How to disable Google Assistant on Xiaomi headphones: all ways of 2026

Google Assistant in Xiaomi headphones (including Redmi Buds, Mi True Wireless, Xiaomi Buds, and others) is often activated accidentally – just touch the touchbar twice or press a button. For many users, this becomes an annoying factor: the assistant interrupts music, reacts to false positives or simply does not need. Unfortunately, Xiaomi does not always provide a direct option to turn off in the proprietary application, especially on budget models.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to deactivate Google Assistant on Xiaomi headphones, from the standard settings in Mi Fitness/Xiaomi Wear to hidden methods through ADB and alternative firmware. And explain why the assistant can continue to work even after turning off in Android settings, and what to do about it. If you use an iPhone, there’s a solution for you too — it’s different from Android methods.

Why is Google Assistant activated on Xiaomi headphones?

In most Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Buds 4/5 Pro, Xiaomi Buds 4), the voice assistant is tied to the control gesture:

• 👆 Double touch – standard gesture for calling an assistant (configurable in the application).
• 🔘 Long-term retention – on some models (for example, Mi True Wireless 2), pressing the button for 2-3 seconds activates voice input.
• 🎧 Automatic recognition – if Android settings are enabled «OK Google: Headphones can respond to voice without touching.

The problem is that Xiaomi often doesn’t allow the assistant to be completely disabled through proprietary software, for example, in the Xiaomi Wear app you can only change the gesture to another one (for example, to pause / play), but not remove it altogether, due to firmware restrictions and Google’s requirements for device certification.

Method 1: Disconnect via Xiaomi Wear or Mi Fitness app

This is the simplest method, but it doesn't work on all models.

1. Open the Xiaomi Wear app (for new models) or Mi Fitness (for older models).
2. Connect the headphones to the phone via Bluetooth.
3. Go to Device → Headphone Settings → Gesture Control (the name may differ).
4. Find the option of voice assistant or double touch.
5. Select an alternative action (e.g., Pause/Replay) or Disable if there is one.

Important: On budget models (e.g. Redmi Buds 3 Lite), there may be no shutdown option, in which case move on to the following ways.

Update the Xiaomi Wear app to the latest version

Make sure the headphones are connected to the phone.

Check the version of the headphone firmware (in the device settings)

Make a backup copy of the gesture settings (screenshot)-->

Method 2: Disable “OK Google” in Android Settings

If the headphones respond to OK Google's voice command, the problem might not be in them, but in the phone's settings.

1. Open Android Settings → Google → Settings for Google apps → Search, Assistant and Voice.
2. Select the Voice Assistant → Recognition, OK Google».
3. Turn off the “OK Google” Recognition slider.

Limitation: This will not disable the assistant call through headphone gestures, but will eliminate voice activation. On some firmware (e.g. MIUI 14), the path may differ: Settings → Additional → Special Features → Voice Assistant.

Method 3: Reset Xiaomi headphones to factory settings

If previous methods didn't work, try a full reset, which will return all gesture settings to factory, but doesn't guarantee that the assistant will be disabled (depending on the model).

1. Place the headphones in the case and close the lid.
2. Press and hold the button on the case (usually located behind) for 10-15 seconds until the indicator flashes red and white.
3. Open the case cover - the headphones will reset and will be ready for a new setup.
4. Connect them again to the phone and check if the gesture of calling the assistant is still there.

Warning: Reset will delete all saved settings, including linking to your Xiaomi account (if any). Mi AI-enabled models (e.g. Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro) may require re-authorization.

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If the reset button on the case doesn't respond, try connecting the headphones to another phone (not Xiaomi) and reset through its Bluetooth settings. Sometimes this works on models with firmware bugs.

Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work, you can force the assistant to turn off via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a computer and basic command line knowledge.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your computer and execute the command: adb shell settings put global assistant null
4. Restart the phone and check if the assistant is still on the headphones.

Attention: This method can completely disable Google Assistant on your phone, not just in headphones. Some MIUI firmware resets after rebooting, and there is a risk of disrupting other voice-related functions.

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ADB-If the assistant is still there, try the alternative command: adb shell pm disable-user com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox. But remember, this will turn off all Google services, including search!

Method 5: Alternative firmware (for enthusiasts)

On some models (such as the Redmi Buds 3 Pro), enthusiasts create custom firmware where you can completely remove the voice assistant, which is only suitable for power users and is fraught with risks:

• ⚠️ Loss of warranty – Firmware revokes official support.
• 🔧 Brick device - if the error headphones can stop turning on.
• 🔒 Connection problems – unofficial software can conflict with phones.

Where to look for firmware:

• 🌐 Forum XDA Developers (part of Xiaomi Headphones).
• 📥 Telegram channels dedicated to the modification of Xiaomi devices (for example, @xiaomifirmware).
• 🛠️ GitHub repositories with open firmware (see the model of headphones).

Warning: Before you run the firmware, be sure to check the file compatibility with your headphone model. For example, the firmware from Redmi Buds 4 will not work for Xiaomi Buds 3T - this will lead to the device failure.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If all the options have been tried, but Google Assistant continues to activate, consider alternative solutions:

Last tip: If the headphones are still warranty, ask Xiaomi to provide firmware without voice assistant. In some cases (especially for the European market), the manufacturer goes to the side and releases an update with the option to disable.

FAQ: Frequent questions