How to permanently disable Google Assistant on Xiaomi Mi9: 5 working methods

Google Assistant on Xiaomi Mi9 can be useful for quick information search or device management, but not all users want it to work in the background. Constant notifications, occasional activation by voice or button, as well as increased battery consumption due to background activity of Google services are common reasons why Mi9 owners decide to turn it off. Unfortunately, standard MIUI settings do not always allow you to do this completely: even after disconnecting from the menu, the assistant can continue to work through other services.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can deactivate Google Assistant on Xiaomi Mi9, including hidden settings, ADB disabling, and even radical methods for those willing to sacrifice some functionality for complete removal. The instructions are relevant for MIUI 10–14 firmware and Android 9–12 versions, but with specific model features in mind. If you happen to see the assistant spontaneously turn on after updating or resetting, here you will find a solution.

Why does Google Assistant work on Xiaomi Mi9 even after it’s turned off?

Many users complain that when Google Assistant is disabled in the settings, it still activates when you press the Home button long enough or by voice command "OK, Google", the reason lies in the MIUI architecture and the integration of Google Mobile Services (GMS):

• 🔄 Duplicate triggers: The Assistant can run not only through the standard application, but also through Google App (search engine), Google Play Services, or even through Xiaomi’s branded services (for example, Mi). AI).
• 📱 Hardware button: On Mi9 The default long-press Home is attached to the assistant. This is a firmware-level setting, and you have to turn it off separately.
• 🔍 Background Processes: Even if you have disabled voice activation, Google Play Services may periodically run the Assistant to update data or sync.
• 🔄 Updates MIUI: After major updates, the assistant's firmware settings can be reset to factory.

To completely disable Google Assistant, it is not enough to simply remove the tick in the settings – you need to block all channels of its activation. Below we will discuss methods from the simplest (software disabling) to the most radical (deleting system packages).

Method 1: Standard Disconnection through MIUI settings

The safest way is to use the built-in MIUI options. It is suitable for most users and does not require super-user (root) rights.However, note that this method does not guarantee 100% shutdown: the assistant can continue to work through other Google services.

Instructions:

1. Open the Google app (the icon with the letter "G" on a color background).
2. Slip on your avatar in the upper right corner → Settings → Google Assistant.
3. Scroll down and select General Settings → Google Assistant.
4. Move the slider to the off position.
5. Go back and select Voice Assistant → Voice Activation → Turn off the OK Google option.

It is also recommended to disable the activation by the Home button:

1. Go to Settings → Further → Home button (or Gestures if you use gesture navigation).
2. Select Long Press → No Actions (or another option, such as Latest Apps).

Limitations of the method:

• ⚠️ Assistant can continue to work in the background through Google Play Services.
• ⚠️ After updating MIUI settings may reset.
• ⚠️ Some features (such as quick search) will become unavailable.

Method 2: Disconnecting through Google App Settings

If the standard shutdown didn’t work, you can block the assistant through the management of the Google app (not to be confused with Google Play Services!).This method is more effective, but requires caution – wrong actions can disrupt the work of other services.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Google app (the “G” icon on a color background) and tap it.
3. Select Notifications → disable all switches (especially Assistant and Voice Search).
4. Go back and select Battery → Background Limit → Limit.
5. Then go to Permits and turn off: 🎤 Microphone 📍 Location 📱 Overlay of other applications

Warehouse

Clear the cache

Clear the data

After this action, Google Assistant will stop activating on voice and button, but Google search will remain functional.

💡

If Google’s app starts to work unstable after cleaning up the data, restart your smartphone to help restore critical services without returning the assistant settings.

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (without root)

For users willing to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), there is a way to block Google Assistant completely at the system level.This method does not require root rights, but requires connecting the smartphone to a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on Mi9 (Settings → The phone. → 7 times to tap the version MIUI → return to → For developers → set up USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the Mi9 to your computer and confirm the debugging permission on your smartphone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed. If not, check the driver.)

1. Use the command to disable Google Assistant:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

1. Reboot your smartphone:

adb reboot

Once you reboot, Google Assistant will be completely disabled, including voice activation and Home button response. To return it back, use the command:

adb shell pm enable com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

Warnings:

⚠️ Warning: Disabling com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox will block not only the assistant, but also some Google search features (such as the home screen search widget).If you need these features, use method 4.

Method 4: Removing Google App Updates (for power users)

If you don’t want to completely disable Google Assistant, but you need to remove updated versions of it (which often add new ways to activate), you can roll the Google app back to the factory version, a method that requires caution, as it can disrupt other services.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Google.
2. Slip on the three dots in the upper right corner → Remove the updates.
3. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.
4. After the reboot, go back to the Google app settings and turn off all permissions (microphone, location, autorun).
5. On Google Play, search for the Google app and click Delete (this will only remove the updates, not the app itself).

Google Assistant will now use a factory version that has fewer activation features, but Google Play may try to update the app automatically.

1. Open Google Play → tap on the avatar → Settings → Auto Update apps → select Never.
2. For the Google app, manually disable auto updates (go to its Google Play page → tree → Disable auto update).

💡

The Google App rollback is a temporary solution. After another automatic update via Google Play, the assistant can return. For permanent effect, combine this method with a disabling through ADB.

Method 5: Radical removal (for root firmware only)

If you're willing to sacrifice some functionality to completely remove Google Assistant, you can use root rights and remove system packages, which is irreversible and can cause your smartphone to malfunction if you do something wrong.

What will be removed:

• 🗑️ Google Assistant (in full, including voice activation).
• 🗑️ Google Search Widget from the Home Screen.
• 🗑️ Some features of Google Discover (news feed when swiping to the left).

Instructions (root and file manager with superuser rights, such as Root Explorer or Mixplorer, are required):

1. Install a file manager with root support.
2. Go to /system/priv-app/ or /system/app/.
3. Find and delete the following folders (or rename them by adding.bak at the end): GoogleQuickSearchBox Velvet (if any) GoogleNowLauncher (optional if you want to delete the launcher)

/system/priv-app/PrebuiltGmsCore/

PrebuiltGmsCore.apk

Google Services

Settings

Annexes

Google Play Services

Reboot your smartphone.

Consequences:

⚠️ Note: Deleting Google system packages may result in: Google Play shutdown (resolved by reinstallation) GMS open GAPPS). Losing Find My Device, Google account sync errors, a method only recommended for advanced users who are prepared for possible crashes.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

To make it easier for you to determine, we have compiled a table with the pros and cons of each method:

For most Xiaomi Mi9 users, the best solution is a combination of method 2 (application settings) and method 3 (ADB), which will give the maximum effect without risk to the system. If you are not afraid of experimentation and want to get rid of the assistant forever, use method 5, but be prepared for possible problems.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after disabling the Google Assistant, Mi9 users may face unexpected difficulties.

1.The assistant is activated after the MIUI update

Decision:

• 🔄 Repeat the steps from method 3 (ADB) — This will block the assistant at the system level.
• 📵 Turn off the auto-update of the Google app on Google Play.
• 🔧 Use method 4 (rollback updates) immediately after the firmware update.

2.The Home button still calls the assistant

Decision:

• 🔘 Re-connect the action of the button in Settings → Additionally. → Home button" → Long press. → Select No Actions.
• 🛠️ If the option is not available, use it. ADB-team:

adb shell settings put secure assistant null

3. Voice activation ("OK Google") is not disabled

Decision:

• 🎤 Check the settings in the Google app: Settings → Voice search → Voice activation → Turn off all options.
• 🔇 Revoke permission to use the microphone for the Google app in your system settings.
• 🔊 If the problem persists, delete the Google Play Services app details (but this may disrupt other services).

4.After the shutdown, some functions stopped working

Decision:

• 🔍 If you’re missing Google search, install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher).
• 📱 If notifications from Gmail or YouTube are not working, check your Google account sync settings.
• 🔄 If the smartphone began to slow down, clear the cache in Settings → Memory. → Cleanup.

💡

If Google Pay payments have stopped working after manipulation with Google Assistant, reinstall the Google Pay app and re-add cards.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions