Modern Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their functionality, but for many users in Russia and the CIS, the standard Google Assistant is often less convenient than the domestic development from Yandex. Alice better understands contextual speech, knows local services, music and navigation, which makes her an indispensable companion in everyday tasks. However, out of the box Android system on global firmware MIUI or HyperOS offers to use the assistant from Google.
Changing the priority voice application is not just about changing an icon, it's about integrating system functions deeply into the operating system. By setting Alice up as the default assistant, you can swipe her from the corner of the screen, through the power button, or by long pressing the headset, you don't have to search for the app on the menu every time, making interaction with the gadget instant and intuitive.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at all the nuances of switching, including bypassing the limitations of some versions of MIUI, where the selection menu can be hidden. You’ll learn how to properly configure accesses to keep voice input running smoothly, and how to avoid conflicts between two active assistants. The instruction is relevant for most current models, from the budget Redmi series to the flagship Xiaomi 13 and 14.
Preparation of the device and installation of the current version
The first and most critical step is to have the Yandex app installed with Alice integrated module. Often users try to activate the feature through a separate application "Yandex with Alice", but system integration requires a main search engine or browser with the appropriate rights. Make sure that your application is updated to the latest version through Google Play or GetApps.
Once installed, you must log in to your Yandex ID account. Without logging in, the search history synchronization settings, smart home and personalized scripts will not work. It is also worth checking that the voice assistant function is enabled in the settings of the Yandex application itself, since in rare cases it can be deactivated by default to save traffic.
⚠️ Note: If you have custom firmware installed or a heavily modified version of Android, the standard setup path may be different. In such cases, it is recommended to temporarily disable third-party launchers that can intercept control of buttons.
It's important to give the application all the permissions you want right after you install it. MIUI is known for its aggressive energy saving policy, so Alice needs to be allowed to run in the background, access the microphone and location, and without those permissions, the system can force the process to end, and the voice assistant just won't be able to start on command.
☑️ Checking before setting up
Basic configuration through the Android system menu
The standard method of replacing the assistant works on most global firmware. You need to go to the smartphone settings section. Find the App item, then select App Management. At the top of the screen, there is often a menu of three points where you need to select Settings or immediately find the default App item.
In the list that opens, look for the Digital Assistant category. When you click on it, you'll see the current value -- it's probably Google. Click on this field and the system will suggest a list of available alternatives. Select Yandex from the list that you've asked, and from that point on, the system will try to run it with the appropriate commands.
However, just selecting an app is not enough. You need to configure the activation method. The assistant settings menu often has a "Voice activation" or "Hey Google" option. As we change the assistant, these settings may stop working for Alice if you don't reassign gestures. Some versions of Android require you to go to the Language and Type -> Voice input settings and select the Yandex engine if you plan to use text dictation in messengers.
- 📱 Go to Settings -> Annexes -> Settings (three points).
- 🔍 Find the Application section by default -> Digital assistant.
- 🔄 Change Google to Yandex in the drop-down list.
- 🎤 Check the work with a long press of the home button (if it is virtual).
💡
If Yandex is not listed in the Digital Assistant list, try clearing the Settings cache or restarting the device after installing Yandex updates.
Activation via the power button and lock screen
One of the most desirable features for Xiaomi users is calling Alice from the screen off or through the side button.The standard power button method is often reserved for Google Assistant and has no choice menu in the basic settings. There is a proven method to solve this problem through hidden menus or special switching apps, but we'll start with native features.
The new versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14 now allow you to reassign the power button to the special features menu. Go to Settings -> Additional -> Special Opportunities. Find Power button shortcut. If the system allows, select the launch of the application and specify Yandex. Now, a long press on the power button will wake Alice up.
The situation is more complicated to activate from a locked screen. The standard Google Discover swipe cannot be reconfigured with standard means. Here comes the "Block Screen" feature in the settings of Yandex itself. Enable the "Alice on a locked screen" option inside the application. This will create an overlay that will respond to the voice command "Listen to Yandex" even without unlocking, although full swipe call may require the use of third-party utilities like Button Mapper.
| Activation method | Availability at MIUI | Necessary rights | Stability of work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long press of the home button | Tall. | No. | Tall. |
| Power button (through special opportunities) | Medium (depending on version) | Special opportunities | Tall. |
| Voice command "Listen to Yandex" | Tall. | Microphone, Background mode | Medium (battery) |
| A widget on the desktop | Tall. | No. | Tall. |
What to do if the power button is not reassigned?
Solving problems with MIUI Optimizations and hidden settings
Chinese firmware versions and even some global MIUI builds have the peculiarity of hiding the choice of digital assistant. If you don't see a change of assistant in the settings menu, the problem may lie in the enabled MIUI Optimizations option, which optimizes the system, but often breaks the standard Android protocols needed to replace system applications.
To access the advanced settings, you need to activate the Developer Mode. Go to About Phone and quickly press 7-10 times on the MIUI Version (or OS Version) until the notification "You've become a developer" appears. Then go to Advanced Settings -> For Developers.
At the bottom of the list, find Enable MIUI Optimization. Try turning it off.
⚠️ Attention: Disabling optimization MIUI It can cause a change in behavior, duplicate notifications, or change fonts.
Activity Launcher
An alternative and safer way is to use the Assistant Trigger app or analogues, which create a layer of its own on top of the system, allowing you to assign any action to any button or gesture, effectively emulating Alice's call where the system does not allow it to be done normally, which is especially true for owners of older Redmi and Poco models.
Setting up voice input and dictation
Many users confuse voice assistant and voice input. If you want to dictate messages on Telegram or WhatsApp with Alice's voice, not Google, you need to change the keyboard settings. Go to the phone's settings, find Language and type -> Keyboard management or Current keyboard.
It's important not to confuse apps. You need Voice input (not to be confused with Google Voice input). Choose Yandex. Now, clicking on a microphone in any text field will activate speech recognition from Yandex, which often more accurately recognizes Russian names and specific terms.
It is worth noting that the quality of recognition depends on the quality of the Internet connection, since the request is processed on the servers. Make sure that the option “Use mobile Internet” for voice search is enabled in Yandex settings if you often use the device outside of Wi-Fi zone. It is also recommended to periodically clear the history of voice requests in the Yandex profile to improve personalization.
- 🎙️ Open the settings Language and input in the system.
- ⌨️ Select Voice Input in the Method List.
- ✅ Activate the switch opposite Yandex.
- 📝 Check the work of dictation in any messenger.
💡
Separation of concepts: Voice assistant controls the phone and answers questions, and voice input only prints text. For complete comfort, you need to configure both components separately.
Optimization of work and conflict resolution
After you install Alice by default, you may notice that the phone is running a little faster. That's okay, because now the background process listens to commands all the time. To minimize the impact on autonomy, go to the battery settings, find the Yandex app and select "No Limits" mode only if you have a powerful battery, or leave the standard one, but make sure that the system does not "kill" the process completely.
A common problem is a conflict with Google Assistant. If both assistants are trying to respond to the same command, chaos ensues. Make sure the Google Assistant settings turn off the "Hey Google" feature if you plan to use Alice only. Duplicating functions only consumes the CPU resources.
Also worth checking is Do Not Disturb. Sometimes system restrictions prevent Alice from voiced her answer if silent mode is enabled. In the settings of the Yandex app itself, check the "Sounds and Notifications" section and allow priority output even in silence if necessary for your use case.
If Alice is not called from the button after all the settings, try resetting the application settings by default. In the App menu -> Three points -> Preference Reset. This will not delete your data, but will return all system choices to factory ones, after which the assistant selection procedure will need to be re-run, but already clean, without cached errors.