How to turn on “OK Google” on Xiaomi: full instructions for all models

Google Assistant, which has the “OK Google” activation feature, makes it much easier to interact with your smartphone, asking questions, managing your smart home, or running apps without touching the screen. However, on Xiaomi devices (including Redmi, POCO, and Mi), this feature is often disabled by default or blocked by features of MIUI firmware. In this article, we will discuss how to properly enable and configure the voice assistant, and solve typical problems from lack of response to a command to conflicts with the brand assistant Xiao AI.

It’s important to understand that the activation process depends on the version of MIUI (12/13/14/15), the smartphone model and the firmware region. For example, on global versions of Xiaomi (with the Global suffix), Google Assistant is usually preinstalled, whereas in Chinese (China) it may not be at all. We will look at universal methods that work on most devices, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and other popular models from 2022-2026.

Compatibility Check: Does your Xiaomi support Google?

Before you set up a voice assistant, make sure your device meets the minimum requirements:

• 📱 Android version: no lower than 8.0 (Oreo) on older devices (e.g. Redmi) 4X or Mi A1) The function may be unstable.
• 🌍 Firmware region: Global (Global), European (EEA) Russian (RU) version MIUI. Google Assistant is often absent on Chinese firmware (China.
• 🗣️ System language: should support voice input (Russian, English, Spanish, etc.). → Additionally. → Language and input.
• 🔊 Microphone: serviceable and not blocked by other applications (e.g. Xiao) AI or Mi Sound Recorder).

If your smartphone meets these criteria, but OK Google still doesn’t work, the problem may be MIUI settings or a conflict with Xiaomi’s branded services, more on this in the following sections.

Step 1: Install and update Google Assistant

On some Xiaomi devices, the Google Assistant app is not preinstalled or outdated.

1. Open the Google Play Store and find the Google Assistant app (or Google – it includes an assistant).
2. Update it to the latest version. At the time of writing, the current version is 14.28.35.29 (may vary).
3. Also update Google Play Services and Google App – they are responsible for voice commands.

Important: If the Play Store does not have the option to update the app, check the region of your Google account. For example, on Chinese firmware (China ROM), access to Google services may be limited, in which case you will need to unlock Google services (see section below).

Step 2: Activate voice control in Google settings

After installing the application, voice recognition must be enabled:

1. Open the Google app (the G icon on a colored background).
2. In the upper right corner, tap on the profile avatar → Settings → Google Assistant.
3. Select the Assistant tab → scroll to the Devices with Assistant section and tap on your smartphone.
4. Activate the switches: 🔘 Google Assistant (main tumbler) 🔘 Voice input 🔘 OK Google (Voice recognition option»)

Next, the system will offer to learn a voice model — say the phrase “OK Google” 3 times and “Hey Google” 3 times. This will help the assistant better recognize your voice. On Xiaomi devices with MIUI 14+, this step may need to be repeated 2-3 times due to the peculiarities of processing the microphone.

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If after activation, “OK Google” does not work from a locked screen, check the security settings in MIUI: Settings → Screen Lock → Additional → Voice Assistant and allow access.

Step 3: Set up permissions for Google Assistant in MIUI

MIUI is known for its strict restrictions on the background of applications, which can block Google.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google and Google Play Services, tap on each.
3. Enable all permissions: 🎤 Microphone (required!) 📍 Location (for contextual clues) 📱 Auto Start and Background Activity

Battery

No restrictions.

It is also recommended to disable battery optimization for Google Assistant:

Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Optimization → All Apps → Google → Not Optimizing

Step 4: Disconnect Conflicting Assistants (Xiao AI)

Xiao AI (or Mi AI) can intercept voice commands, interfering with Google Assistant.

1. Open the Settings → Applications.
2. Find “Xiao AI” (or “Mi AI”) and tap it.
3. Select Disable or Remove Updates (if the Remove button is inactive).
4. Reboot your smartphone.

If Xiao AI is not removed (for example, on Chinese firmware), you can block its access to the microphone:

Settings → Applications → Xiao AI → Permissions → Microphone → Ban

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or Redmi K50) Xiao AI It's integrated into system services, and completely shutting it down can cause camera or phone malfunctions, so limit yourself to not having access to the microphone.

Problem Solving: Google is Not Working – What to Do

If the voice assistant doesn’t respond after all the settings, check the following points:

If the problem persists, try resetting the Google Assistant settings:

Settings → Applications → Google → Storage → Clean up data

⚠️ Attention: Google Assistant will remove all your personal settings, including command history and preferences, and then you will need to retrain your voice model.

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On Chinese firmware (China ROM), OK Google often fails due to lack of Google services, the solution being to install global firmware or manually install the Google Framework (see section below).

How to Unlock Google Services on Xiaomi’s Chinese Firmware

If your smartphone is running China ROM (like the Xiaomi 13 Pro for the Chinese market), Google services are not available by default.

1. Download the Google Installer archive from the official Xiaomi forum (e.g. xiaomi.eu).
2. Unpack the archive and run the GoogleInstaller.apk file.
3. Follow the instructions of the installation wizard (you will need an Internet connection).
4. Once installed, restart your smartphone and update all Google apps through the Play Store.

Alternative way (for advanced users):

1 Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool.


2. Install custom recovery (TWRP).




3.Sweeten the GApps package (e.g. NikGApps) through recovery.

⚠️ Note: Installation of Google services in China ROM This can lead to unstable system operation, including account synchronization errors and camera failures. ROM) For a full-fledged job, OK Google».

Next Post:How to use OK Google more effectively

Voice assistant on Xiaomi can not only open applications, but also perform complex tasks.

• 📸 «Google, take a selfie, open the camera and take a picture in 3 seconds.
• 🔦 «OK Google, Turn on the Flashlight – Activates the flashlight without unlocking the screen.
• 📊 «OK Google, show battery statistics" - will display a graph of charge consumption.
• 🎵 «OK Google, turn on music on YouTube – will start playing the last track.
• 🏠 «Google Turn Off the Living Room Lights – It Will Work If You Have a Smart Home Configured via Google Home.

For convenience, you can create voice shortcuts for frequently used actions:

1. Open Google Assistant → Settings → Shortcuts.


2. Tap "Add a label."




3. Write down a phrase (e.g., “Start the Navigator”) and select an action (open Waze).

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If you use OK Google frequently in your car, add the command "Open Google Maps and Build a Route Home" to the shortcuts. The assistant will automatically determine your location and suggest the optimal path.

FAQ: Frequent questions about setting up OK Google on Xiaomi