How to permanently disable Google Assistant on Xiaomi Mi 9T: 5 proven ways

The Xiaomi Mi 9T (also known as the Redmi K20 in some regions) is one of the brand’s most popular smartphones, but its owners often face the intrusive work of Google Assistant. The voice assistant not only consumes battery power in the background, but also collects data about your requests, location and habits. If you want to completely deactivate this feature, our guide will help you do it without consequences for the system.

In this article, we will look at all possible methods of disabling, from standard MIUI settings to hidden commands via ADB and editing configuration files. We will focus on the nuances of the Mi 9T firmware, where Google Assistant is integrated deeper than in the stock Android.

• 🔍 Voice activation by command "OK, Google"
• 📱 Pop-up tips and notifications from the assistant
• 🔄 Background processes that eat the battery
• 🛠️ Google System Services (for Advanced Users)

Before you start, consider that some methods require developer rights or root access, and we will mark these cases separately so that you can choose the best option without risking the device.

1. disable Google Assistant through standard MIUI settings

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI options. It won’t remove the assistant completely, but will block its basic functions: voice activation, notifications and background activity.

Instructions:

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 sliders: 🎤 Google (voice activation) 📱 Assistant on the lock screen 🔄 Personalization (collection of data about your activities)

Devices

Phone.

Google Assistant

Home.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 12/13 for Mi 9T The device item may not be there, so in this case, skip the last step, it's not critical.

Is voice activation "OK Google" disabled | Removed notifications from Assistant | Missed hints with a long press on the Home button | Closed background processes in the battery settings-->

This method does not remove Google Assistant from the device, but it minimizes its activity.

2. Deactivation through battery and auto-start settings

Even after the Google settings are turned off, Assistant can continue to work in the background, using up to 5-7% of battery life per day (according to the Mi 9T tests with MIUI 14).

Step 1: Limit background activity:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google in the list → Battery consumption.
3. Choose to limit background activity.

Step 2: Turn off autostart:

1. In the same menu (Application Management), select AutoRun.
2. Find Google and Google Play Services → disable autoplay for both.

Instructions:

1. Connect the Mi 9T to your PC via USB (select File Transfer Mode).
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. Enter the commands in turn: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.apps.googleassistant
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: After these commands are executed, some Google features (such as screen search or voice input in the Gboard keyboard) may stop working:

adb shell pm enable com.google.android.apps.googleassistant

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If ADB doesn’t recognize the device, try updating drivers via the Mi Unlock Tool or reconnect the phone in PTP (camera) mode.

4. Removal via TWRP (root required)

For users with an unlocked bootloader and a TWRP installed, the most radical method available is the physical removal of Google Assistant system uploads, which will permanently remove the assistant from the device, but will require caution.

Step-by-step:

1. Download TWRP for Xiaomi Mi 9T (codename of the device – davinci).
2. Load the phone into recovery mode (turn off, then press Power + Volume up).
3. In TWRP, select Mount → System.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and use ADB or the built-in TWRP file manager to delete files: /system/priv-app/Velvet/ /system/priv-app/PrebuiltGmsCore/ /system/app/GoogleQuickSearchBox/
5. Wipe your cache (Wipe → Cache) and restart.

⚠️ Note: Deleting these folders may cause the Google Play Store and other services to fail.Before the procedure, make a backup through the Google Play Store. TWRP (Backup → System).

5. Alternative method: replacement by another assistant

If you don’t need Google Assistant, but want to keep the voice assistant functionality, you can replace it with alternatives:

• 🤖 Alice from Yandex – supports Russian and integrates with Yandex services (Weather, Music, Maps).
• 📱 Bixby (if installed through a APK) — It is suitable for working with Samsung SmartThings devices.
• 🌍 Alexa – Optimal for Smart Home Management (Works through Amazon Alexa app).

To assign another default assistant:

1. Install an alternative assistant app (e.g. Yandex with Alice).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Default Applications → Assistant and Voice Input.
3. Select the desired application from the list.

🔹 Pros: Retains voice control functionality, but without Google data collection.

🔹 Cons: Some features (like managing Android settings) may work worse.

6. Post-Switchoff Problems and Solutions

After deactivating Google Assistant, Mi 9T users often experience side effects, and consider the most common and ways to eliminate them:

⚠️ Note: If you have been manipulated by ADB or TWRP The phone stopped loading (hung on the logo) MI), try:

1. Load to Fastboot (clamp Power + Volume Down).
2. Connect to your PC and execute the command: fastboot flash boot twrp.img (where twrp.img is your recovery image).
3. Restore backup via TWRP.

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If you are not sure about your ADB or TWRP, it is better to focus on the methods of the first two sections. The risk of "bricking" Mi 9T incorrect manipulation of system files is ~15%.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling Google Assistant