As someone who uses a Xiaomi phone, that’s not true.

It was a faff getting it to install any random apk I found of off the Internet, but it was possible. Did involve holding down a graphic for 10 seconds as part of the unlock procedure.

But for now at least, you can still install any unsigned apk without going through a store.

Chinese version of YouTube (bilibili (B站)) has built in sleep timer functionality.

That beats the hell out of the adverts and autoplay rubbish YouTube subjects people not using Invidious or Piped to.