Touch assistant Xiaomi: how to turn on and configure on a smartphone or tablet

Xiaomi’s Touch Assistant is an intelligent tool that makes it easier to interact with the device through gestures, voice commands and contextual prompts.The feature is available on most of the brand’s modern smartphones (Mi series, Redmi series, POCO), and also on tablets under control MIUI However, many users face difficulties when first enabled: the assistant can be hidden in the depths of settings, disabled by default or require additional authorization.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to activate the touch assistant – from basic activation through the menu to solving typical problems (for example, when the icon does not appear on the screen or the function does not respond to gestures). MIUI 14 and HyperOS may be different, and you’ll also learn how to customize the assistant to your needs, from changing the sensitivity of the sensor to integrating with Google Assistant or Mi. AI.

What is Xiaomi’s touch assistant and why you need it?

Touch Assistant (sometimes called “Gistorial Assistant” or “Mi”) AI Touch is a set of functions that extends the control of the device:

• 👆 Gesture control: swipes, touches and holds for quick access to features (e.g., double tap camera running across the screen).
• 🎤 Voice commands: integration with Mi AI Google Assistant for tasks without manual input.
• 🔍 Contextual prompts: The assistant analyzes your actions and offers relevant options (e.g. copying text from a screenshot).
• ⚡ Fast Action: Creating custom combinations to run applications or scripts.

The main advantage is saving time, for example, instead of unlocking your phone, you can open your Settings. → Sound and manual volume control, you can swipe your finger twice on the edge of the screen (if the function is set up:

• 📱 Owners of smartphones with large screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi) K60 Pro, where reaching the top panel is uncomfortable.
• 👨‍🦽 Users with disabilities who find it difficult to hold buttons.
• 🎮 Gamers who want to assign gestures for quick access to settings during the game.

It's important to understand that the touch assistant is not a separate application, but a system module, and it's tightly integrated with the firmware, so it depends on the version. MIUI/HyperOS and the models of the device, POCO F5) The function may be called a “smart assistant” or “quick ball».

Preparation of the device before switching on

Before you activate the touch assistant, make sure your device meets the minimum requirements:

If your device is older than Redmi Note 9 or is running on your device MIUI 11 and below, the touch assistant may be missing or error-proof. In this case, we recommend updating the firmware through Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system.

Update the firmware to the latest version|Connect to a stable Wi-Fi|Log in to the account Xiaomi/Google|Release at least 1 GB memory|Reset the device-->

Also check if critical permissions are disabled:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the “Touch Assistant” or “Mi” AI» (name may differ).

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If there is no touch assistant in the list of applications, try searching for “gestures” or “assistant” in the settings.

Method 1: Including through the basic settings

This is the easiest method that works on most Xiaomi devices. MIUI 12.5+ or HyperOS. Follow the instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Special Features section (on some firmwares – Additional or Smart Features).
3. Choose a Touch Assistant (or Smart Assistant, Mi). AI Touch).
4. Activate the slider at the top of the screen. If it's not there, click Add Assistant to the screen.
5. Customize the appearance of the icon (size, transparency) and confirm the changes.

Once activated, a floating button (usually a circle or dot) will appear on the screen, and click on it to open the Quick Action menu.

• 🔄 Return to the previous screen.
• 🏠 Go to the main screen.
• 🔍 Open search.
• ⚙️ Quickly move to settings.

If the assistant icon does not appear after turning on, check:

• 📱 Is not activated Do Not Disturb (it can block floating elements).
• 🔒 Are permissions for system applications disabled in Settings → Annexes → Permits.
• 🔄 Does the device need to be restarted (sometimes changes only apply after rebooting).

Method 2: Activation through the laboratory MIUI (lip-service)

Some of the scalings (especially on the POCO Or custom builds) sensory assistant hidden in the laboratory MIUI — partition for experimental functions:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Press 5-7 times in a row on the version MIUI (A notification will appear saying, “You have become a developer»).
3. Go back to the main settings menu and find a new section. → Laboratory MIUI (or hidden functions).
4. Activate the option of Touch Assistant or Quick Ball.

In the laboratory, you can also configure:

• 🎛️ Sensitivity of gestures: adjusting the speed of swipes and the force of pressing.
• 🔄 Automatic Hiding: The assistant icon will disappear after a predetermined time of inactivity.
• 🔒 Blocking Changes: Protection against Inadvertent Motion of the Button.

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Laboratory MIUI If the partition is not available on all firmware, even after the developer mode is activated, your device does not support hidden functions or they are disabled by the manufacturer.

Be careful: changes in the lab can cause the system to malfunction, for example, if you increase the sensitivity of gestures too much, the phone will react to random touch. MIUI Replaced with HyperOS Labs, where the assistant settings can be in the Smart Features section → Experimental.

Method 3: Enable via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods do not work, you can activate the sensory assistant through the ADB (Android Debug Bridge – This method is suitable for devices with unlocked bootloader or root rights, but requires caution.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 taps → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Activate the touch assistant with the command: adb shell settings put global assistive_ball_enabled 1
5. Reboot the device: adb reboot

If the icon does not appear after the reboot, try additional commands:

adb shell pm enable com.miui.touchassistant


adb shell am start -n com.miui.touchassistant/.ui.TouchAssistantActivity

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Before use ADB Backup your data through Settings → Additionally. → Backup: Incorrect commands can cause system failures.

On HyperOS, the path to the assistant settings may be different. Try an alternative command:

adb shell settings put secure assistive_ball 1

Setting up a sensory assistant to your needs

Once the assistant is activated, it can be customized.

1. Click on the floating icon and hold it for 2 seconds.
2. Select Settings (cog icon).
3. Set the following parameters:

Pay special attention to the Gestures section, where you can assign up to 5 custom actions.

• 📸 Double tap. → launch.
• 🔦 Triple touch. → flashlight.
• 🔇 Retention + swipe down → silent.

If you use Google Assistant, we recommend syncing it with the touch assistant:

1. Open the assistant settings.
2. Select the Voice Assistant → Google Assistant.
3. Allow access to the microphone and notifications.
4. Activate the voice start option (for example, by saying “OK, Google”).

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On devices for the Chinese market (China) ROM) Google Assistant may not be available. In this case, use Mi. AI, But its functionality is limited to Chinese language support.

Solving Typical Problems with a Sensory Assistant

Even after you set it up correctly, users are still experiencing errors, and let's look at the most common ones.

Problem 1: The assistant icon doesn't appear

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔄 The firmware does not support the feature: check the list of compatible models above.If your device is older than the Redmi Note 10, update your firmware or use alternatives (e.g. Edge Gestures from Google Play).
• 📵 System permissions disabled: go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Three points. → Show system, find Touch Assistant** and enable all permissions.
• 🛠️ Cache failure: Clear the assistant cache through Settings → Annexes → Touch assistant → Memory. → Clear the cache.

Problem 2: Gestures don’t work or they happen by accident

What to do:

• 🎛️ Adjust the sensitivity in the assistant settings (Gestural section) → Sensitivity adjustment).
• 🧹 Remove conflicting applications (such as Nova Launcher or Gesture Control) that can intercept swipes.
• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes gestures “wilter” after a long work.

Problem 3: The assistant spontaneously shuts down

This often happens because of:

• 🔋 Battery Optimizations: Add Assistant to Exceptions via Settings → Battery → Optimizing the battery → All applications.
• 📱 Power Saving Mode: Turn it off or add an assistant to the list of allowed apps.
• 🔄 Automatic update: after update MIUI/HyperOS You can reset the settings. Check them after each update.

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If the assistant only turns off in certain applications (such as games), add them to the floating window exception list: → Special facilities → Floating windows → Exceptions.

Problem 4: The voice assistant is not working

Check it out.

• 🎤 Permission to access the microphone for Mi AI or Google Assistant.
• 🌐 Internet connection (voice commands require cloud processing).
• 🗣️ Recognition Language: In the voice assistant settings, select your primary language.

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On devices with HyperOS, voice commands may need to be logged in through a Xiaomi account with a linked phone number.

Alternatives to Xiaomi's touch assistant

If the standard assistant is not satisfied (for example, due to limited functionality or bugs), consider third-party solutions:

To establish an alternative:

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Grant permissions to display over other windows and use special features.
3. Configure the gestures according to the application instructions.

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Before installing third-party assistants, disable Xiaomi’s standard touch assistant to avoid conflicts.

If you are choosing between standard assistant and alternative, consider:

• ⚡ Performance: System Assistant optimized for Xiaomi and consumes less battery.
• 🛠️ Stability: Third-party apps may cause lags or not work after an update MIUI/HyperOS.
• 🔧 Functionality: Alternatives often offer more customization (e.g. gestures for specific applications).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's touch assistant