How to launch Alice with a voice on Xiaomi: all ways to activate

Voice assistants have become an integral part of modern smartphones, and Alice from Yandex is one of the most popular in the Russian segment. Owners of Xiaomi devices often face the question: how to run Alice by voice if the default MIUI integrated Google Assistant? The problem is complicated by the fact that the manufacturer does not always provide direct support for third-party assistants, and standard activation methods through a long press of the power button do not work on all models.

In this article, we will discuss all working ways to launch Alice in voice on Redmi smartphones, POCO Xiaomi (including Mi 11, Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 Pro and others. You'll learn how to set up voice calls through MIUI, Bypass system limitations with third-party applications, and how to integrate Alice into Xiaomi’s smart devices (e.g. Mi Smart Speaker speakers (GMS) and with alternative firmware.

Why doesn’t Alice start by voice on Xiaomi by default?

The main reason is the conflict between the built-in voice assistants. The MIUI is pre-installed out of the box with Google Assistant, which takes up a hot button (long press on Power or Home). Even if you installed the Yandex app with Alice, the system does not allow you to reassign voice activation to a third-party service without additional settings.

Other possible causes:

• 🔄 Lack of rights to access microphone for Yandex application.
• 📱 An outdated version MIUI (downstream MIUI 12 voice activation is not stable).
• 🌍 Regional restrictions: on some models for China ROM) voice commands are blocked.
• 🔊 Conflict with other voice services (e.g. Mi) AI Assistant on new devices).

Before you proceed to the setting, check:

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for Russia (e.g. Redmi 10 2022 or POCO M5) Alice may not be able to start with voice due to pre-integration with Google Services, in which case you will need to disable Google Assistant manually.

Method 1: Configure via Yandex application (official method)

The easiest way is to use the built-in features of the Yandex app, which works on most devices with MIUI 12 and later, but requires pre-configuring permissions.

Steps for activation:

1. Install or update the Yandex app from Google Play or APKMirror (for GMS-free devices).
2. Open the app, go to Profile → Settings → Alice.
3. Enable the option of Voice Assistant Alice and Allow Start from the Lock screen.
4. Return to the basic settings of the smartphone: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Yandex.
5. Give all the necessary permissions: Microphone, Auto Run, Display over other windows.
6. Reset the device.

After that, Alice can be called:

• 🎤 Voice command: "Hello Alice" (if the option is enabled in the settings).
• 🔘 Button on the desktop (Yandex widget).
• 📱 Gesture: swipe on the lock screen (on some models).

Last update installed MIUI|Yandex app updated to the current version|Permits for microphone and auto-run issued|Google Assistant is disabled (if not in use)-->

If voice activation does not work, try resetting the settings of the Yandex application:

Settings → Applications → Yandex → Storage → Clean up data

Method 2: Reassign the power button (for MIUI 12.5+)

Starting with MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi added the ability to reassign the long-press action to the power button, which allows you to replace Google Assistant with Alice.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Special features → Power button (on some firmware, the path may differ: Settings → System → Gestures).
2. Select Long Press and set the Voice Assistant value.
3. In the list that appears, select Yandex (if there is none, install the application first).
4. Save the changes and restart the smartphone.

Now, if you press the power button long enough, Alice will start.

• ✅ It works on most models with Global. ROM (For example, the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G).
• ❌ Not available in China ROM rootless.
• ⚠️ On some devices after the update MIUI settings may reset.

Method 3: Using Tasker or MacroDroid (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can automate Alice’s launch with scripting apps like Tasker or MacroDroid, which is suitable for devices without root rights, but requires initial setup.

Example of settings in MacroDroid:

1. Install MacroDroid from Google Play.
2. Create a new macro command with a voice command trigger (or press a button if you want to use a physical button).
3. As an action, select Launch the application → Yandex.
4. Add the limitation Screen is off if you want to run Alice from lockdown.
5. Save the macro and test it.

Advantages of the method:

• 🎛️ Flexible setting: You can set up a launch to any button combination or voice command.
• 🔄 It even works for China. ROM Google Services.
• 📱 Supports additional conditions (e.g., only when connected to Wi-Fi).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Requires constant back-end service (may affect autonomy).
• 🔧 More difficult to set up for beginners.

💡

In MacroDroid, you can create a macro that will trigger Alice when you shake the phone or double tap the volume, which is convenient if the power button is occupied by another action.

Method 4: Voice activation on Xiaomi smart devices (columns, clocks)

Alice can be launched by voice not only on smartphones, but also on other Xiaomi devices that support voice assistants, such as the Mi Smart Speaker smart speakers or the Mi Watch.

Instructions for Mi Smart Speaker:

1. Connect the column to the Mi Home app.
2. Go to the device settings and select Voice Assistant → Yandex Alice.
3. Log in to Yandex account and issue permissions to access the microphone.
4. Activate the option Voice activation by keyword.

Now the column will respond to the phrase "Hi Alice."

• 🕒 Xiaomi Mi Watch (via Mi Fitness app).
• 🔊 Xiaomi Smart Display (smart display with Alice).
• 💡 Xiaomi AI Speaker (Chinese version of the column, requires firmware with support for Alice).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi smart devices (e.g. Mi Band 7) don’t support Alice due to hardware platform limitations.

Method 5: Alternative firmware and root access (for power users)

If your device runs on China ROM or you have custom firmware installed (like LineageOS), standard methods may not work, in which case you will need to root or install modified versions of MIUI.

Options:

1. Install Global ROM: Download the official Global ROM for your model from Xiaomi. Sweat it through Fastboot or Recovery (instructions depend on the model). Once you have firmware, Alice will be available through standard settings.
2. Using Magisk and the Assistant Enabler module: Get root rights through Magisk. Install the Assistant Enabler module to reassign the voice assistant. In the module settings, select Yandex as the default assistant.

ADB-change-off

adb shell settings put global assistant com.yandex.browser


adb shell settings put global voice_interaction_service com.yandex.browser/.voiceassistant.VoiceAssistantService

After completing the commands, restart the device.

⚠️ Attention: Customization Firmware ROM Or getting a root license will void the warranty on the device. On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro), this can lead to a bootloader lock!

💡

If you are not sure about your firmware skills, it is best to use official methods (Methods 1-3). Root access and custom ROM are recommended only to advanced users.

Solving problems: Alice doesn't respond to voice commands

If you set up Alice's launch but she doesn't respond to her voice, check out the following points:

Mike problems:

• 🎤 Make sure the microphone is not physically silenced (e.g. on a cover).
• 🔊 Check the permissions: Settings → Annexes → Yandex → Permits → Microphone.
• 📱 Test the microphone in another application (for example, in a voice recorder).

2. Conflict with other assistants:

• 🤖 Turn off Google Assistant: Settings → Google → Settings for Google apps → Search, helper and voice → Google Assistant → General settings → Disable Google Assistant.
• 🤖 Turn off Mi. AI Assistant (if any): Settings → Annexes → Application management → Mi AI → Shut down.

Internet problems:

• 🌐 Alice wants a stable connection to the network, check if it's mobile or Wi-Fi.
• 🔄 If you use VPN, Disable it – it can block access to Yandex servers.

Errors in Alice's settings:

• 🔄 Reinstall the Yandex application.
• 📱 Clear the cache: Settings → Annexes → Yandex → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔊 Switch the voice language to Russian (Russia) in Alice settings.

If the problem persists, try resetting your network settings:

→ SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network reset

FAQ: Frequent questions about launching Alice on Xiaomi