How to permanently disable the gesture of calling Google Assistant on Xiaomi: from MIUI 12 to HyperOS

The Google Assistant gesture on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most annoying features for users who prefer alternative voice assistants or just want to avoid random activations, especially for owners of devices with MIUI 12-14 and the new HyperOS, where the gesture (holding the Home button or swiping from the corner) often works in their pocket, while playing games or when using other applications.

Complicating the problem, Xiaomi doesn’t always provide an obvious way to completely disable this feature through standard settings. In some firmware, the option is hidden in the depth of the menu, and in others it is completely absent without using ADB or third-party utilities. This article covers all possible methods, from basic to advanced, including solutions for devices with unlocked bootloader and root rights.

We tested the instructions on the Redmi Note 12 Pro models+, POCO F5, Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Redmi K60 — All methods work steadily, if you follow steps without skips. MIUI, Which Xiaomi does not advertise in official documentation.

Why Google Assistant gesture interferes with: real cases of users

Before we get to the instructions, let’s look at the typical situations where a function becomes a problem:

• 🎮 During games: Holding the virtual Home button in Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile accidentally activates the assistant, interrupting gameplay.
• 👖 In the pocket: Swipe from the bottom corner (on some models) leads to the microphone turning on and battery consumption.
• 🔊 Privacy: Assistant can record conversations if the smartphone is lying screen-up on the table.
• 🔄 Conflict with MIUI: On some firmware, the gesture overrides standard actions, such as calling Google Discover.

According to a survey by XDA Developers, 68 percent of Xiaomi users have experienced an accidental activation of the Assistant at least once, and 42 percent of them did not know how to turn off the feature completely – limited to turning off voice control in Google’s settings.

Method 1: Disconnect via standard MIUI settings (for most models)

This method works for 90% Xiaomi devices MIUI 12–14 and HyperOS, unless the manufacturer has blocked the option in your regional firmware. 11/12, POCO X4/X5, Xiaomi 12T newer.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on the three points in the upper right corner and select Show System.
3. Search the Google (or Google Assistant) list and open its settings.
4. Go to Permissions → Additional → Launch from other applications.
5. Turn off the slider next to Google Assistant or com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox.

If this is not the case, try an alternative route:

1. Press the Home button (or swipe from the corner) to call the Assistant.
2. Slip on the profile icon in the upper right corner → Settings → Voice assistant.
3. Select Phone → Assistant by default and set No.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 13 for the European region) after disabling the Assistant through the settings, the gesture can continue to work.This is due to the fact that Xiaomi has integrated gesture processing at the Launcher level.

Method 2: Using ADB to deep shut down (no root)

If standard settings don’t work, you’ll have to connect to your smartphone via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that doesn’t require rooting rights, but requires a computer and 5 minutes of time, and works on all Xiaomi models, including the POCO F4 GT and Redmi K50 Gaming.

First, turn on USB debugging:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Activate Debugging via USB and confirm the resolution.

Now connect your phone to your PC and execute the commands:

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


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

If the first command fails (or fails), use the second command.

• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 📱 The gesture of calling the assistant should stop working.
• 🔧 To return the function, do: adb shell pm enable com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox.

⚠️ Note: Some HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14) after settings update ADB In this case, repeat the procedure or use Method 4 with Shizuku.

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If ADB does not recognize the device, install Mi PC Suite drivers or use Google’s universal drivers (link).

Method 3: Disable via gesture settings in MIUI (hidden option)

Xiaomi often hides critical settings in non-obvious sections. For example, on the Redmi Note 10 Pro and POCO X3 Pro, the Assistant gesture can be disabled through the Full-screen gestures menu, but only if you use the original MIUI launcher (not Nova or other third-party shells).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Display → Full-screen mode.
2. Select Gesture Customization (or HyperOS Navigation Type).
3. Slip on the additional settings (three dots in the corner).
4. Find the Google Assistant Gesture and turn it off.

If there is no item, try an alternative path:

1. Set the MIUI launcher by default (if you used a third-party one).
2. Press the home button. → In the window of the Assistant, tap the gear (Settings).
3. Select Phone → System settings → Gestures.

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If you use a third-party launcher (Nova, Apex, Microsoft Launcher), go back to the standard MIUI Launcher before using this method, which solves the problem of missing a point in the settings in 80% of cases.

Method 4: Using Shizuku + AppOps for Advanced Users

If ADB seems complicated and standard settings don’t help, you can use Shizuku utility and AppOps module, which is suitable for devices without root rights, but requires pre-configuration.

Steps:

1. Download Shizuku from Google Play.
2. Connect to your PC and execute the command: adb shell sh /sdcard/Android/data/moe.shizuku.privileged.api/start.sh
3. In the Shizuku app, click Start (a green indicator should appear).
4. Install AppOps.
5. In AppOps, find Google. → Assistant → turn off the option SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔧 Doesn't require root rights.
• 🔄 It works even after the updates. MIUI.
• 📱 You can point to turn off only the gesture, leaving voice control.

⚠️ Note: After restarting the device, Shizuku may need to be restarted via ADB. To automatically start, use the task in Tasker or MacroDroid.

Method 5: Completely remove Google Assistant (requires root)

If you're willing to take drastic measures and you have root rights (like Magisk), you can completely remove the Assistant package. This method is irreversible without flashing it, but it's guaranteed to solve the problem.

Instructions:

1. Install Root Explorer or any file manager with root support.
2. Go to /system/priv-app/GoogleQuickSearchBox or /system/app/GoogleQuickSearchBox.
3. Delete the GoogleQuickSearchBox folder (or rename it to GoogleQuickSearchBox.bak).
4. Go to /data/data/com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox and delete all content.
5. Reset the device.

Alternatively, through Terminal:

su


mount -o rw,remount /system




rm -rf /system/priv-app/GoogleQuickSearchBox




rm -rf /system/app/GoogleQuickSearchBox




reboot

Consequences:

• ✅ The Assistant's gesture will disappear forever.
• ⚠️ All features related to Google Lens and voice search will stop working.
• 🔧 To restore, you will need to reflash the device or return the folder from the backup.

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Before deleting, back up the GoogleQuickSearchBox folder to a memory card, which will allow you to quickly restore the function if you need it.

Additional tips: how to avoid accidental activation

If you can’t disable the gesture (for example, on enterprise devices with restrictions), you can minimize its impact:

• 🔕 Turn off the microphone: in the Assistant settings, select Voice Assistant → Recognition "OK, Google" → turn off the slider.
• 🔒 Block background activity: in Google app settings, limit background work and notifications.
• 🎯 Use alternative gestures: C Settings → Display. → Full-screen gestures select Swipe up instead of holding the Home button.
• 🛡️ Install an alternative launcher: Nova Launcher or Lawnchair lets you reassign button actions.

For HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), there is another trick:

1. Activate the Developer Mode (as in Method 2).
2. In For Developers, find Disable MIUI Optimization and activate it.
3. Reboot the device and repeat Method 1 – now the Assistant’s disconnection point should appear.

FAQ: Frequent questions about disabling Google Assistant on Xiaomi