How to permanently disable the assistant on Android-smartphones Xiaomi: Google Assistant and MIUI Voice

The voice assistant on Xiaomi smartphones can be useful for quickly controlling the device, but not all users like its constant activity. Unexpected launches from voice, notifications of new features or accidental activation during conversations are common reasons why owners of Redmi, Poco or Mi want to get rid of this feature. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to disable assistants, including both standard MIUI settings and hidden settings for experienced users.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi smartphones can have two assistants: Google Assistant (from Google) and MIUI Voice Assistant (built into the firmware). Each of them turns off in its own way, and sometimes a combination of methods is required to completely remove. We’ll also look at how to prevent assistants from starting when holding the Home button or using the voice command “OK, Google”, which is especially important for users who want to save battery power.

If you’re using Xiaomi on Android 12/13/14 with MIUI 14/15, note that some menu items may vary slightly depending on the firmware version. Older models (like the Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi 9T) may need additional customization via ADB — we’ll talk about this too.

1. Disable Google Assistant through Android Settings

The easiest way to deactivate the assistant is to use Google’s standard settings, a method that is suitable for all Xiaomi smartphones, as Google Assistant is installed by default on all Google-enabled devices (GMS).

To disable the assistant:

1. Open the Google app (the icon with the letter "G" on a color background).
2. Slip on your avatar in the upper right corner.
3. Select Settings → Google Assistant.
4. Go to General and turn off the Google Assistant switch.

The assistant will then stop responding to voice commands, but can remain active while holding the Home button to block it from running completely:

• 🔧 Go back to the Google Assistant settings.
• 📱 Select an Assistant. → Phone.
• 🚫 Turn off the option to use the Home button".

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Poco) F5 Or the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+) After disabling Google Assistant can be automatically activated MIUI To avoid this, go to the next section of the article.

Deactivation of MIUI Voice Assistant in System Settings

MIUI Voice Assistant is a Xiaomi-branded assistant that works even without Google services, and can be launched by double-pressing the power button or by voice command in Chinese/English to turn it off:

Method 1 (for MIUI 14/15):

1. Open Settings → Additional → Special features → Voice Assistant.
2. Turn off the MIUI Voice Assistant switch.
3. In the window that appears, confirm the action by clicking Disconnect.

Method 2 (for older versions of MIUI):

• 🔍 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 📲 Find it on the list. MIUI Voice Assistant (or Voice Assistant) MIUI").
• 🔄 Click Disable and confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (especially global versions for Europe) MIUI Voice Assistant can be hidden. Use the method with the help of the voice assistant. ADB, section 5.

Make sure you have a backup of important data

Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone

Close all background apps before changing settings

Connect your phone to charge (recommended for long-term operations)-->

3. Removing voice activation "OK, Google"

Even after Google Assistant is disabled, some users find that the phone continues to respond to the phrase "OK, Google," which is due to a separate voice control setting, to deactivate it completely:

Instructions for Android 12/13/14:

1. Open the Google app.
2. Go to Settings. → Voice search.
3. Choose Voice Assistant.
4. Turn off the access option from any screen.

For a deeper shutdown (if the assistant is still activated):

• 🎤 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Google.
• 📵 Select Permissions → Microphone and set to Prohibit.
• 🔕 In the same menu, turn off the Display permission on top of other apps.

On some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi K50 Pro or Poco X5 Pro), voice activation can be tied to the branded shell, in which case, further disable the option "Voice control" in the MIUI settings.

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If the microphone stopped working in other apps (like WhatsApp) after disabling voice activation, restart the phone or check the permissions for those apps separately.

4. Disconnect the assistant through the Home button

Many Xiaomi users find that when holding the Home button (or swipe up gesture on new models) the assistant automatically starts, this behavior can be changed:

For smartphones with a physical/touch Home button:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Home button.
2. Choose the action with prolonged pressing.
3. Set the value No action or the last application.

For gesture-controlled devices (without buttons):

• 👆 Open the Settings. → Screen. → Navigation buttons.
• 📱 Choose Gestures MIUI or full-screen gestures.
• 🔧 Find the Action option when holding the swipe up and turn it off.

Some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Poco F4 GT) may require additional customization via Settings → Apps → Default → Assistant and voice input where you need to reset the default assistant settings.

5. Advanced Disconnection via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods do not help, you can use the tool. ADB (Android Debug Bridge.This method is suitable for removing system applications or disabling hidden features. ADB This can cause unstable phone operation!

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB on your computer (download Platform Tools from Google).
2. Turn on USB Debugging on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times), then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB.
3. Connect the phone to your PC and execute the command in the terminal: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox (this will remove Google Assistant for the current user).

To disable MIUI Voice Assistant, use the command:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.voiceassist

To get it back, replace the disable-user with enable.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware (especially Chinese) after use ADB protection may work MIUI Optimization, which will return the settings to factory settings. To avoid this, before disabling the assistant, run the command: adb shell settings put global settings. miui_optimization_disable 1 But remember that this can affect the stability of the system.

6. Disable the assistant on Chinese firmware (without Google)

If you use Xiaomi on Chinese firmware (e.g., the Redmi K60 for the domestic market), then instead of Google Assistant, Xiao AI, the brand assistant for China, will be installed.

Method 1 (via settings):

• 🌐 Go to (Settings) → (Additionally) → (Voice assistant).
• 🔕 Turn off the option (Xiao) AI).
• 📵 In the menu (Permissions Management) disable access to the microphone.

Method 2 (via ADB for complete removal):

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.voiceassistant

On Chinese firmware, it is also recommended to disable automatic assistant updates:

1. Open → (Application Settings) → (Settings of System Applications).
2. Find and disable (Auto Update).

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On Xiaomi’s Chinese firmware, Xiao AI can be integrated into system services, and its complete removal can lead to errors in camera performance or calls, and it is recommended to try disabling through settings first.

Verification of the result and additional measures

After disabling the assistants, it is recommended to perform several checks to make sure they are actually deactivated:

• 🔍 Try saying "OK, Google" or "Hey, Xiao." AI" — The phone will not respond.
• 📱 Hold the Home button (or swipe up a long time) – the assistant window should not open.
• 🔋 Check the Battery section. → Use – Assistant apps should not consume charge.
• 🛡️ Go to Settings. → Apps and make sure that Google and MIUI Voice Assistant does not have active permissions.

If the assistant is still running, check:

• 🔄 Have you reset your settings after rebooting (relevant to the MIUI 12.5 and below).
• 📲 Are there any updates to the assistants via the Play Market or MIUI Updater.
• 🛠️ Are hidden functions activated by the developer (check Settings) → For developers).

For maximum certainty, you can use monitor apps like Greenify or App Inspector to block background activity of assistants, but on newer versions of Android (13+), these apps may require root access.

Frequently asked questions