How to Replace OK Google with Alice on Xiaomi TVs: The Complete Guide

Voice assistants have become an integral part of modern smart TVs, but not all users are happy with built-in solutions. Owners of Xiaomi TVs often face the fact that OK Google is installed by default, which may work unstable or simply not suit the functionality. Meanwhile, the domestic Alice from Yandex offers more adapted for Russian-speaking users functions: from managing a smart home to finding content in Russian.

Replacing the voice assistant on Xiaomi TVs is not an obvious process, but it is possible even without deep technical knowledge. In this article, we will analyze all the available methods, from official methods to workarounds for models where direct replacement is blocked, you will learn which models support Alice out of the box, how to install an assistant through third-party applications, and what to do if the TV refuses to see a new voice service.

It is important to understand that the procedure may vary depending on the version of the MIUI TV firmware and the TV model. We will look at current methods for devices from 2022 to 2026, including the popular Mi TV A2 series, Xiaomi TV Q2 and Redmi Smart TV. If your model is older, check compatibility in the table below before you start setting up.

Why Google is Replacing OK Google with Alice

The main reason is localization and functionality. OK Google is optimized for English-speaking audiences, whereas Alice was originally designed for Russian-speaking users.

• 🗣️ Better speech recognition: Alice understands Russian language more accurately, including dialects and slang.
• 🏠 Integration with a smart home: Support for Yandex Station, Smart Home from Sber and other Russian ecosystems.
• 🎬 Content Search: Smart Search by Movie Search, Okko, IVI and other Russian-language platforms.
• 📅 Local services: Weather forecast for Russian cities, traffic jam information, exchange rates from the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.

Alice also offers more flexible voice command settings, such as creating your own scripts like "Put on a movie at the weekend" or "Show cameras from the country house." OK Google either doesn't provide those features or implements them through complex workarounds.

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi TVs with global firmware (e.g. for the European market), Alice may not work as smoothly due to geolocation limitations. Before installing, check your device's region in settings.

Alice’s official support: which Xiaomi models are compatible

Not all Xiaomi TVs support replacing voice assistant out of the box. Officially, Alice is available on the following models (data is relevant for MIUI TV 3.0 firmware and later):

If your model is not listed, it does not mean that installation is impossible. For such cases, there are alternative methods, which we will discuss later. However, before experimenting, it is recommended to back up the TV settings through the Settings menu → System → Backup.

Method 1: Install Alice via the official app (for supported models)

This is the simplest method that works on TVs with Alice's official support.

1. Internet connection (preferably via cable for stability)
2. Yandex account (you can create in advance on your smartphone).
3. A remote with a microphone or an external microphone connected to a TV.

Step instructions:

1. Open the settings → Device → Voice Assistant.
2. Select the option "Add voice assistant".
3. In the list of available services, find "Alice" and click Install.
4. Sign in through your Yandex account (if necessary, enter the login / password from the keyboard on the screen).
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the microphone and allow data access.

Once installed, Alice will be the default assistant, and to return OK Google, just repeat the steps and select it from the list of available services.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Smart) TV X, Mi TV 4S) And when Alice is installed, it can be that some apps lose sound, because there's a conflict of voice services, and the solution is to reboot the TV or reset the audio settings to Settings. → Sound. → Reset to factory.

Method 2: Manual installation via APK (for unsupported models)

If your TV doesn't officially support Alice, you can try installing it manually through the download of the APK- file, which requires you to turn on the developer mode and allow you to install applications from unknown sources.

You'll need:

• 📱 Smartphone or computer for download APK.
• 🔌 USB- flash drive (formatted in FAT32).
• 🛠️ File manager on TV (e.g., X-Plore or Built-in Explorer).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the latest version of Yandex Alice APK for Android TV from the official Yandex.Dialogues website.
2. Copy the file to a USB- flash drive (e.g., alice-tv-latest.apk).
3. Connect the flash drive to the TV and open the file manager.
4. Go to Settings → Applications → Special Features and enable “Unknown Sources”.
5. Start the APK installation and follow the instructions.
6. After installation, restart the TV and set Alice up in the voice assistant menu.

If Alice doesn’t appear on the list of assistants after installation, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the TV.
• 📥 Update the firmware to the latest version.
• 🔧 Reset application settings to Settings → Apps → Reset.

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If the TV doesn’t see the USB- flash drive, try formatting it in the exFAT file system or NTFS. Some Xiaomi models don’t support FAT32 for files larger than 4 GB.

Method 3: Using external devices with Alice

If none of the previous methods worked, you can connect an external device with Alice to a TV, which is true for older models or devices with disabilities.

Options for external devices:

• 🎤 Yandex Station (Mini, Lite, Max) – connects via HDMI-CEC or Bluetooth.
• 📱 Smartphone with Alice – through the function of Screen Translation (Miracast).
• 🖥️ Android-based console (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Box S) with Alice installed.

To connect Yandex Stations:

1. Connect the station to the same Wi-Fi as the TV.
2. In the TV settings, enable HDMI-CEC (Settings → Device → HDMI-CEC).
3. Activate Alice at the station with the voice command "Alice, turn on the TV."

The advantage of this method is stable operation without the risk of conflicts with the firmware, and the disadvantage is the need to buy an additional device.

Solving common problems

When replacing a voice assistant, users often encounter common mistakes, and consider the most common ways to fix them:

If none of the solutions worked, try resetting your TV to factory settings (Settings → System → Reset).Be sure to save important data (app list, network settings) before doing so.

⚠️ Warning: On TVs with MIUI TV 2.0 or lower, replacing the voice assistant may result in a loss of warranty, as it requires unlocking the bootloader, in which case the official service center may refuse repairs under warranty.

Google OK comparison with Alice: what is better for Xiaomi TV

To finally decide on the choice, compare both assistants on key parameters:

As you can see from the table, Alice wins by most measures if you use a TV in Russia. However, OK Google may be preferable if you actively use the Google ecosystem (eg, Google Photos, YouTube Music).

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For maximum functionality, it is recommended to use Alice in tandem with other Yandex services (Music, Weather, Maps), which will ensure smooth operation of voice commands and access to all local functions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about replacing voice assistant