How to permanently disable Google Assistant on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro: a detailed guide

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is one of the most popular mid-range smartphones, but owners often encounter the intrusive Google Assistant, which is activated by random taps or voice commands. Unlike flagship models, where it takes a couple of clicks to disable the assistant, on devices with MIUI, this process can turn into a real quest, the reason lies in the deep integration of Google services into firmware and Xiaomi’s policy to optimize the user experience (often at the expense of flexibility of settings).

In this article, we will discuss three working methods for disabling Google Assistant, from standard settings to advanced solutions using ADB. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances of the Redmi Note 9 Pro (joyeuse model), where due to the specifics of the MIUI version and the pre-installed software, some methods may not work. You will also learn how to avoid typical errors, for example, incompletely disabling the voice assistant when holding the Home button, which leads to the service being re-activated after a restart.

Before you start, check your firmware version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. Instructions are valid for MIUI 12–14 (including global and European builds). If you have custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience, some methods may not work – in this case, refer to the ADB sections or build.prop file editing.

Why is Google Assistant not disabled in the standard way?

On the Redmi Note 9 Pro (and other Xiaomi devices based on MIUI), Google Assistant behaves differently than on pure Android.

• 🔄 Dual integration: the assistant is sewn into both Google system services and the shell MIUI (For example, in the application MiuiSystemUI. Disabling in one place does not guarantee complete removal.
• 📱 Gestures and buttons: On the Redmi Note 9 Pro, the voice assistant can be activated by holding the Home button (even if it is disabled in the settings). MIUI Google App.
• 🔄 Auto Updates: After resetting settings or updating MIUI Google Assistant can return if it is not blocked ADB or not to remove the system APK.
• 🛡️ Xiaomi policy: in some regional firmware (for example, for India) disabling the assistant is blocked at the configuration file level.

According to tests on the Redmi Note 9 Pro with MIUI 13.0.6, even after turning off Google Assistant in the settings of the Google app, it continued to consume up to 1-2% of battery power per day due to background processes, which confirms that more radical measures are required to completely shut down.

⚠️ Note: If you use voice commands to control your smart home (e.g., via Mi Home or Google Home), disabling Assistant may disrupt these features. Before changing settings, check that your devices are compatible with alternative management methods.

Method 1: Disconnect via Google Settings (partial solution)

This is a method that's suitable for people who want to minimize the activity of the Assistant, but are not prepared for radical measures. It doesn't remove the Assistant completely, but it reduces its obsession.

Steps:

1. Open the Google app (the icon with the letter "G" on a color background).

After that, the assistant will stop responding to the voice command "OK, Google," but it can still activate:

• 🔘 When holding the Home button (unless you turn it off in your gesture settings).
• 🔄 After updating the Google app.
• 📱 When connecting headphones or speakers with voice control support.

Make sure to Settings → Apps → Google → Notifications disabled all alerts from Assistant |

Check Settings → Special Features → Special Options Services – there should be no active Google | modules

Restart your phone and try to hold the Home button – if the Assistant doesn’t show up, the first stage is successful |

Open Settings → Battery → Charge Consumption and check that the Google app does not consume battery in the background

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To completely disable the activation button Home:

1. Go to Settings → Further → Home button (the path may vary depending on the version of MIUI).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI For Redmi Note 9 Pro (e.g., Indian version), the Home button may not be available. In this case, use Method 2 or Method 3.

Method 2: Disconnect via ADB (complete removal without root)

If the standard settings did not help, ADB (Android Debug Bridge is the most reliable way to permanently disable Google Assistant, which does not require root rights, but requires a computer and a computer. USB-cable.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Completely blocks the background processes of the Assistant.
• ✅ It works on all versions. MIUI (including the Redmi Note 9 Pro with MIUI 14).
• ✅ Does not require unlocking the loader.

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ When resetting the phone to factory settings, the Assistant can return.
• ⚠️ Requires the inclusion of debugging by USB, Temporarily reduces the security of the device.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap the MIUI version 7 times until the notification appears You became a developer!

USB debugging

• Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• Turn on the debugging switch over USB.
• Connect the Redmi Note 9 Pro to your computer and confirm your trust in the dialog box.
• Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
• Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB and enter alternately:

adb devices


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




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

Once the commands are executed, restart the phone. Google Assistant will be disabled at the user level, but system files will remain intact (this is safe for MIUI stability).

⚠️ Note: If after completing commands, the phone began to restart itself or errors appeared in the work of Google Play Services, return the changes to the command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox This is due to the fact that some system processes MIUI Depends on Google App.

Method 3: Remove via TWRP (for advanced users)

This method is suitable for those who have unlocked the bootloader and installed custom TWRP recaps. It allows you to completely remove the system APKs of Google Assistant, but requires caution.

Warnings:

• ⚠️ Risk of “brick”: incorrect deletion of system files can lead to a download cycle.
• ⚠️ Loss of functionality: Other Google services (e.g. Google Pay) may disappear with the Assistant).
• ⚠️ Warranty violation: Unlocking the bootloader officially deprives Xiaomi of warranty.

Instructions:

1. Install TWRP for Redmi Note 9 Pro (model joyeuse). The official version can be downloaded at twrp.me.
2. Load your phone to Recovery Mode (Switch off → Power + Volume Up).
3. In TWRP, select Advanced → File Manager.
4. Go to /system/priv-app/ and delete the following folders: Velvet (Google Assistant’s core module) GoogleQuickSearchBox (Google’s integrated assistant app)

/system/app/

GoogleAssistant

TWRP

Wipe → Dalvik/ART Cache

Reboot the phone.

After that, Google Assistant will be removed at the system level.

• 🔄 Updates MIUI can return deleted files (it is recommended to disable auto-updates).
• 📱 Some features that depend on Google Services (like Find My Device) may not work properly.

💡

Before deleting files through TWRP Make a backup of the folders /system/priv-app/ and /system/app/. To do this, in File Manager, select a folder, click Select, then Backup. The copy will be saved to internal memory in the folder. TWRP/BACKUPS.

Alternative methods: what to do if nothing helps

If none of the above methods worked, consider the following options:

1. Use of third-party launchers

Some launchers (like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair) allow you to reassign the action of holding the Home button. This does not disable the Assistant completely, but prevents it from accidentally starting.

How to set up:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Go to launcher settings: Settings → Gestures and inputs → Hold the Home button.
3. Select Action No or assign another app.

2.Blocking through AppOps

The hidden AppOps system utility allows you to restrict the rights of applications without root.

1. Install the AppOps Launcher app (such as this one).
2. Find Google Assistant or Google Assistant.
3. Turn off permissions: Microphone (blocks voice activation) Display over other windows (prevents pop-ups) Autostart (stops background activity)

3. rollback to an older version of Google App

In some versions of the Google App (e.g. 12.XX), the Assistant is less intrusive.

1. Remove updates for Google App in Settings → Apps → Google → Three Dots → Remove updates.
2. Turn off auto-update for this app on Google Play.
3. Install the old version of APK (for example, with APKMirror).

Standard settings (without ADB/TWRP) |

ADB (without root) |

TWRP (with unlocked bootloader)|

Third-party launchers or AppOps|

I don't turn it off, I use an assistant.

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Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of method depends on your goals and level of training. Below is a table with a comparison:

For most Redmi Note 9 Pro users, the best solution is a combination of ADB and standard settings, which gives maximum efficiency with minimal risks. If you are not ready to work with ADB, try Nova Launcher + disable permissions through AppOps.

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On the Redmi Note 9 Pro with MIUI 13+, the most reliable way is to use ADB. It blocks the Assistant at the user level without interfering with system files, which minimizes the risks of unstable phone operation.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you turn off Google Assistant, users often face typical problems. Here's how to solve them:

1. Assistant returns after MIUI update: Reason: System applications recover when updated. Solution: Before updating, run adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox again.
2. Home button does not respond after disabling: Reason: conflict between MIUI and Google App settings. Solution: Reset gesture settings to Settings → Additional → Home button.
3. The "No devices found" error in ADB: Reason: no drivers installed or debugging enabled. Solution: check adb devices and install Xiaomi USB Drivers.