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Genshin Impact HoYoLAB: What the Companion App Does

1 min read

Genshin Impact cover image

It started as a forum years before Genshin existed. Here is what it actually does today, beyond the daily login reward.

Genshin Impact HoYoLAB is the official companion community platform, covering Genshin alongside HoYoverse's other games in one place.

Where it came from

The forum behind it launched on 16 January 2020 — before Genshin Impact itself released — as miHoYo's international community site, later rebranded HoYoLAB. The dedicated app followed a closed beta from 1 June 2021 and officially launched on 15 July 2021.

What it is actually used for

  • Official news and event details — HoYoverse posts announcements here first.
  • Community content — fan art, guides and discussion organised by game.
  • A recognisable identity — the platform's mascot, Mimo, appears throughout its branding.

Why players keep it installed

Beyond browsing, HoYoLAB is where players commonly check in for daily rewards and redeem promotional codes tied to livestreams and events — routine upkeep tasks that do not require opening the game itself.

The practical note

It is a genuinely separate app from the game client. Installing Genshin does not install HoYoLAB, and vice versa — they are linked by your account, not bundled together.