How to Put Alice Instead of Google Assistant on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide with Nuances

Voice assistants have long been an integral part of smartphones, but Google Assistant is not convenient for all Xiaomi users, especially in Russia, where its functionality is limited. Yandex Alice offers more adapted features for the Runet: from managing a smart home to integrating with local services. However, replacing the standard assistant with Alice is not an obvious process that requires intervention in system settings.

In this article, we will discuss all the working methods of installing Alice on Xiaomi (including models on MIUI 12-14), bypass the typical errors and explain how to make the assistant the main default. Importantly, the methods are different for devices with unlocked and locked bootloader - we covered both options.

Why Alice is better than Google Assistant for Xiaomi in 2026

Against the background of sanctions restrictions Google Assistant in Russia is working intermittently: refuses to execute commands in Russian, does not support local services (for example, ordering a taxi or paying for housing and communal services).

• 🗣️ Full Russian support – understands dialects, slang and contextual queries (e.g., “turn on music like last night").
• 🏠 Smart Home Integration – Manages Xiaomi devices via Yandex IoT, unlike Google, which requires Google Home.
• 💳 Payment for services by voice – replenishment of the phone balance, transfers through YuMoney or Sberbank.
• 🚗 Local services – calling a taxi (Yandex Go, Citymobil), searching for pharmacies with the right medicine, checking traffic jams.

Besides, Alice doesn’t require a VPN to work in Russia – all the servers are located in the country, which speeds up response and eliminates blocking, and she can joke in Russian, which for many becomes a decisive argument.

Preparation of the smartphone: what to do before installation

Before you replace your assistant, check out three key parameters of your Xiaomi:

1. MIUI version - Alice is officially supported on MIUI 12.5+. older firmware will require manual APK installation.
2. bootloader status – if it is blocked, some methods (such as replacing through ADB) will not work.
3. Having root rights is not necessary, but it simplifies the process (for example, to remove Google Assistant completely).

To find out the MIUI version, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. bootloader status is checked by the team:

fastboot oem device-info

If the answer is Device unlocked: true, the bootloader is unlocked.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a locked bootloader and no root rights, Alice will work on top of Google Assistant, but will not replace it completely.

Check out the MIUI version (12.5 or later)

Find out the status of the bootloader (blocked/unblocked)

Download APK Alice from the official website of Yandex

Disable Google Assistant in settings (optional)

Make a backup copy of the data-->

Method 1: Install Alice without root and unlock the bootloader

This is a good way for most Xiaomi users with MIUI 12.5-14 and a locked bootloader.Alice will work in parallel with Google Assistant, but it can be made prioritized through settings.

Installation steps:

1. Download. APK The latest version of Alice from the official website (do not use third-party sources!).
2. Install APK by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings → Applications → Special Access → Install Unknown Applications).
3. Launch Alice and go through the initial setting (Yandex account binding, voice setting).
4. Configure the call by button: Go to Settings → Applications → Default Applications → Voice Assistant. Select Yandex Alice (if you don’t have an option – see the error section).

Alice will then be activated by pressing the home button or the voice command "Hi Alice." Google Assistant will remain in the system, but it can be disabled in the app settings.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) after the update MIUI The default assistant settings are reset. To avoid this, pin Alice to Settings. → Annexes → All applications → Yandex → Secure.

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If Alice doesn’t respond to voice commands, check the microphone permissions in Settings → Privacy → Application permissions → Microphone and add it to battery optimization exceptions (Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → All Apps → Yandex).

Method 2: Complete replacement of Google Assistant with Alice (requires unlocking the bootloader)

To completely remove Google Assistant and replace it with Alice, you will need to unlock the bootloader and use ADB or Magisk, a method suitable for advanced users, as it involves the risk of losing warranty.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Install TWRP (Castom Recovery) for your Xiaomi model. For instructions, look for XDA Developers.
3. Remove Google Assistant via ADB: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox Or via Magisk with Universal Google Assistant Remover.
4. Install Alice as a system application: adb install --install-location 0 alisa.apk Or via TWRP (copy APK to /system/priv-app/).
5. Adb shell pm grant en.yandex.alice android.permission.BIND_ACCESSIBILITY_SERVICE adb shell pm grant ru.yandex.alice android.permission.READ_PRIVILEGED_PHONE_STATE

Once rebooted, Alice will be the only voice assistant on the device, which also allows it to be integrated into the lock screen and power menu.

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Unlocking the bootloader will void the Xiaomi warranty. If the device is warranty, use the first method (installing the APK without removing the Google Assistant).

Customizing Alice after installation: optimization and integration

To make Alice work as efficiently as possible, follow 5 key settings:

• 🔊 Voice call – turn on the “Keyphrase Recognition” option in Alice’s settings and record a voice sample to improve accuracy.
• 📱 Quick access – add Alice’s widget to the home screen or notification bar (Long tap on the screen) → Widgets → Yandex).
• 🏡 Smart home – connect Xiaomi devices via Yandex IoT (in Alice’s settings, smart home section) → Add the device").
• 🔋 Battery Optimization – Turn off background restrictions for Alice (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery → Yandex → No restrictions).
• 🔒 Privacy – check what data Alice sends to Yandex (Alice Settings) → Confidentiality).

To manage Xiaomi devices through Alice (for example, Yeelight light bulbs or a robot vacuum cleaner), you will need to link them to your Mi Home account, and then synchronize with Yandex IoT.

Typical errors and their solutions

When installing Alice on Xiaomi, users face 4 main problems:

1.Alice doesn't appear on the default assistant list

Reason: MIUI blocks third-party assistants on some firmware.

Solution: Install Alice as a system application through ADB:

adb shell cmd appops set ru.yandex.alice android:default_assistant allow

2. Voice call is not working (OK, Google keeps going)

The reason: Google Assistant takes priority in settings.

Solution: Turn it off completely:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Google.
2. Select Disable (if the option is not available, use the ADB from Method 2).

3.Alice doesn't respond to commands after locking screen

Reason: MIUI restrictions on background activity.

Solution: Add Alice to the optimization exceptions:

• Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization → Yandex → Without restrictions.
• Settings → Privacy → Special permissions → Autorun → Yandex (enable).

4. Application not installed error when installing APK

Cause: Conflict with an existing version of Alice or a damaged APK.

Solution: Remove all previous versions of Alice, download APK again from the official website and re-install.

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If after installation Alice behaves unstable (flys out, does not recognize voice), clear her cache and data in Settings → Applications → Yandex → Storage → Clear cache / data.

Comparison of Alice and Google Assistant on Xiaomi: which is better in 2026

To make a final decision, we compare the key parameters of both assistants specific to the Xiaomi ecosystem:

The bottom line is that if you’re actively using Xiaomi’s ecosystem and Russian services, Alice will be more useful, and if you’re interested in deep integration with Android (such as managing a Google calendar or translating in real time), stay with Google Assistant.

FAQ: Frequent questions about replacing assistant with Xiaomi