Xiaomi’s MIUI-based smartphones out of the box impose the company’s ecosystem on the user: its own XiaoAI assistant, Mi Browser, the Mi Cloud cloud, and even an alternative app store. But what if you prefer Google services — from search to voice assistant? Reflash the phone is not necessary: it is enough to properly configure the system so that Google becomes the main assistant at the system application level, not just an additional icon on the desktop.
In this guide, we will not only break down the basic launcher and search bar replacements, but also the hidden MIUI settings that allow you to integrate Google Assistant into the assistant call button, configure sync with Google Drive instead of Mi Cloud, and optimize Google services for battery saving. All instructions are relevant for models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra (2020-2026) and work without root rights.
Important: some features may vary depending on regional firmware (Global, EEA, China).If your smartphone is purchased in China, first install the global version of MIUI via Fastboot, otherwise some of Google’s services will not be available.
1. Replacement of Xiaomi system applications with analogues from Google
The first step is to remove or disable standard MIUI apps that duplicate Google’s features, which will free up memory and eliminate conflicts between assistants.
- 🔍 Search bar: Remove the Mi Search widget from your desktop and install the Google App (Google Search widget").
- 🌐 Browser: Uninstall Mi Browser via Settings → Annexes → Manage apps and make Chrome the default browser.
- ☁️ Cloud Storage: Disable Autosynchronization from Mi Cloud in Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud and set up backup in Google Drive.
- 🎤 Voice Assistant: Replace XiaoAI with Google Assistant (instructions in the next section).
⚠️ Note: Not all system applications MIUI You can delete without root permission, for example, Mi Video or Mi Music can only be turned off (Settings) → Annexes → Show it all. → [attachment] → Disable. Complete removal can cause malfunctions MIUI.
To replace the launcher, download Google Now Launcher (or Nova Launcher with Google Feed integration) from the Play Market.
- Click the empty space on the desktop → screen settings.
- Select the installed launcher as the main one.
- Turn on the Google App Feed option (news feed to the left of the desktop).
2. Set up Google Assistant as the primary voice assistant
By default, the Xiaomi Assistant Call button (long-term Home retention or gesture) triggers XiaoAI. To reassign it to Google Assistant:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management → All applications.
- Find XiaoAI and click Disable (Do not delete!).
- Install Google Assistant from Play Market and launch it.
- In the Google Assistant settings, activate the Assistant option by default.
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (Especially Chinese) the assistant button may not be reassigned:
- Install the Button Mapper app from the Play Market.
- Set a long-term Home retention to start Google Assistant.
Google App installed (version no lower than 14.0)
Disabled XiaoAI in the MIUI settings
Access to the microphone for Google
Synchronized Google account on the device-->
To check your fitness, say "OK, Google" or hold the Home button if the assistant doesn't respond:
- Go to Settings → Google → Settings for Google apps → Search, Assistant and Voice.
- Select Voice Match and turn on the Hey Google option.
- Take voice training (record 3-5 phrases for recognition).
3. Optimize sync with Google instead of Mi Cloud
MIUI aggressively suggests using Mi Cloud for backup, but its functionality is inferior to Google Drive (for example, there is no synchronization of SMS or Google Keep notes).
| Data data | Mi Cloud | Google Drive | How to transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | ✅ | ✅ | Export to.vcf → import to Google Contacts |
| Photo/Video | ✅ (limited to 5GB) | ✅ (15GB free of charge) | Install Google Photos and enable autoload |
| SMS/Call logs | ❌ | ✅ (Google Messages) | Download SMS Backup & Restore and save to Drive |
| Applications and settings | ✅ | ✅ (partly) | Use adb backup for a full copy |
To disable Mi Cloud completely:
- Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
- Turn off all sync switches.
- Click Exit from Xiaomi account (optional if you do not use other brand services).
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If push notifications in some applications (e.g. Mi Fit) have stopped working after Mi Cloud has been turned off, check the battery settings: MIUI can block background activity for non-system services. Add problem apps to the list No Limits in Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization
4. Integration of Google Feed on the desktop
Google Discover (formerly Google Feed) shows personalized news, weather and reminders right on your desktop to activate:
If you are using a standard MIUI launcher:
- Install Nova Launcher or Lawnchair.
- In the launcher settings, find the Google Feed option (in Nova it is Settings → Home Screen → Enable Google Discover).
- Swipe right on the desktop - tape should appear.
For MIUI 14+ users with an updated launcher:
- Long press on the desktop → Screen settings → Additional settings.
- Select Screen Style → Google (if available).
⚠️ Attention: On Chinese firmware (CN ROM) Google Discover tape may not work due to lack of Google Play services. ROM or installing GApps through TWRP.
How to get Google Feed back if it’s gone after MIUI update?
5. Optimizing the battery for Google services
MIUI is known for aggressive battery optimization, which often lulls Google's background processes, which may result in Gmail notifications not coming, Google Feed weather not being updated, or the assistant not responding to voice commands to fix:
- 🔋 For Google Play Services: Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization: Find Google Play Services and select Unlimited.
- 🔔 For notifications: Open Settings → Notifications → Notification management. Find the Google App and turn on all the switches.
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Autorun.
- Enable Autoplay for Google, Google Play Services, and Google Assistant.
Additionally, it is recommended to disable the Adaptive Battery function in Settings → Battery → Battery Mode, as it often conflicts with Google services.
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If you run out of battery faster after these settings, check Google Play Services activity in Settings → Battery → Battery Use. Normal consumption up to 5% per hour. If more, reset the app settings or reinstall it.
6. Reassign buttons and gestures for Google
On Xiaomi, you can set up physical buttons and gestures to quickly call Google services.
- 🔘 Double press of the power button: Settings → Buttons and gestures → Power button → Double-push → Launch the application → Google Assistant
- 👆 Gesture up from the bottom panel: Settings → Buttons and gestures → Full-screen display gestures → Gesture up. → Google Assistant
- 🔍 Gesture for Google Search: Settings → Buttons and gestures → Search gesture → Swipe down the desktop → Google search
There is no automatic tool to carry all the data, so the process is partially manual.