How to make the chosen voice assistant the main one on the Xiaomi smartphone: all the ways and limitations

Voice assistants have long been an integral part of modern smartphones, making it easier to perform everyday tasks - from setting an alarm clock to managing a smart home. Xiaomi device owners by default get the built-in XiaoAI assistant (or Mi). AI In global firmware, many users prefer alternatives: Google Assistant, Alice from Yandex or even Siri through integration with the Apple ecosystem. MIUI Limits the possibility of a full-fledged replacement of the voice assistant at the system level, leaving users only workarounds.

In this article, we’ll look at all the default methods available on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, from official settings to hidden features and third-party solutions. We’ll focus on the limitations of MIUI 14/15 and explain why some methods don’t work on all models. If you want your assistant to be activated by pressing the voice assistant button or by the “OK, Google” command, read on.

Why Xiaomi is limiting the default voice assistant

Unlike pure Android, where the user can freely choose any voice assistant in the settings, MIUI blocks this option for several reasons:

• 🔒 Ecosystem constraints: Xiaomi is pushing its own services, including XiaoAI, which is closely integrated with proprietary applications (e.g. Mi Home for smart home).
• 📱 Regional firmware: In Chinese versions MIUI (For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+) Google Assistant is not available at all, and in global ones, its functionality can be curtailed.
• 🛠️ Technical limitations: At the core level MIUI It binds hotkeys (such as holding the Home button) to XiaoAI, not the system key. API voice-assistant.

This doesn’t mean that changing assistant is impossible, it just requires additional steps. For example, Google Assistant can be activated through Google’s settings, but it won’t be the default assistant for physical buttons. And Alice from Yandex requires you to install a separate application and manually set up startup.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for Russia (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T or POCO X5 Pro) some methods may not work due to modified firmware. Check the version before you modify MIUI In Settings → The phone.

Method 1: Set up Google Assistant as the primary assistant (for global firmware)

If your Xiaomi smartphone runs on global or European firmware (e.g. MIUI Global 14.0.5), you can partially replace XiaoAI with Google Assistant.This method won’t make it the default assistant for physical buttons, but will allow voice commands to be used through Google services.

Steps:

1. Open the Google app (if not, install it from the Play Market).
2. Tap the profile icon in the top right corner → Settings → Google Assistant.
3. Select General Settings → Voice Assistant and activate the Google Switch.
4. Return to the basic assistant settings and turn on the Listen to “OK, Google” option.

Google Assistant will now respond to voice commands, but:

• 🔘 The voice assistant button (such as Home retention) will still run XiaoAI.
• 🔊 To activate Google Assistant, you will have to say “OK, Google” or use a gesture (for example, swipe from the corner of the screen).

Install the latest version of the Google app

Update Google Play Services

Check your internet connection (required for voice training)

Enable microphone access for the Google app-->

Method 2: Using Alice from Yandex (for Russian firmware)

On Xiaomi smartphones with firmware for Russia (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G), Alice from Yandex can become the main voice assistant, but with reservations. Unlike Google Assistant, it does not integrate into system settings, so you will need manual configuration.

Instructions:

1. Install Yandex with Alice from Play Market or AppGallery.
2. Open the app, log in and allow access to the microphone.
3. Go to Settings → Alice → Voice Activation and turn on the option to Listen to Alice.
4. For a quick start, add Alice's widget to the home screen or use a voice command.

Limitations:

• 🚫 It is impossible to tie Alice to the voice assistant button – she will only run XiaoAI.
• 🔄 To activate you will have to use the voice command “Alice” or open the application manually.
• 📶 In the background, Alice can consume more battery than Google Assistant.

XiaoAI (built-in)

Google Assistant

Alice from Yandex

Siri (through Apple integration)

Other-->

Method 3: Reassign the voice assistant button (routine devices only)

If you're willing to take drastic measures, you can reassign the physical voice assistant button (like Home or Power retention) to run another assistant, which requires root rights and doesn't work on all models.

Conditions required:

• 📱 Device with unlocked bootloader and installed Magisk.
• 🔧 Button Mapper or Xposed Framework (for older versions of Android).
• ⚠️ Backup data – incorrect settings can lead to failures.

Instructions (for Button Mapper):

1. Install Button Mapper from Magisk or Play Market.
2. Give the application root access.
3. Select the Assistant button (or Home long press) and set the Start the application action.
4. Specify the path to the Assistant app (e.g. com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox for Google Assistant).

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) Button reassignment may conflict with system gestures. Before making changes, check if the module is compatible with your version. MIUI forum-wise XDA Developers.

Method 4: Using Tasker to automatically start an assistant

If rooting is not an option, you can automate running the right assistant using the Tasker app.This method does not change the default assistant, but allows you to quickly open Google Assistant or Alice by gesture or voice command.

Algorithm of settings:

1. Install Tasker and AutoInput plugin (for simulating clicks).
2. Create a task with the action Launch the application and specify the assistant package (for example, com.yandex.browser for Alice).
3. Assign a trigger: for example, a gesture swipe up from the bottom edge or a voice command (via AutoVoice).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Doesn't require root rights.
• ✅ Flexible setting – you can assign different gestures to different assistants.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ The launch is not instantaneous (delay) ~1-2 seconds).
• ❌ Tasker consumes additional battery in the background.

Limitations and Features on Different Xiaomi Models

The effectiveness of the methods depends on the model of the smartphone and the version of MIUI. Below are the key differences:

• 📱 Xiaomi 13/14 Google Assistant can be activated officially on global firmware, but the Home button remains tied to XiaoAI. Google Assistant is not available on Chinese firmware.
• 📱 Redmi Note 12/POCO X5: In Russian firmware, Alice works stably, but requires manual start.
• 📱 Xiaomi Pad 6: On tablets MIUI Blocks the default assistant even more than on smartphones – most methods do not work.

On devices with MIUI 15 (2026) Xiaomi tightened the restrictions: now even ADB-commands to change assistants are blocked by the system by default:

adb shell settings put global assistant com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

The first feature that allowed Google Assistant to be assigned as the default assistant is now ignored on most devices.

💡

If you use voice commands often, add the widget of the right assistant to the home screen. For example, for Google Assistant, hold your finger in the free space of the screen → Widgets → Google → Assistant.

Alternative solutions: voice commands via Bluetooth and smart speakers

If you can not change the assistant on the smartphone itself, you can redirect voice requests to external devices:

• 🔊 Smart speakers: Connect your smartphone to Google Nest or Yandex Stations – they will process commands through their assistant.
• 🎧 Bluetooth headphones: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) support Google Assistant double-touch call.
• 🚗 Android Auto: In a car, voice commands are handled by Google Assistant, even if the phone has XiaoAI installed.

These methods do not solve the problem at the system level, but they do circumvent the limitations of MIUI in specific scenarios.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing voice assistant to Xiaomi