How to find and enable Google Assistant on Xiaomi Redmi phone: step-by-step instructions

Why Google Assistant Can Be Hidden on Your Redmi

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones run on the proprietary shell of MIUI, which often overrides standard Android features. Google Assistant is no exception: the manufacturer actively promotes its own voice assistant Xiao AI, so access to Google services can be limited or hidden in non-obvious menu sections. Even if you are sure that the assistant is installed, its icon may not be on the home screen or in the app menu.

Complicating the problem, different versions of MIUI (12 to 15) and regional firmware (global, Chinese, European) offer different ways to access Google Assistant. For example, on Chinese versions of MIUI, Google services are disabled by default, and on global versions can be integrated into the search button. Also affected is the Android version: on Redmi Note 12 with Android 13, the path to the assistant will be different from Redmi 9A with Android 10.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to run Google Assistant on Redmi, including hidden gestures, voice commands, and manual installation via ADB. You’ll learn how to check for an assistant in the system, why it can’t respond to voice, and what to do if MIUI blocks it from working.

Method 1: Standard launch through the application icon

The most obvious method is to find the Google Assistant icon in the app menu, but it's often missing by default on Xiaomi Redmi.

• 🔍 Swipe up the main screen to open the app menu.
• 📁 In the search bar (top of the screen), type “Google” or “Assistant».
• 🎤 If the icon is found, hold it and drag it to the main screen for quick access.
• ⚙️ If there is no icon, go to Settings. → Annexes → Manage applications and check the list of installed programs for “Google” or “Assistant».

On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro+), the icon may be hidden in the Google folder along with other services (Search, Maps, Drive) and if the folder is not installed, the assistant is not installed or disabled at the system level.

⚠️ Attention: On Chinese firmware MIUI Google services are removed by default. To install them, you will need to unlock the bootloader and manual firmware Google Apps (GApps).

Method 2: Start with the Home button or gesture

On most Redmi smartphones with Android 8.0 and Google's latest, Assistant can be called by a long press on the Home button (if the navigation bar is used) or by a special gesture. MIUI This function is often disabled to activate it:

1. Open Settings → Additional settings → buttons and gestures.
2. Select the Home button (or gestures if you use navigation without buttons).
3. Find the Long Click option and set the Google Assistant value.
4. Save the changes and check: Hold the Home button for 1-2 seconds.

On Redmi with HyperOS (MIUI 15), the path may be different: Settings → Screen → Navigation buttons → Additional settings → Long press on Home.

If there is no option, it means:

• 📱 You have Chinese firmware without Google services.
• 🔄 The assistant is disabled in the settings (see the next section).
• 🛠️ Update required MIUI last-minute.

Make sure that Google Assistant is installed.|Check the version. MIUI (relevant?)|Shut down Xiao. AI in the settings of the voice assistant|Reboot your phone after the changes-->

Method 3: Voice Activation (OK, Google)

Google Assistant voice launch should work on all Redmis with global firmware, but often requires pre-configuration. Here's how to turn on the "OK, Google" command:

1. Open the Google app (an icon with the letter “G” on a color background).
2. In the lower right corner, tap on your avatar → Settings.
3. Choose Google Assistant → Voice input.
4. Activate the switch OK, Google and get trained in the voice model (say the phrase 3 times).

If the option is not activated in gray:

• 🔊 Check if the microphone for the Google app is enabled in Settings → Annexes → Permits.
• 📶 Make sure your phone is connected to the internet (assistant requires online access).
• 🔄 Update Google App to Play Market.
• 🛠️ On Chinese firmware, voice activation doesn’t work without manually installing GApps.

On Redmi with MIUI 14+, the built-in Xiao AI can interfere. To turn it off: Settings → Voice Assistant → Disable Xiao AI.

Method 4: Manually Adding a Widget to the Main Screen

If there is no app icon, but Google Assistant is installed, you can add it through the widget.

1. Press and hold the empty space on the main screen.
2. Select Widgets from the bottom menu.
3. Scroll down to the Google or Assistant section.
4. Drag the Google Assistant widget (usually a round microphone icon) onto the screen.

On Redmi with MIUI 13-15, Google widgets can be hidden to show them:

1. Open the Settings. → Main screen screen.
2. Select the Widgets → Show system widgets.
3. Turn on the switch for Google.

If the widget is missing even after these actions, it means:

• 📦 Google App Not Installed (Deleted When Reset or Firmware).
• 🔧 Widgets disabled at level MIUI (relevant to Chinese versions).
• 🛠️ Requires firmware update to global version.

💡

If the widget doesn't appear, try resetting the launcher settings: press the empty space on the screen → Home screen settings → Reset the settings. This will bring back standard widgets, including Google.

Method 5: Running Google Search (if Assistant is Hidden)

If none of the previous methods worked, but the Google app is installed, you can run the Assistant through the search bar:

1. Open the Google app (or the search widget on the home screen).
2. In the lower right corner, tap on the microphone icon (if it is active).
3. Or enter a search term such as “open Google Assistant.”
4. In the search results, the Open Assistant button may appear.

On Redmi with MIUI 14+, the Google search bar can be replaced with Xiaomi Search.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Xiaomi Search and turn it off (Disable or Remove Updates).
3. Install the Google Search widget on the home screen.

If the microphone in Google search is inactive:

• 🎤 Check the permissions for the Google app in Settings → Annexes → Permits → Microphone.
• 🔄 Update Google App and Google Play Services to Play Market.
• 🛠️ On Chinese firmware, the microphone for Google is turned off at the system level.

💡

If you don’t have Google search, your Redmi has Chinese firmware without GApps, which requires manual installation of Google services or reflashing to the global version.

Method 6: Install Google Assistant manually (if not)

If your Redmi Google Assistant is completely missing (for example, on Chinese firmware), you can install it yourself.

Step 1: Checking the availability of Google Services

Open Settings → Applications and check if there are:

• Google Play Services
• Google Play Market
• Google (Search App)

If you don’t have one, you’ll need to install GApps (Google Apps).

Step 2: Install Google Assistant via APK

If GApps are installed, but no Assistant:

1. Download the latest version of Google App from a trusted source (e.g. APKMirror).
2. Install. APK-File by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings) → Annexes → Special access → Installation of unknown applications).
3. After installation, restart the phone.

Step 3: Activate through ADB (for power users)

If the Assistant is installed but not launched, you can force it to activate via ADB:

adb shell pm grant com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox android.permission.USE_FULL_SCREEN_INTENT


adb shell cmd appops set com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW allow

These commands give the application the necessary permissions to work.

⚠️ Attention: On Chinese firmware MIUI Without unlocked bootloader, installing GApps can lead to loss of warranty and unstable system operation.We recommend using global firmware from Xiaomi.eu, where Google services are pre-integrated.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Google Assistant on Redmi