How to permanently disable Google Assistant on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: from the power button to voice search

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 is one of the most popular smartphones in the budget segment, but its owners often encounter an intrusive Google Assistant, which is activated by random taps. Voice assistant not only eats battery power in the background, but also interferes with the lock screen or try to take a screenshot. In this article, we will analyze all possible ways to disconnect from the standard settings of MIUI to hidden parameters of the developer.

The Redmi Note 9 (codenamed merlin) is that the manufacturer has integrated Google Assistant at the firmware level, which means that simply uninstalling the app through the menu is not possible, it needs to be deactivated by system methods. We tested the instructions on MIUI 12.5, 13 and 14 (including global and European versions), so you will definitely find a working version for your firmware.

Why Google Assistant is in the way of Redmi Note 9

On the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9, Google’s voice assistant can run in the most unexpected situations:

• 🔘 With prolonged pressing of the power button (instead of the switch-off menu)
• 🔍 When clicking on the search icon in the launcher or on the home screen
• 🗣️ When activated by a voice command, “OK, Google"
• 🔒 Lock screen (even if the phone is locked)
• 📱 When connecting headphones or a headset (automatic start)

According to the tests, Google Assistant consumes up to 5-7% of its battery life in the background (up to 12% when using voice commands), and it collects data about your queries, location and habits, which raises privacy questions, especially critical for users who prefer alternative assistants (for example, Alice from Yandex or Bixby on Samsung).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI For Redmi Note 9, disabling Google Assistant through standard settings results in automatic return of settings after rebooting.This is due to Google's policy of obliging manufacturers to keep the Assistant active on certified devices.

Method 1: Disable via Google Settings (without root rights)

The easiest method is to deactivate the Assistant in the Google app menu, which works on all versions of MIUI, but does not remove the Assistant from the power button.

Instructions:

1. Open the Google app (the icon with the letter "G" on the home screen).
2. Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner → select Settings.
3. Go to the Google Assistant section → General.
4. Turn off the Google Assistant slider (at the top of the screen).
5. In the window that appears, confirm the action by clicking Off.

After that, the assistant will stop responding to voice commands "OK, Google" and will not appear when you click on the search icon, but the power button can still activate it - this requires the following method.

The “OK, Google” voice command is not working.

The assistant does not open when you click on the search icon

In Google’s settings, Assistant status is “Off”

The Google app does not hang in the background processes (check through Settings → Applications → Launched)

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Method 2: Reassign the power button (for MIUI 12.5 and later)

On the Redmi Note 9, the default power button is tied to the Google Assistant call for prolonged pressing. To fix this, reassign the action in the MIUI settings.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the settings → buttons and gestures.
2. Select the Power Button (or the Lock Button in some firmware).
3. Slip on the item Long press.
4. In the action list, select the Power Menu (or do nothing if you want to turn off the reaction completely).
5. Save the changes.

If your firmware does not have Long Press, then the manufacturer has blocked this option, in which case activation of the developer mode will help (see Method 4).

Through Google's settings

Reassignment of the power button

Disconnection through ADB

Use of third-party utilities

I've never tried it, I'm just studying it.-->

Method 3: Complete disabling via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use ADB debugging. This method removes Google Assistant from system processes, but requires connecting your smartphone to your computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
• 📱 USB-cable (original for stable connection)
• 🛠️ Utilities. ADB Fastboot (download from the official Android website)
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB phone-on

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode on Redmi Note 9: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version (you will be notified "You've become a developer"). Return to Settings → Additional → Developer. Enable USB Debugging.

Connect the phone to the computer and confirm the trust in the device (a request will appear on the smartphone screen).

ADB

adb devices

The serial number of your Redmi Note 9 should be displayed.

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

If you have an error, try an alternative command:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: After completion ADB-Google’s app may stop updating through the Play Market. To return functionality, you will need to manually turn it back on by command: adb shell pm enable com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox Also, some features (for example, Google Lens in the camera) may not work properly.

Method 4: Disconnect via developer settings (hidden settings)

MIUI has hidden options that allow you to disable system applications without ADB. This method does not work on all firmware, but it is worth trying if previous methods did not work.

How to do this:

1. Activate the Developer Mode (see Step 1 in Method 3).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find Inactive Applications (or Application Management in some versions).
4. In the list, find Google or Google Assistant and tap it.
5. Choose to Disable or Remove Updates (if available).
6. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

If there is no Inactive App, try an alternative path:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three points in the upper right corner → Show system.
3. Find Google and Google Play Services.
4. For each application, select Disable (if the button is active).

Instructions for Titanium Backup:

1. Install the application from XDA Developers (a premium version is required to remove system applications).
2. Open Titanium Backup and provide root access.
3. Find the Google Quick Search Box or Google Quick Search Box.
4. Tap on the app. → Choose Delete! (or Freeze!) if you want to return it to the store).
5. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: Deleting system applications on Redmi Note 9 may result in loss of Google Play functionality (app update errors, authorization issues). TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery.

What to do if Google Assistant is turned on after the MIUI update

Many Redmi Note 9 users are faced with the fact that after updating the firmware all settings are reset and Google Assistant is activated again.This is due to Xiaomi's policy, which is obliged to comply with Google's requirements for certification of devices.

How to prevent automatic activation:

• 📵 Turn off automatic updates MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system. Slap three dots in the top corner. → Settings. Turn off Automatic Download via Wi-Fi and Auto Install Updates.
• 🔄 Use custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) where there is no forced integration of Google Assistant.
• 🔧 Set up Tasker to automatically disable Assistant after reboot (root required).
• 📥 Install updates manually by pre-checking user reviews on forums (e.g, 4PDA).

💡

If you don’t want to completely abandon MIUI updates, after each update, check the settings of Google Assistant and if necessary, repeat the disabling procedure. This will take no more than 2-3 minutes, but will eliminate unexpected activations of the assistant.

FAQ: Frequent questions about turning off Google Assistant on Redmi Note 9