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

Why Google Assistant is Interfering with Redmi 5 Owners and How to Remove It

Google’s voice assistant on Xiaomi Redmi 5 is often a source of annoyance: it spontaneously activates when holding the Home button, consumes battery power in the background and collects data about your queries. This is especially noticeable on the budget smartphone of 2017, where every percent of autonomy counts. Unlike flagship models, the Redmi 5 does not have a hardware assistant call button, but Google has integrated it into the system software so deeply that a simple shutdown in the settings does not always work.

Compounding the problem, Xiaomi’s MIUI often conflicts with Google’s services. For example, after updates, the assistant can be activated again even if you’ve disabled it before. In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways, from standard settings to ADB techniques that are guaranteed to remove the assistant from your device.

Before you start, check the Android version on your Redmi 5: Settings path → About Phone → MIUI version. The device came with Android 7.1 Nougat and received updates to Android 9 Pie - this depends on the availability of some features. If your smartphone has not been updated for a long time, we recommend first install the latest firmware through Settings → System Update to avoid bugs.

Method 1: Standard shutdown via Android settings

The simplest method that works on most root-free devices is suitable for users who want to temporarily deactivate the assistant, but not remove it completely. Please note that after system updates, Google may turn the service back on, so this method does not give a 100% guarantee.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Google app (the icon with the letter "G" on a colored background).
• 👤 Click on the profile icon in the upper right corner → Select Settings.
• 🔊 Go to the Google Assistant section → General.
• 🔄 Scroll down and turn off the Google Assistant switch. Confirm action.

If this route is not available (for example, due to regional restrictions), try an alternative route:

1. Press the Home button for 2-3 seconds to call the assistant.
2. At the bottom of the screen will appear a hint – click on the icon ⚙️ Settings.
3. From the Assistant menu, select Phone → disable the Use Google Assistant option.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI For Redmi 5, the item "Google Assistant" may not be on the menu, which means that the manufacturer has blocked access to the settings through the standard interface.

Make sure your phone has enough charge (minimum 30%)

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network

Make a backup copy of important data (contacts, photos)

Remember your Google account password (required for re-authorization)-->

Method 2: Disconnecting through Google App Settings

This is more reliable than the previous one, because it blocks the background activity of the assistant, but it doesn't delete the application itself, it only limits its capabilities, and it's suitable for users who want to save battery power but are not prepared for radical measures.

Step-by-step:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search bar, type Google and select the app from the list.
• 📵 Click Notifications → Turn off all switches (especially Assistant and Voice Search).
• 🔋 Go back and select the battery. → Set the Optimization Limit.
• 🚫 In the Permissions section, disable access to the Microphone, Contacts and Notifications.

After this, Google Assistant will stop running on the Home button and will not consume resources in the background, but it will still take up space in the device’s memory. ADB.

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If the assistant is still activated after turning off, check the gesture settings in MIUI: Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures → Home button. Here you can reassign the action to hold the button.

Method 3: Remove Google Updates (for Android 7-8)

On Redmi 5 with Android 7.1 Nougat or Android 8.0 Oreo, you can roll back the Google app to the factory version, which automatically removes the assistant. This method does not require root rights, but after updating the system through the Play Market, the assistant can return.

How to do this:

1. Open Settings → Applications → All applications.
2. Find Google (not to be confused with Google Play!).
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner → select Remove Updates.
4. Confirm the action. The system will return the application to the factory version, where the assistant is not yet available.

To prevent automatic updates:

• 🛑 Open Play Market → Go to the Google App page.
• 🔄 Press three points. → uncheck the auto update box.
• 📴 In the settings of the Google account (Settings) → Accounts. → Google: Turn off data synchronization for Assistant.

⚠️ Note: After the rollback version, some Google features (such as voice search) may not work properly, and this method will not work on Android 9 Pie, where the assistant is sewn into the system components.

Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (without root)

For advanced users willing to work with the command line, there is a method to disable the assistant through the ADB (Android Debug Bridge. It doesn't require superuser rights, but it does require a computer and a computer. USB-Advantage of the method: changes take effect at the system level and are not reset after updates.

Preparation:

• 💻 Install. ADB Tools on PC.
• 📱 On the phone, activate Developer Mode: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times).
• 🔌 Connect Redmi 5 to your computer and select File Transfer Mode.
• 🐭 Turn on Debugging. USB developer-setting.

Commands to disable:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.googleassistant


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

If the first command fails (or gives an error), use the alternative:

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


adb shell pm hide com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

Once you've done the commands, restart your phone, the assistant will be turned off, and the Home button will stop calling it.

adb shell pm install-existing --user 0 com.google.android.apps.googleassistant

Method 5: Complete root removal (for experienced)

If you're ready to root Redmi 5, you can delete the assistant permanently by deleting system files. This method is irreversible and requires caution - wrong actions can lead to bootloop. TWRP beforehand.

Steps:

1. Install Magisk or another root rights manager.
2. Download a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer).
3. Go to /system/priv-app/Velvet or /system/priv-app/GoogleAssistant.
4. Delete the Velvet, GoogleAssistant and GoogleQuickSearchBox folders.
5. Clear the cache to /data/data/com.google.android.apps.googleassistant.
6. Reset the device.

Once the system files are deleted, the assistant will disappear from the settings menu and all related services will stop working, which also removes Google voice search, but does not affect other features (such as Google Maps or Gmail).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI Removing system applications can cause errors in the work of Google Play Services. If after the reboot there are crashes, restore deleted files from the backup or re-flash the device.

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Getting root rights to Redmi 5 voids Xiaomi’s warranty and can disrupt banking applications (due to SafetyNet).

Additional tips: how to avoid re-activation

Even after a successful Google shutdown, Assistant can return after a firmware update or reset. To prevent this from happening, follow these guidelines:

• 🔄 Turn off automatic app updates in the Play Market (especially for Google and Google Play Services).
• 📵 In the settings of the Google account (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization: Turn off the Assistant option.
• 🛡️ Install a firewall (like NetGuard) and block internet access for the Google app.
• 🔧 Regularly check active processes through Settings → Annexes → Start and forcefully stop Google Assistant.

If you use custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), you can turn the assistant off via your firmware settings. There are no such options in MIUI, so you have to rely on manual methods.

For those looking to replace Google Assistant with an alternative, consider:

• 🤖 Alice from Yandex (works in Russian, integrates with Yandex services).
• 📱 Bixby (if installed through a APK, But requires a Samsung account).
• 🎤 Assistant.ai (open assistant with plugin support).

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling Google Assistant