How to permanently disable Google Assistant on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: 5 working methods

Why do Redmi 4X users want to get rid of Google Assistant?

Google’s voice assistant on Xiaomi Redmi 4X is often a source of irritation: it spontaneously activates when holding the Home button, eats up to 100-150 MB of RAM and is regularly updated in the background, taking up space in storage. This is especially noticeable on the budget smartphone of 2017 with 2/3 GB of RAM and 16/32 GB of ROM, where each megabyte is on the account.

Owners of Redmi 4X (codename santoni) face another problem: the assistant often conflicts with Xiaomi’s proprietary MIUI Assistant, duplicating functions and creating confusion. For example, when you try to call a voice search through a long press on Home, you can open either Google Assistant or Mi Assistant depending on the latest service update. And if you use a smartphone without Google Play Services (for example, on custom firmware), the assistant turns into a useless ballast that can not be removed by standard means.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to disconnect from simple (through settings) to radical (removing system packages). 4X differentially MIUI (8-12) and Android (6.0-7.1).

Method 1: Disconnecting through Google Settings

The safest and most reversible way is to deactivate the assistant in its own settings. This won't delete the app, but will stop background activity and prevent accidental launches.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Google app (the icon with the letter "G" on a colored background).
• 👤 Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner → Select Settings.
• 🔊 Scroll down to the Google Assistant section. → General.
• ⚙️ Click Google Assistant → Put the slider in the off position..

After that, the assistant will stop responding to voice commands and the Home button retention, but it will still take up space in memory and update, to completely stop the background processes:

Disable autostart in settings MIUI|Prohibit background activity in the application settings|Remove Google Assistant Updates-->

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 9-10 for Redmi 4X Google Assistant may not be in the settings menu, in which case go to Method 2.

Method 2: Disconnect via MIUI settings (for Home button)

If the assistant starts when you hold the Home button, you can reassign the action of that button. MIUI has a built-in function for this:

Steps:

1. Open the settings → Additional settings.
2. Select the Home button (or the new version of the buttons).
3. In the Long Click section, change the action from Google Assistant to Do Nothing or Mi Assistant.

This method doesn't turn off the assistant itself, but it prevents it from accidentally starting. If you need to completely remove its tracks, read on.

Method 3: Removing Google Assistant Updates

By default, the Redmi 4X has a basic version of the assistant, which weighs about 20-30 MB. However, over time, Google Play automatically updates it to a full version (100+ MB), adding unnecessary features.

Algorithm:

• 📦 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Find Google Assistant (or com.google.android.apps.googleassistant).
• ⚙️ Slip on the three-point menu in the upper right corner → Remove updates.
• 🔄 Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

After that:

• ✅ Assistant will return to the factory version (without voice control and most functions).
• ✅ Occupied space will be reduced from 100+ MB up to 20-30 MB.
• ❌ Certain functions (e.g, OK Google will stop working.

⚠️ Note: Google Play may re-update the app. To avoid this, disable the auto-update for Google Assistant in the Play Store settings (Settings) → Auto-update of applications → Not update).

Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)

If previous methods failed, you can block the launch of the assistant at the system level using ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the smartphone to the computer, but gives a guaranteed result without root rights.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utilities. ADB Fastboot (you can download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Developer settings → Debugging by USB).

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi 4X to your computer and confirm debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Run the command to deactivate the assistant: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.googleassistant
5. Reboot your smartphone.

This command does not remove the application completely, but only disables it for the current user.

• ✅ Doesn't require root rights.
• ✅ It works on all versions. MIUI.
• ✅ You can return the assistant with the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.apps.googleassistant

adb shell am force-stop com.google.android.apps.googleassistant

Then repeat the main command.-->

Method 5: Complete removal (requires root rights)

The most radical way is to physically delete the assistant system files, which is only possible on Redmi 4X with the bootloader unlocked and the root rights obtained (for example, through Magisk or SuperSU).

⚠️ Warning: Removing system applications could lead to unstable operation MIUI or errors in Google Play Services. backup (TWRP Backup before start!

List of files and packets to delete:

For removal:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
2. Go to the indicated paths and delete the folders/files.apk and.odex.
3. Or use Titanium Backup to freeze/delete packets.

⚠️ Note: After deleting com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox, you may stop working: Voice search in Google Chrome. Google widget on the home screen. Some features of Google Photos (e.g., image search). If these features are critical, use Method 4 (ADB) complete removal.

💡

Deleting Google Assistant completely is only advisable if you are not using other Google services (Mail, Maps, Drive) or the risk of system instability outweighs the benefits of the vacated space.

What if the assistant starts anyway?

Sometimes, even after Google is disabled, the Assistant continues to activate.

Problem 1: The assistant starts when the headphones are connected.

• 🎧 Check the settings in Google → Settings → Google Assistant → Headphones.
• 🔕 Turn off the voice activation option for headphones.

Problem 2: After the MIUI update, the settings reset.

• 🔄 Repeat the steps from Method 1 or Method 2.
• 📵 If it only helps ADB — Use Method 4 Repeatly.

Problem 3: The assistant opens through a gesture on the lock screen.

• 🔒 Go to Settings. → Lock screen → Gestures and disable Google Assistant.
• 🖐️ Reassign the gesture to another action (such as a flashlight or camera).

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🛡️ Does the assistant work with third-party software (e.g. Greenify or Battery Saver).
• 📲 Is there a custom firmware with modified Google services installed.
• 🔄 Have the settings been reset? MIUI post-refresh.

Alternatives to Google Assistant on Xiaomi Redmi 4X

If you’ve disabled Google Assistant but want to keep voice control, consider these options:

1. Mi Assistant (built into MIUI)

• ✅ Lightweight (occupying) ~10MB).
• ✅ Optimized for Xiaomi (camera, flashlight, settings management).
• ❌ Limited functionality (no integration with Google Calendar or Gmail).

2.Alice by Yandex

• ✅ Supports Russian language and regional services (weather, traffic jams, Yandex.Music).
• ✅ Can manage smart devices (Yandex Station, Smart Home).
• ❌ Requires a separate application (~50MB).

3. Bixby (for Samsung fans)

• ✅ It's not working.-Samsung device APK.
• ✅ Can recognize objects through the camera.
• ❌ Low Optimization for Redmi 4X (possible lag).

4 Automation through Tasker

• ✅ Allows you to create your own voice commands.
• ✅ Integrates with IFTTT and other services.
• ❌ A complex setup for beginners.

To install alternative assistants:

1. Download. APK-file from the official website (for example, Yandex Alice).
2. Allow installation from unknown sources (Settings → Security → Unknown sources).
3. Set up the start using a long press on Home (see Method 2).

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling Google Assistant