Why Google’s voice assistant doesn’t work out of the box on Xiaomi?
Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones come with MIUI, which often conflicts with Google services. Even if all the necessary applications (Google, Google Play Services, Google Assistant) are installed on the device, voice activation on the command “OK Google” may not work because of:
Lack of permissions for microphone or background activity
- MIUI restrictions on auto-run applications;
Regional settings (for example, if the language of the system is not the same as the language of Google Assistant);
An outdated version of Google services or MIUI firmware.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to set up OK Google on Xiaomi in 2026, including bypassing MIUI restrictions, solving errors and optimizing the assistant, instructions are suitable for models on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS, as well as for devices with an unlocked bootloader.
Preparation of the smartphone: what to do before setting up
Before you activate the voice assistant, follow the mandatory steps:
- 📱 Update the firmware: go to Settings → The phone. → Update MIUI And install the latest version. On HyperOS, the path: Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.
- 🔄 Update Google Services: Open Google Play → Profile → Settings → App updates and click "Update all».
- 🗣️ Check the system language: it must match the language of Google Assistant (for example, Russian or English). → Additionally. → Language and input.
- 🔊 Allow microphone access for Google app: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Google → Permits → Microphone.
If you're using MIUI Global or HyperOS, some settings may be called differently. For example, on POCO F5 with HyperOS, the path to languages looks like this: Settings → Personalization → Language and Region.
Update MIUI/HyperOS last-minute|Update Google Apps in the Play Market|Establish Russian/English as the main language|Allow access to the microphone for the Google app|Disable battery optimization for Google Assistant-->
Method 1: Configure via Google App (official method)
This is the most reliable way, but it requires Google services to be configured correctly.
- Open the Google app (an icon with a "G" on a color background) and if it's not available, download it from the Play Market.
- In the lower right corner, tap the profile icon → Settings → Google Assistant.
- Select the Assistant tab → scroll to the Devices section and tap the name of your smartphone.
- Activate the switches: Google Assistant (enable assistant); Voice input (allow microphone use); OK Google (voice activation).
- Follow the instructions on the screen to learn to speak (say the phrase “OK Google” 3 times).
If the assistant does not respond to the voice after setting up, check:
- 🔋 Battery Optimization: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Google → Battery → No restrictions.
- 🔒 AutoRun: In the same Google app settings, enable AutoRun and Second Running.
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If the Assistant doesn't respond after learning to voice, try restarting your smartphone and resetting it, sometimes resetting the Google app (Settings → Apps → Google → Storage → Clear Data) helps.
Method 2: Activate via MIUI settings (for older versions)
On MIUI 12 and below, an alternative path sometimes helps:
- Go to Settings → Applications → All applications.
- Find Google and tap it.
- Select Permissions → turn on Microphone, Camera (for some functions), Phone (for calls).
- Go back and select the Battery → Install No Limits.
- Then open Settings → Additional → Special Features → Special Features Services and turn on Google (if any).
This method is more common on devices with MIUI 11-12, such as the Redmi Note 9 or Xiaomi Mi 10, and may not be available on newer versions (MIUI 13+ and HyperOS).
What to do if you do not have the option “Google Assistant” in your settings?
Method 3: Using ADB for forced inclusion (advanced)
If standard methods fail, you can force voice activation through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is suitable for power users and requires a computer.
Step 1: Preparation
- 🖥️ Install. ADB Tools on PC.
- 📱 Turn on Debugging. USB on a smartphone: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times until the message “You became a developer” appears. → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB.
- 🔌 Connect your phone to the PC by USB (Select the File Transfer Mode).
Step 2: ADB teams:
- Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
- Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
- Use the command to activate voice activation: adb shell settings put secure voice_interaction_service com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox/.googlenow.VoiceSearchActivity
- Reboot your smartphone: adb reboot
After the reboot, check OK Google. If the assistant is still not activated, follow the additional command:
adb shell pm grant com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO💡
The ADB method works even on custom firmware and devices with a locked bootloader, but requires caution - incorrect commands can disrupt the system.
Addressing common mistakes
If Google doesn’t work after setting up, check out these points:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| OK Google doesn't hear the command | Microphone is blocked or another application is occupied | Close all apps that use the microphone (like voice recording). Check permissions in Settings → Apps → Google → Permissions. |
| The assistant opens up but doesn't follow commands | Incorrect regional settings | Install the system language and Google language in English/Russian. Way: Google Settings → Account Management → Data and Personalization → Language Settings. |
| Continuously requesting voice training | Google App Data Reset | Clear the data and cache of the Google app (Settings → Apps → Google → Storage → Clear the data). |
| Does not work on a locked screen | MIUI Limitations for Background Processes | Enable background activity for Google in the battery settings. |
On devices with HyperOS (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), you may need additional permission to work on a locked screen.
- Open the Settings → Lock screen.
- Select the additional settings → Voice assistant.
- Turn on the switch for Google Assistant.
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If after all the manipulations, Google still doesn’t work, try installing an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) – sometimes this resolves conflicts with MIUI.
Alternatives to “OK Google” for Xiaomi
If you haven’t managed to set up Google Assistant or prefer other solutions, consider these options:
- 🤖 Google Assistant with gestures: you can start by holding the Home button (configured in Settings) → Buttons and gestures).
- 🎤 Xiao AI (Xiaomi built-in assistant: works without the Internet, but supports only Chinese / English. Activated by a long press on the power button (on some models).
- 🔊 Alice from Yandex: installed as a separate application, supports Russian language and integration with Yandex services.
- 📱 Bixby (for Samsung users): If you’ve switched from Samsung, you can try Bixby Button Remapper for button binding.
Comparison of assistants:
| Assistant | Support for Russian | Offline work | Integration with MIUI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Assistant | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ⚠️ Partially (requires settings) |
| Xiao AI | ❌ No, only. EN/CN) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Complete. |
| Alice (Yandex) | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ⚠️ Through the app |
If you want to work without the Internet, Xiao AI is the best choice, but only for English or Chinese, and for a full-fledged Russian-speaking assistant, Alice or a Google Assistant is the right one.
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On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14), Xiao AI may conflict with Google Assistant, in which case it is recommended to disable Xiao AI in settings: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Xiao AI → Disable.
FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up OK Google on Xiaomi
❓ Why Google only works when you’re connected to the Internet?
❓ Can you set up OK Google on Xiaomi without Google services?
❓ How to disable the activation of “OK Google” from the locked screen?
❓ Why After Updating MIUI «Okay, Google stopped working?
❓ Can you use OK Google on Xiaomi with custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)?
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If you use a voice assistant frequently, add the Google Assistant widget to the home screen. To do this, hold your finger in the free space of the screen → Widgets → find the Google Assistant and drag it.
⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 for the Chinese market), Google Assistant can be blocked at the firmware level. MIUI Or install custom firmware with support for Google services.
⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI China Stable, voice activation of "OK Google" won't work even after installing Google services. MIUI Global or HyperOS Global through the official bootloader unlocker.