How to completely disable voice assistant on Xiaomi TV Box: instructions for all models

Voice assistants in smart devices are often a source of irritation: they activate accidentally, interfere with watching movies or games, and sometimes even collect data without the user’s knowledge. Xiaomi Mi Box S, Mi Box 4 and other Android TV-based models are no exception — they are integrated by default Google Assistant, which can be launched from any loud sound or pressing a button on the remote.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can disable the Xiaomi voice assistant, including hidden settings, changing configuration files, and physically disabling the microphone (if you have one in the model), and how to bring the assistant back if you need it, and what to do if the settings are reset after you update the firmware.

To make matters worse, the settings menu may differ from MIUI TV to Android TV, such as the Mi Box S (MDZ-22-AB) and the Mi Box 4 (MDZ-16-AB) take one path to disabling the assistant, and the other, and we take these nuances into account and have prepared universal instructions that will work for most devices.

1. disable Google Assistant through standard settings

The easiest way is to deactivate the assistant in the settings menu, a method that works on most Xiaomi consoles with Android TV firmware 9.0 and later (including the Mi Box S and Mi Box 4).

You'll need:

• 📺 Remote from the console (or Bluetooth keyboard)
• 🔌 Internet connection (to synchronize changes)
• ⚙️ Access to system settings

Instructions:

1. Open the main console menu and go to Settings → Device → Google Settings.
2. Select Assistant (or Google Assistant in English).
3. Go to the Assistant Settings section and turn off the Google Assistant slider.
4. Confirm the action by clicking Disable in the window that appears.

If the assistant is activated after these actions, try the additional step:

Settings → Applications → All applications → Google → Stop

This will force the Google Assistant backlog to close, but it may affect other services (like Google Play).

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If your firmware doesn't have "Google Settings," try upgrading to the latest version of the console. In older versions, the menu may be called "Voice Search" or "Voice Control."

2. Disconnect the microphone at the physical level

Some Xiaomi consoles (such as the Mi Box S with Xiaomi Mi Remote) have a built-in microphone for voice control. If the assistant activates spontaneously, you can physically turn off the microphone – this is guaranteed to prevent accidental positives.

Ways to turn off the microphone:

• 🔇 Disconnect in remote settings: Press Home buttons + Back for 5 seconds to put the remote into microphone-free mode (not working on all models).
• 🔌 Microphone insulation: Carefully open the remote body and seal the microphone with tape or foil (suitable for experienced users).
• 🛠️ Replacement: Buy a remote without a microphone (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Remote Lite or Universal Fire) TV Stick Remote).

⚠️

Warning: Disassembling the remote can lead to loss of warranty. If you are not sure of your skills, it is better to use software methods of disabling.

For models without a built-in microphone (for example, the Mi Box 3), this method is irrelevant – the assistant is activated through software triggers, not hardware.

Disconnect the console (remove the batteries)

Take a picture of the board's location inside the remote

Use a plastic spatula for a neat opening.

Check the functionality of the buttons after assembly-->

3. Delete Google Assistant via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can completely remove the Google Assistant package from the console via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a computer connection and basic command line knowledge.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer installed ADB (You can download from the official Android website)
• 🔌 USB-cable
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB prefixed

Step-by-step:

1. Enable USB debugging on the console: Settings → Device → Version information → Click 7 times on “Build Number” → Return to “Device Settings” → Developer → Debugging by USB
2. Connect the console to the computer and execute in the terminal: adb devices (should appear device with a serial number)
3. Remove Google Assistant: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox
4. Reboot the console: adb reboot

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Note: Deleting system packages may disrupt other features, such as voice search on YouTube or Netflix.

If you want to return the assistant, use the command:

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

4. Disable voice activation through the button on the remote

Many users experience the fact that Google Assistant starts when you press the Microphone button or Google Assistant on the remote for a long time, and this feature can be disabled separately from the assistant itself.

How to remove activation from the button:

1. Go to Settings → Remote and accessories → Set up the buttons of the remote.
2. Select the Microphone (or Google Assistant) button.
3. In the action menu, select No Action or Disable.
4. Save the changes and make sure the button no longer triggers the assistant.

If your firmware does not have such a menu, you can reassign the button via ADB:

adb shell settings put global assistant null

After that, the microphone button will be inactive, but other remote functions (such as volume control) will remain operational.

5. Resetting set-top boxes to factory

If none of these methods worked, the last resort is a complete reset, which will delete all user data, including Google Assistant settings, but also erase installed apps and accounts.

How to reset:

1. Open Settings → Device → Reset settings.
2. Select Delete all data (or Factory data reset).
3. Confirm the action by entering PIN-code (if required).
4. Wait for the console to restart (it will take 5-10 minutes).

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Warning: After resetting, the console will return to factory settings, and you will have to reconfigure your Wi-Fi, Google account, and other settings, a method recommended only in case of critical failures.

If the reset didn’t help (for example, the assistant is activated again after the update), the problem may be in the firmware. In this case, it is worth considering alternative firmware (for example, LineageOS for TV), but this is a topic for a separate article.

6. Alternative methods: disconnection through parental control

Little-known life hack: Google Assistant can be blocked through parental controls even if you don't have children.This method doesn't remove the assistant, but makes it inaccessible without input PIN-code.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → Parental Controls.
2. Create. PIN-code (remember or write it down!).
3. In the list of applications, search for Google or Google Assistant and set a limit.
4. Choose Block and save the settings.

Now, when you try to launch an assistant will be asked PIN-This method is suitable if you want to temporarily disable voice control (for example, for children or guests).

The downside of the method: some features (like voice search on YouTube) will also be blocked.

Comparison of methods of disabling voice assistant

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The most reliable way is to uninstall via ADB, but it is only suitable for advanced users, and for most, it is enough to turn off the settings or reassign the button on the remote.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling voice assistant on Xiaomi TV Box