How to completely disable “OK Google” on Xiaomi Mi 9: 5 proven ways

Why do users want to turn off the voice assistant on the Mi 9?

Google Assistant, with the activation phrase “OK Google,” is installed by default on all Xiaomi smartphones with Google services (GMS). On the Mi 9 model (codename cepheus), this feature often works in the background, consuming up to 3-5% of battery charge per day even with minimal use.

First, the assistant automatically listens to ambient sounds through the microphone, which raises concerns for privacy — especially if the phone is lying next to the desktop or in your pocket. Secondly, on the Mi 9 with MIUI 12/13/14 firmware, OK Google conflicts with the brand assistant XiaoAI, dubbing commands and creating confusion. Finally, many users simply do not use voice input, but the assistant continues to consume the resources of the Snapdragon 855 processor and RAM.

In this article, we will discuss 5 ways to deactivate, from standard settings to hidden commands for power users. All methods have been tested on Xiaomi Mi 9 with different versions of MIUI (including global and Chinese firmware).

Method 1: Disconnecting through Google Settings

The easiest method is to deactivate the assistant in the Google app menu, which is suitable for users who want to save access to other Google features (such as search or maps), but remove voice activation.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Google app (the icon with the letter “G” on a colored background).
• 👤 Slip on the profile icon in the upper right corner → Select Settings.
• 🔊 Go to the Voice Search section → Voice assistant.
• ⚙️ Click on Google Assistant → Scroll to the Devices block and select your Xiaomi Mi 9.
• 🔕 Turn off sliders: “OK Google” (voice activation) “Voice unlock” (if available) “Personal access” (data analysis)

⚠️ Warning: After disabling, the assistant will still be available by holding the Home button (if configured).To remove it completely, use Method 3.

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Close all background applications

Connect to Wi-Fi (to sync changes)

Make a backup copy of Google settings-->

Method 2: Deactivation through MIUI settings

The MIUI shell on the Xiaomi Mi 9 allows you to limit the work of Google Assistant at the system level, this method is effective if the assistant is activated accidentally (for example, when listening to music or while calling).

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type “Google” and select the app.
3. Go to the permissions section and turn off: 🎤 Microphone (prohibition of listening) 📱 Auto-start (prevents work in the background) 🔄 Changes in system settings (blocks integration with the system) MIUI)

Battery

Limit background activity

💡 Useful tip: If the assistant is still activated after this action, check the settings of XiaoAI (branded assistant Xiaomi). Sometimes the conflict between the two services leads to false positives. → XiaoAI → Voice activation and disable the option “Voice activation».

Every day.

1-2 times a week

Rarely, just for tests.

Never used it.

Already off.-->

Method 3: Completely remove Google Assistant via ADB

For advanced users who are ready to work with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), there is a radical method – completely removing the Google Assistant package from the system partition. This will permanently remove the assistant, but will require a connection to the PC and enable the developer mode.

⚠️ Attention: Wrong commands ADB You can crash your system. Before you start, back up your data through your Settings. → Additionally. → Backup and reset. Make sure the version MIUI Your Mi 9 is not blocked. ADB-Teams (relevant to Chinese firmware).

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging and OEM Unlock.

Mi 9

adb devices

Make sure the device is identified (should appear its serial number).

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

adb reboot

🔧 Technical note: If the assistant appears again after the reboot, the package is protected by the system:

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

Method 4: Disconnecting via Safe Mode

If Google Assistant is activated spontaneously and interferes with work, but you do not want to delete it permanently, you can temporarily deactivate the assistant via Safe Mode.

How to turn Safe Mode on Xiaomi Mi 9:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button and hold it until the Mi logo appears.
3. Once the logo appears, release the power button and immediately press Volume Down.
4. Hold the volume down until the phone boots into Safe Mode (there will be a sign at the bottom of the screen).

⚠️ Warning: Safe Mode disables all third-party apps, including instant messengers and launchers. 10-15 minutes – it is intended only for diagnosis.

💡

Safe Mode helps identify conflicts with other apps, but is not a permanent solution.To completely disable Google Assistant, use Methods 1, 2 or 3.

Method 5: Use of third-party utilities (Root)

For users with unlocked bootloader and Root rights, additional tools are available for deep system customization, one of the most popular is the Titanium Backup app (requires Root) or App Systemizer to convert system applications into custom (with the ability to delete).

Instructions for Titanium Backup:

1. Install the application from XDA Developers.
2. Provide Root Access (if requested).
3. Find the Google Assistant or Google Assistant list.
4. Select the Freeze option (this will disable the app without deleting it).
5. Reboot the phone.

📌 Important: Removing system applications via Root can lead to:

• ❌ Update errors MIUI (If the assistant files are connected to the firmware).
• ❌ Loss of functionality (e.g. voices in Google Maps).
• ❌ SafetyNet Check Failures (Some Banking Applications Will Stop Working).

🔧 Alternative for Root users: Debloater app (like Universal Android Debloater) lets you selectively disable Google components without completely removing. Download utility on PC, connect Mi 9 over ADB and uncheck the boxes:

• com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox (Google Assistant)
• com.google.android.apps.googleassistant (additional modules)

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of method depends on your technical skills and goals. Below is a table comparing all methods by key parameters:

💡 Recommendation:

• For most users, Method 1 or Method 2 is sufficient.
• If the assistant is activated by accident, check Safe Mode for conflicts.
• ADB and Root are only suitable for power users, ready for possible crashes.

Frequent problems and solutions

Even after the Google Assistant is disabled, Xiaomi Mi 9 users are facing typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

1.The assistant is turned on again after the MIUI update

Reason: Firmware updates restore standard Google settings.

Solution: After updating, re-run Method 1 or Method 3 (ADB). To prevent automatic activation, disable auto-update applications in the Play Store → Settings → Auto-update applications.

2 Voice activation is working, but the microphone is off.

Reason: Conflict with the brand assistant XiaoAI or third-party applications (for example, Shazam, Yandex Alice).

Solution: Disable voice activation for all applications in Settings → Apps → Permissions → Microphone.

3. After the shutdown, voice commands in Google Maps stopped working

The reason: Google Maps uses the same voice recognition engine as Assistant.

Solution: Turn back the microphone for Google Maps in the resolution settings or use alternative navigators (e.g. Yandex.Navigator).

4.The phone became slower after removing the Assistant via ADB

Reason: Removing system packages can disrupt the dependencies of other Google services.

Solution: Perform cache reset to Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset → Clear all data (cache).

💡

If you notice an increase in battery consumption after you turn off Google Assistant, check the activity of the com.google.android.gms process in the battery settings.This service is responsible for syncing Google and can consume resources regardless of the assistant.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions