Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Mi 9 come with a host of smart features designed to make life easier for the user. However, not all Android device owners require a voice assistant that can be activated by a random tap or voice command. Often users are faced with a situation where Google Assistant intercepts the power button control or launches at the wrong time, causing irritation.
Disabling this service will not only eliminate random activations, but can also have a positive impact on the autonomy of your smartphone. In the MIUI operating system, which is installed on the Xiaomi Mi 9, the deactivation process has its own nuances, different from stock Android. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to limit the virtual assistant so that you can fully control your device.
It's worth noting that you can't completely remove a system component without root rights, but if you set it up properly, you can get it down to zero, you can reassign buttons, you can turn off voice control, you can block access to the lock screen, and you can get a sense of complete control over your device's interface.
⚠️ Note: Before making changes to system settings, it is recommended to back up important data in case of unforeseen interface failures.
Why disable Google Assistant on Xiaomi Mi 9
Many Xiaomi Mi 9 users are wondering whether it is appropriate to use the built-in voice assistant. The main reason owners are keen to disable Google Assistant is because of the intrusiveness of the feature. Accidental activations in your pocket or when talking can lead to unintentional calls or texting, which violates privacy.
In addition, the background work of Google services consumes the resources of the processor and RAM. On the flagship Xiaomi Mi 9 with its powerful hardware, this may not be so noticeable, but for those who squeeze the most out of the battery, every minute saved is important.
Another important aspect is button reassignment. There has long been a problem in MIUI where a short or long press of the power button caused the Assistant to turn off the screen or the power menu, a critical inconvenience for many that requires immediate solution through system settings.
Disabling Activation from the Lock Screen
The first step in restricting the service is to ban it from running when the phone is locked, which prevents accidental activation in your pocket or bag. First, you need to open the settings of the Google app itself on your Xiaomi Mi 9.
Find the Google icon (the color letter G) in the app list and go to the settings section. Here you are interested in the item associated with the Google Assistant. In the Assistant settings menu, select the "lock screen" or "lock screen" section.
- 🔒 Find the "Access from the lock screen" switch and turn it to the "Off" position".
- 🗣️ Turn off the Voice Match feature so that your phone will stop responding to the phrase “Ok Google” when locked.
- 📱 Make sure that the security settings also remove the ticks from allowing microphone access in the background.
Once you do this, Google Assistant will stop launching when you unlock or voice commands if the screen is turned off, which greatly increases privacy, since no one will be able to access your data through the voice interface without first unlocking the device.
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If you can’t find the Voice Match settings, try saying “Ok Google” and clicking on the settings icon that appears on the screen.
Setting up the power button and eliminating conflicts
One of the most common problems on the Xiaomi Mi 9 is the conflict between the screen switch and the Assistant. By default, the system can interpret a prolonged press of the power button as a call command to Google Assistant. To change this behavior, you need to turn to special features.
Go to the basic settings of your smartphone and find the "Advanced" or "Advanced Settings" section. In some versions of MIUI, this item may be called "Buttons and gestures." Here you need to find the setting responsible for action when you press the on button for a long time.
☑️ Checking button settings
In the menu that opens, select "Nothing" or "Switch Menu" if the system allows. If the Assistant is hard-set, you can try to turn off the service itself so that the button stops responding to the Assistant call. In newer versions of Android and MIUI, this setting is often placed in a separate subsection.
⚠️ Warning: Changing the behavior of the power button can affect the way the emergency call menu is called, check availability SOS-function after change.
Managing voice commands and language
Deep tuning involves working with language parameters. Google Assistant on Xiaomi Mi 9 supports many languages, but sometimes activation occurs due to erroneous speech recognition. Limiting language patterns can reduce the number of false positives.
In the Assistant settings, go to Languages, only the language you actually use to communicate with your smartphone, and removing additional language packs frees up memory space and makes it easier to process queries.
Also worth paying attention to the history of actions. Periodic clearing of the history of voice queries not only frees up space, but also resets some adaptive algorithms that can cause malfunction. To do this, select "Delete Activity" from the "My Actions" menu.
Comparison of disconnection methods
There are several approaches to solving the problem of the compulsive assistant on the Xiaomi Mi 9. Some methods are mild and simply limit the functionality, others are more radical.
Below is a table that will help you choose the best method depending on your goals and level of technical training.
| Method | Difficulty | Efficiency | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disconnection in settings | Low. | Medium | Absent. |
| Restriction of access rights | Low. | Tall. | Minimum |
| Using ADB teams | Tall. | Maximum | Possible system errors |
| Installation of third-party launchers | Medium | Tall. | Changing the interface |
What is ADB and is it worth using?
Radical measures: disabling through application settings
If standard methods don't work, you can resort to a more stringent restriction. In the Xiaomi Mi 9 settings, look for "Applications", then select "All Apps". In the list, look for "Google" or "Google Assistant".
Inside the app menu, find the "Disable" or "Stop" button. If the "Disable" button is inactive (gray), try first hitting "Stop" and then "Delete Updates." Once the updates are removed, the "Disable" button may become available.
This method returns the application to the factory version, which is often less functional and does not have active integration with the system, but be prepared for the fact that after updating the MIUI system, the settings may reset and the procedure will have to be repeated.
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Recoiling the Google application to the factory version is the safest way to completely stop the Assistant without using root rights.