How to permanently disable Google Assistant on Xiaomi smartphones: 5 working methods

Google Assistant on Xiaomi smartphones is often activated by accident, just press the Home button or say "OK, Google." For many users, this feature becomes more of a hindrance than an assistant: It consumes battery power, collects data about your requests and can interfere with games or watching videos, POCO and flagship Mi models, where the assistant is integrated at the firmware level MIUI.

In this article, we'll look at all the ways you can turn off, from standard settings to hidden developer settings. You'll learn how to remove the voice assistant completely, disable it from auto-start, and even block access to the microphone. The instructions are relevant for MIUI 12/13/14 and Android 11/12/13, including the latest updates from 2026. Importantly, some methods require ADB or root access rights, we'll explain in detail how to get them without risk to the device.

Why Google Assistant works for Xiaomi, even if you didn’t turn it on

On all Xiaomi smartphones (except models for the Chinese market), Google Assistant is installed by default as part of Google Mobile Services (GMS). The manufacturer can not remove it from the firmware due to licensing agreements with Google, but there are ways to deactivate it.

• 🔍 Random activation – pressing the Home button or swipe from the corner of the screen (on some models).
• 🎤 Voice activation – “OK, Google” is recognized even when the screen is locked.
• 🔄 Automatic Update – Google Play Services will return the assistant periodically, even if you have disabled it.
• 📱 Corporate gestures MIUI — For example, double-press the power button to call the assistant (configured in Settings) → Special facilities).

Interesting fact: Xiaomi smartphones for the Chinese market (without GMS) instead of Google Assistant uses Xiao AI, the company’s own assistant. Its shutdown happens differently, but in this article we will focus on global versions of firmware.

⚠️ Note: Deleting Google Assistant completely may disrupt some features, such as voice search in Google Maps or fast commands in Google Lens. If you use these services, it is better to limit yourself to disabling autorun.

Method 1: Standard Disconnection through MIUI settings

The easiest way is to deactivate the assistant in the settings menu, which does not require superuser rights and is suitable for most Redmi, POCO and Mi models.

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Show All Apps (or System Apps).
3. Search in the Google list (the icon with the G logo) and open it.
4. Go to the Notifications section and turn off all switches.
5. Go back and select Permissions. Turn off Microphone, Contacts and Locations.
6. Click Warehouse → Clear the data and Clear the cache.

After this, Google Assistant will stop activating on voice command and button pressing, but it will still take up space in memory and can be updated via Google Play.

Disable synchronization with Google account|Check if you are using voice search in other apps|Make a backup copy of important data|Remember your Google account password (required to be activated again)-->

Method 2: Disconnect via Google Settings (without root)

If the standard shutdown didn’t work, try blocking the assistant through its own settings, which works even on the newer versions of MIUI 14 and Android 13:

1. Open the Google app (not to be confused with Google Play!).
2. Slip on the profile icon in the upper right corner and select Settings → Google Assistant.
3. Scroll down to General Settings and select Google Assistant.
4. Turn off the Google Assistant switch (password confirmation may be required).
5. Go back and go to Voice Match. Turn off Google and Voice Control.

This method blocks voice activation, but does not remove the application itself. Additional steps will be required to completely disable it (see Methods 3-5).

Method 3: Using ADB for deep shutdown (no root)

If previous methods didn’t work, use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that allows you to disable system applications without superuser rights.This method is suitable for Xiaomi Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5 and other models on MIUI.

You will need to:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to activate the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Steps:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Open the command prompt (or Terminal) in the adb.exe folder.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
5. Follow the command to disable Google Assistant: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox This command removes the application only for the current user without affecting system files.

Once you do this, the assistant will disappear from the application menu and stop activating. To return it, use the command:

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

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If the command didn’t work, try first disabling all updates for the Google app in the Play Store, then repeat the steps.

Method 4: Complete removal with root rights

For users with an unlocked bootloader and Magisk or other root manager installed, Google Assistant is completely removed, an irreversible method that could disrupt other Google services, so only use it if you are confident in your actions.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/GoogleQuickSearchBox or /system/app/GoogleQuickSearchBox.
3. Remove or rename the folder (for example, in the GoogleQuickSearchBox_bak).
4. Reset the device.

An alternative way to use Titanium Backup is to use the following:

1. Open Titanium Backup and find Google in the app list.
2. Select Freeze (this will disable the app without deleting files).
3. If necessary, click Remove for complete erasure.

⚠️ Attention: Removing system applications can lead to bootloop (a looped boot) or Google Play Services crashes.Before experimenting, back up through TWRP or MIUI Backup.

Method 5: Blocking through special features settings

A little-known way is to disable the assistant through the special features menu, which won't delete the app, but will block it from running through gestures and voice commands. MIUI 12–14:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Special features Services.
2. Search for an Assistant in Google and tap on it.
3. Turn off the switch.
4. Return to Special Features → Gestures and turn off the Assistant Start.

This method is especially useful if the assistant is activated when:

• 👆 Double press of the power button.
• 🔄 Screen rotation (on some models) POCO).
• 🎧 Connecting headphones (voice assistant can start automatically).

Standard settings MIUI|Google settings|ADB-team|Root removal|I haven't tried, but I'm planning.|Another way.-->

What to do if Google Assistant returns after updates

The main problem is automatic assistant recovery through Google Play Services.

1. Freeze the app via Titanium Backup or ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox
2. Turn off auto updates: Open Google Play Store. Find Google App. Tap three points → Turn off auto update.
3. Use a firewall (such as NetGuard or AFWall+) to block internet access for com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox.

If the assistant shows up anyway, check:

• 🔄 Is synced with Google account enabled (Settings) → Accounts. → Google).
• 📦 Have you installed updates for Google Play Services (sometimes they return deleted components).
• 🛠️ Have you been reset after the update? MIUI (Check in the settings → The phone. → Updating the system).

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To get rid of Google Assistant forever, combine methods: disable it through ADB, block updates in the Play Store, and use the firewall to restrict network access.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling Google Assistant on Xiaomi