Google Assistant on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is often activated by accident — just press the Home button or say "OK, Google." For many users, this feature becomes a source of irritation: it eats up battery power, collects data about your requests and interferes with work, especially on budget smartphones like the Redmi Note 9, where every percentage of autonomy counts.
In this article, we’ll break down three working ways to disable Google Assistant, from simply removing it from the Quick Access Panel to fully blocking it through ADB. You’ll learn which method is right for you, how to avoid typical errors, and what to do if the Assistant continues to start after deactivation. All instructions tested on Redmi Note 9 with MIUI 12/13/14 and are current for 2026.
Why Google Assistant works for Xiaomi, even if you don’t use it
Many Redmi Note 9 owners are surprised to find that Google Assistant is active by default, because Xiaomi preinstalles Google Services (GMS) on its smartphones for European and global markets, a requirement of a licensing agreement with Google, without which the device will not have access to the Play Market and key applications.
The assistant is integrated at the system level and can start:
- 🔘 When pressing the home button (unless reassigned)
- 🎤 Voice command "OK, Google" (even if the microphone is turned off in the settings)
- 🔄 Automatically when connecting headphones or running some applications
- 📱 via the widget on the main screen (if not removed)
On the Redmi Note 9 with MIUI Global firmware, the Assistant cannot be removed by standard means, only disable or block, which is because the com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox app is system-based, but there are workarounds that we will discuss below.
Method 1: Disable via Google Settings (without root)
The easiest and safest method is to deactivate the Assistant in its settings menu, which is a non-super-user option that is suitable for most users, but it doesn't delete the application completely, it only blocks it from running on commands.
Instructions:
- Open the Google app (the icon with the letter "G" on a color background).
- Slip on your avatar in the upper right corner → Settings.
- Choose Google Assistant → General.
- Scroll down and click Google Assistant (first item).
- Translate the Google Assistant slider to the off position.
And then the assistant will stop responding to voice commands, but it can still be triggered by pressing the Home button long enough to fix this.
- 🛠️ Go to Settings. → System system → Gestures → Home button".
- 🔄 Choose Do Nothing or Show Menu.
☑️ What to check after disconnecting the assistant
Limitations of the method:
- ⚠️ The assistant will remain on the list of applications and will consume up to 50-100 MB of memory.
- ⚠️ Update MIUI settings may reset.
Method 2: Remove via MIUI (for power users)
If you want to completely remove Google Assistant but are not ready to use ADB, you can use the built-in MIUI tools. This method requires activation of the developer mode and does not work on all versions of the firmware.
Steps:
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version.
Settings → Additional → For Developers
USB debugging
Allow changes in system settings
App Inspector
Play Market
com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox
Delete for all users
⚠️ Note: Removing system applications may cause Google Play Services to be unstable. If apps from the Play Market stop updating after removal, return the Assistant back via Settings → Annexes → Installation APK.
| Method | Need root? | Removing it completely? | Risk to the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through Google's settings | ❌ No. | ❌ No (only switches off) | ⚠️ Low. |
| Through MIUI (App Inspector) | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Medium. |
| Through ADB | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes (blocking) | ⚠️ High (in case of errors) |
💡
Before you delete system applications, back up your Settings → Additional → Backup. This will help restore data if your smartphone starts to work unstable.
Method 3: Blocking through ADB (most reliable method)
If the previous methods did not help, use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method does not require root rights, but blocks the Assistant at the system level, preventing it from automatically starting. MIUI.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
- 🔌 USB-cable (original or quality).
- 📱 Included debugging by USB smartphone.
- 🛠️ Utility. ADB (download from the official website).
Step-by-step:
- Unpack the platform-tools in any folder on the PC.
- Connect Redmi Note 9 to your computer and select File Transfer mode.
- Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and go to the folder with ADB: cd C:\path\k\folder\platform-tools
- Check the connection of the device: adb devices (should appear serial number of your phone).
- Follow the command to block the Assistant: adb shell pm hide com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox
- Reboot your smartphone.
⚠️ Note: If the Assistant continues to work after completing the command, check if it has been updated through the Play Market. → Annexes → Google → Three points. → Remove updates.
How do you get the Assistant back?
Follow the command:
adb shell pm unhide com.google.android.googlequicksearchboxWhat if the ADB can’t see the device?
What to do if the assistant is still running
Sometimes, even after Google is disabled, the Assistant continues to activate.
- 🔄 Auto-Update Google Apps via Play Market.
- 📱 Residual files in the cache.
- 🔧 Conflict with other voice assistants (e.g., Mi) AI).
Decisions:
- Turn off auto-update: Go to Play Market → click on avatar → Settings → App Auto-Update. Choose Not to Update Automatically.
- Clear the cache: Open Settings → Apps → App Management. Find Google and Google Play Services, click Clear Cache.
- Turn off Mi AI: Go to Settings → Memory → Autostart. Find Mi AI and turn off Autostart.
💡
If Assistant starts when you connect your headphones, check the settings in the Google app → Settings → Google Assistant → Headphones and turn off the option to Turn Assistant on.
The consequences of disabling Google Assistant on Redmi Note 9
Many users are afraid to disable system applications for fear of crashes.In practice, removing or blocking Google Assistant on the Redmi Note 9 does not affect the basic functions of the smartphone, but has several nuances:
| What's gonna change? | Impact on work |
|---|---|
| Voice search on Google | ❌ It won’t work (but you can use the keyboard) |
| Google widget on the home screen | ❌ It will disappear (if removed) |
| Updates to Apps Through Play Market | ✅ It will work (unless Google Play Services is removed) |
| Work of other Google applications (Gmail, Maps) | ✅ It won't change. |
| Battery autonomy | ✅ Increase by 5-15% (due to lack of background activity) |
Myths about disabling the Assistant:
- 🚫 "The smartphone will stop updating" - wrong. MIUI Comes through the settings → Updating the system.
- 🚫 "Play Market Access Will Disappear – Not Right if Google Play Services Is Not Touched.
- 🚫 "Errors will start to crumble – unlikely if you follow the instructions.
The only real downside is that you won’t be able to use Google’s voice control, but for most Redmi Note 9 users, that’s not critical, especially if you prefer alternatives like Alice from Yandex or Siri (for iPhone owners in the Apple ecosystem).
Alternatives to Google Assistant for Xiaomi Redmi Note 9
If you have disabled Google Assistant but want to keep voice control, consider these options:
- 🤖 Yandex Alice: Pros: good recognition of the Russian language, integration with Yandex services (Weather, Music, Maps). Cons: collects data about requests (but stores them on servers in Russia).
- 📱 Mi AI (built-in MIUI): Pros: Optimized for Xiaomi, supports gestures and quick commands.Cons: limited functionality compared to Google Assistant.
- 🌐 Bixby (for users of the Samsung ecosystem): Pros: deep integration with Samsung devices.Cons: not optimized for Xiaomi, can slow down.
How to set Alice:
- Download the Yandex app from the Play Market.
- Open it and click on the microphone icon in the search bar.
- Follow the instructions for setting up the voice assistant.
- To run Alice on the Home button, use the Button Mapper app (requires ADB).