How to Install Alice as the Default Voice Assistant on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9: The Complete Guide

Voice assistants have long been an integral part of smartphones, but not all users of Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 know that the standard Google Assistant can be replaced by Alice from Yandex. MIUI By default, it blocks the assistant from changing through normal settings. Depending on the firmware version and the applications installed, the process can vary from simply changing the application by default to using the app. ADB-team.

Many people face a problem when, after installing Yandex.Browser or Alice application, the voice assistant is not activated by a button or a voice command. MIUI, But it's possible to get around these limitations, and we'll show you how to do it safely and without risk to your device.

Why doesn’t Alice become the default assistant automatically?

The fact is that Android splits voice assistants into two types: system (built into firmware) and side (user-installed). Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 out of the box comes with a pre-installed Google Assistant, which has system app privileges.

• 🔹 The voice button (long-term press on Home or special key) always calls Google Assistant, even if Alice is installed.
• 🔹 The “OK, Google” command is tightly tied to Google Assistant and is not reassigned.
• 🔹 Default settings in the App menu → By default, do not contain a point for changing voice assistant.

Besides, MIUI Actively blocks changes to standard applications for key functions (calls, SMS, browser, assistant, to ensure the stability of the system, but this does not mean that the change is impossible, it just requires a workaround.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13+ Android 12+ Some methods (e.g. disabling Google Assistant via Google Assistant) ADB) You may require additional permissions or cause failures.We recommend backing up your data before changing your system settings.

Another reason is the application conflict: if the phone has a Yandex.Browser, a separate Alice app and a separate Yandex Launcher app installed at the same time, the system may misidentify which one should be responsible for voice commands, in which case cleaning the cache or prioritizing one of the applications helps.

Preparation of the smartphone: what to do before setting up

Before you start changing your voice assistant, make sure your Redmi Note 9 meets the minimum requirements:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: 12 or newer (on MIUI 11 and below some methods may not work).
• 🤖 Android version: 10 and higher (Android 9 requires manual editing of system files).
• 🔧 Developer rights: included (instruction below).
• 📥 Installed applications: Yandex.Browser (last version) or separate application Alice.

If the developer rights are not activated, do so:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version and tap it 7 times in a row until the notification “You’ve become a developer!” appears.
3. Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.

We also recommend:

• 🔄 Update all Yandex apps to the latest versions via Google Play.
• 🧹 Clear the cache and data of Google and Yandex applications in the Settings menu → Annexes.
• 🔒 Disable battery optimization for Yandex applications (in battery settings).

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi Note 9 has custom firmware installed (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the process may be different. In some cases, you will need to manually edit the build.prop file or install patches through Magisk.

Install Yandex.Browser or Alice application|

Include developer rights|

Update all Yandex applications|

Clear the cache of Google and Yandex|

Disable battery optimization for Yandex applications-->

Method 1: Configure through standard parameters MIUI (without ADB)

This method is suitable for users who already have Alice installed, but not activated by voice command or button. It does not require a PC connection and works on most versions. MIUI 12-14.

Step 1: Open Yandex.Browser and log in to your account. Go to your browser settings (⋮ → Settings) and find the Alice section. Make sure the Voice Assistant switch is on.

Step 2: Go back to the home screen and say "OK, Yandex" or "Hi, Alice." If the assistant answers but doesn't activate on the button, move on to the next step.

Step 3: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Select the "Voice Assistant" option (if any) and select Yandex.Browser or Alice.

If there is no "Voice Assistant" option in the settings, try an alternative path:

1. Open the settings → System → Gestures.
2. Find the section "Long pressing the home button".
3. Select "Voice Search" and specify Yandex.Browser.

💡

If after changing the assistant Alice does not respond to voice commands, restart the phone and repeat setting voice gong in Yandex.Browser (Settings) → Alice. → Voice match).

Method 2: Using ADB to force a change of assistant

If the standard settings do not help, you will have to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) — It's a debugging tool that allows you to change system parameters. MIUI 13/14 and requires a smartphone connection to the PC.

Step 1: Download and install ADB-computer-driver:

• 🖥️ For Windows: Google's Platform Tools.
• 🍎 For macOS/Linux: Install it with brew install android-platform-tools).

Step 2: Connect Redmi Note 9 to PC via USB, Turn on the debugging. USB Developer settings and confirm trust in the computer.

Step 3: Open the command line (or Terminal) and type:

adb devices

Make sure your device appears in the list. Then follow the command to disable Google Assistant:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

This command does not remove the application completely, but only disables it for the current user.

1. Reboot the phone.
2. Try activating Alice with a long press on Home or a voice command.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 14 this command may cause the system launcher to crash. If a black screen appears after the reboot or the System Interface Stopped error appears after the reboot, reset the launcher settings via ADB: adb shell pm clear com.miui.home

If Alice is still out of work, try an alternative command to force the default assistant:

adb shell cmd appops set com.yandex.browser android:default_assistant ALLOWED

Method 3: Use of third-party launchers (Nova, Yandex Launcher)

If previous methods have not worked, the restrictions can be avoided. MIUI It's an alternative launcher, and it doesn't require that. ADB It is suitable for users who do not want to interfere with system settings.

Step 1: Install Yandex Launcher or Nova Launcher from Google Play. After installation, select it as the default launcher in your application settings.

Step 2: In the settings of the selected launcher, find the "Voice Assistant" or "Gestural" section:

• 🔍 In Yandex Launcher: Settings → Alice. → Default voice assistant.
• 🌟 In Nova Launcher: Settings → Gestures and entrances → Long home-pressing.

Step 3: Assign Alice or Yandex.Browser as a long-press activation application on Home.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔹 No, he doesn't. ADB or superuser rights.
• 🔹 It even works on MIUI 14 with Android 13.
• 🔹 Allows flexibility to customize other gestures (e.g. swipe up to call an assistant).

Disadvantages:

• 🔸 Changes the appearance of the desktop (when using Yandex Launcher).
• 🔸 Some system features (e.g., “OK, Google”) will remain tied to Google Assistant.

💡

Using a third-party launcher is the safest way to change voice assistant, as it does not affect system files and easily rolls back.

Solving problems: Alice fails to respond or resets

Even after a successful setup, Redmi Note 9 users may face typical problems:

If Alice stopped working after the update MIUI, It's probably back to Google Assistant:

1. Repeat. ADB-command to disable Google Assistant.
2. Clear the cache and data of Google and Yandex applications.
3. Reinstall Yandex.Browser.

On the Redmi Note 9 with firmware MIUI 13.0.6+ You may need an additional command to block the automatic recovery of Google Assistant:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

This command completely disables the application for the current user, but does not remove it from the system.

💡

After the update MIUI Alice stopped responding to voice commands, try to retrain the voice match: open Yandex.Browser, go to Settings → Alice. → Voice match and go through the procedure again.

Alternative ways to call Alice (without changing the default assistant)

If none of the methods worked, or you don’t want to risk the stability of the system, you can use alternative ways to quickly call Alice:

• 🔘 Desktop widget: Add Yandex.Browser or Alice widget with voice search button.
• 🔗 Quick action in the notification panel: In the settings of Yandex.Browser, enable the option "Show in the notification panel".
• 🎤 Voice activation via Bluetooth devices: Some headphones (such as Xiaomi AirDots) allow you to assign Alice a double-press call.
• 📱 Gesture in settings MIUI: Assign a swipe over the lock screen to Alice's call (Settings) → Lock screen → Gestures).

For users who often use voice search, it is convenient to set up Google Assistant to call Alice.

1. Open Google Assistant and say, “Open Yandex.Browser.”
2. Create a routine in Google Assistant: When I say “Alice” Run: Open Yandex.Browser

This will not replace the default assistant, but will allow you to quickly switch between them.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up Alice on Redmi Note 9