Many Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone users experience voice assistant activation without their knowledge, which can occur when you remove the device from your pocket or accidentally press buttons, an intrusiveness that is often annoying, especially if you prefer alternative solutions or do not need voice control at all.
Disabling the service completely requires understanding the architecture of the Android system and the MIUI or HyperOS shell. Standard settings only limit functionality, but for deep deactivation, you need to go through several configuration stages. In this article, we will discuss all available methods, from simple switches to more complex system constraints.
Consider that Google Assistant is deeply integrated into the operating system, and it can’t be completely removed without root rights, but it can be completely inactive for everyday use, which will save battery life and increase the privacy of your data, as the microphone will stop constantly listening to the environment for key phrases.
Disconnection through Google system settings
The first and most obvious step is to use the app’s built-in menu, which doesn’t remove the service, but prevents it from responding to voice commands and activating by button, and you’ll need to open your Google account settings, which are available on any device with GMS services installed.
Search the Google app list and go to Settings, and you're interested in Google Assistant, and that's where the basic controls for assistant behavior are hidden, and you'll notice the All Assistant settings tab, where the detailed settings are located.
In the "Hey Google and Voice Match" section, you need to turn off the slider that activates the phrase, and the voice control will stop working, and the phone will stop responding to the word "OK, Google," a critical step for those who want to eliminate background listening.
- 🔹 Open the Google app and click on the profile avatar.
- 🔹 Go to Settings and select Google Assistant».
- 🔹 Find the "Hey Google and Voice Match" option and turn off the switch.
- 🔹 In the "Popular Settings" section, disable the "Use Assistant" option».
⚠️ Note: After disabling Voice Match, the system may require voice verification for the next time you try. If you plan to use the assistant in the future, save a voice sample.
You can also check the notification settings, and in the Notifications menu, you can prevent the assistant from showing suggestions and reminders on the lock screen, which will make the interface cleaner and remove unnecessary pop-ups that often interfere with the user.
Setting up hot keys and power buttons
One of the most common reasons for random launches is the configuration of control buttons, which modern versions of MIUI and HyperOS have a long-term power button pressing to call the voice assistant, which can and should be changed.
Go to the basic settings of your smartphone and find the "Advanced" or "Advanced Settings" section. Here you should look for "Push and Hold the Power button." By default, it may be "Google Assistant" and you need to switch this paramet to "Stop Menu."
Once this setting is changed, a long press on the lock button will again trigger the action menu: turn off, restart or go into flight mode. This brings back the classic logic of Android smartphones, which most users are used to.
Also check the gesture settings. Under "Management» → «Gestures and quick start" make sure none of the actions are assigned to start Google.Often users forget they have activated the swipe from the bottom corner of the screen, and this leads to unexpected inclusions.
☑️ Checking buttons and gestures
Managing permissions and microphone access
To further limit functionality, you can use permissions manager, which doesn't shut down the app completely, but it makes it impossible for it to hear you, and without access to the microphone, voice input becomes technically impossible.
Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Search the Google app in the list. Click on it and select App Permissions. You need to find the Microphone category and select the Deny option.
After that, any attempt to activate the assistant, the system will issue a notification that access to the microphone is closed, which is an effective way of controlling that allows you to keep the service formally on, but not working.
| Type of permit | Default status | Recommended status | Impact on work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microphone | Permitted. | Forbidden. | Assistant doesn't hear commands |
| Location | Permitted. | Only when used | Limits contextual clues |
| Contacts | Permitted. | Forbidden. | You can't call contacts with a voice. |
| Camera. | Requested. | Forbidden. | Blocks visual search |
Be sure to check the permissions for Google Play Services, too. Sometimes it is system services that can trigger background processes. Restrictions on system components require caution, but banning the microphone for the main Google app is safe.
Disabling in Chrome browser and other applications
Voice search is often built into the Chrome browser, which is the standard for Android. Even if you disabled the system assistant, the search bar in the browser can continue to activate voice input. This is a separate setting that requires attention.
Open Chrome, click three dots in the corner, and select Settings. Find Voice Search or Google Assistant. You need to turn off voice activation. You also need to remove the tick from Use Action History so that your browser doesn't remember your queries.
In some versions of Xiaomi firmware, voice search is integrated into desktop widgets. If you use a standard Google widget, it can have its own settings. Press and hold the widget on your desktop, select "Widget Settings" and turn off voice input.
⚠️ Note: Disabling voice search in Chrome does not affect the system assistant, and vice versa. These settings should be checked and changed separately in each application for full effect.
Also, check the Google Phone app, which can also activate voice dialing in its settings, go to the Phone app settings, look for the Dial section, and make sure the Voice Dial feature is disabled or configured to use another service.
Using ADB to Advance Disconnect
For users who want to go beyond standard settings, there is a method of disabling through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to “freeze” the Google Assistant component, making it completely invisible to the system without removing it.
For this you will need a computer, USB-cable and on-line debugging USB After connecting to a PC and installing drivers, you can execute a command to disable the package com.google.android.apps.googleassistant.
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.apps.googleassistantThis command puts the packet into a "disabled" state for the current user, and the assistant disappears from the application list, stops running on buttons, and does not consume resources, and it is important to understand that this action is reversible, but requires the presence of a computer.
How do you get the Assistant back?
There are also dedicated management apps like Universal Android Debloat that have a GUI to work with ADB. They allow you to safely disable system components labeled as safe to remove by community developers.
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Before using ADB, make sure to back up important data. While the disable-user command is secure, any manipulation of system packages carries a minimal but present risk of operating system instability.
Possible problems and solutions
Even after you have done all the settings, there can be situations where the assistant is unpredictable, for example, it can spontaneously turn on when you plug in your headphones or headset in the car, because the profile of the Bluetooth device can trigger the launch of media services.
In such cases, it is recommended to check the settings of the connected devices. Go to Bluetooth, find your device (earphones or cars) and click on the gear settings next to it. Make sure that there are no activated functions of synchronizing contacts or calling the assistant.
Another problem is app updates. After another update to Google or MIUI, the settings can reset to factory settings, so if the problem comes back, just recheck the items described in the first section of the article.
- 🔹 Check if Google Assistant is installed separately from third-party sources.
- 🔹 Make sure that there are no active scripts in the special features settings (Accessibility.
- 🔹 Restart your smartphone in Safe Mode to eliminate the impact of third-party launchers.
If the assistant is still working, it may be called by another application. Try to remember what new programs you installed recently. Some launchers or cleaning utilities may have their own voice modules that conflict with system settings.
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The most reliable way to get rid of the assistant is to combine the switching off of Google settings, changing the power button and denying access to the microphone.