Google Assistant on Xiaomi: How to completely disable or restrict access

Google Assistant is integrated into most Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones, but not all users need it. Constant notifications, random activations by voice or button, and background activity of the service can drain the battery and slow down the device, especially for the budget models of Redmi and Poco, where every percentage of the charge counts.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to disable Google Assistant on Xiaomi, from simply removing the shortcut to completely blocking system processes. Note that some methods require superuser rights (root), but we will also provide solutions without root access. We will consider the nuances for different versions separately. MIUI (12, 13, 14) and popular models: Redmi Note 12, Poco X5, Xiaomi 13T others.

Why does Google Assistant work on Xiaomi if you haven’t installed it?

Many users are surprised to find Google Assistant on their Xiaomi, even though they never activated it consciously, because they have pre-integrated Google Services (GMS) into MIUI firmware for global smartphone versions. Even if you don't use the voice assistant, it can:

  • πŸ”‹ Battery discharge – com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox background processes consume up to 5% charge per day.
  • πŸ“± Memory – the assistant cache can reach 500 MB.
  • 🎀 Accidentally activate – pressing the Home button or the phrase β€œOK, Google” is triggered by the assistant.
  • πŸ” Collect data – even in an inactive state, the service sends logs to Google servers.

On the Chinese versions of MIUI (without GMS), Google Assistant is not available by default, but it can be installed manually via Google Play. If you purchased a smartphone with global firmware, the assistant is already pre-installed and partially activated.

πŸ“Š You are using a voice assistant on Xiaomi?
Yeah, regularly.
Sometimes, for fast teams.
No, I don't need him.
Disconnected immediately after purchase

Method 1: Disable via Google Settings (without root)

The easiest and safest method is to deactivate the assistant in your Google account settings, which does not require superuser rights and is suitable for all Xiaomi models on MIUI 12-14.

Instructions:

  1. Open the Google app (the icon with the letter "G" on a color background).
  2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner β†’ Settings.
  3. Choose Google Assistant β†’ General.
  4. Turn off the Google Assistant slider (at the top of the screen).
  5. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After that, the assistant will stop responding to voice commands and clicking the Home button. However, the background processes of com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox will continue to work. To completely stop them, go to Settings β†’ Apps β†’ App Management β†’ Google and select Stop.

Make sure the slider in Google settings is off |

Try saying "OK, Google" - there should be no reaction |

Press and hold the Home button – the assistant should not open |

Check battery consumption in battery settings

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Method 2: Remove the shortcut from the Home button

If you’re only annoyed by accidentally opening Google Assistant when you click Home, you can reassign the action of the button without completely disabling the assistant.This is true for Xiaomi with physical or touch-sensitive navigation buttons.

How to change the action of the Home button:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ System β†’ Gestures (or Navigation buttons in older versions of MIUI).
  2. Select the Long Press Home button.
  3. Instead of Google Assistant, install No Action or Last App.

On models with gesture control (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Poco F5), the path will be different:

  1. Settings β†’ Additional β†’ Special features β†’ Quick access gestures.
  2. Find Google Assistant and turn it off.

πŸ’‘

If the Home button stopped working after turning off, restart your smartphone. In rare cases, you need to reset your gesture settings to Settings β†’ System β†’ Reset your settings β†’ Reset gesture settings.

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (without root but with PC)

For advanced users ready to connect Xiaomi to a computer, there is a method to disable Google Assistant via the ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method does not require root rights, but access is required. USB-debugging.

Step-by-step:

  1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings β†’ About the phone, tap 7 times on the version MIUI. Back to Settings β†’ Additionally. β†’ For developers. USB-debugging.

Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB and confirm your trust in your computer.

ADB Tools

cmd

ADB

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

This command will delete Google Assistant for the current user without deleting system files. To return the assistant, use:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
Make sure you have drivers installed for your Xiaomi model (you can download it on the official website). USB-cable (original from Xiaomi) Include the "Debugging by" option in the developer settings USB (security settings.” Restart your PC and smartphone.

Method 4: Complete removal with root rights

If you are ready to get root access (for example, through Magisk), you can completely remove Google Assistant from the system, which is suitable for advanced users, as it carries risks of violating the stability of MIUI.

Instructions:

  1. Install Magisk Manager and get root (see the XDA Developers forum for instructions for your model).
  2. Download a root-enabled file manager (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
  3. Go to /system/priv-app/GoogleQuickSearchBox or /system/app/GoogleQuickSearchBox.
  4. Delete the GoogleQuickSearchBox folder or rename it to GoogleQuickSearchBox.bak.
  5. Reboot your smartphone.

After removal of the system APK-The Assistant will disappear from the app menu, stop consuming resources and will not be updated through the Play Market. However, this can lead to errors in the work of other Google services (for example, Google Pay or Google Photos).

πŸ’‘

Deleting root-right system files can disrupt the work OTA-Before doing this, back up your files through TWRP.

Method 5: Limit background activity (to save battery)

If you don’t need to completely disable Google Assistant, but want to reduce its impact on autonomy, you can limit background activity through MIUI settings.

How to do this:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management.
  2. Find Google in the list and tap it.
  3. Choose the Battery. β†’ Background restriction.
  4. Set limits to background activity.
  5. Turn off Auto Start and Show notifications.

You can also turn off battery optimization for Google Assistant:

  1. In the same Google app settings, select Battery β†’ Battery Optimization.
  2. Find Google Assistant in the list and set Limit.

πŸ’‘

If Google Pay payments have stopped working after manipulation with Google Assistant, add the card again.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling Google Assistant on Xiaomi

Can I turn off Google Assistant on the Chinese version of MIUI?
Google Assistant is not available on Chinese firmware (without GMS) by default. If you installed it manually through Google Installer, delete the app as normal or use ADB: adb uninstall com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox After that, the assistant will be removed completely.
Why is the Home button not working after the Assistant is disabled?
This happens if you reassign the action of the button but don't save the settings. Return the standard behavior: Go to Settings β†’ System system β†’ Gestures β†’ Navigation buttons. Select Standard Navigation or reset gestures. If the button still doesn't respond, reset your gesture settings to Settings. β†’ System system β†’ Resetting settings β†’ Resetting gesture settings.
How to disable Google Assistant on Xiaomi Watch or Mi Band?
On Xiaomi Watch smartwatches or Mi Band fitness bracelets, Google Assistant is not integrated. However, if you synced the device to a phone where the assistant is active, it can duplicate notifications. To fix this, open the Mi Fitness app (or Zepp Life for Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro). Go to Profile β†’ Settings β†’ Notifications. Turn off notifications from the Google app.
Can you only turn off voice activation (OK, Google)?
Yes, for this: Open the Google app. Go to Settings β†’ Google Assistant β†’ Voice control. Turn off the slider OK, Google. After that, the assistant will not respond to the voice, but will remain accessible by pressing a button or through an icon on the home screen.
How to get back Google Assistant after you delete it completely?
If you have removed the assistant via ADB or root, you can restore it in two ways: Through ADB: Use the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox Through Play Market: Install the Google Assistant app and update Google services. If system files have been deleted with root rights, you may need to flash MIUI.