Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones come with a lot of smart features designed to make life easier for the wearer. However, it often happens that the voice assistant is activated accidentally in your pocket or when unlocked, causing irritation and wasting battery power. Many users are looking for a way to fully deactivate this feature so that they have full control of the device without intrusive prompts.
The process of disabling can vary depending on the version of the MIUI operating system or the new HyperOS, as well as on the regional firmware. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of blocking voice control, from standard system settings to deeper methods through special applications, you can choose the option that best suits your phone model.
It's worth noting that completely disabling Google Assistant or Mi AI won't affect other system features like dictating text or access control. We'll look at the nuances of working with different versions of shells so you can safely customize your gadget. Let's start with the basic settings available to each user.
Disabling Google Assistant through system settings
The easiest and safest way to remove the voice assistant is to use the built-in settings menu. In most cases, Google Assistant is the main source of random activations, especially when you press the power button or swipe from the corner of the screen. First, you need to open the main settings menu of your device.
Find a section that can be called differently depending on the firmware version. It can be Google, Search and Assistant, or Apps. Inside this menu, you need to find the voice assistant settings. The path often looks like Settings → Google → Settings for Google Applications → Search and Assistant → Google Assistant.
Once you've moved to the right section, scroll down to the "All Assist Settings" block. Here you're looking for "Google Assistant." If you put the slider in an inactive position, you'll stop the system from responding to voice commands and button activation, but this doesn't always completely remove the function from the system, it just deactivates the kernel.
- 📱 Open the Google app on your desktop.
- ⚙️ Click on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
- 🗣️ Select Settings and then Google Assistant".
- 🔌 Find the switch and set it to the "Off" position".
It's important to understand that after this, OK, Google will stop working, but the call button may remain. For complete comfort, it's also recommended to turn off activation through the power button, which we'll talk about in the next section, which is especially true for owners of budget models, where the power button is combined with a fingerprint scanner.
Blocking activation with power button and gestures
One of the most annoying features in the MIUI shell is the ability to call the assistant with a long press of the lock button. This often leads to random switching when you pull the phone out of your pocket or just tightly squeeze it in your hand. Fortunately, this option can be easily turned off in the special features menu.
To do this, go to Settings → Additional Settings → Special Features. In the list, find the Google Assistant or Voice Assistant section. There will be a Power Button Activation switch. By removing the tick, you will free up a long button press for other tasks, such as calling the switch menu or starting the camera.
⚠️ Note: Some global firmware versions may call this item "Push and Hold the Power button." If you don't find it on the path indicated, search the settings by typing the phrase "Power button".
In addition to the power button, check your gesture settings. In some regions, activation occurs when you use your finger from the bottom corner of the screen, which often duplicates the assistant call and can interfere with navigation. Turn it off in Settings → Advanced Settings → Gestures and shortcuts, if such a item is present in your version of the OS.
☑️ Checking activation settings
After making changes, the system may suggest that you leave the feature on for convenience. Ignore these suggestions if your goal is maximum silence and control. It is also worth noting that on HyperOS phones, the logic of the menu may have changed a little, but the principle of search remains the same: look for sections related to buttons or special features.
Set up and disable Mi AI (Xiao AI)
Owners of Chinese versions of smartphones or users who have installed global firmware with Chinese services often encounter Mi AI (also known as Xiao AI), which runs parallel to Google and has its own settings that need to be disabled separately, and can be activated even when the screen is off, which significantly affects autonomy.
To manage this service, you will need the "Mi AI" app or settings in the "Advanced" section. Go to the assistant settings and find the "Voice Awakening" switch. Disabling this setting will prevent the phone from responding to activation phrases in Chinese or English.
If you use a phone with Global ROM but Chinese services installed, Mi AI can be hidden deep inside the system, and then you can search by settings: type "Xiao AI" or "Mi AI" in the settings search bar. If the system suggests removing or disabling a component, you must agree that it is safe for the basic functionality of the phone.
- 🇨🇳 Open the app "Mi" AI" (eccentric).
- 🔑 Click on the profile icon or menu in the corner.
- 🚫 Select "Settings" and find "Voice control".
- ❌ Turn all toggles to the "Off" position".
Keep in mind that removing the system components of Mi AI completely may require superuser rights (Root), which is not recommended for ordinary users, but standard shutdown through settings is usually enough to stop the assistant from bothering you and consuming CPU resources in the background.
Governance through Google App and Access Rights
Sometimes switching the switch is not enough, because Google has deep system privileges, and in this case, the effective method is to restrict access rights, and if the app does not have permission to use the microphone, it will not physically be able to hear you.
Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find the Google app (not Chrome, but Google with a colored G.) Go to App Permissions or Rights. Find the Microphone and select Prohibit or Ask.
This method is radical, but effective. Once you stop accessing the microphone, voice search and assistant will stop working completely, but keep in mind that it can also affect the voice recorder inside the search bar or voice input in the Gboard keyboard, if it is tied to the same services.
Impact on other applications
Another caveat: In some versions of Android, when you try to activate the assistant, the system can automatically request permission again. Be vigilant and do not agree to re-issue rights if you want to keep quiet, this method is especially useful for those who rarely use voice search, but want to be confident in privacy.
Comparison of disabling methods for different versions of MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi shells are constantly updated, and the location of the settings can change. To make it easier for you to navigate, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you find the right item in your version of the system. The differences between MIUI 12/13/14 and the new HyperOS can be significant.
| Shell version | The path to settings | Features |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12 / 13 | Settings → Google → Assist settings | Classic menu, easy to find |
| MIUI 14 | Settings → Additional → Special Opportunities | There is a power button in a separate menu |
| HyperOS 1.0 | Settings → Additional settings → Buttons | Combined button management menu |
| Global ROM | Through the Google App (Profile) | Minimum system settings, management through account |
As you can see from the table, with the release of HyperOS, Xiaomi began to structure the menu more logically, bringing the management of physical buttons into a separate subsection. If you have recently updated and can not find old items, look for the "Buttons" or "Button Management".
Also, some models (such as the Redmi Note series or POCO X) may have pre-installed advertising widgets that mimic the assistant’s work, in which case it helps to clear the cache of the Google application or update it to the latest version through the Play Market.
Use of third-party tools and ADB teams
For advanced users who want to get rid of the voice assistant, there are more powerful tools available. Using ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to disable system components that are not removed by standard methods.
Before you start, you need to turn on USB Debugging in the Developer Menu. Once you connect to your PC and install ADB, you can use the command to freeze or disable the Google Assistant package.
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.apps.googleassistantThis command completely disables the assistant component for the current user. The phone will assume that the application is deleted, although the files will remain in the system. This is a safe method, reversible by the pm enable command. However, be careful: improper use of ADB can lead to unstable system operation.
⚠️ Attention: Use commands ADB Disabling critical system services can cause a cyclical reboot of the device. Always check the name of the package before entering a command. There are also helper apps like Universal Debloater that have a graphical interface and allow you to disable system applications without manually typing commands. This is a more convenient option for those who do not want to mess with the command line, but want to achieve a deep cleaning of the system from excess software. 💡Before use ADB Make sure you back up your sensitive data completely. Although the shutdown command is reversible, data failures can cause you to lose information (FAQ) Will disabling the assistant affect the voice recorder? No, the standard Dictaphone app works independently of the Google Assistant. You can continue to record sound, dictate notes in third-party apps, and use the microphone in instant messengers without restriction. Can you just turn off the phrase "OK, Google" by leaving a button? Yes, there's a separate switch for the voice activator ("Ok Google") in the Google Assistant settings. You can leave the activation through a button or headset, but you can stop the phone from listening to the environment all the time. Will the assistant come back after the system update? It often happens that after a major firmware update (for example, with the MIUI HyperOS resets to factory settings, in which case you will have to re-run the shutdown procedure, as the update can return the old configurations of Google. ADB? Yes, disabling the com.google.android.apps.googleassistant package is safe for system stability. The phone will run faster because there's less background to it, and you can turn it back on by switching on or resetting. 💡Completely disabling the voice assistant not only eliminates accidental activations, but can also slightly increase the battery life of the smartphone, since the microphone and the processor cease to constantly scan the audio background.