Owners of Xiaomi Mi9 smartphones often face an intrusive Android system interface that by default suggests using a voice assistant. Accidentally pressing a touch button or holding a power button can trigger Google Assistant, which interrupts current tasks and causes irritation. This issue is especially relevant for those who are used to classic navigation or use third-party launchers.
Many users are looking for ways to completely deactivate this feature to free up screen space and avoid accidental launches. In this article, we will detail all the available methods for customizing the MIUI interface and standard Android that solve this problem. We will look at both software settings and deeper methods for changing the behavior of buttons.
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Before making any changes to system settings, it is recommended to back up important data to avoid losing information in the event of unforeseen errors.
Why the Assistant button appears on the screen
The appearance of the button or the reaction to hold the power button is associated with the integration of Google services into the Android shell. On Xiaomi Mi9 smartphones running global versions of firmware, these services are built into a deep level.
Often activation is due to navigation bar settings. If you use on-screen buttons, one of them (usually left or right) can be reserved for Assistant. In full screen (gesture) the trigger function is performed by long-term pressing on the swipe area or lock button. This behavior is dictated not so much by the MIUI shell as by the policies of Google Play Services itself.
Disconnecting through the settings of Google Assistant
The easiest and safest way to remove voice response is to change the settings of the app itself, so you don't need root rights or third-party software, just go to the search engine profile and disable activation by the button.
Open the Google app on your Xiaomi Mi9. Click on the profile avatar in the top right corner and select Settings. Then go to Google Assistant and find the tab All Assistant Settings. Here you are interested in Google Assistant Devices or Phone.
In the menu that opens, you need to find the option “Google Assistant” and turn the switch into an inactive state, and it is also worth checking the settings “Hey Google Recognition” if you are annoyed by constantly listening to the microphone.
☑️ Checking the Assistant's settings
Change the configuration of navigation buttons
If your Xiaomi Mi9 uses a classic three-button navigation bar, the problem is solved through system interface settings. The MIUI shell allows you to flexibly configure the assignment of buttons, removing unnecessary controls.
Go to your smartphone's Settings menu. Select the Additional (or Advanced Settings depending on the firmware version) section. Find Full-screen Mode. Here you'll see the options for managing: Full Screen (Gestural) or Buttons.
If you select buttons, click on the gear icon next to this choice. In the button layout menu that opens, you can change the order or remove the Assistant button. Choose an option where only Back, Home and Menu are present. This action will hide the extra button and prevent accidental launches.
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Switching to gesture control is the most radical but effective way to completely remove the visual buttons from the screen of the Xiaomi Mi9.
Disabling the reaction to hold the power button
One of the most annoying features in modern versions of Android is to launch the Assistant while pressing the power button for a long time. On the Xiaomi Mi9 with updated versions of MIUI and Android 10/11, this behavior is often enabled by default.
To return the power button to its intended purpose (call the off menu), you need to change the system parameter. Go to Settings → Additional. Find Press and Hold the power button.
In the list that opens, select the Off menu option instead of Google Assistant. Now a long tap will suggest rebooting or turning off the smartphone, which is a more logical behavior for most users.A short tap will continue to lock or unlock the screen.
⚠️ Note: On some global firmware, the power button change option may be hidden or replaced by a Google Pay call. ADB-commands or third-party applications for reassignment.
Using third-party applications for reassignment
If the system settings Xiaomi Mi9
Button Mapper
Key Mapper
These programs may require special permissions, and once you install the application, you'll need to give it access through the Accessibility menu, which will allow the program to intercept and reassign the clicks.
In the application settings, select the button you want to change (such as Long Press or Double Press). Set an action to either "No" or "Swipe" to block the Assistant from starting. Some programs allow you to reassign the button to run any other application, such as a calculator or voice recorder.
⚠️ Note: Using third-party button interception software can increase battery consumption and create conflicts with system gestures MIUI. Use these methods only if the standard methods do not help.
Risks of using third-party mappers
Comparison of methods of disabling a function
The right method depends on your version of MIUI and personal preferences, and below is a table that will help you compare the effectiveness of different ways to solve the problem on the Xiaomi Mi9.
| Method | Difficulty | Efficiency | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google settings | Low. | Partial | Minimum |
| Shifting navigation | Low. | Tall. | Change the interface |
| Power button | Low. | Tall. | Changes the logic of work. |
| Third-party annexes | Medium | Maximum | Battery consumption |