Voice assistants on Xiaomi smartphones have long ceased to be exotic — they help to manage the device, search for information and automate routine tasks. However, standard Xiao AI (or Mi AI in older versions) is not popular: someone prefers Google Assistant for its integration with Google services, someone wants to install Yandex Alice for better Russification, and some even dream of Siri (although this is a separate story).
It is important to understand that replacement options depend on three factors: the MIUI/HyperOS version, the firmware region (global, Chinese, European) and the smartphone model. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with HyperOS, the algorithm differs from the Redmi Note 10 on MIUI 12. We will look at universal methods, as well as nuances for specific cases.
Why can't you change the assistant?
Before you get into the instructions, it’s worth getting to the limits. Xiaomi is actively blocking replacement of the standard assistant on some firmware, especially on the Chinese versions (CN ROM).
- 🔒 Closed firmware: In Chinese ROM (CN) Xiao AI hard sewn into the system and cannot be replaced without unlocking the bootloader.
- 📱 An outdated version MIUI: On versions below MIUI 11 No support for alternative assistants.
- 🛡️ Google Policy: On some models (e.g., Google Policy, POCO F3) Google Assistant is disabled by default due to certification.
- 🔧 No root rights: For deep replacement (e.g. Xiao removal) AI) root.
If your smartphone falls under one of these points, don't worry - there are workarounds in the article, for example, you can install an alternative assistant parallel to the standard one or use gestures and shortcuts for a quick call.
⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) Some of the methods may not work because of the changed system architecture. → The phone.
Method 1: Install Google Assistant (official method)
The easiest and safest way to activate Google Assistant is to activate Google Assistant if it is supported by your model, which works on most global (Global ROM) and European (EEA ROM) firmware.
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Search the Google list (or com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox) and tap it.
- Select by default → Voice assistant.
- Activate the switch next to Google Assistant.
- Then go to Settings → System → Gestures → Home button and select Google Assistant as the action with a long press.
If there is no Voice Assistant, your firmware does not support an official replacement, in which case you should try the following methods.
Make sure your smartphone is on Global/EEA ROM
Update Google Services to Play Market
Clear the cache of the Google app (Settings → Apps → Google → Memory → Clear the cache)
Reset the device-->
Method 2: Using third-party launchers
If standard settings do not allow you to change the assistant, you can go a workaround - install an alternative launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher), which supports the binding of gestures to third-party assistants.
Algorithm of action:
- 📥 Install a launcher from the Play Market (recommended Nova Launcher).
- 🔧 Go to the launcher settings and find the Gestures and Functions section (or similar).
- 🤖 Link a long tap on Home or swipe from the edge of the screen to call the right assistant (for example, Yandex Alice).
- 🔄 Restart the device to make the changes effective.
The advantage of this method is that it doesn't require root, and it works even on Chinese firmware, but there's a downside: the standard assistant (Xiao AI) will stay in the system and may conflict with the new one.
Method 3: Installation of Yandex Alice (for Russian-speaking users)
Yandex Alisa is one of the most popular assistants among Russian-speaking users due to its deep integration with Yandex services (Weather, Music, Maps), which can be installed even on Chinese firmware, but with some reservations.
Step-by-step:
- Download the official Yandex application with alisa from the Play Market or from the site alice.yandex.ru.
- Open the app and go through the initial setup (allow access to microphone and contacts).
- Go back to Settings → Applications → Application Management and find Yandex.
- Slip by default → Voice assistant and select Yandex Alice.
- For a quick call, set up a gesture in Settings → System → Gestures (if available).
If there is no Voice Assistant, use Alice’s widget on the home screen or link the call to a button via Tasker (requires automation skills).
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A on MIUI 12) Alice may not recognize voice commands due to microphone limitations, in which case only firmware on Global will help. ROM.
How to tie Alice to the power button?
Method 4: Completely remove Xiao AI (for advanced users)
If you want to get rid of the standard assistant completely, you have to take a radical step: remove the system application, which requires root rights or an unlocked bootloader.
Instructions for users with root:
- Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
- Go to /system/priv-app/MiuiVoiceAssist or /system/app/XiaoAi (the path may vary depending on the model).
- Remove or rename the folder (for example, in the XiaoAi_bak).
- Reset the device.
- Install an alternative assistant (Google Assistant or Alice) through the Play Market.
For users without root, but with an unlocked bootloader, you can use ADB:
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.voiceassist⚠️ Attention: Removing system applications can cause the phone to run unstable, especially on HyperOS.Before experimenting, make a backup through TWRP Or Mi Flash Tool.
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If voice commands in some apps (like Google Maps) have stopped working after removing Xiao AI, install Google’s Voice Access app and set it up as the primary voice input handler.
Comparison of Assistants: Which one to choose?
To determine which assistant is right for you, compare their key features:
| Assistant | Advantages | Deficiencies | Support for Russian |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiao AI | Deep integration with MIUI, quick button call | Weak Russification, Limited Functions | ❌ (Basic teams only) |
| Google Assistant | Smart search, integration with Google services, support for Routines | Requires Google Services, High Battery Consumption | ✅ (full-fledged) |
| Yandex Alice | Best Russification, support for Yandex.Ecosystems | Less integration with Android, sometimes bugging microphone | ✅ (full-fledged + dialect) |
| Amazon Alexa | Smart home management, skills support | Poor localization, requires a separate application | ⚠️ (partial) |
For most Xiaomi users in Russia, the best choice is Yandex Alice (because of Russification) or Google Assistant (because of functionality). If you care about speed and minimal resource consumption, you can leave Xiao AI, but additionally install Alice for voice search.
Frequent problems and their solutions
When changing assistants, users often encounter common mistakes.
- 🔇 Assistant does not respond to voice: Check microphone permissions in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Microphone. Also make sure that the assistant settings include the option OK Google (for the assistant settings). GA) Hello, Alice (for Yandex).
- 🔄 Standard Assistant Returns After Update: This Is Due to Update Reset MIUI. The solution is to re-configure or disable auto-update system applications.
- 📵 No button calls: On some models (e.g, POCO X3 Pro) gesture to call assistant tied to Xiao AI In this case, only the replacement of the launcher or root will help.
- 🔋 Fast battery drain: Google Assistant and Alice consume more power than Xiao AI. To save charge, turn off background activity in the app settings.
If none of the methods worked, your smartphone model may have hardware limitations, in which case you can only wait for updates from Xiaomi or consider alternative ways of managing (for example, through Bixby on Samsung devices, if you use multiple gadgets).
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On Chinese firmware (CN ROM), it is almost impossible to replace Xiao AI without root rights, and the only way out is to flash a global version of MIUI or HyperOS.