Why Xiaomi Assistant is Interfering with Work – and How to Fix It
Voice assistants on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are not always convenient, and many users experience situations where the Google Assistant or Mi Assistant are activated by accident, from pressing a side button, holding the phone to your ear or even while talking, especially on models with MIUI 14/15, where the assistant can intercept control, interrupt music or open unnecessary windows.
Compounding the problem, Xiaomi often integrates firmware assistants — they can’t just be removed as a regular app. However, there are several proven ways to disable the assistant completely or at least limit its activity. In this article, we’ll look at all the current methods for the Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5/F5 and other models based on MIUI and HyperOS.
It's important to understand that some of the functions of assistants (such as fast-starting the camera with a double-pressing of the power button) are tied to system gestures, and turning them off can affect the usability of your smartphone, but if you're determined to get rid of the intrusive assistant, follow the instructions below.
Method 1: Disabling Google Assistant through Settings
The most obvious method is to deactivate Google Assistant in its own settings, which won’t delete the app, but will stop it running in the background and turn off voice activation.
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the Google app (the icon with the letter "G" on a colored background).
- 👤 Slip on your avatar in the upper right corner → Select Settings.
- 🔊 Go to the Google Assistant section → General.
- 🔘 Turn off the Google Assistant switch (confirmation may be required).
After that, the assistant will stop responding to voice commands "OK, Google" and gestures, but it will still take up space in memory and occasionally appear in the list of recent apps.
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If after disabling Google Assistant continues to start with a long press on the Home button, check the gesture settings in System → Gestures → Home button.
Method 2: Remove Google Updates (for MIUI 14 and below)
On older versions of MIUI (up to 15th), you could roll the Google Assistant back to the factory version, effectively turning it off, a method that doesn't work on all models, but it's worth a try.
How to do this:
- 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
- 🔍 Find it in the Google List (not to be confused with Google Play Services).
- ⚙️ Slip on three dots in the top right corner. → Choose to Remove Updates.
- 🔄 Confirm the action and restart the phone.
After rollback, the assistant will lose most of the functions, but can remain in the system as a shell. On MIUI 15 and HyperOS, this method is often blocked.
What to do if the “Remove Updates” button is inactive?
Method 3: Disable Mi Assistant (Xiaomi’s built-in assistant)
Mi Assistant is a Xiaomi branded assistant that is activated when you hold down the Power or Volume button. It requires separate actions to disable.
Step-by-step:
- ⚙️ Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Power button.
- 🔘 Turn off the option to start the assistant when holding the power button.
- 🔊 If there is a Voice Assistant section, deactivate it there.
- 📱 For models POCO: Check the settings. → Additionally. → Power button.
Some firmware Xiaomi hides these settings. If there is no partition, try using ADB (method 5).
Holding the power button does not call the assistant menu|The "Hello Mi" voice command is not working.|There is no "Mi Assistant" process in the application list"|After restarting, the settings are maintained-->
Method 4: Using third-party applications (without root)
If the system methods don't work, you can use the utilities to freeze the applications.
| Annex | Functional | Need root? | Reference (APK) |
|---|---|---|---|
| App Inspector | Allows you to disable system applications without root | ❌ No. | Download |
| Package Disabler | Freezes unnecessary services (including assistants) | ❌ No. | Download |
| Shizuku + ADB | Complete control of applications through ADB | ⚠️ Partially. | Official website |
Example of the Package Disabler:
- 📥 Install the application and provide access to Special Features.
- 🔍 Find the Google or Mi Assistant list.
- ❄️ Slip on the snowflake icon to freeze.
- 🔄 Reboot the phone.
⚠️ Note: Some utilities may label system applications as a "virus" - this is a false positive. Do not manually delete files through the Explorer so as not to damage the firmware.
Method 5: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)
If previous methods failed, the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) remains, which requires connecting the phone to a computer, but is guaranteed to disable the assistants at the system level.
Instructions:
- 💻 Install. ADB Tools on PC.
- 📱 On the phone, activate Developer Mode (7 times tap on the Assembly Number in Settings) → The phone).
- 🔌 Connect Redmi to USB and select the File Transfer Mode.
- 🖥️ Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux) adb-folder.
Enter the commands one by one:
adb shell
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox # Disables Google Assistant
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.voiceassist # Disable Mi Assistant (if any)Once done, restart your phone. Assistants will be disabled until the next reset.
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) post-refresh MIUI The assistants can be activated again, and then repeat the procedure.
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ADB-The method is the most reliable, but it requires caution. Wrong commands can disrupt the system. Always check the names of packets before entering.
What if the assistant starts anyway?
If the Google Assistant or Mi Assistant continues to appear after all the manipulations, the problem may be:
- 🔄 Firmware updates - some versions MIUI reset.
- 📱 Control gestures - check the settings → System system → Gestures.
- 🔊 Voice activation – disable it in Google settings.
- 🔧 Reset to factory settings - after it all disabled applications return.
Another caveat for the POCO F4/F5 and Redmi K60 models is that the manufacturer can block the assistants from being disabled through security policies.
- 🛠️ Custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
- 🔓 Root access with subsequent removal of system APK.
On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with HyperOS, disabling the Mi Assistant via ADB can result in a system application stopped error. In this case, use the freezing method (method 4).