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

Why change voice assistant to Xiaomi?

Voice assistants on Xiaomi smartphones are not just a convenient tool, but a whole control center for the device. By default, most models (from the Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra) have Xiao AI, a brand assistant with support for Chinese and English. However, for Russian-speaking users, its functionality is often limited: speech recognition works imperfectly, and many commands are simply not understood.

Alternative solutions — Google Assistant, Yandex Alice, or even Siri (for iPhone owners in the Xiaomi ecosystem) — offer more options: smart home integration, real-time translations, calendar management, even jokes. But here the question is: how to replace the assistant without disrupting the system? In this article, we will examine all the ways, from standard MIUI settings to manual intervention through ADB.

It is important to understand that the process depends on the firmware version (MIUI 12/13/14), the regional binding of the device (global or Chinese version), and even the model of the smartphone. For example, on the POCO F5 with MIUI 14 for the EU, the algorithm will differ from the actions on the Redmi 10A with Chinese firmware.

Preparation: What to Know Before Changing Your Assistant

Before you start the replacement, check out a few key points:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone, if you have one. MIUI 12 or older, the process is simplified – new versions add the default assistant selection option.
• 🌍 Regional firmware: On Chinese versions (China) ROM) Xiao AI It's impossible to remove without root rights. Global and European firmware (Global/EU ROM) more flexible.
• 🔒 Developer Rights: Some methods require you to activate Developer Mode (7 times click on Version) MIUI phone-setting).
• 📲 Installed apps: Make sure that the right assistant (like Google or Yandex) is already installed from the Play Market or APK.

If you plan to use Google Assistant, note that on some models (such as the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G), it can conflict with Xiao AI, causing delays in voice activation, in which case you will have to turn off the standard assistant via ADB.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for Russia (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T Pro after updating to MIUI 14 may miss the default assistant selection option. This is a bug that is fixed by resetting the Settings app.

Method 1: Change the assistant through MIUI settings (the easiest one)

If your device is running MIUI 13/14 Global or EU ROM, chances are the assistant selection option is already available on the menu.This method does not require root rights or ADB and takes less than a minute.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Applications by default.
2. Slip on the item Voice assistant (or Assist & voice input in English firmware).
3. In the list, select the desired application: Google, Yandex or leave Xiao AI.
4. Confirm your choice and restart your phone (optional, but recommended for changes).

If you don't have Voice Assistant on the menu, your firmware doesn't support this method. Go to the next method.

Install an alternative assistant (Google/Yandex) from the Play Market

Check the MIUI version in your phone settings

Activate Developer Mode (if ADB is required)

Make a backup copy of important data-->

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T s MIUI 13) after changing the assistant, voice search in Mi Browser may stop working. To return the function, clear the browser cache in the application settings.

Method 2: Disable Xiao AI via ADB (for Chinese firmware)

If you have a Chinese version of MIUI (like the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3), the standard Xiao AI assistant cannot be removed or replaced via the GUI. The only working way is to disable it via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that requires a computer and minimal technical skills.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools (includes adb).
2. Activate USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (7 times) → Additional → For developers → Debugging over USB.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and in the command line (terminal) enter: adb devices Make sure that the device is determined (should appear its serial number).
4. Run the command to disable Xiao AI: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.voiceassist If the command doesn't work, try: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.voiceassist
5. Reboot your phone. Now, if you hold the Home button (or gesture) for a long time, the assistant you choose will start.

Important: After disabling Xiao AI via ADB, some MIUI features (such as voice search in system applications) may not work properly. To get it back, use the command:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.voiceassist

Method 3: Install Yandex Alice as the main assistant

Yandex Alice is one of the most popular assistants among Russian-speaking users due to its deep integration with Yandex services (Search, Music, Maps, Weather). However, on Xiaomi it cannot be assigned by default through standard settings. The solution is to use the Alice application from Yandex with a workaround.

Instructions:

• 📥 Install the Yandex Alice app from Play Market.
• 🔧 Open Alice's settings and enable the option to Start by the Assistant button.
• 🎤 Assign Alice as the default assistant through Settings → Annexes → Default applications → Voice assistant (if available).
• 🔄 If there is no item, use it. ADB shutdown AI (See Method 2), then link the long-press Home button to Alice via the Home Button app (requires rights) ADB).

Advantages of Alice on Xiaomi:

• 🗣️ Better Russian language recognition than Google Assistant.
• 🎵 Integration with Yandex Music and Podcasts.
• 🚗 Managing Yandex Navigator by voice.
• 💬 Support for jokes and dialogue (unlike Xiao) AI).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO M5) Alice may be in conflict with the system launcher MIUI, The solution is to install an alternative launcher (for example, Nova Launcher).

Method 4: Using third-party launchers to change assistants

If standard methods don’t work, you can go a workaround by installing a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher) that allows you to reassign the actions of buttons, especially for devices with MIUI China, where Xiao AI is hardwired into the system.

How it works:

1. Install a launcher from the Play Market (recommended Nova Launcher).
2. In the launcher settings, look for the Gestures & Inputs section.
3. Set the action Long click Home (or other gesture) to start the right assistant (e.g. Google Assistant).
4. Save the settings and set the launcher by default.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require rooting or ADB.
• ✅ It even works on Chinese firmware.
• ✅ Allows you to flexibly customize other gestures (e.g. swipe up for search).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Not all system features (such as voice search in Mi Browser) will be redirected to the new assistant.
• ❌ Possible delays in activation due to the intermediary (launcher).

💡

If after changing the launcher, MIUI gestures (for example, swipe for returns) stop working, return the standard launcher in the default settings of the Application and repeat the setting.

Problems and Solutions: What to Do When Your Helper Doesn't Change

Even if you follow the instructions, you may encounter errors, and let's look at the most common cases and how to solve them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔄 Updates MIUI: Sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions of firmware.
• 🛠️ Resetting: In extreme cases, reset to factory settings (don’t forget to make a backup!).
• 📌 Xiaomi Forum: Look for a solution for your model in the official forum or 4PDA.

💡

On devices with MIUI for Russia (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro) after changing the assistant, voice dialing in Mi Dialer may disappear. To return the function, clear the phone application data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing voice assistant to Xiaomi