How to permanently disable Google Assistant on Xiaomi with MIUI 12:5 proven methods

Why Xiaomi users want to get rid of Google Assistant

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones based on MIUI 12 often face a situation where Google Assistant activates spontaneously - with prolonged retention of the Home button, voice command "OK, Google" or even during a conversation - a feature designed for convenience, often annoying users due to constant battery consumption in the background (up to 15% per day on 4PDA tests), untargeted positives and collection of location data.

Complicating the problem is that MIUI 12 is deeply integrated with Google services, and standard system settings do not always allow the assistant to be completely deactivated. For example, on Redmi Note 9 Pro or Poco X3 NFC models, the Assistant can reappear after a menu shutdown after a reboot. In this article, we will analyze all the working methods from basic to radical (including ADB and changing system files), and also explain how to replace Google Assistant with Xiaomi.

Before you start, note that some methods require developer or unlocked bootloader rights. If you are not ready for experiments, use the first two methods from our instructions.

Method 1: Standard shutdown via Android settings

The safest and most obvious method is to deactivate the Assistant in the app menu, which is suitable for most Xiaomi models (including the Mi 10T, Redmi Note 8 Pro, etc.), but has a limitation: after updating the MIUI or resetting the Assistant can turn on again.

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 Google Assistant switch.
5. Go back and select Voice Assistant → Voice Match → Turn off Google OK.

We further recommend:

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Google and disable auto-start.
• 📱 In Gesture settings (System section) remove the long-press binding on Home to the Assistant.
• 🔄 Reboot the device so that the changes take effect.

This works on 70% of devices, but on some firmware (e.g. MIUI 12.5 Enhanced for the European region), the Assistant can remain active in the background.

Method 2: Disconnect via MIUI settings (for Chinese firmware)

Xiaomi users with global firmware (such as Mi 11 Ultra Global) often don’t find the right menu items, because Chinese versions of MIUI 12 (such as the Redmi K30 Pro Zoom) have hidden options for managing Google’s system services.

How to turn it off:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three points in the top corner → Show all the processes.
3. Find Google and Google Play Services in the list.
4. For each application: Turn off AutoRun. Disable background (Battery → Limit background activity) Remove Microphone, Location and Phone permissions.

💡

If the list of applications does not contain the item "Show all processes", try to enter the "Out-Run" request in the search for settings - this will open the desired menu.

On some devices (e.g. Poco F2 Pro) after these manipulations, Assistant will stop firing on voice commands, but may remain active while holding the Home button.

1. Go to Settings → System → Gestures → Home button.
2. Select Do Nothing or Last App instead of Google Assistant.

⚠️ Note: On Chinese firmware without Google services (for example, on Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro with the help of Google). MIUI China) The assistant is not there at first. If you see it, you have a global or custom firmware installed.

Method 3: Using ADB to Deep Shut Down

If standard methods don’t work, you’ll need to connect to your smartphone via Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that requires developer rights and works on all versions of MIUI 12/12.5, including the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite and Redmi Note 10 Pro.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. tap the MIUI Version 7 times. Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers and enable USB Debugging.

Xiaomi

official website

ADB Tools

Open the PowerShell window here

adb devices

(Your device should appear)

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

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

Once the commands are executed, the Assistant will be completely deleted for the current user (without affecting the system files).

adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 12.5 Stable for Poco X3 NFC) after-use ADB You may reset your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth settings. Backup your Settings before the procedure. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.

Method 4: Disable by editing system files (root required)

This method is suitable for advanced users who are ready to get root rights.It allows you to permanently remove the Assistant, including its system components.It works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12, including Black Shark 3 and Mi Mix 3.

What you need:

• 📱 Unlocked bootloader (instructions on the official website).
• 🔧 Installed by Magisk or other root manager.
• 📂 File Manager with support for root (for example, Root Explorer or Root Explorer) FX File Explorer).

Instructions:

1. Open the file manager and go to /system/priv-app/.
2. Find folders: Velvet (the main component of the Assistant) GoogleQuickSearchBox PrebuiltGmsCore (if any)

.bak

Velvet.bak

Reset the device.

An alternative is to use Titanium Backup (requires root) to freeze the following packages:

• com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox
• com.google.android.apps.googleassistant
• com.google.android.as (Assistant Services)

If after manipulations, the smartphone began to slow down or issue errors - restore the original folder names and restart the device.

Method 5: Install custom firmware without Google (radical method)

For users who want to get rid of Google services completely, the best option is to reflash the device to custom firmware without GApps. This method is suitable for Xiaomi models with good community support, such as the Poco F1, Redmi Note 7 or Mi 9T.

Popular Firmware without Google:

• 📱 LineageOS (official and unofficial builds)
• 🔄 Pixel Experience (without GApps)
• 🛡️ GrapheneOS (for enhanced privacy)
• 🌍 MIUI EU (bald-free)

How to determine:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Download firmware from the XDA Developers website (e.g. LineageOS).
4. Flow through recovery by pre-doing Wipe Dalvik/Cache, System, Data.

Advantages of this method:

• 🚀 Significant increase in battery life (up to) 20-30%).
• 🔒 Full control over permissions and background processes.
• 📱 Ability to use alternative app stores (F-Droid, Aurora Store).

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware resets the warranty and may result in a Mi Account being blocked (on some models). 4PDA or XDA.

How to replace Google Assistant with Xiaomi?

If you have disabled Assistant but want to keep the voice assistant functional, consider alternatives:

To activate alternative assistants:

1. Install the app from Google Play or APKMirror.
2. Go to Settings → Applications → By default → Voice Assistant.
3. Choose the app you want instead of Google Assistant.
4. Set up voice activation in the menu of the selected assistant.

For example, for Alice from Yandex:

• 🎤 Enable the option "Alice on the lock screen" in the application settings.
• 🔊 Set up a voice command (Hello Alice or Listen Alice").
• 📱 Attach the long press of the Home button to Alice via Settings → Gestures.

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Alternative assistants (like Alice) can conflict with MIUI if you don’t turn off Google Assistant entirely via ADB or root.

Frequent problems and their solutions

When you turn off Google Assistant, Xiaomi users experience typical errors. Here's how to fix them:

Problem 1: The assistant is turned on itself after the MIUI update.

Solution: Repeat disabling through ADB or use AppOps (requires root) to block permissions:

adb shell cmd appops set com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox RUN_IN_BACKGROUND ignore

Problem 2: Voice search in the browser does not work after the Assistant is deleted.

Solution: Install an alternative browser (such as Firefox or Brave) with your own voice input.

Problem 3: After using ADB, notifications from Google apps disappeared.

Solution: Enable notifications manually in Settings → Apps → Google → Notifications.

Problem 4: The “Help Stopped” error appears on the lock screen.

Solution: Turn off notifications display for Google in Settings → Lock screen → Notifications.

Problem 5: After custom MIUI firmware was installed, banking applications stopped working.

Solution: Install Magisk and Universal SafetyNet Fix to pass SafetyNet.

If none of the methods worked, check if your device has an application from a carrier (such as MTS Assistant or Beeline Space) that may conflict with the settings.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions