How to completely disable Google Assistant on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5

Xiaomi smartphones have long been one of the most popular devices based on the Android operating system, but Google preinstalled services often behave intrusively. Owners of the Redmi Note 5 model often face a situation where the voice assistant is activated accidentally when you remove the phone from your pocket or press the control button for a long time. This is not only annoying, but can significantly consume battery power in the background.

Disabling Google Assistant completely requires understanding the structure of the MIUI shell, as standard settings don’t always provide one universal off button. You’ll have to go through multiple menus to limit service activity, deny access to the microphone, and remove widgets from the desktop. In this article, we’ll break down all the available methods, from simple concealment to deep system locking.

It’s worth noting that the location of the items may vary slightly on different versions of the firmware, but the logic of actions remains the same for the entire Xiaomi ecosystem.We’ll look at how to manage the settings of search, voice input and system hotkeys, which will allow you to regain full control of the device and get rid of unwanted interference of the virtual assistant in everyday use.

Basic settings through the Google app

The first and most obvious step is to go to the native settings of the Google app itself, and that's where the main switches for voice activation and the assistant's unlock behavior are located, and you need to find the app icon in the list of all installed programs or on your desktop.

Once you start the app, click on your profile avatar in the top right corner of the screen. In the menu that opens, select Settings, then go to Google Assistant. Here you are interested in the All Assist settings tab or simply Assistant, depending on the interface version, and this is where the key controls are concentrated.

⚠️ Note: After updating the apps, some items may change their location. If you do not find the switch described below, check if the Google app has updated to the new version in the Play Market.

Find the Hey Google option (or "OK, Google") and turn off the slider. This action will prevent the smartphone from constantly listening to the environment while waiting for a command. It is also recommended to turn off the "Results on a locked screen" feature so that personalized information does not appear without your knowledge. These changes take effect instantly.

To clean up your activity history, you can also find My Actions or Account Management in the same settings menu, and you can delete your saved voice commands and search history, which will increase your digital privacy, and while this doesn't completely shut down the service, it minimizes the amount of data the company collects about your habits.

Disconnection through system settings and power buttons

Redmi Note 5 owners often complain that the assistant is called when the shutdown button is pressed, which is standard behavior in modern versions of Android and MIUI, but it is easy to change, and allows you to reassign the action of long-term pressing of the power button, returning the function of calling the device's turn off menu.

To do this, go to the basic settings of your smartphone. Search by settings (the magnifying glass icon at the top), type the phrase "power button" or "on/off button." The system will prompt you to press and hold the power button. Press it.

In the window that opens, you'll see two options: Google Assistant and the Shutdown Menu. The default is often the first option. Switch the radiobutton to the Shutdown Menu. Now, with a long button clamping, your Redmi Note 5 will offer a reboot or shutdown, rather than running voice search.

If the settings search didn't work, try to find this item manually. The path might look like: Settings → Additional settings → Buttons and gestures. In some versions of MIUI (especially Chinese or global betas), this item can be hidden or moved, in which case using third-party apps to reassign buttons will help, but this is how it is done with regular means.

Control widgets and lock screen

Even if you have disabled voice activation, Google's widget can stay on the home screen or lock screen, periodically offering news and hints. On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, the lock screen often contains a "Google Discover" tape (formerly Google Now) that is activated by swipe to the right.

To remove the tape from the lock screen, go to Settings → Lock screen. Find Swig left to access Google (or similar one mentioning "Ribbon" or "Cards"). Turn off this switch. Now, when unlocked, the swipe right will lead either to an empty screen or to MIUI widgets if they are configured.

To remove the widget from the desktop:

• 📱 Find the Google widget on the home screen (usually a search bar or a square block).
• 🖐 Press it and hold your finger until the menu or vibration appears.
• 🗑 Drag the widget to the top of the screen where the basket icon or the words “Delete” will appear».

If the widget isn't removed in the usual way, it might be part of the system theme. Try changing the theme to the standard one through the Theme app. You can also turn off the display of the search widget in the screen settings. Go to Settings → Desktop and search for the Search bar option by choosing No or Search Mi instead of Google.

Limitation of background activity and permissions

A radical but effective method is to completely restrict the rights of the Google app, which will not remove the service from the system (which is impossible without root rights), but will prevent it from running in the background, using a microphone and geolocation, which will significantly save the battery on the Redmi Note 5.

Go to Settings → Applications → All apps. Find the Google app (blue letter G) in the list. Click on it and select the Permissions option. You need to turn off all critical functions for the assistant:

• 🎤 Microphone: deny access so the app doesn't hear commands.
• 📍 Geoposition: Disconnect to hide location from search services.
• 📞 Contacts: Limit access to the phone book.
• 📅 Calendar: Stop reading the schedule.

Next, in the app menu, find AutoStart and turn it off. Then go to Battery (within the app settings) and select No Limits (to disable) or vice versa, make sure there is a Power Saving Mode if the system allows. Newer versions of MIUI have Background Limitation — turn it on.

It's also worth cleaning up the app data. In the same menu, click Memory → Clear Data → Clear Everything. This will reset all the local assistant settings to factory settings, and you'll have to retrain if you decide to turn it on. But until the permissions are closed, the training won't start.

Use of Google Home and Alternative Devices

Often users forget that Google Assistant can be activated not only from the phone but also through connected smart home devices.If you have Google Home speakers, Chromecasts or Android TVs, they can intercept commands designed for the phone, or vice versa.

Check the settings in the Google Home app on your smartphone. Make sure your Redmi Note 5 isn't selected as the default audio playback device or as the primary microphone for the room. In the Google account settings under Devices, you can turn off sync with specific gadgets.

Alternatively, there is an alternative in the form of Google Assistant for TV or other specialized versions that can conflict with the mobile version.If you are not using Google’s Smart Home ecosystem, it makes sense to completely log out of your account in the Google Home and Google TV apps on your phone, leaving login only to the main services (Play Market, YouTube).

The table below compares the methods of disconnection and their impact on functionality:

Hiding and Deleting Through ADB (For Advanced Users)

For those who want to get the most out of their way and are not afraid to work with a computer, there is an ADB (Android Debug Bridge) method that allows you to hide the system packages responsible for the assistant without getting root permissions.

First, activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on MIUI Version 7 times. You will see a message saying “You became a developer.” Then turn on USB Debugging on the Additional → For Developers menu.

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

This command will remove the Google Assistant component for the current user. The phone won't lose data, but the assistant will stop running at all. To return everything as it was, use the command: cmd package install-existing com.google.android.apps.googleassistant.

⚠️ Note: Be careful when typing commands ADB. Removing critical system packages (non-assistant) can lead to unstable system operation or a “boot loop” (cyclic reboot.

Once you have completed the command, it is recommended to restart the device, and you will notice that Google searches in some places may be slower or different because it has lost its voice assistant module. This is normal behavior. This method is especially useful if you plan to use another voice assistant, such as Alice from Yandex or Siri (if it was on Android), and you want to avoid conflicts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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If you use a Bluetooth headset, check its settings separately. Some headphones have their own assistant call button, which can activate the service even if it is disabled in the phone, trying to send a command directly.

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A comprehensive approach that includes turning off the power button, banning permissions, and removing widgets ensures that Google Assistant won’t bother you on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5.