Modern smartphones, including the popular flagship Xiaomi Mi 9, are packed with intelligent features designed to make life easier. However, Google Assistant, one of the most intrusive features, is often a source of irritation, especially when activated by a random push of a button or a voice command. Many owners of Android devices face the problem when an assistant interferes with the use of the phone, overlapping the interface and consuming the resources of the system.
Not only does disabling this service eliminate accidental launches, it can also have a positive impact on the autonomy of your gadget. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of deactivating the assistant, from simple settings in the menu to deeper intervention in the system, you will learn how to reassign buttons, disable voice activation and completely remove the integration of the service with the MIUI shell.
It is important to understand that the complete removal of the system component may require additional actions, but in most cases, a standard configuration is enough. We will consider the nuances of working with the Mi 9 model, where the hardware button and program gestures can behave specifically. Follow the instructions carefully to achieve the desired result without losing important functions.
Basic configuration through the system menu
The first and most obvious step is to go to the native settings of the Google app itself, and that's where the basic controls of the assistant behavior are, so you have to open the Google app on your smartphone and go to the settings section, which is usually hidden in the user profile or the "More" menu, and you can find the voice assistant section here.
Inside the settings section, look for the Google Assistant tab, which is where the switches that control "OK, Google" voice activation and lock screen access are located, and disabling these options will prevent the device from waking up accidentally while it's in your pocket or bag, a frequent complaint from Xiaomi owners.
⚠️ Warning: After disabling voice activation, the assistant will stop responding to commands spoken aloud, even if the screen is on.
You can also turn off personalized results in this section, which will limit the assistant's access to your search history and location, which is an important step for those who care about data privacy. Although this does not remove the application completely, functionality is minimized and intrusive prompts disappear.
Disconnecting through the settings of Google Assistant
To get a deeper setup, you need to go directly to the Assistant Management menu. On the Xiaomi Mi 9, you can do this by running the Assistant and clicking on the profile icon, or through the Google app settings. Here, it is important to find the All Assistant Settings section, which opens access to the expanded list of options.
In the list that opens, you need to find Google Assistant and select Phone, and that's where the main switch is, which allows you to completely deactivate the service, and once you turn off this switch, the system will stop loading the modules that handle voice requests and contextual prompts.
And it's worth noting that after you do this, when you try to call an assistant, you can see a message that the service is unavailable or needs to be reactivated. This is normal behavior on the Android system. If you decide to put it back, you just have to move the slider to the active position.
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Periodically clear the Google app cache after changing your settings to make sure that old configurations don’t conflict with new options.
Control of the power button and gestures
One of the most annoying features on Xiaomi smartphones is calling Google Assistant with a long press of the power button. On the Mi 9 model, this feature is often activated by default, leading to constant random switching. To fix this, you need to go to the system settings.
The path to the desired option may vary depending on the version of the MIUI shell, but most often it is located at Settings → Additional → Power button. In some versions of the firmware, this item may be called Press and Hold the Power button. Here you need to change the action from Google Assistant to Nothing or Shutdown Menu if you prefer classic behavior.
Also, check your gesture settings. Often, the assistant is called by a swipe from the bottom corner of the screen. This function is managed under Settings → Main menu → Gesture Management. By disabling this setting, you save yourself from random starts when you try to quickly open the menu of recent apps or turn off the current window.
☑️ Setting up the power button
Limitation of background activity and permissions
If a complete shutdown is not possible or desirable for any reason, you can significantly limit the service. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All applications and find in the list of “Google”.
You have to revoke access to the microphone, geolocation and contacts, without access to the microphone, voice control will not work, and the lack of access to contacts will make it impossible to execute commands like "call mom," which makes the assistant a non-working shortcut, without consuming unnecessary resources.
Alternatively, you can limit background activity. In the app menu, find the Battery or Energy section and set background activity limits, which will prevent constant listening and data synchronization in the background, which is especially important for maintaining battery life on the Xiaomi Mi 9.
| Parameter | Standard value | Recommended value | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voice activation | Included. | Off. | Blocks the reaction to "OK, Google" |
| Lockdown access | Permitted. | Forbidden. | Protects data on a locked screen |
| Microphone | Permitted. | Prohibited. | Turns off voice input completely. |
| Background mode | No restrictions. | Limited. | Reduces battery consumption |
Using third-party applications for reassignment
When MIUI system settings don’t allow you to completely disable the assistant call or the power button continues to activate it, third-party utilities come to the rescue. One popular solution is Button Mapper, which allows you to reassign the actions of the buttons at the system level.
Once installed, you will need to provide special permissions through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or built-in accessibility tools, which will allow you to intercept the event of a long press of the power button and replace the launch of Google Assistant with any other action, such as launching a flashlight, camera or simply ignoring the command.
⚠️ Note: Using third-party apps to reassign system buttons may conflict with Android security updates.
The advantage of this is that you can set up different actions for short, long and double presses, and it turns an uncomfortable feature into a useful tool, completely eliminating the need for voice assistant services, but it's worth remembering that these applications work in the background all the time.
Risks of using third-party button mappers
Disabling widgets and integration with the desktop
Even after the basic features are disabled, traces of the presence of Google Assistant can remain on the Xiaomi Mi 9 desktop. Often, active elements remain in the left side of the home screen (Google Discover) or in widgets that suggest running the assistant or show its hints.
To remove the widget, find it on your desktop, pin your finger and drag it to the Remove or Remove area. If it's Google tape to the left of the home screen, you can turn it off in the launcher settings. To do this, pinch it with two fingers on your desktop, select Settings, and turn off the option of Google Tape or Google Discover.
It’s also worth checking the widgets in the Tools or Google folder, and if there’s an assistant widget, removing it won’t affect the system, but it will clear the interface of unnecessary visual noise, especially for users who prefer minimalist design and don’t use Google services in their daily lives.
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Deleting widgets completely and disabling your news feed is the final step in getting rid of Google’s presence on your device.