How to permanently disable the touch assistant on Xiaomi Redmi 9A: 3 proven ways

The touch assistant on Xiaomi Redmi 9A is a built-in MIUI feature that should make it easier to navigate the system with gestures. However, many users are faced with what it interferes with: accidentally activates when touching, eats part of the screen or just annoys with constant prompts, especially in games where every pixel counts, or when watching videos when the assistant blocks controls.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can disable the touch assistant, from standard MIUI settings to hidden commands via ADB. You’ll learn how to remove it forever without rooting, and what to do if the assistant comes back after you upgrade, and why some methods might not work on your firmware and how to get around it.

Important: instructions are suitable for Redmi 9A based on MIUI 12/13/14 (including global and Chinese versions). If you have custom firmware, check for the feature in the settings manually.

What is a touch assistant and why it should be turned off

Touch Assistant is a floating button on the screen that duplicates the functions of hardware keys (Back, Home, Recent), which Xiaomi has added to make it easier for users to switch from button smartphones to gesture control.

• 🎮 In games – overlays controls (for example, a joystick in the game) PUBG Mobile or buttons in Genshin Impact).
• 📺 When watching a video – can be superimposed on subtitles or brightness control panel.
• 📱 In the interface – random taps lead to a return to the home screen or closure of applications.
• 🔋 Battery consumption – the constant display of the icon increases power consumption (albeit slightly).

In addition, the assistant takes up space in RAM, which is critical for the Redmi 9A with its modest 2/3 GB of RAM. Even if you don’t use the button, it remains active in the background.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI The touch assistant cannot be disabled through the standard menu, which is due to Xiaomi's policy for the Chinese market, where the feature is considered mandatory. ADB third-party.

Method 1: Disconnect via MIUI settings (the easiest)

If you have a global or European firmware, you can probably put the assistant in a few taps.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to Additional Settings (or Special Features in Newer MIUI versions).
3. Select the Touch Assistant (can be called the Floating Button or Assistive Ball).
4. Move the slider to the off position. or uncheck the tick from the item Enable touch assistant.
5. Confirm the action if a pop-up window appears.

If you've lost the button after that, congratulations!

• 🔍 Version MIUI: In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI. On Chinese firmware (China) ROM) This method often doesn't work.
• 📱 Availability of updates: sometimes Xiaomi returns the feature after an update. check in Settings → Updating the system.

If the item touch assistant in the menu is not, go to the next method.

Method 2: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)

If the standard method doesn't work, you'll have to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which is safe if you follow the instructions, but requires connecting your phone to a PC.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 📱 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🔧 Installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB Tools.

Steps:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI until you become a developer!
2. Activate USB Debugging: Return to Settings → Additional settings → Developer. Find USB Debugging and turn it on.

Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.

Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) and type:

adb shell settings put secure assistive_touch 0


adb shell settings put secure sysui_qs_tile_assistive_touch 0

After you've done the commands, restart the phone. The touch assistant should disappear.

⚠️ Note: If the assistant appears again after the reboot, then your firmware blocks changes through the ADB. In this case, only a rollback to the old version will help. MIUI or use of root rights.

Method 3: Using third-party applications (without root)

If the first two methods didn’t work, you can try disabling the assistant using third-party utilities, for example, the Activity Launcher app allows you to run hidden MIUI settings.

Instructions:

1. Download Activity Launcher from Google Play.
2. Open the application and find in the Settings list.
3. Deploy the menu and find a title item that contains Assistive or Touch Assistant.
4. Start the activity found - a hidden menu will open where you can turn off the assistant.

Alternative annexes:

• 🔧 MIUI Hidden Settings – reveals additional options MIUI.
• 🛠️ App Ops – allows you to block permissions for system applications (requires) ADB).

Third-party apps may not work on the latest versions of MIUI 14+ due to Xiaomi’s tightening security policy.

What to do if the touch assistant reappears after the update

Xiaomi is known for returning disabled features "by default" after system updates. If the assistant returned after the update, try:

1. Remove the firmware to the previous version via Fastboot or MIUI bootloader.
2. Use Magisk modules (requires root): Install Magisk and Disable MIUI Touch Assistant. Reboot your phone.

Block the system application

adb shell pm hide com.miui.touchassistant

This command hides the assistant app, but may not work on all firmware.

If nothing works, there are two options:

• 📵 Humility and use the assistant as it is (you can reduce its size in the settings).
• 🔄 Switch to custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) where this feature is not available.

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Before rolling back the firmware, back up your data through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset. This will save your photos, contacts and messages.

How to reduce or adjust the touch assistant if you can not turn off

If all attempts to disable the assistant were unsuccessful, you can at least make it less noticeable:

1. Open Settings → Additional settings → Touch Assistant.
2. Select the icon settings.
3. Set a minimum size (small) and transparency (30%).
4. Turn off the vibration when you touch it.
5. Remove unnecessary buttons (for example, leave only Back and Home).

You can also move the assistant to the corner of the screen, where it will less often interfere with:

• 📍 Drag the icon to the lower right corner (where it least hurts when playing games).
• 🎨 Change the color to gray or black so it blends with the background.

If even this way, the assistant is annoying, try using MIUI gestures instead, which are faster and do not take up space on the screen.

• 👆 Swipe from the bottom up and hold for recent apps.
• 👈 Swift from the edge of the screen to the center for Back.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you turn off the touch assistant, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common solutions.

Another common mistake is to try to disable the assistant through Application Manager. Don't do that! System applications like com.miui.touchassistant can't be removed or stopped manually, which can lead to a cyclical reboot of the phone.

⚠️ Note: If you have been manipulated by ADB or the root phone stopped turning on, try to go to Recovery Mode (clip the power supply) + Volume up and reset (Wipe Data) that will bring back all settings to factory settings, but delete user data.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

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If the touch assistant doesn't turn off through the settings, try it first. ADB, And then you get third-party utilities or root, and most of the problems are solved by the adb shell settings put secure. assistive_touch 0.