How to completely disable Google Search on Xiaomi smartphones: from widgets to system processes

Standard Google Search on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often annoys users with annoying notifications, unnecessary widgets on the home screen and background activity that eats up to 15% of battery power per week even without active use. Despite the fact that MIUI is closely integrated with Google services, there are several ways to limit or completely remove the search engine - from simply hiding the icon to deep shutting down system processes.

In this article, we will discuss 5 Proven methods - from basic (available even to a beginner) to advanced (requires) ADB We will focus on the nuances for different versions. MIUI 13/14/15 And smartphone models, where standard settings may differ, and if you're tired of constantly updating search widgets or want to free up RAM, read on.

Why is Google Search so active on Xiaomi?

It's about pre-integrated Google services into MIUI firmware, and even if you're not actively using it, it's:

• 🔄 Updates widgets in the background (weather, news, fast action).
• 📡 Syncs data with Google account (search history, location).
• 🛠️ Runs system processes such as com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox that cannot be disabled by standard means.
• 📱 Built into the launcher as part MIUI Launcher (on some models).

For example, on Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 14, the search process can consume up to 300 MB of RAM even in standby mode, and on the budget Redmi Note 12 – up to 180 MB.

⚠️ Attention: Deleting Google Search completely may disrupt some features, such as the Google Assistant voice assistant or a quick search system. MIUI For the global market (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T Pro) this may also lead to errors when updating the software.

Method 1: Remove Google Search widget from the home screen

The easiest way is to remove the search widget that is automatically added to the home screen, which will not turn off the service itself, but will eliminate visual debris.

Instructions:

1. Press and hold your finger on the Google Search widget (usually at the bottom of the screen).
2. In the menu that appears, select Remove (basket icon).
3. Confirm the action if a request appears.

If the widget is not deleted:

• 🔧 Try dragging it to the top of the screen (on the inscription Delete).
• 📱 On some launchers (e.g, POCO Launcher) you need to go to the launcher settings → Widgets and disable Google Search manually.

The widget disappeared from the main screen |

Search bar does not appear when swipe to the right |

No notifications from Google Search |

System search processes do not hang in the task manager-->

This method is suitable for MIUI 12-15, but does not affect background activity.

Method 2: Disable Google Search through App Settings

If the widget is removed, but the search engine continues to work in the background, it can be limited through system settings.

Steps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google (or Google Search) in the list and tap it.
3. Select Battery → Background activity and set Restricted.
4. Go back and press Notifications → turn off all switches.
5. In the Rights section, disable access to Locations, Microphone and Contacts.

On Xiaomi Mi 11 and later, after this action, the battery consumption for Google’s background processes decreases from 8-10% to 1-3% per day, but the search engine itself will remain in the system and will start when you open your browser or voice assistant.

💡

If there is no Google Search in the app list, try searching for Google App or Google Quick Search Box – the name may vary depending on the regional firmware.

Method 3: Deactivation through ADB (without root)

For users willing to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), there is a way to disable Google Search at the system level without getting root permissions.This works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models with MIUI 11 and above.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and activate Debugging over USB.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC, install ADB Tools and execute the command:

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

After the device has been restarted:

• 🔍 The search bar will disappear from the main screen.
• 🛑 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox will stop running.
• 🔄 Weather and news widget updates will stop.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14 for POCO F5) This command can cause an Operation not allowed error. In this case, try the alternative command: adb shell pm hide com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox It hides the application, but does not remove it completely.

Method 4: Completely remove Google Search with root rights

If you are ready to get root rights (for example, through Magisk), you can delete Google Search forever. This is suitable for power users, since it requires unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom recovery.

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-14 days).
2. Install TWRP or OrangeFox Recovery for your model.
3. Please use Magisk to obtain root rights.
4. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
5. Go to /system/priv-app/GoogleQuickSearchBox or /system/app/GoogleQuickSearchBox and delete the folder.
6. Clean the cache and Dalvik-cache in the recaveri.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Google Search is completely gone from the system.
• ✅ Free up to 200-300 MB of memory.
• ✅ No background activity and battery consumption.

Risks:

• ❌ Google Play Services malfunction (apps may stop updating).
• ❌ Loss of warranty (if the bootloader is unlocked).
• ❌ Possible errors in the OTA-update MIUI.

💡

Before you delete system files, make sure to backup through TWRP! Recovery from the backup will return Google Search if something goes wrong.

Method 5: Alternative launchers (bypass)

If previous methods seem complicated, you can simply replace the standard MIUI launcher with a third-party one (like Nova Launcher, Lawnchair or Hyperion Launcher).

How it works:

1. Install an alternative launcher from Google Play.
2. When you first start, select it as the default launcher.
3. In the new launcher settings, disable integration with Google (Search or Widgets).

Pros:

• 🎨 Full customization of the main screen.
• 🚀 There are no Google widgets.
• 🔋 Lower battery consumption (Nova launchers are lighter than standard ones) MIUI Launcher).

Cons:

• ⚙️ Certain functions MIUI (Super Wallpapers may not work.
• 🔍 Quick search on the system (swipe down on the home screen) will become less convenient.

Standard MIUI Launcher|

Nova Launcher|

Lawnchair|

POCO Launcher|

Another (write in the comments)-->

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after Google Search is disabled, users are faced with common errors, and we'll look at the most common ones:

1 Google Search returns after MIUI update

Reason: MIUI Restores system applications after OTA-update.

Decision:

• 🔄 Repeat the shutdown through ADB (3-way).
• 📵 Install App Quarantine (requires root) to block recovery.

2.The voice assistant is not working

The reason: Google Assistant depends on com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox.

Decision:

• 🎤 Install an alternative, for example, Siri (for iOS users) or Alice from Yandex.
• 🔧 If you need Google Assistant, you can go back to Method 2 (Limitation of Rights).

3. The error "Google Play Services has stopped"

The reason: Google Search is disrupting Google Play Services.

Decision:

• 🛠️ Reinstall Google Play Services via APKMirror.
• 📲 Reset your Google account settings in Settings → Accounts.

💡

If apps from the Play Market stop updating after Google Search is disabled, clear the cache and data of Google Play Services in the application settings.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions