icon in the list of installed apps called GetApps. This is a built-in application store that is preinstalled on all brand devices with the shell MIUI or new HyperOS. Many users perceive it as unnecessary software, full of advertising, and strive to get rid of it immediately.
However, completely removing this component can lead to unstable operation of the system, especially if you are actively using the ecosystem of the Chinese manufacturer. The application not only serves as a store, but also serves as a platform for distributing updates to branded utilities. Understanding its real purpose will help you make an informed decision about further actions with this system element.
In this article we will analyze in detail why you need it GetApps, what risks it carries in the form of intrusive advertising and how to correctly configure or deactivate it without violating the integrity of the firmware of your smartphone.
Purpose and functionality of the system element store
At its core GetApps (formerly known as the Mi App Store) is the official software catalog for the company's devices. Unlike Google Play Market, this store is focused on providing content optimized specifically for hardware Xiaomi. Here you can often find early versions of updates for system applications that have not yet reached Google’s global servers.
The main task of the service is to ensure the security and relevance of pre-installed software. Developers use this platform to push notifications about critical vulnerability fixes in apps like Gallery, Music, or Explorer. Ignoring this communication channel may leave your gadget without important security patches.
In addition, the store offers a section with games and apps that may not be available in your region through standard means. This is convenient for users looking for specific Asian software or modified versions of popular games.
⚠️ Attention: In some regions, the application may automatically download advertising modules. It is recommended that immediately after the first launch, go to the settings and disable ad personalization.
If you do not use Xiaomi services, most of the functions of GetApps are duplicated in Google Play, which makes its presence redundant for the average user.
Differences from Google Play Market
The main difference between the two stores is the moderation policy and accessibility content. Google Play adheres to strict international security standards and often blocks applications that violate copyrights or privacy policies. GetApps is also more loyal to developers from China and the CIS countries, allowing them to post software that might have been removed from Western directories.
Another important aspect is the speed of updates. Branded utilities MIUI are updated primarily through the internal store. The user may notice that a new function in the voice recorder or calendar appeared earlier than for owners of other Android smartphones, precisely thanks to synchronization with servers Xiaomi.
The store interface is also distinguished by the presence of a built-in social component: ratings, reviews and recommendations are formed taking into account the preferences of ecosystem users. This creates a kind of “bubble” where applications that work well on processors become popular. data-i="59">Only GetApps Snapdragon or MediaTek in conjunction with the manufacturer's shell.
The problem of intrusive advertising and notifications
One of the most common reasons for user dissatisfaction is the aggressive monetization of the platform. The application regularly sends push notifications with offers to install new games or receive discounts. These messages often appear in the notification shade even when you have not opened the store.
Advertising banners are integrated directly into the catalog interface. They may appear on the home screen, in the “Recommended” sections, and even overlap the descriptions of safe system utilities. For an unprepared user, this creates the risk of accidentally installing unwanted software (adware).
To minimize this discomfort, you must manually change the privacy settings. Go to the application profile, find the “About the service” or “Settings” section and disable the items related to personalization of advertising and automatic recommendations.
⚠️ Attention: Completely disabling notifications may lead to that you will miss important messages about security updates for Xiaomi system applications.
It is also worth checking the application permissions. Often GetApps requests access to the list of installed applications and usage history, which is used to target advertising. Limiting these rights in the Android settings menu will significantly reduce the amount of spam.
Instructions for safely disabling and. deletion
Since the application is a system application, the standard “Delete” button in the settings is usually inactive. Complete removal will require more advanced methods, but for most users it is enough to simply “freeze” or disable its operation.
The safest way is to disable it through the system settings. This will hide the desktop icon and prevent the application from running in the background, while still allowing you to restore it if necessary. The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- 📱 Open
Settingsyour smartphone. - 📂 Go to the section
Applications→All applications. - 🔍 Find in the list GetApps (may be called “Mi Store” or “App Market”)
- 🚫 Press the button
Disableat the bottom of the screen.
If you want to remove the application completely, you will need to connect to a computer and use USB debugging. This method involves using a tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.misrThis command will remove the application for the current user without affecting the system partition, which is safe to guarantee. However, be careful: entering the package name incorrectly may cause the launcher to malfunction.
☑️ Preparing to uninstall via ADB
What to do if the “Disable” button is inactive?
If the system does not allow you to disable an application, it means that it has device administrator rights or is critical important for the current firmware version. In this case, try revoking administrator rights in the Security section or updating the software to the latest version, where this option may be unlocked.
Impact on autonomy and performance
Background processes of the store consume RAM and battery power, especially if the auto-update function is enabled. On budget models with a small amount of RAM, this can become a noticeable problem, causing the interface to slow down when switching between tasks.
Power consumption analysis often shows that GetApps can take up to 3-5% of the battery charge per day when actively using the mobile data. This is due to the constant polling of servers for new versions of apps and loading of advertising banners into the cache.
Disabling the application has a positive effect on battery life. Tests show that on series devices Redmi Note after deactivating the system store, the screen time increased by an average of 30-40 minutes under standard usage scenario.
| Parameter | Before shutdown | After shutdown | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAM consumption (background) | 150-200 MB | 0 MB | Saving |
| Traffic in day | 50-100 MB | 0 MB | Saving |
| Heating during idle | Average | Low | Improvement |
| Number of notifications | 5-10 per day | 0 | Cleanliness |
However, it is worth noting that on flagship devices with With powerful processors and large batteries, this effect is almost invisible. For owners Xiaomi 13 or 14 Ultra disabling the store will be more a matter of fundamentally abandoning unnecessary software than the need to save resources.
Disabling GetApps is the most effective way to reduce the background load on budget Redmi and POCO smartphones without losing the warranty.
Data security and third-party software
The issue of security when using alternative stores is always acute. Although Xiaomi claims to scan all applications for viruses, the algorithms may miss potentially unwanted apps that collect telemetry.
When you install software from GetApps you are entrusting the data to another service provider other than Google. This means that your download history and preferences are analyzed by the company's servers to build an advertising profile. For paranoidly cautious users, this may be unacceptable.
Nevertheless, the store is quite reliable for installing banking applications and instant messengers. Critical vulnerabilities in the store client itself are corrected regularly through the MIUI Securitymechanism. The main thing is not to grant the application unnecessary permissions, such as access to contacts or microphone, if this is not required for its direct function.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and names of menu items may differ depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14) or HyperOS. If you do not find an exact match, look for similar sections in the settings.
Using third-party APK downloaders instead of the built-in store carries great risks. In this context, GetApps looks preferable, since at least it undergoes basic moderation by the device vendor.
Periodically check the “Permissions” section in your phone settings. If GetApps suddenly requests access to SMS or calls, revoke this permission immediately, this is a clear sign of a failure or an aggressive update.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to completely remove GetApps without root access?
Yes, this is possible using a computer and a utility adb. The command pm uninstall -k --user 0 allows you to delete an application for the current user. However, if you perform a factory reset, it may be restored automatically.
Is it safe to disable the system store?
Completely safe. Disabling does not affect the operation of other applications, calls or the Internet. The only consequence is that you will stop receiving updates for Xiaomi branded utilities through this channel (but they often come through Google Play).
Why does GetApps install games itself?
This happens due to the “Auto Update” function being enabled or accidentally clicking on an advertising banner. To stop this, go to the store settings and disable auto-update, and also prohibit installation from unknown sources for this application.
Does GetApps need Mi Cloud to work?
No, the cloud service Mi Cloud works independently of the application store. You can safely disable the store, and synchronization of contacts, photos and notes will continue to function as normal.
How to remove advertising in GetApps without disabling it?
Go to the application settings, find the “About the service” (or “User Agreement”) item and turn off the “Receive recommendations” switch. You can also disable advertising in system applications in the general settings of MIUI.