Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones are equipped with powerful tools to control the device without using hands. Voice assistant allows you to open applications, send messages, set alarms and search the Internet by simply saying a command. However, depending on the firmware region (Global or CN) and the ecosystem chosen, the activation process can vary significantly.
Device owners often face confusion between the built-in Google Assistant and the proprietary Xiao AI (Mi AI), which is by default present in the Chinese versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shells. If you purchased a phone adapted for the global market, the main assistant will be a service from Google. At the same time, enthusiasts may want to install a Chinese counterpart for advanced functionality. On global firmware, only the Google Assistant is active by default, whereas Mi AI requires a separate installation or change of region.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to activate voice control, you will learn how to configure the assistant with a power button or voice command, and also look at the nuances of the microphone in different use cases.
Differences between Google Assistant and Xiao AI on Xiaomi devices
The first step to getting smart is understanding which service will run your smartphone. Google Assistant is deeply integrated into the Android operating system and is available on all certified devices around the world. It can manage a smart home, sync with a calendar, and understand the context of the dialogue in a variety of languages, including Russian.
By contrast, Xiao AI (often called Mi AI) is a Xiaomi development focused primarily on the Chinese market, tailored to local services, Xiaomi brand appliance management, and specific Chinese language commands. While there are ways to Russify and install on global firmware, Xiao AI’s stability outside of China may not be guaranteed.
For most users, the best solution is to use the Google Assistant bundle and built-in MIUI shell features, which ensures maximum application compatibility and stability of the system. If you are an advanced user and you need specific automation features available only in the Chinese version, you can consider installing Xiao AI as an additional tool.
Activation and configuration of Google Assistant on global firmware
On Xiaomi smartphones with Google global firmware, the Assistant is already preinstalled and ready to go; you need to open the Google app or go to the assistant settings for its initial activation, and often the system suggests setting it up immediately after the first phone is turned on or account update.
To access the full functionality, including voice control, you need to allow access to the microphone and action history. Without these permissions, the smart assistant will not be able to execute commands or learn from your preferences. The setup process takes only a few minutes and requires an active Internet connection.
☑️ Setting up Google Assistant
So the important thing is learning how to use your voice model, and Google will ask you to say a few phrases so that the algorithms can better recognize your diction and your accent, and this will greatly improve the accuracy of command recognition in noisy environments, and once you've finished, you'll be able to control your phone by just saying, "OK, Google," or "Hey Google."
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For better voice control, it is recommended to say all the command options at least once in a quiet room so that the system creates a high-quality voice profile.
How to enable a power button or swipe assistant call
One of the most convenient features in the MIUI and HyperOS shell is the ability to call the voice assistant with a hardware button. This allows you to activate Google Assistant even from a locked screen without looking for an application icon. Standardly, this feature can be disabled, so it needs to be activated manually in the system settings.
To set up, you need to go to the Settings menu, then select the Additional (or Advanced Settings) section and find the Buttons. This is where the switch that controls how the power button behaves when you press it long enough is contained, and by default, there may be a screen-off or off menu, but we change that to an assistant call.
⚠️ Note: Some new Android models 12/13/14 And with the HyperOS shell, Google can force this setting to be changed to a Google Assistant call without a choice, blocking access to the off menu through a long press, in which case you will need to press the power and volume buttons at the same time to turn off the phone.
An alternative way to activate is to swipe from the bottom corner of the screen, called "Gestural Control," and you can call the assistant without touching the body buttons, which is especially true if the physical power button is inconvenient or you use a case that makes it difficult to access it.
Below is a table showing the differences in activation methods for different shell versions:
| Activation method | MIUI 12/13 | MIUI 14 / HyperOS | Required rights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long press of the power button | Customizable | Often fixed to GA | Systemic |
| Swipe from the corner of the screen | Available. | Available. | Screen access |
| Voice command | Requires inclusion | Requires inclusion | Microphone |
| Widget icon | Always available. | Always available. | No. |
Voice Activation Setup (Hey Google) and Recognition
A constant tapping mode known as "Hey Google" or "OK, Google" allows the phone to respond to commands without touching, which is convenient when hands are busy, for example, while cooking or driving, but this feature consumes additional battery power, since the microphone is in standby mode.
To activate this option, open the Google Assistant settings and find the Hey Google and Voice Match section, where you move the slider to the active position, and the system will ask you to confirm possession of the device by suggesting you enter a password or fingerprint, which is an important security measure.
Next comes the training phase, you'll need to clearly pronounce the activation phrase several times, machine learning algorithms will record the timbre of your voice, and it's recommended that you do this in different settings, whether it's in silence, on a TV or outdoors, so that your assistant can filter background noise.
What if the phone doesn’t hear the command?
It is worth noting that the constant activation of the microphone can conflict with other applications that use voice input. If you notice that the voice recorder or messengers are not working correctly, try temporarily disabling the Voice Match feature for verification.
Installation and use of Xiao AI (Mi AI) on global versions
For those who want to experiment with Xiaomi’s brand assistant, installing the Xiao app is available. AI. On global firmware, it is not installed by default, but it can be found in the GetApps store or download. APK-But remember, the main language of interface and communication is Chinese.
Once installed, the application will require enhanced permissions, including access to contacts, location and, of course, microphone.Without granting all the requested rights, Xiao AI can run unstable or fly out when launched. The application interface, even if the system changes language, can partially remain in Chinese.
There are methods to Russify Xiao AI through the installation of special language packages or the use of plug-ins, but they require technical skills and can stop working after a system update. The main advantage of this assistant is deep integration with the Mi Home ecosystem and the ability to create complex automation scenarios that are not available to the standard Google Assistant.
⚠️ Note: Installation of modified versions of Xiao AI or the use of third-party plug-ins for Russification may lead to unstable system operation, advertising or data privacy problems.
If you do decide to use Mi AI, set it up to run with a separate button or gesture so as not to conflict with the main Google Assistant. Double tapping the power button or swipe in another corner of the screen will be the best options for separating functions.
The solution: why the voice assistant doesn't work
Even with the right setup, users can experience situations where the smartphone stops responding to commands. Most often the problem lies in privacy settings or microphone operation. Check if the microphone is closed for the Google app in Settings -> Privacy Protection -> Microphone.
Another common reason is energy savings: Aggressive MIUI algorithms can kill the assistant's background processes to extend battery life, go to the battery settings, find the Google app, and select No Limits mode, which will prevent the system from forcibly shutting down the process.
It's also worth checking the Internet connection. Voice commands are processed on servers, so without a network, the phone won't be able to recognize the request. If the problem persists, try resetting the assistant settings or updating the Google app through the Play Market store.
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In 90% of cases, the problem is solved by checking the permission to use the microphone and turning off the energy savings for the Google app.
If nothing works, a deeper diagnosis may be needed, check if another application, a capturing audio stream, is running in the background, and sometimes voice recorders, voice messaging messengers, or third-party launchers are in conflict.