How to turn off Alice on Xiaomi TV: the complete guide

Owners of the Chinese brand’s modern Smart TVs often face intrusive functionality built into the default operating system: the Yandex Alice voice assistant, which is activated when you tap the microphone on the remote control. For many users, this becomes an annoying factor, especially if they are used to the standard Android TV or PatchWall interface without unnecessary integration of third-party services.

Completely remove the system component of the voice assistant without the risk of damaging the firmware is not always possible, but there are a number of effective methods to minimize its impact on the operation of the device. In this guide, we will look at ways to untie the Yandex account and reassign the functions of the buttons so that the TV stops responding to voice commands or calls the applications you need.

Before we start taking any radical action, it's important to understand that the interface can vary depending on the regional version of the firmware. Global versions of Mi TV and Chinese builds have different menu structures, but the basic principles of disabling services remain similar. We'll look at both software methods through settings and more complex options using debugging.

Analysis of the current version of the software and remote model

The first step before making any changes to your TV is to determine exactly what model your device is and what version of the operating system you are installing, which will determine what method of deactivating the voice assistant you will be able to use, for example, on older PatchWall models, Alice’s functionality is more limited than on the new global versions with Google TV.

Note the remote control, and if it has a separate button with the Yandex logo or microphone, it's not always software-based, because it can be processed at the hardware level of the IR port controller, and in these cases, the only solution is to lock the processing application itself.

To check the version, go to the settings menu. The path usually reads: Settings → About device → Version. Write down the build number, as it may be needed when looking for specific patches or instructions for your specific Xiaomi TV modification.

It's also worth mentioning that some remote models have a built-in microphone that requires power. If you're not using voice control, it makes sense to remove the batteries from the remote, if it's running without them in IR mode, or just not press the activation button. However, software shutdown gives a more reliable result.

Disconnection through the settings of the Yandex account

The safest and easiest way to reduce voice assistant activity is to log out of your user account.Until Alice is logged in to your profile, her functionality is severely limited, and she cannot collect personalized data or offer content based on your browsing history.

To do this, look for the Yandex app or the assistant widget on the home screen. Go to its settings and select "Out" or "Untie" device. Then, when you try to activate the voice, the TV will request authorization, which effectively blocks the assistant from being used by random voice commands.

⚠️ Note: After logging out, the synchronization of music playlists and request history may stop working. If you use Yandex services on other devices, make sure that the exit does not disrupt the work of your ecosystem.

If standard logout is not possible due to interface errors, you can use the Yandex ID site on your computer or smartphone. In the Security section, find a list of connected devices, select your Xiaomi TV and break the connection. This action will force the session on the TV to end.

It is important to understand that this method does not delete the application itself from the TV memory. The assistant files will remain in the system, and when you update the firmware, authorization can fly or, conversely, restore automatically if synchronization is enabled in the system settings.

Removing updates and cleaning application data

A deeper method of dealing with the intrusive assistant is to roll back its updates to the factory version and completely clean up the accumulated data. Often, it is the updated version of the application that contains new activation mechanisms and advertising integrations that are missing from the basic firmware.

Go to the Application Management section. The path can look like Settings → Applications → All apps. Find Yandex, Yandex Voice Assistant or a similar name. Click on it and select Remove Updates. Then click Clear Data and Clear Cache.

Once you do this, the app will return to the state it was when you first turned on the TV, which often eliminates bugs that cause the microphone to spontaneously activate, but the system may again try to update the assistant in the background.

To prevent automatic updates, you can disable auto-update apps in the Google Play Market or PatchWall app store, and you should also prevent the application from accessing the Internet if the operating system allows you to manage network rights for each individual process.

Remember that data cleanup resets all your settings inside Alice’s app itself, including saved Wi-Fi passwords for the smart home if they were stored locally.

Using ADB for Advanced Users

For users who are not afraid of the command line and understand the risks of tampering with system files, there is a method of removing packets through the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) protocol, which allows you to remove or “freeze” system applications that cannot be disabled through the standard settings menu.

First, activate the developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About device and quickly click 7 times on the item "Build Number." After the notification "You became a developer" go to the menu Additional → For developers and turn on debugging on USB.

Connect your TV and computer to the same Wi-Fi network. IP-On your computer, use the command to connect: adb connect IP_AREZ TELEVISOR:5555. After successful connection, you can delete the packets containing the word "yandex" and delete the unnecessary ones.

⚠️ Removal of critical system components through ADB It can lead to a "bricking" of the TV or an endless reboot. Only backup if you're an experienced user.

The command to remove is: adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 name packet. It is important not to delete packets that you are not 100% sure of, but rather to use the pm disable-user command, which simply disables the application without physically removing it, which allows you to return everything in case of something.

Reassign buttons and third-party launchers

If software removal is impossible or ineffective, you can try to change the behavior of the remote buttons or replace the standard shell. Installing a third-party launcher, such as FATTO or FLauncher, allows you to completely hide the standard interface with Alice widgets.

There are apps like Button Mapper to reassign buttons, but on Xiaomi TVs, they can be restricted to access rights, and if the app can intercept the press of the microphone button, you can assign another application to run it or do nothing.

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Installing a root launcher gives you maximum control, but it takes away the guarantee. Without root rights, try a remote emulation app on your smartphone.

Using an alternative remote control via a smartphone is another option. Android TV remote applications often don't have a Yandex voice input button, which physically eliminates accidental activation. You can put the original remote control in the drawer and use only the phone.

It is worth noting that the replacement of the launcher affects only the visual part and the launch of applications. The system level of voice processing may remain the same, but the likelihood of using it will decrease to zero, since the interface will not offer this feature.

Resetting to factory settings as an extreme measure

In situations where the voice assistant is not working properly, is constantly turning on on itself or blocking other applications, a complete system reset may be required, which will return the TV to the “out of the box” state by removing all user data and settings.

You can reset via the menu: Settings → About device → Reset. Also, many Xiaomi models have a combination of buttons on the remote or a physical button on the case (often you need to press the power button or volume button down when you turn the TV on the network).

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A full reset removes all accounts and settings, so be sure to write down passwords from Wi-Fi and important apps before the procedure.

After resetting, watch the greeting screens carefully when you first set up. Often, this is the stage where the system insists on activating voice control and logging into your Yandex account. Skip these steps or select the "Configure later" option so you don't link the service right away.

If even after the reset, the problem persists, it may indicate a hardware malfunction of the remote control (stick button) or a critical error in the firmware itself. USB-drive, downloading the current image from the official website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This section contains answers to the most popular user questions that arise during the process of disabling voice functions on Xiaomi TVs.