Google’s OK voice assistant on Xiaomi Poco smartphones can be useful for quickly searching or controlling a device, but not everyone likes its constant activity. Unexpected triggers from phrases in conversation, battery consumption and voice data collection are the main reasons why owners want to turn off OK Google permanently or temporarily suspend it.
In this article, we'll look at all the ways you can deactivate your voice assistant across the Poco F3, Poco X3, Poco X4 Pro, and other devices on the line. From standard Android settings to manually removing system components, you'll find a solution that's right for your case, and if you have problems after you turn it off, we'll show you how to get it back without losing data.
Why does OK Google work on Xiaomi Poco without permission?
Many users complain that the voice assistant activates on its own, even if they have never manually configured it.
- 🔍 Automatically turn on when you first start your smartphone (Xiaomi often activates the default assistant).
- 📱 Updates MIUI, Which reset privacy settings.
- 🎤 Background listening microphone to recognize the key phrase "OK Google".
- 🔄 Sync with your Google account if the assistant is enabled on another device.
According to Digital Content Next, voice assistants on Android can consume up to 15% Battery charge per day when used actively, even in the background. OK Google periodically turns to the microphone, which affects the autonomy of Poco with their not the most capacious batteries (for example, Poco). F5 battery 5000 MC, but with active assistant discharge accelerates by 20-30%).
⚠️ Note: If you use Google Assistant to manage your smart home (for example, through Mi Home), disabling it may disrupt voice commands for lamps, sockets, and other Xiaomi devices.
Method 1: Disable OK Google through Google Settings
The easiest and safest method is to deactivate the assistant in the Google app menu, which is suitable for all Poco models on MIUI 12/13/14 and does not require superuser rights.
Instructions:
- Open the Google app (the icon with the letter "G" on a color background).
- Slip on the profile avatar in the upper right corner.
- Select Settings → Voice search.
- Go to Voice Assistant.
- Click on OK Google and deactivate the slider.
After that, the system will prompt you to confirm the shutdown — agree. To completely delete the voice training data, go back to Settings → Voice Assistant and select Remove Voice Model.
Google's app is open.|Settings to Settings → Voice search|Slide deactivated OK Google|Removed voice model (optional)-->
If the assistant still works after these actions, check the settings of Google Assistant separately (see the next section).
Method 2: Deactivate Google Assistant
Google Assistant and OK Google are related but different functions, and even if you've disabled voice activation, the assistant itself can remain active, so you can deactivate it completely.
- 📱 Press the Home button (or swipe from the bottom edge of the screen up and hold onto the MIUI 14).
- 🔧 In the upper right corner, click on the settings icon (cogs).
- 🔽 Scroll through to the Assistant section and select General Settings.
- 🚫 Turn off the Google Assistant slider.
On some MIUI firmware, the path may be different, such as the Poco X3 Pro with MIUI 13.
Settings → Applications → Application Management → Google → Permissions → Microphone (disable)⚠️ Note: Disabling the microphone for the Google app may disrupt other features, such as voice notes in Google Keep or translator. If you need these services, use method 1 or 3.
Through Google's settings|Disconnecting Google Assistant|Removal of updates|Use of the ADB|Manual deletion of system files-->
Method 3: Removing Google Updates (for power users)
If OK Google continues to work after disabling in settings, the problem may be in the latest updates to the Google app.
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find Google in the list and tap it.
- In the upper right corner, click on three dots and select Remove Updates.
- Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.
After that:
- 🛑 Stop Automatically Updating Google Apps in the Play Store.
- 🔒 Turn off background activity for Google in battery settings.
The downside of this method is that you lose the latest search and security features, for example, older versions of Google’s app don’t have the phishing protection that appeared in the 2023 updates.
What happens if you delete Google updates?
Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced)
If standard methods don't work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a deep-tuning tool that requires a computer and basic command-line knowledge.
Step-by-step:
- Turn on Developer Mode on Poco: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (shap 7 times)
- Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
- Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm the debugging permission.
- Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
- Open the command prompt in the ADB folder and type: adb shell pm uninstall-k --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox This command removes updates for Google only for the current user (no root rights).
If you need to completely remove the application (requires root):
adb shell
su
pm uninstall com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox⚠️ Note: Removing system applications through ADB It can lead to unstable work. MIUI, especially in the Poco models F4 GT POCO M5 It's highly customized firmware. Before you execute commands, back up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
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If the smartphone stopped booting after ADB commands, try resetting via Recovery Mode (press Power + Volume Up when turned on).
Method 5: Manually delete system files (root only)
This is an extreme method that is only suitable for users with unlocked bootloader and root rights.It allows you to permanently delete OK Google, but fraught with loss of warranty and the risk of "bricking" the device.
Instructions:
- 🔧 Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Root Explorer). FX File Explorer).
- 📁 Cross the path: /system/priv-app/Velvet or /system/priv-app/GoogleQuickSearchBox
- 🗑️ Delete the entire folder or rename it (e.g., Velvet.bak).
- 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
On some MIUI firmware, the assistant files may be in:
| Model Poco | The Way to Files by OK Google | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Poco F3 | /system/priv-app/Velvet | Requires deactivation of dm-verity after removal. |
| Poco X3 NFC | /system/app/GoogleQuickSearchBox | It can cause errors in Google Play Services. |
| Poco M4 Pro | /product/priv-app/Velvet | You also need to delete /data/data/com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox. |
After removal:
- 🚫 Voice search and OK Google will stop working forever.
- ⚠️ Certain functions MIUI (Quick Ball or Second Space can be disrupted.
- 🔄 To restore you will have to refashion the smartphone.
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Manually deleting system files is the most radical way to use it, and it should only be used if other methods have not worked, and it is irreversible without completely flashing the device.
How to get back to OK Google if something goes wrong?
If you have problems after disabling the assistant (for example, Google Maps or Gmail stopped working), you can return everything back in several ways:
- 🔄 Resetting Google Settings: Settings → Annexes → Google → Warehouse → After that, the assistant will turn on again the next time the Google application is launched.
- 📥 Update via Play Store: Find the Google app in the Play Store and click Update.
- 🔧 Recovery through ADB: If you delete files through ADB, return them by command: adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox
On Poco models with MIUI 14, you may need to reset your Google account after resetting. If your smartphone does not turn on after manipulating system files, use Fastboot mode and run the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.