How to completely replace Google Assistant with Alice in Xiaomi devices: from smartphone to smart home

Why Change Assistant to Xiaomi and What Does Alice Give Instead of Google Assistant?

If you own a Xiaomi device — whether it’s a MIUI 14/15 smartphone, a Xiaomi Smart Speaker smart speaker, or even a Mi TV — you’ve probably noticed that Google Assistant is pre-installed by default. For many users, this is inconvenient: Google’s voice assistant doesn’t understand Russian, requires a constant connection to servers abroad, and collects data about your queries. Meanwhile, Yandex’s Alice offers more natural communication in Russian, better integrates with local services (from weather to taxi ordering) and works even with weak Internet.

But there’s a problem: Xiaomi doesn’t provide a standard way to replace Google Assistant with Alice — especially on global firmware. In this article, we’ll look at all the working methods for replacing assistant on Xiaomi devices in 2026, including smartphones, smart speakers and TVs. You’ll learn how to reassign the assistant call button, install Alice with a system application, and even integrate her into the Mi Home smart home.

Importantly, not all methods are universal. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Ultra with HyperOS, the algorithm is different from that on the Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 13. We will point out the nuances for different versions of the software and models.

What Xiaomi devices support replacing Google Assistant with Alice

Before you start setting up, check if your device is suitable for replacing the assistant. Here is the current list of compatible gadgets:

• 📱 Smartphones and tablets: all models on MIUI 12+ HyperOS, including Xiaomi 14/13/12, Redmi Note 12/11, POCO F5/X5. On the old versions (MIUI 11 and below) root rights may be required.
• 🔊 Smart speakers: Xiaomi Smart Speaker, Mi AI Speaker, Xiaomi Sound (with firmware only for Russia/CIS).
• 📺 TVs: Mi TV Q2/Q1, Redmi Smart TV Android TV 11+. On older models (e.g. Mi) TV 4S) Alice only works through third-party launchers.
• 💡 Smart home: devices with support for Mi Home (lamps, sockets, sensors) can be controlled by Alice through Yandex Station or smartphone.

Note that on global firmware (e.g. MIUI Global), replacement assistants are often blocked at the system level, and this will require unlocking the bootloader or installing custom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu).

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14), some methods may not work due to the changed system architecture. → The phone.

Preparation of the device: what to do before replacing the assistant

To avoid mistakes, follow the following preliminary steps:

1. Update your firmware. Go to Settings → About Phone → Update your system and install the latest version of MIUI or HyperOS. Older versions may not have the right settings.
2. Install Alice. Download the official Yandex app with Alice from Google Play. For devices without Google services (such as Xiaomi for China), use APK from APKCombo.
3. Set up rights. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Yandex and allow auto-start, background and microphone access.
4. Back up. Use Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset to save data in case of a crash.

For smart speakers and TVs, you will need:

• 🔌 Connect your device and smartphone to the same Wi-Fi network.
• 📱 Install the Mi Home app (for a smart home) or Mi on your phone TV Remote (for TVs).

Method 1: Reassign the assistant call button (without root)

The easiest way is to replace the Google Assistant button with Alice’s launch, which works on most Xiaomi smartphones without the need for root rights.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Default Applications → Assistant and Voice Input.
2. Select Yandex with Alice (if it is not in the list, click Other apps and find manually).
3. Return to Settings → Buttons and gestures → Assistant button (on some models, the path may differ: Settings → Additional → Gestures).
4. Activate the option to Start Assistant and select Yandex with Alice.

If your MIUI version does not have an "Assistant and Voice Input" option, use the workaround:

1. Install the Assistant Trigger app.
2. In the application settings, select Yandex with Alice as the target assistant.
3. Activate the Special Opportunity Service for Assistant Trigger in Settings → Special Opportunities → Services.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F4) post-update MIUI The 14th button of the assistant can be reset to Google Assistant, in which case, repeat the setting or use the same button. ADB-commands (see Method 3).

💡

If Alice doesn’t start from a button, try disabling the battery optimization for Yandex in Settings → Applications → Yandex → Battery → No restrictions.

Method 2: Replace the Assistant with ADB (for power users)

If the standard settings do not allow reassignment of the assistant, you can use the ADB-This method works for most Xiaomi devices with Android 10+, But it requires a computer connection.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on the developer mode on your smartphone: go to Settings → About phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version.
2. Activate debugging over USB in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB Tools, and check the connection with the command: Adb devices should show the name of your device.
4. Follow the command to appoint Alice as the default assistant: adb shell cmd assistant set-default-assistant ru.yandex.alice/.MainActivity
5. Reset the device.

To reset to Google Assistant, use:

adb shell cmd assistant set-default-assistant com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox/com.google.android.apps.gsa.staticplugins.opa.OpaActivity

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14) command ADB It may not work because of changes in architecture. In this case, try the method with Tasker (see Method 4).

💡

ADB-This is the most reliable way to replace the assistant, but it requires a PC connection. Once the commands are executed, Alice will start by default, including voice call.

Method 3: Using Tasker for flexible customization (advanced level)

If previous methods have failed, you can automate Alice’s launch using the Tasker app, which is suitable for devices where the assistant button is locked at the firmware level.

Algorithm of settings:

1. Install Tasker and AutoInput plugin.
2. Create a new profile (+ → Status → Plugin → AutoInput → Gesture) and select Long Press Home (or another button if assigned to an assistant).
3. In the task add the action Launch the application → Yandex with Alice.
4. Save the profile and activate it.

For smart speakers Xiaomi can use Tasker on the smartphone in conjunction with Mi Home:

• 📱 Create a task that sends a voice request to Alice through HTTP-request API yandex.
• 🔊 Configure in Mi Home to automatically perform this task when activating the column with voice.

Method 4: Replacing Assistant on Xiaomi Smart Speakers and TVs

On devices without a screen (columns) or with a limited interface (televisions), replacing Google Assistant requires a different approach.

For smart speakers Xiaomi Smart Speaker:

1. Connect the column to the Mi Home app.
2. Go to Profile → Settings → Voice Assistant.
3. Select Yandex Alice (if you don’t have an option, update the column firmware via Mi Home).
4. Link your Yandex account to the device.

For Mi TVs:

On Android TVs, it is more difficult to replace the assistant, but it is possible to:

• 📺 Install Yandex with Alice via Google Play on TV.
• 🎮 Use the microphone remote and reassign the voice button to Alice via Settings → Input devices → Voice assistant.
• 🖥️ For models without Google Play (e.g. Mi) TV China will require custom launcher installation (e.g, ATV Launcher) and Alice's manual integration.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi TVs with firmware for China (MIUI TV China) replacing the assistant may cause the system to work in an unstable way, in which case it is recommended to use an external device (e.g. Yandex Station) to control the TV through the TV. HDMI-CEC.

Problem Solving: What to Do When Alice is Not Working

If Alice does not start or respond to voice commands after setting up, check the following:

If the problem persists, try:

• 🔄 Reinstall the Yandex application with Alice.
• 📱 Reset the application settings in Settings → Annexes → Yandex → Warehouse → Clear the data.
• 🔧 Install a modified firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu) where Alice is integrated by default.

💡

If Alice doesn’t understand the commands in a smart home, check if Xiaomi devices are connected to Yandex Station via Mi Home. To do this, select Devices → Add → Xiaomi and log in.

FAQ: Frequent questions about replacing Google Assistant with Alice