How to disable Google Assistant on Xiaomi Redmi 9: the complete guide

Xiaomi Redmi 9 series smartphones have become a popular choice for users looking for a balance between price and performance, but Google’s pre-installed services often raise questions. Many device owners notice that the voice assistant is activated accidentally when you press the lock screen or power button, which can be annoying in everyday use.

The process of deactivating Google Assistant on the MIUI shell can seem confusing due to the presence of several levels of the settings menu. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for disabling the assistant, from standard system settings to deeper changes in the configuration of the buttons, you will learn how to completely remove voice control or simply limit its operation in the background.

Keep in mind that completely disabling Google system services can affect other applications that depend on these services. However, if your goal is simply to stop hearing the phrase “Hi, Google” or to remove the reaction to a long press of a button, this is safe for the stability of the Redmi 9.

Why you should limit the work of voice assistant

Voice assistants like Google Assistant keep the microphone in the background waiting for a key phrase to activate. This consumes CPU resources and, more importantly for low-end devices like Redmi 9, consumes battery power. Disabling the listening feature helps extend battery life, especially if you rarely use voice input.

Also, many users worry about their privacy, and the constant recording and analysis of audio fragments on corporate servers raises questions for those who value digital privacy, and the complete shutdown of OK Google ensures that your phone stops recording ambient sounds while waiting for a command.

Another reason for disconnection is accidental activation: A phone in your pocket or bag can respond to extraneous noises or touches by launching an assistant and performing unnecessary actions.This is not only distracting, but can also lead to accidental calls or texting.

However, before you abandon the service completely, weigh the pros and cons. Some features, such as smart home or quick search, may become less affordable. Below is a table comparing the state of the system before and after the shutdown.

⚠️ Note: Disabling Google system components may affect widgets and some Android features, such as voice dialing in a standard call.

Basic settings through the Google app

The easiest and safest way to disable the basic functions of the assistant is to use the official Google app, which is preinstalled on every certified device. This method does not require superuser rights and allows you to manage settings flexibly. First of all, look for the app icon with the letter “G” in the menu of all programs.

Once you start the app, you need to go to the user profile, which is usually a round avatar in the upper right corner of the screen. Click on it to open the context menu, and select Settings. In the list that opens, look for the Google Assistant section, which is responsible for all the voice control options.

Inside the assistant menu, you're interested in the All settings tab, or just the Assistant tab, and there's a switch that completely deactivates the function. Find the Google Assistant and turn the slider to "Off," and the system will alert you that some of the functions will stop working -- confirm the action.

After that, the voice assistant will no longer respond to commands and hotkeys, but to prevent any accidental launches through the power button, you need to make additional adjustments in the MIUI system.

Disconnect via the power button on Redmi 9

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 9 often face a situation where a long press of the lock button causes Google Assistant instead of the turn off menu.This is the standard Android behavior that can be changed in the system settings.

In the options list, look for Additional Settings or Advanced Settings. Depending on the version of MIUI, the path may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same. Inside this section, look for Press and Hold the Power button.

The default is Google Assistant. Click on this and you'll be asked to choose an alternative action. Select the Off menu. Now, a long push of a button will trigger the usual menu to reboot or turn off your smartphone, rather than running a voice search.

This setting is especially relevant for those who are used to classic Android management, changing this setting does not affect the operation of other functions of the phone, but significantly improves the usability of the device in everyday life.

Managing permissions and microphone access

Even if you have disabled basic features, some components may remain active. For full privacy control, it is recommended to check the permissions that the Google app has. Go to Settings of your Redmi 9 and select the App section.

In the list of all programs, find the Google app (usually a colored G). Click on it to open the app information page. Here you are interested in the Permissions item. This section shows all the accesses that the program has.

Find the Microphone and change its status to Prohibit or Ask. If you deny access to the microphone, voice search is guaranteed to be unable to activate, as it will not have the technical ability to hear your commands. This is a radical but effective method.

⚠️ Warning: Prohibiting microphone access could disrupt voice input in Gboard and other Google ecosystem applications.

Also worth paying attention to the permissions for the Google Play Services app. While it is not recommended to completely disable it, checking its access rights will help you understand what data is being collected by the system.

Hiding the assistant from the lock screen

One of the most annoying features is that you can call the Assistant directly from the locked screen, which happens when you swipe from the bottom corner or press the home button for a long time (if you use button navigation), and you need to change the lock screen settings to remove this possibility.

Open Settings and search for settings by entering the phrase "lock screen." Go to the appropriate section. Here you need to find the item related to accessing functions without unlocking. Depending on the version of MIUI, it can be called Access to functions on the lock screen or be located inside the password and security menu.

In the list of available activities, find Google Assistant and turn off the switchboard next to it. Now, even if the phone is locked, trying to call the assistant will require you to unlock the device first, which increases the security of your data.

Also check the settings of Google Assistant for the “Block Screen” item, and make sure that there are no checkmarks that allow personalized results or access to personal information without unlocking.

Alternative methods and working with ADB

For advanced users who want to completely remove the Assistant components, there is a method of using USB debugging and ADB (Android Debug Bridge) tools, which requires connecting the phone to a computer and having basic command line knowledge. Be careful, as removing system packages can lead to unstable work.

First, activate the developer mode. To do this, quickly click seven times on the build number in the About Phone section. Then, in the menu, additionally turn on USB Debugging. Connect your smartphone to your PC and use the following command to disable the assistant package:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

This command doesn't physically delete the application, but makes it inactive for the current user, effectively "freezing" it. The assistant will stop appearing in the list of applications and react to any actions. To return everything back, a command is used with the replacement of disable-user with enable.

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Before use ADB-Make sure to make a full backup of important data, as interference with system processes always carries risks.

Using this method allows you to free up the RAM that the background process would take up, but if you are not sure about your actions, it is better to limit yourself to the standard settings described in the previous sections.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Properly configuring permissions and disabling unnecessary activation functions is the best way to control the operation of the smartphone without losing functionality.