How to Install Voice Commands on Xiaomi Phone: A Complete Guide to Secrets

Voice control of a smartphone has long ceased to be fiction — a real tool that saves time and makes interaction with the device more convenient. Xiaomi phone owners have two options for voice assistants: built-in Xiao AI from the manufacturer and universal Google Assistant. But how to set them up so that commands are executed the first time? Why voice search sometimes does not hear you and assistant refuses to open applications?

In this article, we'll look at not only the basic setup, but also the hidden settings that the manufacturer doesn't advertise, how to make the phone respond to voice even from a locked screen, what phrases work without the Internet, and why the Redmi Note 12 can behave differently than the Xiaomi 13 Ultra. And also the model compatibility table and the list of commands that only Xiao AI understands.

If you've tried voice control before, but you've encountered errors like "Can't connect to the server" or "Voice input is not available," don't rush to reset the settings. In 90% of cases, the problem is solved by changing one or two settings in the developer menu or clearing the cache, and we'll show you where to look for them.

1.What voice assistants are available on Xiaomi

Xiaomi smartphones support two main types of voice control: the built-in Xiao AI (the company’s own development) and Google Assistant (from Google), each with pros and cons to consider when choosing.

Xiao AI is more integrated into MIUI – it can manage system functions (for example, turn on Do Not Disturb mode or change the theme of the design), but it only works in Chinese and English. Google Assistant, on the contrary, supports Russian, but some commands (such as running specific MIUI settings) may not work.

And there's a third option, voice typing (like the Gboard keyboard), which is not a full-fledged assistant, but it's convenient for quick messages. Let's take a closer look at all three.

• 🤖 Xiao AI — Integrated assistant understands commands for MIUI (For example, "turn on reading mode," but it requires the Internet. MIUI 12 and newer.
• 🎤 Google Assistant is a universal assistant with support for Russian, but some Xiaomi functions are closed for it (for example, infrared port management).
• ⌨️ Voice input is not an assistant, but a tool for dictating text in messengers or a browser. It works offline.

Important: on models for the Chinese market (China) ROM) Google Assistant can be blocked, and you have to manually install it through the Google Assistant. APK-file or change region in settings.

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If your Xiaomi doesn’t respond to “OK, Google,” check to see if Google Assistant is disabled in the app settings, often after you reset your phone.

2.Preparation of the phone before setting up

Before you set up voice commands, make sure your phone is ready for it.

Update: Voice assistants often require the latest version MIUI. For example, Xiao AI on MIUI 13 may not support some teams that work on MIUI 15. You can check the version in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

System language: Xiao AI will need to add English or Chinese in the language settings (Settings → Additional → Language and Entering). Google Assistant works in Russian, but some commands (such as managing a smart home) may require English.

Microphone and Permissions: Make sure that the assistant apps are allowed to access the microphone. This is configured in Settings → Applications → Permissions → Microphone.

Update MIUI last-minute|Add English/Chinese|Check the microphone permissions for assistants|Clear the cache of Google Play Services (if you use Google Assistant)|Turn off battery savings for assistant apps-->

Pay special attention to battery savings. If the phone aggressively closes the background, the voice assistant may not work. For Google Assistant, add it to exceptions: Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management → App Selection.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, Poco M3) post-update MIUI 14 missing the possibility of launching Xiao AI This is a firmware bug, and it's only going to help you roll back to the previous version or manually install the patch.

3. Set up Google Assistant on Xiaomi

Google Assistant is the most versatile assistant for Xiaomi, especially if you use Russian.

1. Install the Google app from the Play Market (if it doesn't exist) and some firmware (China ROM) will have to download it manually from apkmirror.com.

2. Launch the Google app, click on the profile icon in the top right corner and select Settings → Google Assistant.

3. In the Assistant section, tap the Phone and turn on the Google Assistant option. Then activate Voice Match and record voice samples (repeat the phrase "OK, Google" 3 times).

4. Go back to the basic assistant settings and turn on:

• 🔊 Allow access from a locked screen (to allow the assistant to work without unlocking)
• 📱 Use screen lock (for security purposes)
• 🌐 Personal results (to have the assistant show your letters, reminders, etc.)

Once set up, check the work with the command, "OK, Google, turn on the flashlight." If the phone doesn't respond, restart it and repeat recording voice samples.

4. Activation and configuration of Xiao AI

Xiao AI is a Xiaomi assistant that can do more than Google Assistant when it comes to setting up a system.

• 🔦 Enable Reading Mode or Dark Theme on command
• 📶 Manage mobile Internet (enable/disable data transfer)
• 🔄 Reboot the phone

But there is a caveat: it fully works only in English and Chinese.

To enable Xiao AI:

1. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps and find Xiao AI.

2. Click Enable (if the application is disabled).

3. Go back to the basic settings and select Settings → Voice Assistant.

4. Enable the option Voice activation and record voice samples (say "Hi, Xiao AI" 3 times).

For Russian-speaking users, there is a workaround: you can use Google Assistant to run Xiao AI by the command "OK, Google, open Xiao AI." After that, you can give commands in English, for example:

"Turn on reading mode"


"Open camera in pro mode"




"Set brightness to 50 percent"

⚠️ Attention: On Poco models F3 Xiaomi 11T s MIUI 13 Xiao AI It can conflict with Google Assistant, and you have to choose one assistant or use them in turn, disabling the unnecessary in the settings.

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Xiao AI understands commands to control an infrared port (e.g., “turn on the TV”), whereas Google Assistant requires a separate Mi Remote app to do so.

5. Voice typing: how to dictate messages

If you don't need a full assistant, just the ability to quickly dictate a message, use voice input in the keyboard. This works even without the Internet (on some models).

For Gboard (keyboard from Google):

1. Open any field to enter text (e.g. WhatsApp).

2. Click on the microphone icon on the keyboard.

3. Speak the text. To put a comma, say "coma"; for a new line, say "new line."

For the MIUI keyboard:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Language and input → Current keyboard → Settings.

2. Enable Voice Enter.

3. When you enter text, hold the space button and a microphone will appear.

Tip: If voice input doesn't recognize words, try:

• 🗣️ Speak more clearly, closer to the microphone (it is located at the bottom of the phone)
• 🔇 Turn off noise reduction in microphone settings
• 🌐 Switch to English input (recognition often works more accurately)

6. Solving common problems

If voice commands don’t work, check out these points:

Problem 1: The phone doesn’t respond to “OK, Google” or “Hi, Xiao AI.”

• 🔄 Reboot the phone – it resets the background processes.
• 🎤 Check if the microphone is drowning out the cover or film.
• 📱 Make sure the assistant app is not optimized by the battery (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).

Problem 2: The assistant is switched on but not executed.

• 🌐 Check your internet connection (most teams require a network).
• 🔄 Update the Assistant app in the Play Market or App Store.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache and application data (Settings) → Annexes → Select an assistant → Warehouse).

Problem 3: Xiao AI I don't understand English commands. ROM (for example, Xiaomi 12T) Xiao built-in translator AI It can be turned off. To activate it, you need to manually install it. APK-com.miui.voiceassist file version 2.1.0 or later.

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI Xiao's missing AI, Do not try to install it through APK from third-party sites, this can lead to a system failure. Better wait for the official patch or roll back to the previous version of the firmware.

7. Hidden voice control capabilities

Few people know, but you can set up voice control without the Internet for basic commands on Xiaomi.

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on the MIUI version in your phone settings).

2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.

3. Enable Local Voice Assistant (if available).

4. Download the offline package for your language in the Google Assistant settings (Settings → Google Assistant → Assistant → Offline Mode).

Now, commands like "turn on the flashlight" or "turn up the volume" will work without the Internet.

Another hidden feature is voice gesture control, for example, you can set up the camera to start with voice even on a locked screen:

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen → Additional settings.

2. Enable voice unlock (requires to record a voice sample).

3. Now the phrase "Open the camera" will work without unlocking.

On models with MIUI 15, it became possible to create custom voice commands through the Mi AI app, for example, you can link the phrase "I'm leaving" to disconnect Wi-Fi, mobile data and enable the "Do Not Disturb" mode.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi voice control