Googleβs voice assistant has long been an integral part of the Android ecosystem, but Xiaomi smartphone owners often face a problem: on new devices with MIUI, the Assistant is either absent or works with restrictions. The reason lies in the companyβs policy: Xiaomi actively promotes its own assistant Xiao AI, blocking competitors.
In this article, you will find 3 proven ways to install Google Assistant on Xiaomi, including the Redmi and POCO models, taking into account the features of the latest versions of MIUI 14/13 and Android 13/12. We will analyze both official methods through Google Play and workarounds for regions where Google services are limited, and focus on setting up voice control and integration with system functions β from opening applications to managing a smart home.
Before you start, make sure that on your device:
- π± Up-to-date version installed MIUI (Check in the settings β The phone)
- π Internet access (preferably via Wi-Fi for downloading files)
- π Battery charge not lower than 50% (setup can take up to 15 minutes)
- π Developer mode is enabled (if you plan to use it) ADB)
1. Official method: installation via Google Play
The easiest method is to download Google Assistant from the official store, which is suitable for most Xiaomi models, except for devices for the Chinese market (for example, the Mi series marked China ROM).
Here's the step-by-step instruction:
- Open the Google Play Store on your smartphone.
- In the search bar, type βGoogle Assistantβ** and select the official application from Google LLC.
- Click βInstallβ** and wait for the download to be completed.
- After installation, launch the application and follow the on-screen instructions for initial setup.
If the app is not in the Play Store, this could mean:
- π΅ Your device is designed for the Chinese market (requires a change of region or firmware).
- π On the smartphone installed a modified version MIUI Googleless.
- π Your Google account is linked to a region where Assistant is not supported (e.g. China, Iran).
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If Google Assistant doesnβt start after installation, try clearing the appβs cache in Settings β Apps β Google β Memory β Clear the cache.
2. Manually adding the Assistant shortcut to the main screen
Even if the app is installed, its icon may not appear on the menu, in which case the label can be added manually:
- Press and hold your finger to the free space on the main screen.
- Select "Widgets" in the lower menu.
- Scroll through the list to the Google section and find the Assistant widget (usually a round icon with the Google logo).
- Drag the widget to the main screen and confirm the placement.
If the widget is missing, try an alternative method:
- Open Google Search (app with the icon "G"**).
- In the lower right corner, click on the Microphone or Assistant icon (if any).
- The system will suggest setting up a voice assistant - follow the hints.
Make sure you have microphone access enabled in Settings β Apps β Google β Permissions
Check the input language (must match the Assistant's language)
Turn off power saving for Google app in Settings β Battery
Restart your phone after setting up-->
3. Voice control settings ("OK, Google")
To activate Google Assistant with voice, you need to enable the βOK, Googleβ function:
- Open the Google Assistant app.
- Click on your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Select βSettingsβ β βVoice Assistantβ.
- Activate the βOK, Googleβ switch and follow the instructions for learning voice recognition.
On Xiaomi devices, additional configuration may be required:
- π Go to Settings. β Sound and vibration β Voice assistant.
- π± Select Google** as the default assistant (if available).
- π If there is no option, update. MIUI last-minute.
What if the assistant doesnβt respond to the voice?
Installation via ADB (for power users)
If standard methods donβt work, you can use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which is suitable for devices where Google Assistant is locked at the system level.
You'll need:
- π» A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
- π USB-cable.
- π± Developer mode enabled and debugging by USB smartphone.
Instructions:
- Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
- Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is displayed, go further.
- Run the command to install the Assistant as the default assistant: adb shell pm grant com.google.android.as OEM_UNLOCK_ALLOW_ALL adb shell cmd assistant set-default-assistant com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox/.GoogleAssistant
- Reboot the phone.
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Using ADB resets some system settings. After the procedure, you may need to re-set your fingerprint or Face Unlock.
5. Solving problems with the work of the Assistant on Xiaomi
Even after a successful Google installation, the Assistant may not work properly. Consider the common mistakes and their solutions:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant does not open on voice command | Conflict with Xiao AI or MIUI limitations | Disable Xiao AI in Settings β Apps or install Google Assistant by default |
| The app flies off at launch | An outdated version of Google Play Services | Update services in the Play Store or download the latest version from APKMirror |
| No response to requests | Restrictions of region or language | Change the system language to English (USA) in Settings β Additional β Language and input |
| The assistant does not control system functions (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) | There are no permissions for Google | Give all permissions to Settings β Apps β Google β Permissions |
On devices with MIUI 14 and Android 13, you may need to disable MIUI Optimization in the developer settings, which will allow the Assistant to fully integrate with the system, but can affect the stability of the phone.
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If the Assistant stopped working after the MIUI update, try resetting it: Settings β Apps β Google β Storage β Reset settings.
6. Alternative methods: third-party launchers and firmware
If none of the methods worked, consider the following options:
- π² Install a third-party launcher (like Nova Launcher or Action Launcher) that supports integration with Google Assistant. In the launcher settings, select Google as the default assistant.
- π Refuse the phone to the global version MIUI Or custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience), where the Assistant works out of the boxΒ». β οΈ Note: Firmware via Fastboot or TWRP voids the warranty and may result in data loss.Before the procedure, backup through Mi Cloud or TWRP.
- π Use Cloud Assistant via browser: go to assistant.google.com and log in to your account. The functionality will be limited, but the basic commands (search, smart home management) will remain available.
7. Optimize the work of Google Assistant on Xiaomi
To make the assistant work faster and more stable:
- π Turn off power saving for Google and Google Play Services apps in Settings β Battery β Optimizing the battery.
- π Regularly update Google Play Services and Google App through the Play Store.
- π£οΈ Set up a voice profile in the Assistant: the more often you communicate with the assistant, the more accurately it recognizes your commands.
- πΆ Use a stable internet connection (preferably Wi-Fi or 4G/5G), As part of the processing of requests takes place on Google servers.
To speed up the launch of the Assistant on the Home button:
- Go to Settings β Additional β Home button.
- Select Google Assistant** as the long-click action.
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On devices with MIUI 13 and below, you may need to disable Xiao AI in autoboot via Settings β Applications β Xiao AI β Autostart to avoid conflicts.