How to permanently remove “Tap to Speak” from the home screen Xiaomi Redmi: working methods 2026

The “Tap to Speak” button appears on the home screen of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones after upgrading to MIUI 12 and later. This widget is designed to quickly launch the Google Assistant or Xiao AI voice assistant, but it interferes with many users — takes up space, accidentally activates when touching or just annoying visually. Unlike standard application icons, it will not be possible to remove it in the usual way (clamp and drag in the basket).

Complicating the problem, different MIUI versions and Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro, Redmi 9A or Redmi K50) may have different ways of removing the widget often returns after resetting or updating the firmware. In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods for removing “Tap to Speak” forever, from simple settings to radical solutions like changing the launcher or disabling system applications.

Why does the “Tap to Speak” button appear and can it be hidden?

The "Tap to Speak" widget is part of the integration of voice assistants into the MIUI shell, and is automatically added to the home screen after:

• 📱 Updating firmware to MIUI 12/13/14 (Especially if you have previously used Google Assistant).
• 🔄 Resetting settings to factory or flashing through Fastboot.
• 🎤 Activate voice search in Google or Xiao settings AI.
• 📦 Update installations for com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox or com.miui.voiceassistant applications.

You can't just hide the widget like a normal icon, because it's tied to the MIUI system launcher.

• ❌ Remove temporarily through launcher settings (return after restart).
• ⚙️ Disable permanently through application settings or ADB.
• 🔧 Replace the launcher with a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or Hyperion).
• 🚫 Deactivate the voice assistant that adds it.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 10C or Redmi A1) The widget may be part of the firmware MIUI For Android Go, in this case, removing it will require unlocking the bootloader and root rights.

Method 1: Remove through launcher settings (without root)

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI launcher options. It works on most Redmi devices with MIUI 12-14, but does not guarantee a permanent result (the widget can return after the update).

Instructions:

1. Press the “Tap to Speak” button on the home screen.
2. In the menu that appears, select Remove or Remove from the screen (on some models – widget settings).
3. If the Remove option is inactive, tap Settings → Disable the widget.
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

If the widget is gone but returned after the reboot, try it again:

⚠️ Note: Redmi with Android Go firmware (e.g. Redmi) A1+) This method may not work, so you can go to Method 3 or Method 4.

Method 2: Disabling the Google Assistant (Xiao AI)

The "Tap to Speak" widget only appears if one of the voice assistants is activated, and if you turn it off, you automatically delete the button from the main screen.

For Google Assistant:

1. Open Settings → Google → Settings for Google apps → Search, Assistant and Voice.
2. Choose Google Assistant → General settings.
3. Turn off the Google Assistant switch.
4. Confirm the action by pressing Turn off.

For Xiao AI (on Chinese firmware or global with regional restrictions):

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Xiao AI (or com.miui.voiceassistant).
3. Press Disconnect → Stop.
4. Clear the cache and application data.

After the assistant is turned off, the widget should disappear within 1-2 minutes. If this does not happen, restart the device.

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If the widget still appears after you turn off the assistant, check for updates for MIUI Launcher in the Play Market.

Method 3: Resetting launcher settings (without data loss)

If previous methods didn’t work, try resetting the standard MIUI launcher. This won’t delete your apps or files, but will return the standard look of the home screen (you’ll have to re-arrange the icons).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Louncher (or com.miui.home).
3. Select Warehouse. → Clear the data.
4. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

After discharge:

• 🔄 The “Tap to Speak” widget will disappear, but the standard icons will return. MIUI (weather, topics, browser).
• 📱 You will have to reconfigure wallpaper, folders and app location.
• ⚙️ It is recommended to immediately disable auto-update for MIUI Launcher in Play Market.

⚠️ Note: On some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11), the launcher reset may result in the loss of weather and calendar widgets.

Method 4: Removal via ADB (for power users)

If the widget returns after each reset, it can be completely disabled via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that requires connecting the phone to a computer, but does not need root rights.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB Xiaomi Redmi (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times press to unlock Developer Settings, then enable Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd in Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
3. Run the command to disable the widget: adb shell pm hide com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox/com.google.android.apps.search.searchwidget.SearchWidgetProvider For Xiao AI use: adb shell pm hide com.miui.voiceassistant/.ui.widget.VoiceWidgetProvider
4. Reboot the phone.

If the widget is missing but you want to return it, use the command:

adb shell pm unhide [package from step 3]

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14 In this case, try the alternative command: adb shell settings put secure. widget_providers_to_hide com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox/com.google.android.apps.search.searchwidget.SearchWidgetProvider

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The ADB method is the only way to permanently remove "Tap to Speak" without root rights, but once the phone is reset or the firmware update is updated, the widget may return and the procedure will have to be repeated.

Method 5: Installation of a third-party launcher (radical solution)

If none of these methods worked, the most reliable way is to replace the standard launcher with an alternative one, which not only removes the unnecessary widget, but also gives you more options for customizing the screen.

Recommended launchers for Xiaomi Redmi:

How to install and configure:

1. Download the launcher from Play Market.
2. Open the application and select it as the default launcher (a system request will appear).
3. In the new launcher settings, disable all MIUI widgets:

Once a third-party launcher is installed, the “Tap to Speak” widget will disappear forever, but keep in mind:

• ⚠️ Certain functions MIUI (For example, pop-up notifications or gestures may work differently.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI The launcher can reset to the standard - you will have to re-select a third-party.
• 📱 On Redmi with low RAM (2-3 GB), third-party launchers can slow down the system.

What to do if nothing helps

If the “Tap to Speak” widget continues to appear despite all attempts, the reason may be:

• 📦 The system application that adds it (e.g., com.miui.systemAdSolution on some firmware).
• 🔄 Automatic update of the launcher or voice assistant.
• 🛠️ Modified firmware (e.g., modified firmware, MIUI EU custom-made ROM).

Radical solutions:

1. Disabling system applications through ADB: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.miui.voiceassistant ⚠️ Warning: This will disable all voice search features, including the “OK, Google” commands and calling the assistant from the home button.
2. Installing custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) requires unlocking the bootloader and may be unwarranted.
3. Reset to factory settings followed by disabling auto updates for MIUI Launcher and Google.

On some Redmi models (for example, Redmi 9T or Redmi Note 8 Pro) the “Tap to Speak” widget is rigidly sewn into the system file framework-miui-res.apk. In this case, its removal is possible only through editing APK with root rights or installing custom firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing "Tap to Speak"