How to disable the Google Assistant gesture on Xiaomi

Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are powered by MIUI shells or the new HyperOS, offer users many convenient features for quick access to applications. However, it often happens that accidentally pressing or holding the power button instead of turning off the screen activates Google Assistant. This can be annoying, especially if you are used to the standard off menu or use another voice assistant, such as AliAssist or Marusya.

The problem is that Android prioritizes Google services by default, forcing them to be used through hardware buttons. Fortunately, the system settings provide the ability to reassign this gesture or turn it off completely. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to regain control of your device and stop calling unnecessary service with an awkward finger movement.

It’s worth noting that the location of the switches you want may vary slightly depending on your smartphone’s firmware version and regional anchorage.However, the overall algorithm of actions remains the same for most models, from budget Redmis to flagship Mi and Poco. We’ll look at both standard methods through settings and workarounds if the standard menu is hidden by the manufacturer.

Why does the assistant start instead of the switch-off menu?

Starting with certain versions of the Android operating system, Google has introduced a policy of requiring the presence of a voice assistant on certified devices. For Xiaomi smartphones, this means that long pressing (about 0.5-1 seconds) on the lock button is now the default call of Google Assistant, not the usual menu of reboot and turn off, this is done to increase user engagement in the search engine ecosystem.

Many users are faced with a situation where, in a rush to quickly lock the screen or turn off the phone, they accidentally activate voice search. This is not only distracting, but can drain the battery if the screen remains on while waiting for the command.

⚠️ Note: Complete removal of the system component of Google Assistant without the presence of superuser rights (Root) is impossible and can lead to unstable operation of the system.

It's important to understand the difference between the app itself and the trigger for it to launch. If you turn off the gesture, you don't delete the voice search from the phone, you just stop the system from running it when you press a physical button. Google Assistant itself will remain on the app list and can be launched manually or through widgets if necessary.

Disconnection through MIUI and HyperOS system settings

The easiest and safest way to change the behavior of the power button is to use the built-in shell settings menu. Xiaomi engineers have designed this scenario, although sometimes they hide the option deep enough. First you need to go to the basic settings of the device. Find a section that is usually called Advanced Settings or Special Features, depending on the version of your firmware.

Inside the menu, you should look for the item associated with the power button. In current versions of HyperOS, the path often looks like Settings → Additional Features → Buttons. In older versions of MIUI, this may be in the “Block and Protect” or “Control Panel” section. You need to find a switch called “Run Google Assistant” or “Long-Tap Power Button”.

Once you find the right switch, just turn it off. The system may request confirmation of the action, warning that a long press will now open the off menu. This is exactly what we need. If there is no switch in the standard menu, it is possible that your firmware region (for example, Chinese) is hiding this option and you will need to use alternative methods described below.

Remember that after the system update, the settings may reset to factory values. So if the problem comes back after receiving the OTA update, check this settings section again. Sometimes Google returns its priorities through hidden configs, requiring user intervention.

Setup through the Google app

If you don't find the right item in Xiaomi's system settings, the second level of control is the Google app itself. Because it's responsible for responding to voice commands and buttons, there are also restrictions there. Open the Google app on your smartphone and click on the profile avatar in the upper right corner of the screen.

In the menu that opens, select Settings, and then go to Google Assistant, and you're interested in the Phone or Google Assistant tab, and that's where the key switch is, "Start with Home" or "Start with Power button," and by removing the tick from that box, you'll stop the app from responding to the physical buttons of the device.

• 📱 Open the Google app and click on the profile icon.
• ⚙️ Go to Settings. → Google Assistant → Phone.
• 🚫 Find the “Start with the Power button” option and turn it off.
• ✅ Check the button: Now it should call the switch menu.

It's worth noting that the Google app interface is constantly updated, and item names may change slightly. If you don't see the Phone tab, look for the View Assistant settings or Popular settings section. The main thing is to find a mention of hardware buttons. In some cases, cleaning the Google app cache after making changes helps to make the new settings apply instantly.

💡

If after disabling the Google app button still calls Assistant, try forcibly stopping the Google app in the phone’s settings and running it again.

Using third-party applications for reassignment

In situations where standard methods don’t work or are hidden by the manufacturer (which is often the case on Chinese versions of firmware with a global language), specialized utilities come to the rescue. One of the most reliable tools is the Button Mapper app, which allows you to reassign actions for any buttons on the smartphone body, including volume and power buttons.

The power button in Button Mapper may require additional permissions or accessibility. Once you install the app, you will need to give it the necessary permissions. Then, in the button list, select Power Button and assign Long Press action as Shutdown Menu or any other action you like, such as running a flashlight.

1. Install Button Mapper from Google Play.




2. Grant special opportunities.




3. Select "Power button" → "Long press."




4. Set the action "Menu food" or "Nothing".

It's important to understand that using third-party programs to intercept system buttons can consume additional battery power, since the application must be constantly hanging in the background. However, for many users, this is the only way to get the desired behavior of the device. There are analogues like Key Mapper or All in One Button that work on a similar principle.

⚠️ Note: When using button reassignment apps, make sure you have an alternative way to turn off your phone (such as via a control panel or timer) in case the system freezes.

Comparison of disconnection methods

To make it easier for you to choose the right method, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you assess the pros and cons of each method depending on your technical background and version of the software.

As you can see from the table, for most users, the best solution is to use built-in system tools. However, if you own a rare model or a specific version of firmware, you should not be afraid to experiment with proven third-party solutions.

Interestingly, some HyperOS devices have a bug where settings are reset after rebooting, so it makes sense to try the Google app in conjunction with system settings to re-definite priorities on two levels.

Problem Solving and Frequent Errors

Even following the instructions, users may find that the button continues to behave unpredictably, often because multiple profiles or modes of operation are activated on the system, such as In-pocket mode or special settings for people with disabilities can intercept control of the buttons.

It's also worth checking if Quick Commands is enabled inside the Assistant itself, allowing you to run voice-phrases or clicks, and sometimes conflicts with basic settings. Turn off all experimental features in the Google Lab menu, if any.

If nothing works, reset the Google app. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps → Google → Memory → Clean. This will return the voice assistant settings to factory settings, and you will have to re-go through the initial setup process, where you can immediately refuse activation with the button.

In rare cases, the problem may be a hardware sticking button or software failure of input drivers. If the power button behaves strangely (double, does not respond to short presses), you may need to diagnose the hardware part of the device in the service center.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Hopefully, these guidelines will help you customize your Xiaomi smartphone as conveniently as possible, and device management should be intuitive and not require fighting with built-in features that you don’t need.