How to Replace Google Assistant with Alice on Xiaomi Devices: The Complete Guide

Why change Google Assistant to Xiaomi?

Voice assistants have become an integral part of modern smartphones, but not all users are happy with the standard solution from Google. Owners of Xiaomi devices often face the limitations of Google Assistant: the lack of support for the Russian language at full capacity, binding to a Google account, as well as problems with working in Russia due to sanctions.

Alice is not only better adapted for Russian-speaking users, but also offers more integration with Russian services, from taxis to smart home management, and is more stable in the face of blocking foreign resources. However, the replacement process is not always obvious — especially on Xiaomi devices, where Google Assistant is often sewn into the firmware level. In this article, we will examine all available replacement methods, from simple to advanced, and consider possible pitfalls.

It is important to understand that the procedure may differ depending on the device model and version of MIUI. For example, on Xiaomi smartphones with global firmware (Global ROM), the algorithm of actions will be one, and on devices with Chinese (China ROM) or European (EEA ROM) firmware - another.

Preparation of the device: what to do before replacing

Before you start replacing the voice assistant, you need to follow a few preparatory steps, which will help avoid errors and ensure that Alice works correctly after installation.

First, check the MIUI version on your device. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If you have Global installed, the replacement process will be easier than in China, where additional region adjustment may be required. Also make sure that the device has the latest updates installed – this minimizes the risk of software conflicts.

Second, download the official Yandex app with Alice from Google Play or AppGallery (if you have a Huawei device, but this is not our case).Please note that for the full operation of Alice you may need Yandex.Mail or Yandex.ID - register an account in advance, if it is not already there.

• 📱 Check out the device model: some older Xiaomi models (like Redmi) 4X or Mi A1) You may not support Alice because of iron restrictions.
• 🔄 Backup: Before any manipulation of system settings, save important data in Settings → Additionally. → Backup.
• 🔒 Turn off screen locking: if you plan to use methods with ADB, temporarily PIN-code or pattern lock to avoid authorization issues.
• 🌐 Set up the region: in Settings → Additionally. → Choose the language and region, otherwise Alice may not work properly.

⚠️ Note: If your device is operating under control MIUI China ROM, Before installing Alice, you may need to change the region through service codes or special utilities, otherwise the voice assistant will run in Chinese or will not respond to commands at all.

Method 1: Install Alice as the primary assistant (without root)

The easiest and safest method is to make Alice the default assistant without tampering with system files.It is suitable for most Xiaomi devices on MIUI 12/13/14 and does not require unlocking the bootloader.

To do this, follow the following steps:

1. Install the Yandex app with Alice from Google Play.
2. Open the application and go through the initial setting (authenticate through Yandex.ID).
3. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
4. Find Google (or Google Assistant) and click Disable (Do Not Delete!).
5. Go back to the basic settings and select Settings → Additional → Voice Assistant.
6. In the list of available assistants, select Yandex (Alice) and install it by default.

After that, Alice will activate by long pressing the Home button (if you have one on your device) or by voice commanding “OK, Yandex.” However, it should be noted that in some MIUI firmware this method is unstable – the assistant can be reset to Google Assistant after rebooting.

⚠️ Attention: On Android devices 12+ and MIUI 13/14 Additional permission may be required for Alice in the special features settings (Settings) → Special facilities → Special Opportunities Services: Turn on Yandex.Alice, otherwise voice control will not work.

Method 2: Replacement with ADB (for power users)

If the previous method didn’t work or Alice doesn’t set up as the default assistant, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the device to a computer and basic command line knowledge.

First of all, turn on the developer mode on your Xiaomi:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Click 7 times on the MIUI version until the notification “You became a developer” appears.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate Debugging over USB and Allow OEM unlocking (if any).

Next, connect the device to the PC, install ADB-drivers (e.g. through Mi) PC Suite) and execute the following commands in the terminal:

adb devices


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




adb shell cmd assistant set-default-assistant com.yandex.browser

The first command deletes Google Assistant for the current user (without deleting system files), and the second installs Alice as the default assistant.

⚠️ Note: If after executing commands Alice did not become the default assistant, check whether Yandex.Browser is installed - it contains the necessary components for the voice assistant. Also make sure that there are no conflicts with other assistants in the default settings of the Application (e.g. Mi). AI Chinese-made).

💡

If, after the execution, ADB-Alice commands do not start, try to clear the cache of the Yandex application in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Yandex → Clear the cache.

Method 3: Use of custom firmware (for advanced)

If you're willing to take more drastic measures, you can install custom firmware with pre-integrated Alice, a method that's suitable for users who want to get rid of Google's services completely and move to the Yandex ecosystem.

The most popular firmware with Alice support:

• 📱 MIUI Pro (modified version) MIUI Russian-service)
• 🔧 LineageOS with GApps from Yandex (requires manual installation)
• 🛠️ CrDroid or Pixel Experience (with Google services pre-removed)

The process of installing custom firmware includes:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account binding).
2. Installation of custom recavery (for example, TWRP).
3. Formatting the system, data, cache partitions.
4. Install firmware and Magisk (for root rights, if necessary).

Some Xiaomi devices (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro) may require manually configuring Alice’s access rights via Magisk or AppOps after installing custom firmware.

Solving the problems: why Alice doesn't work after installation

Even after successfully replacing Google Assistant with Alice, there are a number of problems that can arise, and let's look at the most common ones and how to solve them.

Problem 1: Alice doesn't respond to voice commands

• 🔊 Check if the microphone for Yandex is included in Settings → Annexes → Permits.
• 📱 Make sure that the Yandex.Alice service is enabled in the Special Opportunities settings.
• 🔄 Reinstall the Yandex application and clean its cache.

Problem 2: Alice resets to Google Assistant after rebooting

• 🔧 Use it. ADB, to re-install Alice with the default assistant (Team from Method 2).
• 📵 Turn off automatic updates to Google Play Services in Settings → Annexes → Google Play Services → Auto-update.
• 🛠️ Install the Magisk module to block Google Assistant (e.g., Disabler for Google Apps).

Problem 3: Alice works, but not all features are available

• 🌐 Check the region in the device settings – it should be Russia.
• 🔄 Update the Yandex app to the latest version.
• 📋 Make sure you have an active Yandex account.ID phone-linked.

💡

If Alice is not working after all the manipulations, try resetting the settings of the Yandex application to factory settings in Settings → Applications → Yandex → Storage → Reset.

Google Assistant vs. Alice on Xiaomi: Which is Better?

Before you finally move to Alice, you should compare it with Google Assistant on key parameters, which will help you to understand whether you are suitable for a domestic assistant or better leave the standard solution.

As you can see from the table, Alice wins in terms of adapting to the Russian market, but is inferior to Google Assistant in global functionality. If you actively use Google services (for example, Google Keep or Google Calendar), the transition to Alice can be uncomfortable.

It is also worth considering that on some Xiaomi devices (especially with MIUI China ROM), the Google Assistant may be more stable due to deep firmware integration. In such cases, it is recommended to either change the firmware to a global one, or use Alice as an additional assistant, rather than the main one.

FAQ: Frequent questions about replacing Google Assistant with Alice