Disable the AI button on Xiaomi Mi 9: all working methods

Xiaomi Mi 9 is one of the brand’s most popular flagships, but its physical Google Assistant (or Google Assistant) call button. AI-The assistant is often annoying users, and random taps during games, video shooting or just in your pocket lead to the activation of the voice assistant, which prevents comfortable use of the smartphone. Unfortunately, the manufacturer did not provide an obvious way to completely disable it through the standard menu - but there is a way out.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can deactivate the AI button on the Mi 9, from simple settings to advanced ADB and third-party solutions. Each method is tested on current versions of MIUI 12-14 and is suitable for most firmware. If you’re tired of constantly false positives or just don’t use a voice assistant, choose the right option and follow the instructions.

Why the AI button gets in the way: Typical problems

The physical button on the Xiaomi Mi 9 is located on the left under the volume control and has a high sensitivity.

• 🎮 Interrupt Games: One Careless Press and the Screen Curls in the Background with the Google Assistant Opening.
• 📸 Shooting failures: the button is often touched by the finger while holding the smartphone in a horizontal position.
• 👖 False positives in the pocket: even light pressure can activate the assistant, draining the battery.
• 🔊 Unwanted voice playback: in silence, a sudden "OK, Google" scares others.

According to Mi 9 owners surveys, more than 60 percent of users want to turn off the button but don't know how, and the main problem is that there's no direct option in the settings, but there are workarounds, and we'll look at them from the simplest to the most radical.

Method 1: Disabling Google Assistant through Settings

The safest way to do this is to deactivate the assistant itself, not the button, which won't take away the physical press, but it will make it useless, and is suitable for users who don't want to go into technical detail.

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 → Settings → Google Assistant.
3. Scroll down to the General Block and select Google Assistant again.
4. Turn off the Google Assistant slider and confirm the action.

After that, the button will stop running voice search, but the physical click will still be recorded by the system (possibly with vibration).

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If the button still reacts to a long hold after disabling the assistant, try clearing the Google app cache in your phone settings (Settings → Apps → App Management → Google → Storage → Clear the cache).

Method 2: Reassign a button with Button Mapper

Button Mapper (available on Google Play) allows you to reassign actions for hardware buttons, including the AI button to the Mi 9.This solution does not require root rights, but will require special permissions through ADB.

Step-by-step:

1. Install the Button Mapper and open it.
2. Select the Add button and select the Assistant button (or AI button, depending on the version of the app).
3. In the action list, select No Action (no action) or assign another (like launching a camera).
4. Save your settings and give the app permission to use Special Features (Settings → Special Features → Button Mapper).

To fully work Button Mapper, you need to execute a command via ADB:

adb shell pm grant flar2.homebutton android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS

Install an app from Google Play

Enable debugging over USB in the developer settings

Connect your phone to your PC and confirm debugging

Perform ADB-permit-board

Reassign the button to the Button Mapper interface-->

⚠️ Attention: After update MIUI Button Mapper permissions can be reset. ADB Or reconfigure the button again.

Method 3: Completely disabling the button via ADB (without root)

This is a method that is suitable for users who are ready to work with ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which completely deactivates the button at the system level, but requires a connection to a computer.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi and ADB-tools drivers.
• 📱 Included Debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to activate the developer mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the Mi 9 to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must display the serial number of your device.
4. Execute the button: adb shell settings put secure assistant_key_long_press_power 0 Some firmware may require an alternative command: adb shell settings put secure sysui_assist_action 0
5. Reboot your smartphone.

Critical feature: on some versions of MIUI, after resetting or updating the system, the button may be activated again.

Method 4: Editing System Files (requires root)

For users with unlocked bootloaders and root rights, the most radical method is editing system files, which is the most reliable way, but requires experience and can lead to unstable system operation when errors occur.

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/usr/keylayout/ and find Generic.kl or qwerty.kl (depending on the firmware).
3. Open the file in the text editor and find the line with the key 107 (or KEY_ASSISTANT).
4. Replace her with: key 107 VOLUME_UP or any other unused button (e.g, CAMERA).
5. Save the changes, set the rights 644 and restart the device.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect editing of system files can lead to bootloop ( looped boot).Before making changes, back up the file and make sure you have access to the file. TWRP repair.

Method 5: Using the Xposed Framework (for advanced)

If you have an Xposed Framework installed, you can use the Xposed Additions module or GravityBox to reassign the button.

• 🔓 Unblocked bootloader and Root Rights.
• 📱 Installed Xposed Framework (compatible with your version of Android).
• 🛠️ A button management module (such as Button Remapper).

After installation of the module:

1. Activate it in Xposed Installer and restart the device.
2. Open the module settings and find the option to reassign the Assistant button.
3. Select the None action or assign another (such as running a flashlight).

The advantage of this method is the ability to configure flexibly (for example, assign different actions to single and double presses). However, the Xposed Framework can conflict with some applications (for example, banking) and requires regular updates.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

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

For most users, the best solution is a combination of Button Mapper + ADB (methods 2 and 3), which gives a reliable result without the need to obtain root rights. If you are ready to experiment, try editing system files, but only after you have created a backup.

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The most versatile and secure method is to use Button Mapper with Google Assistant pre-disabled through settings, which will eliminate random positives and reassign the button to other tasks.

FAQ: Frequent questions about turning off the AI button