How to make Alice the primary voice assistant on Xiaomi: full instruction 2026

Voice assistants have become an integral part of modern smartphones, making it easier to perform everyday tasks. Owners of Xiaomi devices often face a dilemma: use the built-in Google Assistant or switch to a more adapted for Russian-speaking users option - Yandex Alice. The latter offers better integration with domestic services, understands the specifics of the Russian language and supports unique features such as managing a smart home Yandex or ordering a taxi.

Replacement of the standard assistant with Alice MIUI The default system blocks third-party assistants from working properly, and Xiaomi’s official documentation is silent about such capabilities. In this guide, we will discuss all the ways to install Alice on Xiaomi, including bypassing restrictions, customizing gestures and solving typical problems. MIUI 14 and newer, where protection algorithms have become stricter.

It's important to understand that the process is different from just installing an app, and that for Alice to become the primary assistant, you'll need to change the system settings, which may require administrator rights or even unlock the bootloader on some models, but don't worry, we offer solutions for different levels of training, from basic to advanced.

Why Alice is better than Google Assistant for Xiaomi in Russia

Before we get to the technical part, we will understand why we should change the standard assistant at all.

🔹 Localization: Alice was originally designed for Russian-speaking audiences, while Google Assistant often fails to recognize accents or specific turns. For example, the phrase “turn on the light in the hall” Alice will understand the first time, and Google may ask for clarification.

🔹 Integration with services: Alice works directly with Yandex.Music, Film Search, Yandex.Weather and even Zen. Google Assistant in Russia is deprived of some functions due to sanctions restrictions.

🔹 Smart home: If you have Yandex Station devices, Smart lamps or Yandex outlets, Alice controls them with no additional settings. Google Home in Russia is intermittent.

🔹 Offline features: Alice supports basic commands without internet (like running a timer or alarm clock), whereas Google Assistant requires a constant connection.

Of course, Google Assistant has its advantages, such as deep integration with Google Calendar or Gmail, but for most tasks in Russia, Alice is more practical.

Preparation of the smartphone: what to do before installation

Before installing Alice, follow a few mandatory steps to avoid common mistakes like "Alice doesn't answer her voice" or "app closes immediately."

📌 Update. MIUI last-minute:

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system;
• 📥 Install all available updates (especially critical for the MIUI 14+);
• ⚠️ On older versions. MIUI 12.5 Additional rights may be required (see section on the ADB).

📌 Clear the cache and data of Google Assistant (if installed):

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Google;
• 🧹 Click "Clear Cache" and "Clear Data";
• 🔄 Reset the device.

📌 Check the permissions for Yandex applications:

• 🎤 B Settings → Annexes → Permits → Microphone enable access for Yandex and Yandex Browser;
• 📍 B Settings → Confidentiality → Permits → Activate geodata for Yandex Maps;
• 🔋 B Settings → Battery → Battery optimization disable optimization for Yandex and Alice.

Download the latest version of the Yandex app from the official website | Update MIUI to the current version | Clear the Google Assistant cache | Issue all permissions for Yandex applications | Disable battery optimization for Alice

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⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi is released for the Chinese market (models with the prefix C in the title, for example Redmi Note). 12C), You may not have Google Play Services, in which case you will need to manually install it through APKMirror or Alice will not be able to log in.

Method 1: Install Alice without root rights (for MIUI 12-14)

This is the simplest method that works on most modern Xiaomi devices, and it doesn’t require unlocking the bootloader or getting root, but it has a limitation: Alice won’t become a system assistant (she won’t be called by holding the Home button for a long time), but a voice call using the phrase “Hi Alice” will work.

📱 Installation steps:

1. 📥 Download the official Yandex app from Yandex’s website (not from Google Play!) This is important because the store version may be outdated.
2. 🔧 Install. APK-File by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special access → Installation of unknown applications).
3. 🎤 Launch the app, log in and go through Alice's initial setup (allow access to microphone and contacts).
4. 🔊 Say the phrase “Alice Settings” and activate the option “Allow constant listening” (you need to enable autorun in the settings). MIUI).

🔧 Auto-start setting (required!):

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Yandex;
• 🔥 Press Auto Start and turn it on;
• 🔋 In the "Battery Consumption" section, select "No restrictions";
• 📶 In "Mobile Data" and "Wi-Fi" allow background data transfer.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F4) post-refresh MIUI Auto-run settings are reset. Check them after each system update!

💡

If Alice doesn’t respond to her voice, try reinstalling Yandex and re-issue all permissions. Also check if MIUI Optimization blocks her – temporarily disable the feature in Settings → Special Features → MIUI Optimization.

Method 2: Replacing Google Assistant with Alice via ADB (advanced)

This method makes Alice the default assistant that can be triggered by a long press on the Home button or gesture, but it requires a computer connection and the use of ADB (Android Debug Bridge), suitable for users with MIUI 13/14 on devices like Xiaomi 12T, Redmi K50 or POCO X4 Pro.

💻 What's the matter:

• 🖥️ Computer with Android installed SDK Platform-Tools;
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original);
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

📝 Instructions for replacing an assistant:

1. 🔗 Connect your smartphone to your PC and confirm trust in your computer on the device screen.
2. 🖱️ Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux) platform-tool folder.
3. 🔍 Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices Must appear serial number of your device.
4. 🔧 Follow the command to appoint Alice as the default assistant: adb shell pm grant ru.yandex.searchplugin android.permission.BIND_ASSISTANT_SERVICE adb shell cmd assistant set-default-assistant ru.yandex.searchplugin/.assistant.AssistantActivity
5. 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware may reset after the reboot. To fix the changes, follow an additional command:

adb shell settings put global assistant ru.yandex.searchplugin/.assistant.AssistantActivity

📊 Table of compatibility of methods:

💡

After application ADB-Alice will open with a long press on the Home button, but Google Assistant will remain in the system. To completely disable it, you need to deactivate the Google application in the settings, but this can disrupt the work of other services (for example, Google Play Market).

Customizing gestures and Alice's voice call

Even if Alice is installed, you have to set it up properly for easy use, and let's look at the basic ways to call and optimize your work.

👆 Gestures to call:

• 🤏 Double pressing the power button: in Settings → Buttons and gestures → Double press the power button select "Run Alice" (not available on all models);
• 🔍 Swipe on the lock screen: in Settings → Lock screen → Gestures can be assigned swipe up to call Alice;
• 🎤 Voice activation: In Alice's settings, turn on "OK Alice" or "Hello Alice" (requires constant access to the microphone).

🔊 Optimizing voice recognition:

• 📈 In Alice’s settings, select “Increased Recognition Accuracy” (increases battery consumption but improves response);
• 🔇 B Settings → Sound. → Eliminating noises: Turn off "Voice Improvement" - it interferes with Alice;
• 📱 If the smartphone is down, the voice call may not work. Turn on "Recognition in any position" in Alice's settings.

🔋 Battery savings:

• ⚡ B Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization Add Alice to Exceptions;
• 🔄 In Alice's settings, turn off "Show hints" - this will reduce background activity;
• 📴 If you do not use voice calls at night, set a schedule in Alice Settings. → Voice assistant → Schedule of work.

💡

If Alice stopped responding to her voice after the MIUI update, try resetting her settings: Go to Alice Settings → About → Reset. This will return all settings to factory settings without deleting your account data.

Solving Typical Alice Problems on Xiaomi

Even after installation, users are confronted with bugs, and we'll look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

🚨 Problem 1: Alice doesn't respond to voice commands

• 🔍 Reason: No microphone permits or battery optimization blocks work.
• ⚡ Solution: Check the permissions in Settings → Annexes → Yandex → Permissions; Disable Battery Optimization for Alice; Re-Start Yandex app.

🚨 Problem 2: Alice opens up but doesn't understand the commands

• 🔍 Reason: Incorrect regional settings or conflict with Google Assistant.
• ⚡ Solution: B Settings → Additionally. → Language and region set "Russia"; disable Google Assistant in Settings → Annexes → Google → Disable; Update Alice's data: say "Update data".

🚨 Problem 3: The Home button is not working

• 🔍 Reason: Resetting settings ADB post-refresh MIUI.
• ⚡ Solution: Re-execute ADB-Commands (see Method 2); Check if permissions for Yandex have been reset; If it doesn't work, try an alternative method through the Button Mapper app (requires root).

🚨 Problem 4: Alice closes or flies out quickly

• 🔍 Cause: Conflict with MIUI Optimization or lack of RAM.
• ⚡ Solution: B Settings → Special features turn off "MIUI Optimization" (reboot required); Clear the cache in Settings → Annexes → Yandex → Warehouse → Clear the cache; If you are using Redmi Note 11 or similar models with 4GB of RAM, close the background apps before calling Alice.