Xiaomi smartphone owners often face intrusive behavior from MIUI, which by default binds a Google Assistant call to a long-term home button press. This can be annoying, especially if you're used to classic navigation or using other voice control techniques. Instead of opening an app or returning to your desktop, the device starts activating voice search, which is confusing and disrupts the usual rhythm of use of the gadget.
Fortunately, the MIUI shell has the ability to reconfigure this control. Disconnection doesn't require root rights or third-party launchers. All the tools are already built into the system, but they can be hidden in non-obvious menu sections. Understanding the logic of the interface will help you quickly regain control of your device.
In this article, we will break down the step-by-step algorithm for different firmware versions, learn how to reassign the action to a long-press or completely disable integration with Google services in this context. The exact sequence of steps may vary slightly depending on the version of Android and the regional build of MIUI, but the basic principles remain unchanged.
Why Google Assistant is activated when you click
The default logic of modern Android and MIUI is fast access to AI, which is that developers think it's convenient for the user to call the assistant in one action, but in practice, this often leads to random activations when the phone is in your pocket or when you just want to get back to the home screen faster but hold your finger.
MIUI system priorities favor Google services if the language is set in English or if the device's sales region is dominated by Western services. In Chinese firmware versions, for example, XiaoAI can be activated by default, but when global firmware or region change, the settings are reset to Google, which creates a situation where the feature is turned on without the owner's knowledge.
It's important to understand that the Home button, in the software sense, is not just a physical or screen element, but a trigger that is assigned an event. Long Press is a separate event that the system interprets as an assistant's start command, and by changing the purpose of that event, you fix the problem.
⚠️ Attention: If you accidentally activate Google Assistant and it starts dictating text or executing commands, just click on the cross or say "Stop" to interrupt the process.
Sometimes the problem isn't with the button settings, but with the Google app itself, which can have enhanced screen and navigation permissions, and in such cases, a simple reconfiguration may not work, and you'll need to tamper with the app settings more deeply.
Configure via the navigation button menu
The main way to control the behavior of the Home button is in the navigation section of the system settings, which is where you get the Google off the home button to the xiomy. The interface may vary a little, but the path to the goal is the same. You need to find the section related to the gesture or button management.
Go to Settings and find Additional or Advanced Settings. Depending on the version of MIUI, the section you want to look for may be called Full Screen Mode or System Navigation, and there are key switches that control the touchscreen response to your actions.
- 📱 Open the settings of your Xiaomi smartphone.
- ⚙️ Go to the Additional section (or Advanced Settings).
- 🖱️ Select Full Screen Mode or Button Management.
- 🔍 Find the option to Press and Hold the Home button».
The menu that opens will offer you a few options, usually Google Assistant, No, or running a specific application, select No if you want to turn off the reaction completely, or choose another application that you feel more comfortable running with a long press.
☑️ Checking the navigation settings
Once you change the setting, the system might ask you to confirm an action or show you a training window. Agree and check the result. Now, if you hold the center button for a long time, nothing should happen, or the application you choose will open. This restores is the classic interface behavior.
Disabling in the Google Assistant settings
If the navigation settings change is not effective, it may be that the lock is at the level of the Google app itself.The assistant has its own priorities and can intercept control, ignoring the system settings of the MIUI.
Open the Google app (G icon) on your device. Click on the profile avatar in the top right corner and select Settings. Then go to the Google Assistant section, and there are many options for how the voice assistant behaves.
Find the Google Assistant (within the assistant settings) and scroll down to the Google Assistant section, where the option should be "Access with the Home button. The switch should be active. Turn it off."
| Parameter | Current status | Recommended action | The result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home button | Included. | Turn it off. | No assistant called. |
| Hey Google | Included. | If you wish, | Disabling voice call |
| Screen locking | Included. | Turn it off. | Prohibiting access without unlocking |
| Personal results | Included. | Leave it. | Preserving the search context |
Once this option is disabled, the system will no longer associate long-term button pressing with the assistant running, and Google will stop intercepting the click event, which is the most reliable method if the standard MIUI settings are not applied for some reason.
⚠️ Note: After updating the Google app, settings may reset. Check this section periodically, especially after major security updates or Google Search itself.
What to do if the switch is grey?
Use of third-party launchers
When system methods fail or the MIUI shell seems too limited, third-party launchers come to the rescue, and replacing the standard desktop is a radical but effective way to take full control of navigation and buttons.
Popular launchers like Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Niagara have their own navigation button settings that override the system. By installing such a launcher, you get an independent control layer. In the launcher settings, you can often assign a long-pressed home button to launch any application, open the notification curtain, or nothing at all.
To install a third-party launcher download APK-You can find the file or the app on Google Play. Once installed, Xiaomi will ask for permission to use the default launcher. Confirm the selection and click "Always." Now the interface will change, and you can set the buttons in the launcher's menu itself.
- 🚀 Download Nova Launcher or analogue from Play Market.
- 🔧 Install and launch the application.
- 🏠 Click the Home button and select Always Use the new launcher.
- ⚙️ Go to the launcher settings. → Input and gestures → Home button».
Using third-party software gives flexibility, but can take time to get used to. MIUI has unique features that can be incorrectly displayed in third-party shells. However, for those who want to remove any reminders about Google, this is ideal.
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When installing a third-party launcher, turn off battery optimization for it in the MIUI settings so that the system does not “kill” the process and button settings are not reset.
Specifics of different versions of MIUI
The MIUI shell is constantly updated, and the settings may vary from version to version. In MIUI 12 and 13, the paths may differ from MIUI 14 or HyperOS. Understanding these differences will help you avoid getting confused in the menu.
In older versions (MIUI 10-11), the setting was often right in the “Advanced” menu. In newer versions (MIUI 13/14/HyperOS), Xiaomi aims to unify the interface, and the navigation settings are often hidden deeper or combined with gesture settings. If you haven’t found the “Home button” item, try searching in the “Fast” section or through a search by settings.
Type "button" or "home" into your settings search, and the system will highlight the partition itself. It's the fastest way to find the right option in the confusing menu of the new firmware. Settings search is faster than manual brute force.
Regional differences are also worth considering. The Global (Global) and China (CN) versions have different sets of apps. The Chinese version has XiaoAI built in by default, and the Google Assistant may not be available until you manually install it, in which case the problem is solved by removing or disabling the Google app itself.
Problem Solving and Frequent Errors
Even following the instructions, users sometimes find that the button continues to call the assistant, which can be due to a cache, an application conflict, or a system bug.
The first thing to do is clear the cache of the Google app and Google Play service. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find Google, click Clear → Clear cache. Repeat the same for Google Play Services. This won't delete your data, but it will reset temporary files that may be causing errors.
If the problem persists, check if you have a button management app (like Button Mapper) that is of high priority and can ignore system settings.
⚠️ Attention: If after all the manipulations the button behaves strangely (doubles, sticks software), it may be a problem in the hardware of the touchscreen or plume.
Sometimes it helps to just restart the device. In Android, many processes are hanging in memory and don't update their configuration files until you restart. Turn off the phone completely and turn it on again. This often "cures" stuck interface settings.
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Resetting the Google app cache and rebooting the device solve 90% of problems with incorrect behavior of the Home button.