How to enable voice input on the Xiaomi smartphone: full instruction

Voice input on Xiaomi is not just a handy feature for the lazy, but a powerful tool that saves time and makes interaction with a smartphone more natural. If you're driving, you're exercising, you're lying on the couch with a cup of tea -- instead of poking at the screen, you just say a command and the phone will execute it. MIUI?

In this article, we will discuss all ways to enable voice input – from the standard Google Assistant to Xiaomi branded solutions, such as: MIUI Voice. You'll learn how to configure voice recognition for messages, search and control of your device, and what to do if the feature doesn't work. And yes, we'll keep the nuances for models ranging from the budget Redmi to the flagship Xiaomi 14.

What is voice input and why you need it on Xiaomi

Voice input is a technology that allows you to control your smartphone using voice commands. It includes:

• 🔍 Search the Internet and applications without manual input;
• 📝 Type of text in posts, notes or search bar;
• 🎵 Music management ("turn on the playlist for training");
• 📞 Calls and SMS ("Call your mom" or "write to your wife: I'll be late").

On Xiaomi smartphones, voice input is implemented through two main tools: Google Assistant (a universal solution from Google) and MIUI Voice (branded by Xiaomi), the first is suitable for most tasks and integrated with Google services, and the second is optimized for firmware. MIUI and may offer additional features, such as system settings management.

According to Counterpoint Research, more than 60 percent of smartphone users use voice commands at least once a week, and on Xiaomi devices, this feature often goes unused simply because users don’t know how to turn it on or configure it.

• 🚗 Improve safety while driving (no need to be distracted by screens);
• ⏳ Save time on routine operations (e.g., when creating reminders);
• 🦾 Simplify interaction for people with disabilities.

Preparation of Xiaomi smartphone for voice input

Before you activate voice input, make sure your Xiaomi is ready for it. Here are the minimum requirements and preparation:

If your smartphone does not meet the requirements of the version MIUI Or Android, update the firmware:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update;
2. Click Check for Updates;
3. If a new version is available, download and install it.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note) 8 pro POCO X3) post-update MIUI 13/14 You may need to re-set the voice input, and that's because you've changed the menu structure.

Also make sure that the device has the latest versions of Google apps installed and MIUI Voice. That's what it is:

• Open the Play Store;
• In search, type “Google” and update all applications from this developer;
• For MIUI Voice check for updates in Settings → Annexes → Application management → MIUI Voice.

Check out the Android version and MIUI|

Update the firmware if necessary|

Make sure the microphone is working properly.|

Update Google’s apps and MIUI Voice|

Connect to the Internet.-->

Method 1: Enabling voice input through Google Assistant

Google Assistant is a versatile voice control solution that works on all Android smartphones, including Xiaomi.

• 🌍 He can speak more than 30 languages, including Russian;
• 🔗 Integrated with Google Services (Search, Maps, Calendar);
• 🤖 Supports complex teams ("find the nearest pharmacy and build the route").

To enable Google Assistant:

1. Hold the Home button (navigation bar) or swipe diagonally from the corner of the screen (on gesture navigation);
2. If the Assistant is not activated, go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Google;
3. Select Assistant and Voice Input → Google Assistant;
4. Turn on the Google Assistant switch.

To set up voice activation (to allow Assistant to respond to the phrase "OK, Google"):

1. Open the Google app;
2. Click on the profile icon → Settings → Voice search;
3. Select Voice Assistant and turn on the OK Google option.
4. Repeat the phrase 3 times to adapt to your voice.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) OK Google may not work due to performance limitations, in which case use button retention activation.

To check the voice input:

1. Activate the Assistant (by holding a button or by voice);
2. Say, for example, “Write a message to Masha: I will be there in an hour.”
3. Check if the message appears in the selected messenger.

💡

If Google Assistant doesn't recognize your voice, try retraining the model. → Google → Devices and accounts → Voice Match and get retrained.

Method 2: Use of the MIUI Voice for smartphone control

MIUI Voice is a proprietary solution from Xiaomi that allows you to control the system functions of the smartphone with voice. Unlike Google Assistant, it is deeper integrated into the firmware and can execute commands related to settings. MIUI, for example:

• 🔋 "Turn on the power saving mode";
• 🌙 "Activate the dark theme";
• 📶 "Turn off the mobile data".

To turn on MIUI Voice:

1. Go to Settings. → Special facilities → MIUI Voice;
2. Turn on the switch. MIUI Voice;
3. Click Start settings and follow the instructions on the screen;
4. Allow all necessary permissions (access to microphone, notifications, etc.).

For voice activation:

1. Get back to the settings. MIUI Voice;
2. Select Voice Activation;
3. Turn on the option and record a voice sample (say the phrase "Little Curious Assistant" 3 times);
4. You can now activate the assistant with the phrase "Little Assistant".

On Xiaomi models with MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 10C) MIUI Voice can be slower than Snapdragon devices, which is due to the optimization of firmware for different platforms.

List of supported teams in MIUI Voice:

Setting up voice typing on the keyboard

Voice input can be used not only to control your smartphone, but also to type.It is convenient for long messages, notes or search queries. On Xiaomi smartphones, this feature is available through the Gboard keyboard (from Google) or a standard keyboard. MIUI.

To enable voice dialing in Gboard:

1. Open any field to enter text (for example, in WhatsApp or Notes);
2. Click on the microphone icon on the keyboard (near the space);
3. If there is no icon, hold the comma (,) and select the Microphone.
4. Allow access to the microphone on first use.

For the standard MIUI keyboard:

1. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Language and input → Current keyboard;
2. Select the keyboard. MIUI;
3. Enable the option of Voice input;
4. The microphone icon will now be displayed on the keyboard.

Tips for accurate recognition:

• 🎤 Speak clearly, without haste, at a normal pace;
• 🔇 Avoid noisy places – voice input does not work well in background noise;
• 🌐 If you need punctuation marks, say them out loud ("point", "coma");
• 🔄 If the text is not recognized correctly, click on the underlined word and select the correct option.

💡

Voice typing works offline only for the main languages (English, Russian) and other languages require an internet connection.

Troubleshooting: Why Voice Input Doesn't Work

If your Xiaomi voice input is not enabled or is not working properly, check the following points:

If the problem is not solved, try the following:

1. Clear the cache of Google apps and MIUI Voice: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Select the application → Memory. → Clear the cache
2. Reinstall updates for Google Assistant: Settings → Annexes → Google → Threefold → Remove updates then update the app through the Play Store.
3. Check regional settings: some voice input features may be limited by country.Change region to Settings → Additionally. → Language and region.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi devices with global firmware (Global) ROM) Sometimes there are conflicts between MIUI Voice and Google Assistant, in which case, disable one of the assistants in the settings.

Additional features: voice control of a smart home

If you have Xiaomi smart home devices (like Yeelight light bulbs, Mi Robot robot vacuum cleaner or Aqara sensors), voice input can be used to control them.

1. Install the Mi Home app;
2. Connect all smart home devices to the app;
3. Activate Google Assistant or MIUI Voice;
4. Link your Mi Home account to Google (select Smart Home in Mi Home settings) → Voice control → Google Assistant).

Now you can use commands like:

• 💡 "Turn on the light in the living room";
• 🧹 "Run a vacuum cleaner in the bedroom";
• 🌡️ "What's the temperature in the nursery?".

For MIUI Voice's list of supported smart home devices is limited, so it's best to use Google Assistant:

1. Open Mi Home;
2. Go to Profile. → Settings → Voice control;
3. Select the device and set its voice name (for example, instead of "Lamp 1" call "Light in the hall").

💡

If the voice assistant doesn’t find smart home devices, make sure they’re connected to the same Mi Home account as your smartphone and are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Comparison of Google Assistant and MIUI Voice: Which is better?

Both of these assistants have their pros and cons, and here's a comparison table to help you choose the best option:

Which assistant should I choose?

• 🌍 If you need multilingual support and integration with Google services, choose Google Assistant;
• ⚙️ When it is important to manage settings MIUI (For example, enable the "Do Not Disturb" mode - use MIUI Voice;
• 🏠 Google Assistant is better suited for smart home management;
• 🎤 If you need voice activation in Russian, only Google Assistant (in Russian) MIUI Voice is available only in English/Chinese).

Can you use both assistants at the same time? Technically, yes, but it can lead to conflicts, for example, if both systems are set up for voice activation, they can fire simultaneously, causing delays or errors.

FAQ: Frequent questions about voice input on Xiaomi