Xiaomi Redmi 5 is still a popular budget smartphone, but its owners often encounter an intrusive Google Assistant that is activated by random taps, eats battery power and collects user data. Unlike new Xiaomi models, where the voice assistant is integrated deeper, Redmi 5 can turn it off completely — without root rights and loss of functionality. However, not all methods are equally effective: some simply hide the icon, and others delete services at the system level.
In this article, three working methods to disable Google Assistant on Redmi 5 s MIUI 9/10/11, including hidden settings, ADB-We'll compare them in complexity, risk and outcome, and we'll show you how to get the assistant back if you need it, and we'll focus on the nuances of firmware with Google Play Services preinstalled, which can't be removed without consequences.
Why Google Assistant is getting in the way of Xiaomi Redmi 5
On Redmi 5 (codenamed rosy), Google Assistant works differently than on Xiaomi flagships. Here are the main problems that users face:
- 🔋 Battery consumption: Background processes of the assistant (com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox) consume up to 5–7% of charge per day even without active use.
- 🎤 False positives: The assistant is triggered by the accidental pressing of the Home button or the phrase “OK, Google”, which recognizes even in your pocket.
- 📱 Conflict with MIUI: on some firmware, the assistant intercepts control over fast commands (for example, double pressing the power button for the camera).
- 🛡️ Data collection: Even in the background, Assistant sends voice request history and location to Google servers.
It’s important to understand that on Redmi 5, Google Assistant is not a system component of MIUI — it can be turned off without critical consequences. However, on models with Google Mobile Services (GMS), completely removing it will lead to errors in the Play Market, Gmail and other services, so we will look at methods with varying degrees of “hardness” below.
Method 1: Disconnect via MIUI settings (most secure)
This method is suitable for most Redmi 5 users and does not require technical skills. It does not remove the Assistant completely, but blocks it from running through the Home button and voice commands.
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- In the search bar, type in Google and select the Google Assistant (or Google App) app.
- Press Disable (if the button is inactive, first tap Stop).
- Confirm the action in the dialog window.
- Return to Settings → Additional → Home button and select Standard (remove the box from Google Assistant).
After these manipulations:
- ✅ The assistant will stop opening with a long press on Home.
- ✅ Voice activation (OK, Google) will be turned off.
- ❌ Google App Background Processes Will Stay Active (check in Settings) → Battery → Battery utilization).
☑️ What to check after disconnecting the assistant
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI After updating Google Play Services, settings may reset.To avoid this, disable auto-update for the Google app in the Play Market → Settings → Auto-update of applications.
Method 2: Remove Google App Updates via ADB (Advanced)
If the first method didn’t help or you want to completely remove the Assistant (along with voice search), use it. ADB — Android debugging tool, which doesn't require root rights, but it requires a computer and a computer. USB-cable.
Advantages of the method:
- 🧹 Completely remove all Google App updates, including Assistant.
- 🔄 The ability to get back together with one team.
- 🛡️ Does not affect the Play Market or other Google services.
Instructions:
- Download and install Platform Tools (ADB) on your computer.
- Turn on Redmi 5 USB Debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate Developer Mode), then Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB.
- Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line (terminal):
adb devices(Series numbered device should appear. If not, check the drivers.)
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchboxAfter the command is executed:
- 🔘 Google Assistant icon will disappear from the app menu.
- 🔍 Voice search and assistant will stop working.
- 📱 Google Play Services will remain functional.
⚠️ Note: If the Assistant returns after the reboot, Google Play has automatically updated the app. To avoid this, disable the auto-update for the Google App in the Play Market settings or use the app. ADB block out:
adb shell dumpsys deviceidle whitelist +com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox💡
If voice commands in other applications (such as Google Maps) have stopped working after removing the Assistant, install an alternative voice assistant, such as Assistant Trigger from the Play Market.
Method 3: Completely remove Google Assistant (for experienced users only)
This method involves removing the system APK-The Assistant file is suitable only for users who are ready for possible failures, TWRP).
Risks:
- 🚨 Google Play Services (May Stop Updating Play Market).
- 🔄 Loss of functionality of other apps that depend on Google (e.g. Gmail, YouTube).
- 🔧 Need for manual recovery after resetting settings.
Instructions for TWRP:
- Download TWRP for Redmi 5 and install it via fastboot.
- Load into recovery (Nutrition + Volume Up).
- Go to Advanced → File Manager.
- Delete files: /system/priv-app/Velvet/Velvet.apk (main Assistant file) /system/priv-app/GoogleQuickSearchBox/GoogleQuickSearchBox.apk
Wipe → Cache
| Method | Difficulty | PC required | Risks. | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Through MIUI settings | ⭐ | ❌ No. | No. | Medium (background processes remain) |
| ADB (Removal of Updates) | ⭐⭐ | ✅ Yes. | Minimum (can be rolled back) | High (complete shutdown) |
| Deletion of system files | ⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Yes. | High (risk of GMS failures) | Maximum (complete removal) |
💡
For most Redmi 5 users, the first or second method is sufficient, and the third method is only justified if you are prepared for possible problems with Google Play Services and know how to restore the system through TWRP.
How to Get Google Assistant Back
If you decide to return the assistant after the shutdown, do the following:
- For method 1 (MIUI settings): Go to Settings → Applications → App Management → Google. Click Enable. Return Home button settings to Settings → Additional → Home button.
- For Method 2 (ADB): Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command:
adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.googlequicksearchboxFor method 3 (file removal)
- Download the original Velvet.apk for Redmi 5 (see APKMirror).
- Install it via TWRP or Adb install.
After recovery, check the Assistant by saying "OK, Google" or holding the Home button for a long time. If the Assistant doesn't respond, update the Google app to the Play Market.
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
When you turn off Google Assistant on Redmi 5, users face typical problems.
- 🔄 Assistant returns after reboot: Reason: Google Play Services automatically restores the app.Solution: disable auto-update for Google App or use ADB-command to lock (see Method 2).
- 📱 Home: Reason: Google Assistant action is selected in the button settings, although the app itself is disabled.Solution: return the standard action to Settings → Additionally. → Home button».
- 🛑 Google App Stopped Error: Reason: Conflict after deleting system files (Method 3) Solution: reinstall Google App through Play Market or roll back firmware.