How to permanently disable the voice assistant on the Xiaomi TV: a detailed guide

Voice assistants on Xiaomi TVs are both a convenient feature and a potential source of annoyance. Many users are faced with the situation when Google Assistant or XiaoAI are activated accidentally from phrases from movies, ads or even a simple conversation in the room. Moreover, these services consume system resources, send data to the cloud and can slow down the PatchWall interface.

In this article, we will look at all possible ways to turn off voice assistants on Xiaomi TVs, from standard settings to hidden developer parameters. The instructions are relevant for the Mi TV 4/4A/4S/5/5X, Redmi Smart TV, as well as the new Xiaomi TV A Pro and Xiaomi TV Q2 series from 2023-2026. If you want to not just mute the microphone, but completely deactivate the processing of voice commands at the system level, this guide is for you.

Why the voice assistant is getting in the way: 5 real problems

Before we go to shutdown, we need to understand what kind of inconvenience this feature creates, and here are some of the most common complaints users have about it:

• 🎤 False positives: The assistant is activated by the words “OK Google” in movies, songs or conversations (especially relevant for Google Assistant).
• 🐢 Slowing the interface: the background processes of the assistant take up 15-20% CPU and 200-300 MB RAM, which is critical for budget models with 1 GB memory.
• 🔍 Data collection: Even in sleep mode, the microphone can listen to the environment for analysis (confirmed by Consumer Reports 2022 research).
• 🔊 Incorrect commands: The assistant can spontaneously switch channels, open apps, or change volume.
• 🔄 Automatic updates: After the PatchWall update, the assistant settings can be reset to factory.

Interestingly, in China (XiaoAI's home market), XiaoAI is installed by default, whereas in global versions, Google Assistant is installed. Functionally, they are similar, but the ways to turn off differ.

Method 1: Standard Disconnection through Settings (for most users)

It’s the simplest method that works on 90% of Xiaomi models without the need to tamper with system files, and is suitable for disabling both Google Assistant and XiaoAI.

Instructions:

1. Turn on the TV and go to the main screen of PatchWall.
2. Press the Settings button on the remote or select Settings → All settings.
3. Go to Accounts and Security → Voice Assistant (or Accounts & Security → Voice Assistant in English firmware).
4. Turn off the sliders: 🔴 Google Assistant (OK Google) 🔴 XiaoAI (if present) 🔴 Voice Control (Voice Control)

Confirm the action if a request for permission appears.

Settings → About TV → Reboot

After the reboot, check the assistant's work by saying the standard activation phrase (e.g., "OK Google"). If done correctly, the TV should not respond.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Mi) TV 5 Pro) after disabling the assistant through settings, it can be activated again after the PatchWall update. In this case, use Method 3 with disabling via ADB.

Method 2: Turning off the microphone at the physical level

If you need to not just deactivate the assistant, but completely block access to the microphone (for example, for privacy reasons), you can do it hardwarely or software.

Options:

• 🔇 Disconnection in Android settings TV: Go to Settings. → Confidentiality → App permissions. Find the Microphone and turn off access for Google App and XiaoAI.

Physically shutting down the microphone

• Take apart the TV (requires a T5 screwdriver and a plastic mediator).
• Find the microphone module (usually located next to the IR receiver).
• Disconnect the plume or seal the microphone with tape.

Use of external USB-microphone

Connect to the TV through USB-port an external microphone (e.g. from the headset) and disable the built-in audio settings, which will allow you to use voice search as needed, but block background listening.

💡

If you're afraid of damaging the TV when you disassemble, use an alternative method: stick a piece of tape or tape on the microphone hole, which will significantly reduce sensitivity without disrupting other functions.

Method 3: Complete disabling via ADB (for power users)

This method permanently disables the voice assistant at the system level, even after updates, requiring a computer with ADB drivers installed and USB debugging enabled on the TV.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on USB debugging: Go to Settings → About TV. Find the build number and click on it 7 times in a row until the notification "You've become a developer" appears. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer settings. Activate USB debugging and network debugging (optional).
2. Connect the TV to the PC: Download ADB Tools and unpack it into a folder. Connect the TV to your computer through USB-cable (use the port) USB 3.0 on the TV. Open the command line (Win) + R → cmd) and execute: adb devices Must appear with serial number.
3. Disable Assistants with commands: For Google Assistant: Adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.apps.assistant For XiaoAI: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.mitv.voiceassistant adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.xiaomi.aiasst
4. Reboot TV: Adb shell reboot

Once you restart, the assistants will be completely deactivated. To get them back, use the commands:

adb shell pm enable com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox


adb shell pm enable com.xiaomi.mitv.voiceassistant

⚠️ Note: Disabling system applications through ADB This can cause some PatchWall features to work in an unstable way, such as voice search on YouTube or Netflix. If you experience problems after you turn off, return the settings with the enable command.

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Disabling through ADB is the only way to permanently remove the assistant, including its background processes, which works even after the TV is reset to factory settings (unless a full wipe has been performed).

Method 4: Alternative solutions (if nothing helps)

If standard methods didn’t work (for example, on custom firmware or older models), try these options:

• 🔄 Factory reset: Sometimes the assistant is activated due to a failure in settings. perform reset via Settings → On TV. → Reset. Warning: This will delete all installed apps and accounts!
• 📦 Installation of alternative firmware: In forums 4PDA and XDA Developers have modified firmware for Xiaomi TV without any helpers, like firmware. ATV Custom ROM for Mi TV 4A.
• 🛡️ Use of Firewall Applications: Install through ADB Apps like NetGuard or AFWall+ and block internet access for com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox.
• 🎯 Tasker Disconnection: Automatic script can force the assistant to stop when the TV is started.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you turn off the voice assistant, you often have typical problems, and here are the most common ones and solutions:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔹 Firmware version (Settings) → On TV. → Software version. On some older versions (Android) TV 8.0) the assistant is sewn into the system and does not switch off.
• 🔹 Viruses. Some malicious applications can emulate the assistant's work. Check the TV through Malwarebytes (installed via ADB).
• 🔹 Hardware malfunctions: If the microphone is permanently active even after a physical shutdown, the board or plume may have been damaged.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions