How to permanently disable Google Assistant on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is still a popular smartphone among users who value the balance of performance and price. However, the built-in Google Assistant is not always convenient: it consumes battery power, collects data about your actions and can be activated by accident. If you want to completely deactivate the voice assistant without losing the functionality of the device, this article will help you understand all the nuances.

Depending on the version of MIUI (9 to 14) and the installed updates, the ways to disable may vary. We will consider both standard methods through the settings menu and advanced methods using ADB or rollback to factory firmware. It is important to note that some actions will require administrator or unlocked bootloader rights.

Why does Google Assistant work on Redmi Note 5 even after it’s turned off?

Many users complain that after manually shutting down via settings, the assistant is activated again after a restart or update.

• 🔄 System applications (com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox) are automatically restarted by Google Play.
• 📱 On some versions MIUI There is no option to completely remove pre-installed Google services.
• 🔋 The assistant is integrated into the Launcher (desktop shell), which complicates its deactivation.
• 📡 Google Play Services Security Updates Can Restore Remote Permits.

To get rid of unnecessary functionality forever, you have to combine several methods, starting with the simplest and safest.

Method 1: Disable via Google Settings (without root)

This is the safest method, but it doesn’t guarantee 100% results – the assistant can turn on again after updating the applications.

1. Open the Google app (the icon with the letter "G" on a color background).
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner → Settings.
3. Select Google Assistant → go to General section.
4. Turn off the slider opposite Google Assistant.
5. In the window that appears, confirm the action by clicking Disconnect.

It is further recommended that:

• 🛑 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Manage applications, find Google and disable autorun.
• 🔕 In the same menu, disable notifications for the Google Assistant app.
• 📵 Remove updates for the Google app (the “Remove Updates” button in the app menu).

Method limitation: After rebooting or updating through Play Market, settings may reset. If you do, move on to the next method.

Method 2: Deactivate through MIUI settings (hidden options)

Redmi Note 5 has hidden system settings that allow you to control background processes more deeply.

1. Go to Settings → All settings → Additional.
2. Select Special Opportunities → Applications.
3. Search for the Assistant in Google and turn off all permissions (geolocation, microphone, camera).
4. Return to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management
5. Select App Choice → Search Google and set a limit No Restrictions on Restricted.

Important: After this manipulation, some features associated with Google Services (such as voice search in the browser) may not work properly.

💡

If the Assistant is still activated by the Home button after disabling permissions, try changing the launcher to a third-party one (for example, Nova Launcher).

Method 3: Using ADB to deep shut down (no root)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that allows you to disable system applications without superuser permissions, which is suitable for MIUI 10-14.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 times to tap) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 5 to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer on your smartphone screen.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and do:

adb devices

(The name of your device should appear).

1. Enter the command to disable Google Assistant:

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

1. To disable voice activation by the Home button:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.voiceassist

After you execute the commands, restart the device. The assistant will be deactivated at the system level, but its icon may remain in the application menu.

⚠️ Attention: misuse ADB Do not disable system components with unknown packet names (com.android., com.miui.).

Method 4: Remove via TWRP (unlocked bootloader required)

If you are willing to take drastic measures, you can physically delete the Assistant files through custom recovery TWRP. This method is suitable for advanced users, as it requires:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (bootloader).
• 📥 Established TWRP Recovery.
• 📄 Data backup (nandroid backup).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official TWRP for Redmi Note 5 (codenamed Whyred).
2. Install recovery via fastboot:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-whyred.img


fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-whyred.img

1. In TWRP, go to Advanced → File Manager.
2. Delete the following folders:

/system/priv-app/GoogleQuickSearchBox/


/system/priv-app/Velvet/




/system/app/GoogleAssistantServices/

1. Wipe → Dalvik / ART Cache and reboot.

After this procedure, Google Assistant will be removed without the possibility of recovery through standard means, but some features that depend on Google Services (such as Push notifications in Gmail) may not work smoothly.

⚠️ Note: Deleting system files without a backup can lead to a bootloop.If you are not sure about your actions, use the method with a backup. ADB.

Method 5: Reset to factory settings (extreme case)

If all previous methods failed and Assistant continues to activate, it will be a hard reset, which will return the smartphone to the "out of the box" state, but will delete all data, including:

• 📸 Photos and videos (if not saved to the cloud).
• 📱 Installed applications and their settings.
• 📞 Contact and SMS (If not synchronized with your Mi Account).
• 🎮 Keeping in games.

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.
4. After the reboot, do not restore data from the backup – this can return the Assistant settings.
5. When you first set up, skip the Google Account login or use an account without the Assistant’s associated services.

After discharge:

• 🚫 Do not update the Google app through the Play Market.
• 🔧 Turn off auto-start immediately for all Google services (see Method 1).
• 🛡️ Install an alternative launcher (such as Lawnchair) to avoid integration with the Assistant.

💡

Factory reset is the only way to guarantee that you will remove all traces of Google Assistant, but it requires a complete reinstallation of all apps and settings.

What if the assistant is still working?

If, after all the manipulations of Google, the Assistant continues to activate, the problem may lie in:

1. Google Mobile Services (GMS) firmware is pre-installed, and some custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS without Gapps) doesn't have an assistant initially.
2. Security updates that restore remote permissions, the solution is to disable auto-update for the Google app.
3. Integration with MIUI. In some versions of the shell, voice search is hardwired into system services. MIUI EU (European firmware without Bloatware).

Extreme measures:

• 🔨 Refuse the device to MIUI without Google, for example, MIUI China Stable).
• 🚀 Install custom firmware such as Pixel Experience or Havoc-OS (requires an unlocked bootloader).
• 🛠️ Contact the service center for reflashing on clean AOSP-version.

Before taking a radical action, evaluate how critical it is for you to not have an Assistant, and it may be enough to simply turn off voice activation and prevent the app from running in the background.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling Google Assistant