How to Replace Google Assistant with Alice in Xiaomi: A Complete Guide with Instructions and Comparisons

Why change Google Assistant to Alice in Xiaomi?

Voice assistants have become an integral part of modern smartphones, but not all Xiaomi users are happy with the standard Google Assistant. Many prefer Alice from Yandex for its better adaptation to the Russian language, integration with local services and more natural dialogue. However, replacing the assistant is not always a trivial task: on some Xiaomi models it requires deep system settings or even root rights.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways of replacing - from simple (through settings). MIUI) to complex (using) ADB You will learn which Xiaomi models support Alice out of the box, how to circumvent Google restrictions, and what to do if the assistant is unstable after replacing. MIUI 14 Android 13/14, Where the replacement algorithm has changed due to Google's tightening security policy.

Before you start, answer a key question: are you willing to sacrifice some features for Alice? for example, a quick start assistant from the power button may stop working, and some system commands (like managing Android settings) will be available only through Google Assistant.

Google Assistant vs Alice: Which is Best for Xiaomi?

Before you change assistant, it’s worth weighing the pros and cons of each. Google Assistant is deeply integrated into Android and the Internet. MIUI, It's got advantages in speed and access to system functions, like, only it can do this:

• 🔍 Manage Xiaomi settings directly (brightness, Do Not Disturb mode, mobile data)
• 📱 Run applications by voice command without additional settings
• 🌐 Work with international services (Google Maps, Gmail, YouTube)

At the same time, Alice wins where localization is important:

• 🗣️ Understands Russian better, especially with an accent or in a noisy environment
• 🏠 Integrated with Yandex.Maps, Music, Weather and other services popular in Russia
• 💬 Supports more natural dialogues (e.g., can joke or support a topic of conversation)
• 🛒 Can search for products on Yandex.Market and Ozon on voice command

If you use Google services frequently or manage a smart home through Mi Home, replacing it can be more inconvenience than good, but if you’re more interested in the quality of your speech recognition and integration with Russian services, Alice is a great alternative.

💡

Alice is better suited for Russian-speaking users, but inferior to Google Assistant in managing Android system functions.

Preparation of Xiaomi smartphone to replace the assistant

There are several steps that must be taken before Alice is installed, or the assistant may not work properly or even start at all.

1. Make sure your model supports Alice. Officially, Yandex has tested the assistant on the following devices: 📱 Xiaomi 13/13 Pro/13 Ultra (MIUI 14+) 📱 Redmi Note 12 Pro+/12T Pro 📱 POCO F5/F5 Pro 📱 Xiaomi 12/12 Pro/12S Ultra (with update) MIUI)

Update MIUI to the latest version.

Android 11

Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI

Delete the cache and data of Google Assistant.

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Google

Warehouse → Clear cache / Clear data

Turn off Google Assistant as the default assistant.

Settings → Annexes → Assistant and voice input → Default assistant

No.

If your model is not on the official list, it doesn't mean that Alice won't work, but you may have problems with:

• 🔊 Voice launch on the button (you will have to use a widget or command "OK, Yandex")
• 📵 Lack of integration with system settings MIUI
• 🔄 Related: Unintentionally return to Google Assistant after updates

Cleared cache Google Assistant

Default assistant disabled

Updated MIUI to the latest version

Scud APK Yandex with Alice (official source)

Backup of important data is made-->

Method 1: Install Alice through the official application of Yandex

This is the easiest method that works on most modern Xiaomi (MIUI 12 and later) You do not need root rights or complex system manipulation:

1. Download the official Yandex app with Alice from: 🌐 The official website of Yandex (recommended) 📱 Google Play (if available in your area) 📎 APKMirror (only if the first two options are not available) ⚠️ Attention: Don't download APK Fake versions of Alice may contain malicious code or may not work correctly.
2. Install the app and open it. When you first start it, Alice will suggest setting up the voice assistant. Allow all permissions requested, including: 🎤 Access to the microphone 📍 Geolocation (for maps and weather) 📱 Display over other windows (for widgets)

Set Alice up as the default assistant.

1. Go to Settings. → Annexes → Assistant and voice input.
2. Select the Default Assistant → Yandex.
3. Enable the option to Allow change of assistant settings.

Activate voice launch.

Okay, Yandex.

If Alice doesn’t start using the power button (long-term retention) after these actions, that’s fine – on most Xiaomi, this feature is tied to Google Assistant at the hardware level.

• 🔘 Add Alice's widget to the main screen
• 🗣️ Use the voice command "OK, Yandex"
• 📱 Set Alice to launch by double pressing the power button (via Settings) → Buttons and gestures)

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If Alice doesn't respond to her voice, check if the battery optimizer is blocking access to the microphone. → Battery → Optimize the battery and add Yandex to the exceptions.

Method 2: Replacement of the assistant through ADB (power-user)

If the official method didn’t work or you want to integrate Alice more deeply into the system, you can use the method. ADB-This method is suitable for models where the Google Assistant is soldered into the firmware (for example, Xiaomi). 11T or Redmi K50). Attention: misuse ADB It can cause system failures!

You will need to:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on a smartphone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock the developer mode, then enable debugging in Settings → Additionally. → For developers)
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)

Instructions:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and check the connection with the command: Adb devices If the device appears in the list, go further.
2. Install Alice as the default assistant through ADB: adb shell pm grant ru.yandex.search android.permission.BIND_ASSISTANT_SERVICE adb shell cmd assistant set-default-assistant ru.yandex.search/.voiceassistant.activity.MainActivity
3. Turn off Google Assistant (optional if you want to delete it completely): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox ⚠️ Note: Deleting Google Assistant may disrupt some system features, such as search in settings or voice control in Google Maps.
4. Reboot your smartphone. After turning on, check that Alice is running on the power button (if the model supports this feature).

If Alice doesn’t work after completing the commands, try:

• 🔄 Repeat the steps by pre-clearing the cache of the Yandex application
• 📱 Check if the default assistant settings have reset after the reboot
• 🔧 Manually appoint Alice as an assistant in settings MIUI (see method 1)

Method 3: Install custom firmware with Alice (for advanced)

If none of the previous methods worked, the radical solution is to install custom firmware with pre-integrated Alice, which is suitable for models where the Google Assistant is hard-stitched into the system (for example, Xiaomi Mi). A3 Android One or older flagships like Mi 9).

Advantages of the method:

• 🔧 Replacing Google Assistant with Alice at the System Level
• 🚀 The ability to optimize firmware for your needs (removal of unnecessary Google services)
• 🔄 Regular updates from the community (if popular firmware is selected)

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Risk of "bricking" the device in case of error
• 🔒 Loss of warranty (unless the bootloader is officially unlocked)
• 🔄 The need for manual firmware updates

Recommended firmware with Alice support:

Instructions for installation (on the example of xiaomi.eu):

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock tool (requires Xiaomi account binding and waiting). 7-15 days).
2. Install custom recapavere (for example, TWRP) Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
3. Make a backup of the current firmware in TWRP (Backup section).
4. Firmware: Download the archive from Xiaomi.eu for your model. Transfer it to your smartphone. TWRP Choose Install → Select an archive → Swipe to Confirm Flash.
5. Set up Alice after the first download (see Method 1 or 2).

⚠️ Note: Installing custom firmware may result in data loss, banking application problems (due to the lack of Google SafetyNet) and some features (e.g., unstable performance, NFC Before the procedure, be sure to check the firmware reviews for your model in forums like 4PDA or XDA-Developers.

Solving problems after replacing an assistant

Even if you successfully installed Alice, there may be problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:

1.Alice doesn't run on the power button

This is a typical problem for most Xiaomi, as the power button is tightly tied to Google Assistant at the hardware level.

• 🔘 Add Alice's widget to the home screen (long tap on the screen) → Widgets → Yandex).
• 📱 Set Alice to launch on double press of power button: Settings → Buttons and gestures → Double press of the power button.
• 🗣️ Use the voice command "OK, Yandex" (should be enabled in Alice's settings).

2 Alice does not respond to voice commands

The problem could be with the microphone, the resolution, or the battery optimization.

• 🎤 Permissions for microphone: Settings → Annexes → Yandex → Permits → Microphone.
• 🔋 Battery Optimization: Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → Yandex → No restrictions.
• 🔊 Alice Settings: Open the app → Settings → Voice assistant → Voice training.
• 📵 Background mode: in the application settings, turn on the Work in the background.

3.Alice spontaneously resets to Google Assistant

This is due to automatic updates to Google Play Services or resetting settings. MIUI. Decisions:

• 🔄 After each update to Google Play Services, reassign Alice as the default assistant.
• 📵 Turn off the automatic update of Google Assistant: Play Store → Profile → Settings → Auto-update of applications → Not update automatically.
• 🔧 Use it. ADB-Google Assistant: Adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

4.Alice does not control system settings (brightness, Wi-Fi, etc.)

Unfortunately, Alice doesn't have as deep access to Android as Google Assistant.

• 🔧 Use Tasker or MacroDroid to create automatic rules (e.g. voice commands) → brightness).
• 📱 Set up quick switches in the notification curtain for frequent actions.
• 🔘 Install control widgets on the main screen.

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If Alice stopped working after the update MIUI, Try to clear the cache and data of the Yandex application and then reassign it as the default assistant.

FAQ: Frequent questions about replacing Google Assistant with Alice