How to change the voice assistant on Android Xiaomi: from Xiao AI to Google Assistant

Voice assistants on Xiaomi smartphones have become an integral part of everyday interaction with the device. By default, most models with MIUI 12-14 have a proprietary Xiao AI, a Chinese assistant with limited functionality for international users. Meanwhile, many owners prefer more versatile solutions like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, which better integrate with global services.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to change voice assistant to Xiaomi, including official settings in MIUI, installing third-party applications and even hidden features for advanced users. We will pay special attention to the nuances of working on different versions of firmware and smartphone models, from budget Redmi to flagship Xiaomi 13/14. It is important to understand that not all methods are equally effective: somewhere you will need root access, and somewhere a couple of clicks on the menu.

Why You Might Need to Change Your Voice Assistant

Xiaomi’s branded Xiao AI is optimized for the Chinese market and often causes discontent among international users, and here are the main reasons why owners are looking for alternatives:

• 🌍 Limited language support. Xiao AI • Does not speak Russian, English, or other languages outside of China, often fails to recognize commands or responds in Chinese.
• 🔗 Weak integration with global services. There is no sync with Google Calendar, Gmail or Spotify.
• 🛡️ Privacy concerns: Many users don’t trust China’s cloud services, which handle voice data.
• 🎵 Lack of support for popular music services. Xiao AI Can't manage YouTube Music or Apple Music.
• 🔄 Unlike Google Assistant, there are no flexible voice command settings or routines.

On the other hand, on some Xiaomi models (such as the Xiaomi 12T or Redmi Note 11), Xiao AI may be useful for managing the smart devices of the Mi Home ecosystem — it works more stable than third-party assistants here. But if your priority is versatility and recognition quality, the alternatives are obvious.

Method 1: Replace Google Assistant with MIUI Settings

The simplest and most official method is to activate Google Assistant instead of Xiao AI, which works on most modern Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 12.5+ and pre-installed Google services.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type in Xiao AI and select the application from the results.
3. Click Disable (or Remove Updates if the Disable button is inactive).
4. Return to the main settings menu and go to Google → Google Assistant Settings.
5. Follow the instructions for setting up voice, language and allow the necessary permissions.

After that, a long press on the Home button or the voice command “OK, Google” will activate the Google Assistant. Note: some models (for example, POCO F4) may require additional gesture adjustments in Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures.

Method 2: Installation of third-party assistants (Alexa, Bixby, Alice)

If you don't like Google Assistant, you can set up alternative solutions. Let's look at three popular options:

To install any of these assistants:

1. Download the app from Google Play at the link above.
2. Launch the application and complete the initial setup (language selection, voice, permissions).
3. In Xiaomi settings, go to Applications → Application Management → Xiao AI and turn it off.
4. Assign a new assistant to call a long press of the Home button or voice via Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware (especially Chinese versions) may block the installation of third-party voice assistants via the Internet. MIUI Optimization. In this case, you will need to disable optimization. MIUI assisted ADB-Adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.analytics adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.mipicks This procedure requires connecting your smartphone to your PC and can lead to unstable system operation.

Method 3: Using ADB to force a change of assistant

For advanced users who want to completely remove Xiao AI and assign another default assistant, there is a method through Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method is suitable for models with unlocked bootloader or root rights, but can work on standard firmware.

You will need to:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone with enabled debugging USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to activate the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-plug-in.

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission on the device screen.
2. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type: Adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list.
3. Run the command to disable Xiao AI: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.voiceassist
4. Install an alternative assistant (like Google Assistant) and assign it by default: adb shell cmd role set-holder-and-default com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox android.app.role.ASSISTANT

After restarting the device, a long press on the Home button will activate the selected assistant. If the command does not work, try an alternative option:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.voiceassist


adb shell pm grant com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox android.permission.BIND_ASSISTANT_SERVICE

Method 4: Configure voice assistant through launcher

Some third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher, Action Launcher, or Microsoft Launcher) allow you to assign alternative gesture actions, including calling a voice assistant.This method does not require root rights and works on most MIUI firmware.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Go to the launcher settings: long press on the desktop → Settings.
3. Choose Gestures and inputs → Double touch (or other gesture).
4. In the action list, find Voice Search and select the right assistant (like Google Assistant).
5. Save the settings and assign Nova Launcher to the default launcher.

The advantage of this method is that you can assign an assistant to any gesture – double-touch, swipe up/down, etc. This is especially convenient if the Home button on your Xiaomi is programmable in a limited way (like on the POCO X3 Pro or Redmi Note 10).

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If after changing the launcher, MIUI gestures stopped working (for example, swipe for quick settings), return the standard launcher to Settings → Home → Launcher by default and repeat the setting.

Method 5: Completely remove Xiao AI (requires root rights)

For users with unlocked bootloader and root rights (Magisk), there is a radical way to completely remove Xiao AI from the system, which will free up space in memory and eliminate conflicts with other assistants.

Steps:

1. Install a file manager with root support, such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer.
2. Go to /system/priv-app/ and find the folders: VoiceAssist MiuiVoiceAssist XiaoAi (if any)

.bak

VoiceAssist.bak

Reset the device.

Install an alternative assistant from Google Play and assign it by default.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi firmware, removing system applications may cause update errors MIUI. Before performing the operation, make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset or by TWRP.

After removing Xiao AI, you can also disable related services to save battery:

adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.voiceassist


adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.xiaomi.aiasst

Solving problems after changing voice assistant

Even after a successful replacement, Xiaomi users may face problems, and consider the most common of them and ways to solve them:

If after all the manipulations the assistant still does not work, try resetting the application settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Reset app settings.
3. Confirm the action and restart the device.

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On Chinese firmware devices (e.g. Xiaomi for the CN market), you may need to completely flash to the global version of MIUI for the Google Assistant to work properly.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing voice assistant to Xiaomi