How to permanently disable Google Assistant on Xiaomi Mi9: a step-by-step guide

Google Assistant on Xiaomi Mi9 can be useful for voice control, but not all users need this service. It consumes battery resources, collects data about your requests and sometimes activates accidentally — for example, during prolonged holding of the Home button or through a gesture from the side keys. If you decide to completely deactivate the assistant from Google, this article will help to do it correctly, without risk to the system.

The Mi9 (codenamed cepheus) features MIUI firmware with deep integration of Google services. Simply turning off the settings often doesn't work, the assistant can turn on again after an update or reboot. We'll look at 5 proven methods, from basic to advanced (including ADB and packet removal). Importantly, some methods require unlocking the bootloader or developer rights, we'll warn you about this in advance.

If you are using the Mi9 on MIUI 12-14 (including global and Chinese versions), the instructions below will be appropriate. For older versions (MIUI 11 and below), you may need to adjust - check in the comments.

1. Disconnection through standard MIUI settings

The easiest way is to deactivate the assistant in the settings menu, which will not delete the service completely, but will stop it from working and prevent accidental launches.

Steps:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Show System Processes.
3. Search the Google (or Google Assistant) list and tap it.
4. Select Disable (if the button is inactive, click Stop first).
5. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

The assistant will then stop responding to voice commands and gestures, but this method does not block Google's background processes, so the service can be activated again after the Google Play Services app is updated.

Enable Developer Mode (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version, tap 7 times)

Activate debugging over USB (Settings → Additional → For developers)

Make sure your phone has enough charge (at least 50%)

Download the drivers ADB For Xiaomi (if you plan to use the methods below)-->

2. Deactivation via Google Settings

If the standard shutdown doesn’t work, try blocking the assistant directly in its settings, which is more effective because it disables the service at the Google account level.

Instructions:

1. Open the Google app (the icon with the letter "G" on the home screen).
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner and select Settings → Google Assistant.
3. Scroll down to General Settings and select Google Assistant.
4. Switch the slider to the off position.
5. Go back and select Xiaomi Mi9 in the Devices section, then turn off the Use Google Assistant option.

This method also does not remove the service from the device, but blocks its launch through buttons and voice commands. ADB root.

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If the assistant continues to start when holding the Home button after turning off, reset the gesture settings to Settings → System → Gestures → Home button and assign another action.

3. Disconnection via ADB (no root)

The method for advanced users who want to completely block Google Assistant at the system level, you will need a computer with ADB drivers installed and USB debugging on the phone enabled.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect. Mi9 PC-only USB-cable and allow debugging (a request will appear on the phone screen).
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox
3. If the command didn't work, try an alternative: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox
4. Reboot the phone.

This command doesn't delete the app completely (it's still on the system), but it makes it inaccessible to the current user. The advantage of the method is that the assistant won't be able to turn on even after the updates. Minus: when you reset the phone to factory settings, you'll have to repeat the procedure.

4.Removal of Google Updates (for MIUI with limited services)

On some Xiaomi Mi9 firmware (especially Chinese), Google Assistant can be part of the Google Play Services package, in which case rollback to the factory version of the application will help.

How to do this:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Google Play Services.
2. Click on the three dots in the top corner and select Remove Updates.
3. Confirm the action and restart the phone.
4. Then turn off the automatic update of Google Play Services in the Play Store → Settings → Auto-Update apps.

This method does not work on all firmware, as MIUI can force system applications to update. If the assistant appears again after the reboot, use ADB (method 3) or packet removal (method 5).

5. Complete removal via TWRP (root required)

A radical method for users with an unlocked bootloader and TWRP installed. Allows you to physically delete Google Assistant files, but requires caution - improper actions can lead to system failure.

Instructions:

1. Download and install Magisk (to obtain root rights).
2. Load the phone into Recovery Mode (TWRP) – turn off the device to do this, then press Power + Volume up.
3. In TWRP, select Advanced → File Manager.
4. Go to /system/priv-app/ and delete folders: Velvet (main assistant package) GoogleQuickSearchBox (alternative name)

Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Deleting system files may disrupt other Google services (e.g. Google Play or Gmail). TWRP!

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If other Google apps have stopped working after removing the assistant, restore deleted folders from the backup or reflash the phone.

6. Alternative methods: gestures and third-party launchers

If you need to change the assistant’s call rather than disable it, you can reassign gestures or use alternative launchers.

Options:

• 🔄 Reassign the Home button: in Settings → System system → Gestures → Select another action (such as starting Google Search or turning off the reaction).
• 📱 Install a third-party launcher: Some shells (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) allow you to disable Google Assistant integration.
• 🔇 Turn off the microphone for Google: in Settings → Confidentiality → Permits → Microphones are not allowed to access Google app.

These methods don’t remove the assistant, but make it impossible to use without manually running it, suitable for those who want to keep the functionality of other Google services.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

Depending on your goals and level of training, choose the right way:

For most Xiaomi Mi9 users, the best solution is a combination of methods 2 and 3: disabling in Google settings + blocking through ADB. This will give a stable result without risk to the system.

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If you notice an improvement in autonomy after you turn off the assistant, check battery consumption in Settings → Battery → Battery Use. Often, Google Assistant consumes up to 5-10% of the charge in the background.

Frequent problems and solutions

You may have trouble disabling Google Assistant on Mi9, and consider typical situations and how to solve them:

⚠️ Note: If after use ADB-commands the phone stopped loading or there were errors in the work of Google services, reset to factory settings via Fastboot:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot reboot

Problem 1: Assistant is activated after MIUI update

Solution: Repeat the disabling procedure via ADB or remove updates for Google Play Services (mode 4). You can also block automatic updates of system applications through Settings → Applications → Auto-update system applications.

Problem 2: Voice search in other apps is not working

Solution: If you have removed the assistant via TWRP, install an alternative voice input app (e.g., Voice Access from Google or Speech Services).

Problem 3: The Home button has stopped working

Solution: Reassign the action to the button in Settings → System → Gestures → Home button. If the button doesn't respond at all, reset the gesture settings to standard.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions