Modern smartphones, including popular models like the Redmi Note 8 Pro, often come with pre-installed software that doesn’t always suit the end user. One of these elements is the voice assistant Alice from Yandex, which can be built into the system at the widget level or even replace the standard Google Assistant when activating the power button. Many owners of Xiaomi devices face a situation where accidental clicking causes this assistant, which creates discomfort in everyday use of the gadget.
The deactivation process is not trivial, as developers often hide the necessary switches in the depth of system settings or require additional actions to clean up the data. Disabling Alice on the Android shell of MIUI requires care to not disrupt the work of other system components. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for solving the problem, from simple interface settings to more complex manipulation of applications.
It’s important to understand that completely removing the system component may not be possible without the use of special tools, but effectively locking its functions is quite real with standard tools.We’ll look at how to reassign hotkeys, remove widgets from the desktop and stop the background processes that consume the resources of your Redmi Note 8 Pro.
Analysis of the integration of voice assistant in MIUI
Integration of third-party services into the MIUI shell is often done through partnership agreements, leading to deep adoption of applications like Yandex Browser or a separate Alice module. On Xiaomi devices released for the Russian market, this assistant can be assigned by default to handle voice requests. This means that even when you try to call a standard Google Assistant, the system can redirect the request to the Yandex application.
There are several levels of assistant presence in the system. The first level is a widget on the desktop or in the left screen of Google Now (or its analogue from MIUI). The second level is the system binding to the power button or long press on the lock screen. The third level is the background work of the service, which tracks keywords for voice activation. For full comfort of the Redmi Note 8 Pro user, you need to address each of these levels separately.
Users often confuse the standard Yandex application with the system module for voice input. Deinstallation of updates or data cleaning of one component does not always affect the other. For example, removing a shortcut from the desktop will not disable the response to a voice command if it is written in the system accessibility settings.
Disabling widgets and left screen
The most visible display of the assistant's presence is a widget on the desktop or in the newsfeed. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, swiping to the right of the home screen often opens the tape where Alice's search bar and widget can be located. To remove this, you need to go into desktop editing mode. To do this, pinch two fingers on the home screen or hold your finger on an empty area for a long time.
In the desktop settings menu that opens, find the item responsible for Left Screen or Google Discover. Depending on the version of MIUI, this item may be called "-1 screen." The switch must be set to the "Off" position or select an alternative source of tape, such as "No tape." This action will remove the visual element, but does not necessarily turn off the service completely.
If the widget is installed directly on the desktop, it can be removed in the standard way. Click on the widget and hold until the action menu appears, then select "Delete" or drag to the cart. However, if the widget is system and is not removed, a deeper approach through the application settings will be required.
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Before removing widgets, take a screenshot of your desktop to remember the location of the icons and widgets you want to restore later.
It is worth noting that after the system update, the left screen settings may reset, in which case the procedure will have to be repeated, and some firmware versions can automatically reactivate the widgets of partner services when the device is first set up after the reset.
Setting up the power button and voice input
One of the most annoying features for many users is calling Alice when you press the power button long enough. In newer versions of MIUI, this button is often reprogrammed to call the voice assistant instead of the off menu. To return to normal functionality, you need to change the button settings.
Go to Settings, then select Additional or Advanced Settings. Find Buttons or Button Assignment. Here you will see Long Press Power. If Voice Assistant is selected, change the value to Nothing or Shutdown Menu, which will prevent the assistant from accidentally starting when you try to turn off the phone.
Another aspect is choosing the default voice input app, and Android allows you to choose which application will handle voice commands, and to change this setting:
- 🔍 Open the settings of your Redmi Note 8 Pro.
- 📱 Go to the Applications section and select Application Settings.
- ⚙️ Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Application Manager (or find the Default Apps item in the main settings).
- 🎤 Find Device Assistant or Voice Input.
- ✅ Choose Google or No instead of Yandex.
Once these steps are done, the system will no longer associate voice commands with the Yandex application. If the item “Device Assistant” is missing, it may be hidden in the “All Applications” section -> “Show System Processes”.
☑️ Checking button settings
Application management and data cleanup
If simple settings don't work, you have to work directly on the application that handles the assistant, and on Xiaomi, it can be a separate application called Yandex, Yandex with Alice, or a component built into the browser, and you have to find the exact name of the process first.
Go to Settings -> Apps -> All Apps. In the list, find Yandex. Click on it to open the information page. Here you are interested in the Remove Updates (if available) and Stop button. Removing updates will return the app to the factory version, which often removes the voice assistant functionality if it was added in the update.
You then have to stop the app from running. In the same app information menu, find AutoStart and turn it off. You also have to check the permissions: go to Permits and revoke access to the microphone, geolocation and contacts. Without these permissions, Alice will not be able to function properly.
| Action. | Location on the menu | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Stopping. | Info about the annex -> Stop | Temporary suspension of the process |
| Removal of updates | Info about the application -> Three dots -> Delete | Recoil to the factory version without assistant functions |
| Shutting down autostart | Info about the application -> Auto-run | Prohibiting Start When Turning on the Phone |
| Restriction of rights | Info on annex -> Permits | Blocking access to microphone and data |
It is important to understand that on some firmware versions, the Remove button may not be active for system components, in which case only disabling helps. If the system requires confirmation of action, agree, warning that this may affect the operation of other Yandex services.
What to do if the removal button is inactive?
Blocking through access and security settings
MIUI security has its own application controls, and even if you turn off auto-runs, the application can try to regain its rights, and you can use the built-in antivirus and optimizer to enhance the effect.
Open the Security app (green zipper icon). Go to Permissions -> Auto Run. Make sure the switch opposite the Yandex or Alice app is off (grey). Then go to Permissions -> Call Windows (or "Master on top of other apps") and also disable this action for suspicious components.
⚠️ Be careful when disabling system components called “Google” or “System Services.” Disabling critical Android processes can cause a phone to malfunction or data loss. Disable only applications with the Yandex logo or explicitly listed as voice assistants.
It's also worth checking the special features settings. Sometimes assistants are embedded there to listen to them all the time. Go to Settings -> Advanced Settings -> Special. If there are active Yandex services there, turn them off. This will prevent the assistant from working on a locked screen.
For advanced users, it is possible to freeze applications through ADB, but this requires a connection to a computer. With the standard Redmi Note 8 Pro tools, the above measures are usually enough to completely stop activity.
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A comprehensive shutdown of auto-start, permissions, and widgets ensures that Alice won’t bother you even after the device has been rebooted.
Alternative methods and work with the launcher
If standard methods fail, it may be a problem to use a third-party launcher or a specific firmware version. In some cases, resetting the launcher settings helps. Go to Settings -> Apps -> All Apps, find System Launcher (or your launcher name), select Clear -> Clear Everything. This will return the desktop to its original state by removing all widgets and settings, including integration with Alice.
Another radical but effective method is to use blocking applications such as AppFreezer or analogues that require root rights or ADB use. However, for the average Xiaomi user, it is safer to limit yourself to the settings described above.
Remember that MIUI updates can return default settings. After each major update, check for voice and button items. Keeping your smartphone environment clean and familiar requires periodic monitoring.
⚠️ Attention: Clearing the launcher data will cause all icons to reset on the desktop, and it is recommended to take a screen picture in advance or remember the folder structure to quickly restore order.