How to permanently disable Google Assistant on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: 5 proven methods

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is still one of the most popular smartphones of the brand, but its owners often encounter an intrusive Google Assistant, which is activated by random taps, eats battery power and collects data. Unlike new models, where the assistant is integrated deeper, on the Redmi Note 7 it can be turned off completely — without root rights and loss of functionality. In this article, we will analyze all the working methods, from standard settings to hidden commands for experienced users.

The problem is that Google Assistant on MIUI behaves differently than on pure Android. It can turn on after updates, ignore restrictions in app settings, and even block alternative voice assistants (like Alice from Yandex). We tested all methods on MIUI 10-14 firmware and identified those that work. Importantly, some steps will require a PC connection, but most decisions are done directly on the phone.

Why Google Assistant is in the way of Redmi Note 7

On the Redmi Note 7 (lavender model), Google Assistant is activated not only by voice command "OK, Google", but also by:

• 🔄 Long-term retention of the Home button (even if the settings are disabled)
• 🔊 Random swipe on the lock screen (due to a bug in the MIUI Launcher)
• 🔋 Background activity that drains the battery by 5-15% per night
• 📱 Automatically update via Google Play (returns default settings)

In addition, the assistant conflicts with the branded features of Xiaomi:

• 🚫 Blocks Quick Ball (Floating Quick Access Button)
• 🔍 Interfering with device search in MIUI
• 🎤 Intercepts control from Yandex.Alice or Siri (if you use the iPhone in a bundle)

According to tests, on the Redmi Note 7 with MIUI 12.5, Google Assistant consumes up to 280 MB of RAM in the background, which is critical for a device with 3/4 GB of RAM. Even if you do not use it, it continues to send data about location, activity in applications and search history.

Method 1: Disconnect via Google Settings (the easiest way)

This method is suitable for users who want to remove voice activation and limit background activity of the assistant, but not remove it completely. MIUI 10–14:

1. Open the Google app (the icon with the letter "G" on a color background).
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner → select Settings → Google Assistant.
3. Go to General and turn off the Google Assistant slider.
4. Go back and select Voice → Voice → Disable Google.

After that, the assistant will stop responding to voice commands, but will remain in the system, to completely block its background activity:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google → Battery → Select Limit Background Activity.
3. In the same app menu, turn off AutoRun and Show notifications.

⚠️ Note: After updating the Google app through the Play Market, settings may reset.To avoid this, disable automatic updates for this app in the Play Market → My apps. → Google → ⋮ → Turn off auto-update.

Method 2: Removal via ADB (for power users)

If the standard shutdown didn’t work, you can completely deactivate Google Assistant using ADB commands. This method does not require root rights, but requires connecting the phone to the computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 📱 Included debugging by USB phone-on
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB Tools (download from Google website)

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB debugging on Redmi Note 7: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (Tap 7 times) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
5. Run the command to disable Google Assistant: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

If the command runs without errors, the assistant will be completely deleted for the current user (without deleting system files).

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

Method 3: Hidden MIUI settings (without root)

In MIUI 12 and later, a hidden section of MIUI Hidden Settings has been added, where you can turn off system components, including Google Assistant, which works without a PC and requires no technical skills.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone app and enter the code: ##6484##
2. The MIUI Hidden Settings menu will open (if the code doesn't work, try ##64663###).
3. Go to the System Components section.
4. Find Google Assistant and turn off the slider.
5. Save the changes and restart the phone.

If this section is not available, try an alternative path:

1. Install the MIUI Hidden Settings app (access to Install Unknown Applications is required).
2. Open it and search for the Google Services section.
3. Turn off Google Assistant and Google App Search.

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If the assistant reappears after disabling through hidden settings, check if the settings reset after the MIUI update. In this case, repeat the steps or use the method with ADB for permanent removal.

Method 4: Replacement of the standard launcher (radical method)

Google Assistant is closely integrated with MIUI Launcher, Xiaomi's standard shell, and if previous methods have failed, you can install a third-party launcher that does not support the assistant, which is suitable for users who are ready to change the interface.

The best alternatives for the Redmi Note 7 are:

• 🌟 Nova Launcher - lightweight, with gesture settings (you can reassign a long press "Home")
• 🎨 Lawnchair is open source without Google integration
• ⚡ Hyperion Launcher – Optimized for weak devices (3 GB of RAM)
• 🔄 Microsoft Launcher – if you are using the Windows ecosystem

How to install and configure:

1. Download the selected launcher from Google Play.
2. When you first start, select it as the default launcher.
3. Go to launcher settings and disable: Google Voice Search Integration with Google Discover Gesture of long-term home press (reassign to another action)

In the system settings (Settings → Home Screen) turn off Show Google Search bar.

⚠️ Note: When using third-party launchers, some functions may stop working MIUI, Quick Ball, Second Space or App Vault. Back up your home screen in a standard launcher before installing (Settings) → Home screen → Backup).

Method 5: Disconnection through special features settings

A little-known way is to deactivate Google Assistant as a special feature service, which blocks it from running at the system level, but doesn't delete the app itself, and is suitable for users who have failed previous methods.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Special Opportunities → Special Opportunities Services.
2. Search for a Google Assistant (could be called Google App or Voice Access).
3. Slap it on and turn off the slider.
4. Confirm the action by pressing OK.

To return functionality, you just need to turn the service back on in the special features settings. This method does not require a reboot and works on all versions of MIUI for the Redmi Note 7.

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Disabling with Special Opportunities is the only way Google Assistant is blocked at the Android level, not just in the Google app, which makes it more reliable than standard disabling in settings.

What to do if Google Assistant is still working

If after all the manipulations the assistant continues to activate, the problem may be:

1. MIUI Updates – Some firmware (e.g. MIUI 13.0.4 for Redmi Note 7) automatically returns Google’s default settings. Solution: roll back to the previous version or use ADB for permanent removal.
2. Conflict with other applications – check if installed: 🔍 Google Go (Simplified Version of Search) 🎧 Android Auto (activates the assistant when you connect to the machine) 📱 Google Play Services (update to the latest version)

Cache failure – clear the Google app data:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Google → Storage → Clear data

If nothing works, there are two radical options:

1. Install custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS), where Google Assistant can be removed completely, requires unlocking the bootloader and root rights.
2. Using a Magisk module, such as DisableFlags or Universal GMS Doze, which blocks background activity of Google services.

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 7 with firmware MIUI 14+ Anti-rollback can be triggered, which locks the device when you try to install the old version of the software. Before any manipulation with the firmware, check the current version of the anti-rollback in the engineering menu (#4636##).

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling Google Assistant