Many owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones face an intrusive feature that is introduced into the system after MIUI or HyperOS shell updates.This is about calling Google Assistant when you press the lock button for a long time.This option often gets in the way, especially if you are used to turning off the phone quickly or using the power button for other tasks, such as launching the camera.
To make matters worse, standard system settings do not offer a simple switch to turn off the feature, and users have to look for workarounds or change system settings to return the usual shutdown menu. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to solve the problem, from simple settings to the use of special utilities.
Don't panic if your smartphone starts to behave strangely after another update, it's a common practice to integrate Google services into hardware buttons that can be fixed. We'll look at the methods that work for different firmware versions and help you regain full control of the device.
Why Google Assistant Appears on the Power Button
Integrating voice assistant into the power button is a strategic decision by Google to increase the frequency of use of their service. GMS (Google Mobile Services, the default system, believes that it is more convenient for the user to call the assistant with a long press than a short one for the off menu. However, on Xiaomi smartphones, this often creates a conflict of habits.
Also, the MIUI shell has its own button settings that can overlap Android system settings. This leads to confusion: you change the setting in one place, but it doesn't apply. It's important to understand that this feature is not a virus or bug, but a regular, though annoying, behavior of the operating system.
It's worth noting that on global firmware versions, this setting is activated automatically when the device is first activated or after a major security update. Local versions, for example, in China, may behave differently, but when you flash it to the global, the problem returns.
Disconnection through Google Settings
The first logical step is to check the native settings of the Google app itself, and often the solution is here, because the system prioritizes the settings from the user profile.
In the window that opens, click on your account avatar in the top right corner. In the drop-down menu, select Settings. Then go to Google Assistant and find the All Assistant Settings tab, and that's where the physical buttons switch is hidden.
Find the "Language and input" or "Power button" (the name may vary depending on the translation version) and you need to put the "Use the power button" slider in an inactive state, and then the action should change to the standard one.
- 📱 Open the Google app and log in to your profile.
- ⚙️ Go to Settings. → Google Assistant → Power button.
- 🚫 Turn off the assistant activation switch.
If the function continues to work after these actions, it may be that the settings were applied incorrectly or blocked by the system, in which case, try restarting the device and checking the result again, sometimes the system takes time to synchronize the parameters.
☑️ Checking Google Settings
Use of the Button Mapper App
When standard methods don't work or a menu item is missing, third-party button reassignment tools come to the rescue. One of the most reliable tools is flar2's Button Mapper, which allows you to intercept system commands and replace them with your own.
Once you install the app, you'll need to give it special permissions through ADB (Android Debug Bridge) or built-in accessibility tools if the Android version allows.Without these rights, the app won't be able to control the power button. The setup process may seem complicated to beginners, but it's worth it.
⚠️ Warning: Providing deep permissions to third-party apps carries potential security risks. Use only proven high-ranking utilities on Google Play and do not install modified versions from unknown sources.
In the Button Mapper interface, select Power Button. Activate the "Configure" switch. Then in the "Long Press" section, select "Nothing" or "Power Menu" if the system allows you to emulate it, which will force you to disable the Google Assistant call.
Alternative applications for reassignment
System settings MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi shells have their own menus that may conflict with Google's settings. The latest versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14 have the option of more flexible button management, but it's often hidden in the depths of the menu. Check the "Additional Settings" section in the phone's main settings menu.
Find the option "Keyboard Combinations" or "Button Management." This option may be "Long-Tap Power Button." If it's active and installed on Google Assistant, change it to "Nothing" or "Off." This option depends on the region of the firmware.
It's also worth checking the "Special Features" section, and sometimes the assistant is attached there. If you see active Google services, try disabling them or restricting their access to hardware buttons, which is especially true for users who don't use voice control.
| Shell version | Location of settings | Availability of option |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12 Global | Google settings | Often absent |
| MIUI 13/14 | Supplemental settings → Combinations | Tall. |
| HyperOS 1.0 | Settings → Lock screen | Medium |
| China ROM | Missing (no GMS) | Low. |
Method using ADB commands
For advanced users who are not afraid of the command line, there is a method to disable the component through ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to directly interact with system settings, bypassing the GUI. You will need a computer and installed ADB drivers.
Connect your smartphone to your PC in USB debugging mode. Open the command line on your computer and type a command to change the global setting. This action forcibly disables the assistant's binding to the button at the system level.
adb shell settings put secure assistant_enabled 0In some cases, you need to change the value in the global section instead of secure. If the first command did not help, try the alternative. Be careful when entering commands, as an error can lead to system instability.
- 💻 Connect your phone to a computer with debugging enabled.
- 🔧 Enter adb shell settings put secure assistant_enabled 0.
- 🔄 Restart the device to apply changes.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Incorrectly changing system flags can cause the power button to stop responding to any action and you will have to reset your phone settings.
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Before using ADB, make sure to back up important data. While the command is secure, any manipulation of system settings carries minimal risk.
Solving the problem through the developer mode
Another hidden control is in the developer menu, and to get there, you have to quickly click seven times on the build number in the About Phone section, and after you activate the developer menu, a new item will appear in the settings.
Inside the developer menu, scroll down to the "Input" or "System UI" section, and you can find a setting that relates to the behavior of the navigation and power buttons, and look for items that say "Power button" or "Assistant."
This method doesn't work on all devices, because manufacturers often hide these options in stable firmware versions. However, on beta versions of HyperOS or custom builds, this is more common. If you find the appropriate switch, deactivate it.
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Developer Mode is a powerful tool, but only use it if you understand what each option is responsible for. Don't change the animation or scale settings unless you need to.