Voice assistants have long become an integral part of everyday use of smartphones, but owners of Xiaomi devices often face a problem: the regular Google Assistant is not always convenient for Russian-speaking users, and the built-in Xiao AI Meanwhile, Yandex Alice offers a fully russified alternative that supports local services, from weather to smart home management. MIUI So that it runs on the voice or even the physical button assistant?
In this article, we’ll break down all the possible ways to make Alice the primary voice assistant on Xiaomi, Redmi and other phones. POCO — From the basic installation of the application to the deep configuration of the system triggers, we will pay special attention to models with the assistant call button (for example, Mi). 11 Ultra or Redmi K50 Pro, where you can use Alice instead of the standard Xiao AI. All instructions are relevant to MIUI 14/15 Android 13/14, Most of the methods work on older versions.
Important: The procedure does not require root rights, but some firmware (especially global) may require debugging. USB Or installing additional modules through Magisk, and we'll look at both of these options, from simple to complex.
1.Preparation of the phone: what to do before installing Alice
Before you start setting up, make sure your smartphone meets the minimum requirements.Alice officially supports Android 8.0 and newer devices, but you'll need to work with voice launch to make it work. MIUI 12 or higher. Check the version of your firmware in the Settings menu → The phone. → Version. MIUI.
Also prepare:
- 📱 Smartphone Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO less 2 GB of free memory
- 🔌 Battery charge from 50% (in case of long-term settings)
- 🌐 Stable connection to Wi-Fi or mobile Internet
- 🔑 Yandex Account (for synchronization of Alice settings)
Critical point: if your phone is purchased in China (firmware China) ROM), Some system settings may not be available, in which case you will need to unlock the bootloader and install global firmware (Global) ROM), What is beyond the scope of this article.
For models with a physical assistant button (e.g. Mi 11 Ultra or Redmi) K60) Check if it's locked in the settings. Go to Settings. → Special facilities → Help button and make sure the option is active.
2.Installation of Yandex Alice: official and alternative methods
The easiest way is to download the Yandex app with Alice from Google Play. MIUI (Especially Chinese) the app store may not be available:
Method 1: Google Play (recommended)
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Enter in the search "Yandex with Alice".
- Install the application (size) ~50MB).
- After installation, launch it and log in to Yandex account.
Method 2: Through APK-File (if Play Store is not available)
- 📥 Download the latest version APK from the official Yandex website: yandex.ru/mobile/assistant.
- 🔓 Allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Annexes → Special access → Installation of unknown applications.
- 📲 Install the downloaded file and launch the application.
After installation, update Alice to the latest version via Settings → About the annex → Update. This ensures compatibility with the latest versions. MIUI.
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If after installation Alice does not respond to voice commands, check the permissions of the application: Settings → Annexes → Yandex → Permits and enable microphone access, contacts and notifications.
3.Setting up Alice's voice launch
By default, Alice only starts when you click on an app icon or widget. To activate it with a voice (for example, the phrase "Hello Alice"), follow the following steps:
Step 1: Turn on the voice assistant in the settings of Yandex
- Open the Yandex app.
- Go to Alice. → Settings (⚙️) → Voice assistant.
- Activate the "Hello Alice" switch.
- Take a short voice training (3-4 phrases).
Step 2: Set up a constant listening (optional)
For models with Qualcomm Snapdragon processor (e.g, POCO F5 or Redmi K70) It's available as a "Always Listen" feature, which allows Alice to respond to her voice even when the screen is locked:
- 🔋 Make sure the battery is more than 30% charged (power-consuming function).
- 🎤 In Alice settings, activate “Work with a locked screen».
- 🔒 Allow the application to run in the background: Settings → Annexes → Yandex → Battery → No restrictions.
The latest update of the Yandex application has been installed
Enabled permission to access the microphone
The option "Hello Alice" has been activated.
Background work permitted
Voice learning completed-->
On models with a MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi Note 12), the Always Listen feature may not work as it does due to manufacturer limitations, in which case use the physical assistant button (see next section).
4.Alice's tether to the assistant button on Xiaomi
If your smartphone is equipped with a physical assistant call button (for example, Mi 11 Ultra, Redmi). K50 Gaming or Black Shark 5, it can be reassigned from Xiao AI This will require a third-party Button Mapper app or manual editing of system settings.
Method 1: Using Button Mapper (without root)
- Install Button Mapper from Google Play.
- Give the application special options in Settings → Special facilities → Button Mapper.
- Select the Assistant Button and set the “Start App” action» → Choose Yandex.
- Save the settings and test the button.
Method 2: ADB (for advanced users)
If Button Mapper is not working, use the command. ADB button-reassign:
adb shell settings put secure assistant "com.yandex.browser/ru.yandex.searchplugin.activity.AssistantActivity"Once you've completed the command, restart your phone. The assistant button will open Alice instead of Xiao. AI.
What if the button doesn’t work after reassignment?
5. Alice integration with system functions MIUI
In order for Alice to manage phone settings (for example, turn on a flashlight, adjust volume or launch applications), you need to configure integration through Yandex.Services and Automation in the Internet. MIUI.
Step 1: Connect Yandex.Services
- 🔗 Install the Yandex.Services application.
- 🔑 Log in to the same Yandex account as in the main application.
- 📱 In Alice settings, activate the option “Device Management».
Step 2: Set up automation in MIUI
To create voice commands related to system actions (for example, “Alice, turn on Do Not Disturb” mode), use the built-in Automation app (located in the Tools folder):
- Open Automation and create a new task.
- As a trigger, select “Voice Team» → «Yandex Alice».
- Add an action, such as “Change Sound Mode” or “Run the App.”
- Save the task and test it with the command “OK, Yandex, execute [task name].”
Example of working teams after setting up:
| Team for Alice. | Action on the phone | Automation is required |
|---|---|---|
| "Switch on the flashlight." | Activation of the flashlight | ✅ Yes. |
| "Set your alarm clock on 7:00 a.m.." | Creating an alarm clock | ❌ No. |
| "Run Spotify" | Opening of the annex | ✅ Yes. |
| "Take a screenshot" | Creating a screenshot | ✅ Yes. |
| "Turn on the mobile Internet." | Activation of data transmission | ✅ Yes. |
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To manage system functions (e.g., turning on mobile data), Alice needs special features. → Special facilities → Yandex.Services.
6. Solving common problems
Even after the right setup, Alice can work unstablely, and let's look at the typical mistakes and ways to fix them:
Problem 1: Alice doesn't respond to voice commands
- 🔇 Check if the microphone in the notification curtain is switched off.
- 📵 Make sure that in the battery settings for Yandex selected "Without restrictions».
- 🔄 Restart the application or reinstall it.
Problem 2: The assistant button doesn't trigger Alice
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (In this case, only custom firmware installation or using Magisk to modify system files will help.
Alternative solution – assign to the button start Yandex.Search, and in its settings activate the automatic transition to Alice.
Problem 3: Alice doesn't control system functions
- 🔧 Check if Yandex.Services application is installed.
- 🔑 Provide all the permissions requested in Settings → Annexes → Yandex.Services → Permits.
- 📱 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version – old firmware may not support Automation.
Problem 4: Fast battery drain after Alice setup
⚠️ Warning: Always Listening can increase battery consumption 10-15%. Turn it off if you don't use voice launch from a locked screen. Also add Yandex to battery optimization exceptions: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications → Yandex → No restrictions.
7.Opportunity: Alice as a smart home control center
If you have smart home devices (such as Yeelight lamps, Xiaomi Mi Home outlets or Yandex Station speakers), Alice can be configured as a central control panel.
Step 1: Connect devices to Yandex
- 💡 Open the Yandex application and go to the section “Smart home».
- 🔌 Click Add Device and select a brand (e.g. Xiaomi or Yeelight).
- 📱 Follow the instructions on the screen for sync (scanning may be required) QR-code).
Step 2: Set up voice commands
Once the devices are connected, Alice automatically recognizes them.
- Alice, turn on the lights in the hall.
- “Set the temperature 22 degrees” (for Xiaomi air conditioning)
- "Run the Vacuum" (for Mi Robot Vacuum)
For devices connected via Mi Home, you will need additional configuration in the Yandex application:
- Go to the Smart Home → Settings → Integration».
- Select Mi Home and log in through your Xiaomi account.
- Allow access to the devices.
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If Alice doesn’t see the smart home devices, make sure they’re connected to the same Wi-Fi as the phone, and update the devices’ firmware through their native apps (Mi Home, Yeelight, etc.).