Voice control on Xiaomi: how to turn on and configure in 5 minutes

Voice control on Xiaomi devices makes interaction with technology convenient and modern. Instead of long searches on the menu, just say a command and the smartphone will perform the task, from calling a contact to managing a smart home. But many users face the problem: the function is either missing in the settings or does not work correctly. In this article, we will analyze all the ways to activate the voice assistant on different Xiaomi devices, from the budget Redmi to the flagship Mi 13 Ultra.

It is important to understand that voice control on Xiaomi is implemented through two main solutions: built-in Xiao AI (for Chinese firmware) and Google Assistant (for global versions). There are alternative methods through third-party applications. We will look at each option in detail, specify nuances for different models and versions of MIUI, and give recommendations for eliminating typical errors.

1.What voice assistant is available on your Xiaomi?

Before you turn on the function, determine which version of the firmware is installed on the device.

• 🌍 Global MIUI (EUA, RU, Global: Google Assistant is the default language, supports Russian, integrates with Google services.
• 🇨🇳 Chinese MIUI (China Stable/Developer): Google is now available for Xiao AI — Xiaomi’s corporate assistant with support for Chinese and English.
• ⚙️ LineageOS (Pixel Experience): Requires manual installation of voice assistant via Magisk or ADB.

You can check the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If you have CN in the name, you have Chinese firmware, if EU/RU/Global is global.

Important! Google’s Chinese firmware devices do not have an Assistant because of Xiaomi’s restrictions on the Chinese market, and installing one will require unlocking the bootloader and firmware on the global version of MIUI.

2.Include Google Assistant on Global MIUI

If your Xiaomi is running on global firmware, it will take no more than 2 minutes to activate Google Assistant.

1. Open the Google app (if not, download it from the Play Market).
2. In the lower right corner, tap your profile icon → Settings → Google Assistant.
3. Select the Assistant tab → scroll down to the phone item.
4. Activate the Google Assistant switch.
5. For quick voice calls, turn on the Hey Google option and take voice training (record 3-5 phrases).

After setting up, the assistant will respond to the phrases:

• 🎤 «Okay, Google, turn on Bluetooth»
• 📞 «Hey Google, call your mom»
• 🌡️ «Okay, Google, what's the weather tomorrow?»

Make sure the language of the system is in Russian|Check your internet connection|Turn off the power saving modes|Update the Google app to the latest version-->

If the voice assistant doesn’t respond to commands, check:

• 🔇 Microphone: It may be contaminated or disabled in settings (Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Microphone).
• 📶 Google Assistant Requires a Permanent Connection.
• 🔋 Battery Optimization: Add Google App to Exceptions (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).

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If Hey Google doesn't work, try retraining your voice profile, and delete the old voice model in the Assistant settings and create a new one.

3. Activation of Xiao AI on Chinese firmware

Xiao AI is available only on devices with Chinese MIUI. It supports a limited set of languages (Chinese, English), but offers deep integration with the Xiaomi ecosystem - from managing Mi Home to running applications.

To enable Xiao AI:

1. Open the Settings. → Additionally. → Xiao AI (On some models, the path may be different: → System and device → Xiao AI).
2. Activate the switch Voice Assistant Xiao AI.
3. Click on Voice Awakening Settings and record voice samples (you will need to say 3-5 phrases in Chinese or English).
4. Enable the option to Allow Start from a locked screen if you want to use the assistant without unlocking.

Teams for Xiao AI (in English):

• 🎵 «Play music - to include music.
• 🔦 «Turn on Flashlight – Turn on the flashlight.
• 📱 «Open [app name]" - open the application (for example, Open Chrome).

Xiao AI does not support Russian at the software level, but some commands (e.g., application launch) can work if the application name is in English.

4. Alternative methods of voice control

If standard assistants don't suit you, consider third-party solutions that offer enhanced functionality, support for Russian, and work without being tied to firmware.

To install Alice from Yandex:

1. Download the app from the Play Market.
2. Start and register through your Yandex account.
3. In the application settings, activate the Voice Assistant and allow access to the microphone.
4. For a quick call, set up a gesture or voice command in Settings → Device → Gestures.

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Alice from Yandex is best suited for managing Xiaomi’s smart home in Russian, but requires a separate setup of each device in the Mi Home.

5. Troubleshooting: Why is voice control not working?

If the voice assistant doesn’t respond to commands, check the following points:

⚠️ Attention, on devices with MIUI 14+ And Google's Chinese firmware is blocking the Assistant at the system level. APK The only solution is to run the global version of the firmware.

If the problem persists, reset the voice assistant settings:

1. For Google Assistant: Settings → Google → Devices and accounts → Assistant → Reset settings.
2. For Xiao AI: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Xiao AI → Storage → Clear Data.

Important! After the reset, you'll need to re-tuning your voice.

6.Voice control of Xiaomi smart home

One of the key benefits of voice assistants on Xiaomi is integration with the Mi Home ecosystem.You can control Yeelight lamps, Mi Robot robot vacuum cleaner or Mi Air Conditioner without manual intervention.

To set up:

1. Make sure all devices are added to the Mi Home app and connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
2. In Google Assistant, go to Settings → Smart Home and add a Mi Home account.
3. For Alice from Yandex, link accounts in Settings → Smart Home → Xiaomi.
4. Sync your devices (may take up to 5 minutes).

Examples of voice commands for a smart home:

• 💡 «OK, Google, turn on the light in the living room).
• 🤖 «Alice, start cleaning the vacuum cleaner (for Mi Robot Vacuum).
• ❄️ «Hey Google, set the temperature to 22 degrees (for Mi Air Conditioner).

⚠️ Attention! some Xiaomi devices (like older Yeelight bulb models) require manual addition to Google Home via Works with Google Assistant.

7. Security and confidentiality

Voice assistants record and process your commands, raising privacy questions. Here's how to minimize the risks:

• 🔒 Limit access to the microphone: in Settings → Annexes → Allows to turn off the microphone for unnecessary applications.
• 🗑️ Delete your voice command history: For Google Assistant: myactivity.google.com → Voice filter. Alice: Settings → History → Clean up.
• 🛡️ Use it. VPN when setting up Xiao AI, To avoid data leakage to Chinese servers.

We also recommend:

• Disable the voice assistant when discussing confidential information.
• Check the list of devices that have access to your Google/Mi Account regularly.

It's important, on devices with MIUI version 12.5+ Additional security measures have been introduced: voice commands for payments (Mi Pay) require fingerprint confirmation or PIN-code.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi voice control