How to make “Alice” from Yandex voice assistant by default on Xiaomi smartphones

Why Alice is better than Google Assistant on Xiaomi and how to install it

Voice assistants have become an integral part of modern smartphones, but not all Xiaomi users are happy with the standard Google Assistant. “Alice” from Yandex offers more adapted to the Russian audience functions: accurate answers to questions about the weather in Russian cities, integration with local services (for example, Yandex.Maps or Yandex.Music), as well as support for unique teams for managing a smart home from “Yandex” (unlike Google, which often requires additional bridges).

In this article, you will find current methods of replacing voice assistant with Redmi, Poco and other Xiaomi devices running MIUI 12/13/14 (including HyperOS).We will look at both the official ways through settings, and advanced ways using ADB or third-party applications. Importantly, some methods require unlocking the bootloader or superuser rights, which can affect the warranty.

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. Methods for MIUI 12 and HyperOS may be different.
• 🔒 bootloader status: if it is blocked, some methods will not be available.
• 🎤 Is Alice Installed: Download the official application from Yandex.Catalog or Google Play.

Method 1: Adjust Alice through standard MIUI settings (without ADB)

The easiest way to do this is to try to assign Alice to the default assistant through the settings menu, which unfortunately doesn't work on all devices (most often on the Poco F3/F4 or Redmi Note 10/11 with global firmware).

1. Open the Alice app and complete the initial setup (allow access to microphone, geodata, etc.).
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Alice.
3. Tap on the item "By default" (or Default apps in the English version).
4. Select Voice Assistant and select Alice instead of Google.

If Voice Assistant is not on the menu, your version of MIUI will block this option, so move on to the following methods.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI China) even after Alice is appointed by default, she may not be triggered by the power button or the command “OK, Google”, due to the deep integration of Google services into the system.

Method 2: Using ADB to force a change of assistant

If the standard method didn't work, you could use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that allows you to change system settings, which doesn't require root, but requires a computer and a developer mode on.

Steps:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times. Then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and turn on “Debugging by USB.”
2. Connect your phone to your PC, install Xiaomi drivers (if necessary) and check the connection with the command: Adb devices will be the serial number of the device in response.
3. Follow the command to appoint Alice as the default assistant: adb shell pm grant ru.yandex.alice android.permission.BIND_ASSISTANT_SERVICE Next: adb shell settings put global assistant ru.yandex.alice/.AliceActivity
4. Reset the device.

After the reboot, check if Alice is working on:

• 🔘 Press the Home button (if you have one on your model).
• 🎙️ Alice voice command (if continuous listening is enabled).
• 🔍 The widget on the main screen.

Method 3: Alice-enabled launcher applications

Some third-party launchers (like Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher) allow you to assign an alternative voice assistant through their settings.This won't replace Google Assistant at the system level, but will allow you to quickly call Alice with a gesture or button.

Instructions for Nova Launcher:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play and make it the default launcher.
2. Go to Settings Nova → Gestures and controls → gesture “Swipe up”.
3. Select "Alice"** and save the settings.
4. Now swipe up from the dock panel will open Alice.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ No, he doesn't. ADB root.
• ✅ It works on all versions. MIUI.
• ❌ Does not replace the power button assistant or voice command.

💡

If Alice is not responding to voice commands, check the microphone permissions in Settings → Privacy → Application permissions → Microphone and enable constant listening in Alice’s app settings.

Method 4: Root + Magisk for full replacement (for advanced)

If you're willing to take drastic measures, you can completely remove Google Assistant and assign Alice to the system assistant.

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (instructions for Xiaomi are available on the 4PDA).
• 🛠️ Installed Magisk (to obtain root).
• 📦 Assistant Enabler module or manual file editing build.prop.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Magisk Manager and get root access.
2. Download the Assistant Enabler module (available on GitHub) and install it through Magisk.
3. Reset the device.
4. Open build.prop (for example, through Root Explorer) and add a string: ro.opa.eligible_device=true
5. Set Alice by default via ADB (see Method 2).

⚠️ Warning: Changing system files can lead to bootloop ( looped boot).Before experimenting, back up through TWRP Or Mi Flash Tool.

Solving problems: Alice doesn't work after setting up

If Alice doesn’t start or conflicts with Google Assistant after all the manipulations, try the following steps:

• 🔄 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Annexes → Alice. → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔧 Resetting the assistant settings: in Settings → System system → Gestures → Voice assistant reset settings to standard.
• 📱 Alice reinstallation: Remove the app and reinstall it from an official source.
• 🔒 Permit check: Make sure Alice is allowed access to Microphone, GeoDan and AutoRun.

If the problem persists, check the error log through ADB:

adb logcat | grep -i "assistant"

Frequent errors:

Permission denied → lack of rights (try root).

- Service not found → Alice is not registered as a service (check the commands from Method 2).

Binding failed → conflict with Google Play Services (disable its updates).

💡

On devices with HyperOS (such as Xiaomi 14), an additional patch for Android 14 may be required, as the system blocks the default assistant change without certification.

Alternative ways to call Alice without replacing an assistant

If none of the methods worked, you can use Alice in parallel with Google Assistant, assigning her to:

• 🔔 Widget on the home screen: add Alice widget (prolonged tap on the screen) → Widgets).
• 🎵 Voice command via Yandex: say “Hey, Yandex” instead of “OK, Google».
• 🔘 Quick settings: Add Alice's tile to the notification curtain (swipe down) → Edit).
• 🤖 Tasker or MacroDroid: Create an automatic rule to run Alice by gesture or time.

For owners of Xiaomi with IR-A blaster (e.g. Redmi Note 9 Pro or Poco) X3) There is a bonus: Alice can control the equipment through the infrared port, while Google Assistant does not support this feature.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up Alice on Xiaomi