Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which run on the Android operating system, offer users a wide range of intelligent functions, among which a special place is occupied by voice assistants, most often it is Google Assistant, integrated into the default system, or the company's own developer - Mi AI, which is actively promoted in Chinese versions of MIUI and HyperOS firmware. Despite the obvious use of speech recognition technologies for managing a gadget without hands, many owners prefer deaktivirovat' these functions for the sake of saving battery power or preserving privacy.
Constant wiretapping, occasional activations in your pocket and intrusive cues can be annoying, especially if you're used to the classic interface.The process of turning off can vary depending on the shell version and the device's regional affiliation. In this article, we'll take a detailed look at all available deactivation methods so you can have full control of your smartphone.
Keep in mind that complete removal of system components is not always possible without obtaining Root rights, but standard tools can achieve almost complete inoperability of assistants. We will consider the settings for both global versions of firmware and for Chinese ones, where the functionality of Mi AI is most pronounced.
Disabling Google Assistant through system settings
The most common scenario is to disable the standard assistant from the search giant, a process that requires no special knowledge and is done through the settings menu of the app or system itself, first by opening the Google app on your device or going to the general settings of the smartphone.
If you're using a global firmware version, the path might be this: go to Settings, go to Google, and select Settings for Google Apps. Here you're interested in the Google Assistant category. In the menu that opens, you should find the Assistant tab and scroll down to the Devices section.
⚠️ Warning: Once the assistant is disabled, the “OK, Google” command will stop working, and the power button or swipe from the corner of the screen will not call the voice control interface.
In the list of devices, select your current smartphone (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 11 or Redmi Note 12). Here you will see the Google Assistant switch, which you need to put inactive. The system can request confirmation of action, warning of loss of functionality.
An alternative way to do this is to use voice commands to navigate quickly, just say "Open Assistant Settings" if the microphone is still active, or type "Assistant Settings" into a Google search box, which will open the section you want directly bypassing long paths in the menu, a method that is particularly useful if you plan to temporarily disable the feature and then turn it back on.
Deactivation of Mi AI on Xiaomi devices
Owners of smartphones purchased in China or using global firmware with integrated Mi AI services face more aggressive behavior, a device that is deeply embedded in the MIUI shell and often activates with a long press of the power button, and requires a deeper setup to remove this feature.
Go to the Settings menu and search for settings by type in "Mi AI" or "Voice Assistant." If the search is not yielding results, look for the Additional Features or Special Features section. In the Chinese versions, this may be called Xiao AI. Inside the menu, find the Mi AI Activation switch and turn it off.
It's also important to turn off automatic start-up when you start the system.
- 📱 Open the Security app on your Xiaomi.
- 🔋 Go to the Permissions section and select AutoRun.
- 🚫 Find it on the Mi list. AI Google and ban auto-start.
- 💾 Clear the app cache to reset current processes.
Some users note that even after the settings are turned off, the assistant may appear periodically after the system update, which is because system updates often return default settings, and it is recommended to check this section after each major Android or MIUI update.
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If you can’t find Mi AI settings, try changing the region in the “Additional –> Region” menu to India or Indonesia, where functionality may differ, and check for new control points.
Managing activation buttons and hot keys
One of the most common causes of accidental activation is a designated button. On modern Xiaomi smartphones, launching the assistant is often tied to a prolonged press of the power button or a special side key, changing this behavior is a key step to comfort.
To reassign the button, go to Settings → Additional Features → On button (or Side button). Here you will see the Long press option. By default, it can be "Google Assistant" or "Mi AI." Change the value to Nothing or the Off menu if you want to return the classic behavior of the button.
| Action. | Standard appointment | Recommended setting | Impact on the battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single tap | Screen locking | Screen locking | Neutrally. |
| Double-push | Camera launch | Camera launch | High (when used) |
| Long pressing | Voice assistant | Shutdown menu / Nothing | Low (background) |
| Swipe + tap | Google Pay / Mi Pay | Nothing. | Neutrally. |
It’s also worth checking the settings of the universal remote control, if you have one on your device. Sometimes the power button when the screen is off can wake the phone and start a search if the appropriate macros are set in the IR port settings. Make sure that there are no active voice-related scenarios in the Universal remote section.
☑️ Checking button settings
Disable activation by voice "Ok Google"
The feature of constantly listening to the activation phrase ("OK, Google" or "Hey Google") is the most resource-intensive.The microphone runs in the background, analyzing the sound stream, which can lead to increased charge consumption and potential privacy questions.
Unlike the general assistant disablement, you can leave the button to start, but you can disable voice launch. To do this, in the Google Assistant settings (the path is described in the second section), find Hey Google and Voice Match. Turn off the Hey Google switch.
The system might suggest that you retrain your voice model, but if your goal is silence, just ignore it. Once you shut it down, the phone will stop responding to voice commands while you sleep, and it also prevents you from accidentally turning on your screen when you're talking to someone nearby while you're saying keywords.
⚠️ Warning: Disabling Voice Match will also disable Personalized Results and the Assistant (if you choose to enable it with a button) will not have access to your personal data, such as schedules or flight history.
For users who use multiple languages, it is important to know that the shutdown occurs for all languages at once. You can't keep Russian active, but turn off English. If you use a smartphone in a multinational environment, consider this nuance. In some cases, cleaning up the voice service data through the Apps menu → All apps → Google → Memory → Clear data helps.
Blocking through access rights and application manager
If the standard settings don't work, or if the assistant keeps popping up, you can apply a lot more stringent measures to restrict the access rights of the application, and it won't delete the program, but it will make it impossible for it to function properly. We use the built-in Android Application Manager.
Go to Settings → Applications → All apps. Go to Google (G icon) and click on it to open the control menu. Here we are interested in Permissions. Go to Microphone and choose to Disable.
Without access to the microphone, the voice assistant will not be able to hear the command physically, but it will also disable the ability to dictate text in search or messengers through the Gboard keyboard if it uses the same service, so this method is only suitable for those who completely refuse voice input.
ADB's Hidden Setting
Also on this menu, you can find the Disable (or Stop) button. On some Xiaomi models with heavily modified Android, this button may not be active for Google system applications. If it is available, use it safely. This will turn the application into a sleeper that will not consume resources and start automatically.
Frequent problems and their solution
Even after all the instructions are followed, nuances may arise related to specific versions of MIUI or HyperOS, for example, on some devices, settings are reset after a reboot, in which case it is recommended to check for system updates, since new security patches often fix permissions management errors.
Another problem is that you have a Google widget on your desktop. Even if the assistant is disabled, tapping the microphone in the widget can try to start the service. The solution is simple: remove the widget from your desktop or replace it with a search bar widget without a microphone button (available in the widget settings at long press).
If you find your phone waking up and turning on the screen, check Active Display or Always On Display. Sometimes they may conflict with proximity sensors to simulate assistant activation. Try temporarily disabling these features in Wallpaper and Personalization.
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A comprehensive approach, including disabling settings, reassigning buttons and denying access rights, guarantees 100% deactivation of voice assistants on Xiaomi.