Voice assistant Alice from Yandex has long overtaken Google Assistant in functionality for Russian-speaking users: it better understands accent, integrates with local services (taxis, delivery, banks) and supports offline commands. However, on Xiaomi Redmi 9 with MIUI firmware, the Google Assistant is activated by default - even if you have never used it. The system ignores the default settings and opens Google App when you hold the Home button or voice command long.
The problem is that MIUI doesn’t provide a standard way to change assistant — the corresponding item is either missing or blocked, due to the agreements between Xiaomi and Google (mandatory pre-installation of Google services on GMS devices), but you can get around the restriction in three ways: through ADB, configuring the Yandex application or installing a third-party launcher. In this article, current methods for MIUI 12-14 on Redmi 9 (lancelot models), tested in 2026.
Why doesn't Alice become the default assistant?
The Redmi 9 (and other Xiaomi GMS smartphones) are subject to system restrictions:
- 🔒 Locking at the level MIUI: Even if you set Yandex as the default assistant in the application settings, the system will ignore the choice when calling voice (Home button or the command “OK, Google»).
- 🤖 Google Assistant Priority: The firmware forcibly opens the Google App with a long press on Home, as it is written in the system file config.xml.
- 📱 No option in settings: Unlike Samsung or Huawei, where you can choose the assistant manually, Xiaomi hides this option.
Another reason is the conflict of versions: If you have an outdated version of Yandex (up to 23.0) installed on your smartphone, the system may not recognize it as a full-fledged assistant. Update the application to the latest version on Google Play or via APKMirror before setting up.
Method 1: Configure with ADB (most reliable)
The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method is the only way Google officially supports to change the default assistant, and it works on all versions of MIUI and does not require root rights.
- 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 📱 Included debugging by USB Redmi 9.
Steps:
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. Tap the MIUI Version line 7 times until the “You’ve become a developer” notification appears.
USB-debugging
- Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
- Activate the debugging switch over USB and confirm the action.
- Connect Redmi 9 to your computer and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
- Download ADB Tools and unpack the archive.
- Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB and execute commands in order: adb devices (serial number device should appear) adb shell pm list packages | grep assistant (check installed assistants) adb shell cmd assistant set-default-assistant com.yandex.browser (installing Alice as default assistant)
- Reboot your smartphone.
- Return to Android Settings and Reset Launcher Cache: Settings → Apps → Application Management → Nova Launcher → Storage → Clear Cache
| Launcher | Alice's support | Need an ADB? | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nova Launcher | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | Premium version for extended gestures |
| Microsoft Launcher | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | Bing ads in search |
| Action Launcher | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | A complex interface for beginners |
| MIUI Launcher | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes, only through ADB) | Limited customization |
Warning: Replacing the launcher may result in:
- 🔄 Reset widgets on the main screen.
- 📱 Conflicts with system applications (e.g., Xiaomi Theme Store may stop working).
- 🔋 Increased battery consumption (some launchers consume more resources than standard launchers) MIUI Launcher).
💡
If the unlock animation is missing after the launcher change, return it via the Nova Launcher settings: Settings → Appearance → Unlock animation → MIUI-style.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Even after a successful setup, Alice may not work properly, and consider the typical errors and ways to fix them:
1.Alice does not start from the Home button
Causes and solutions:
- 🔧 Resetting Assistant Settings: Go to Settings → Annexes → Yandex → Warehouse → Clear the data and set up the assistant again.
- 📱 Conflict with Google App: Turn off Autoplay for Google in Settings → Annexes → Google → Auto-start.
- 🔄 Update MIUI: After the system update, the assistant settings are reset. ADB.
2 Alice launches but doesn't respond to voice commands
Check it out.
- 🎤 Permissions for microphone: Settings → Annexes → Yandex → Permits → Microphone.
- 📶 Internet connection: Alice requires stable connection for speech recognition.
- 🔊 Voice settings: in the Yandex application go to Alice → Voice settings → Voice training.
3. Google Assistant opens again after the reboot
This is a typical MIUI 13/14 problem.
- 🔧 Turn off Google Assistant: Open the Google app. Go to More → Settings → Google Assistant → General. → Turn off Google Assistant.
- 📵 Freeze the Google App through ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox (Warning: This will disable all Google features, including search!)