Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones are packed with useful features, but some of them can annoy users with their obsessiveness. Google Assistant is often activated accidentally when you unlock the screen or press the power button, which prevents quick access to other applications. Many owners of devices based on MIUI and HyperOS are looking for a way to completely remove this service from everyday use.
Disabling the voice assistant does not require complex manipulation of system files or obtaining root rights. It is enough to change several parameters in the settings menu of the application itself and the Android system. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods, from simple hiding a button to completely blocking the response to voice commands.
It’s worth noting that shell interfaces may vary slightly depending on the Android version and regional firmware.However, the overall algorithm of actions remains the same for most current models, including the Redmi Note series and the flagship Xiaomi Mi. Follow the instructions carefully so that you do not miss an important switch.
Basic settings inside the Google app
The first and most logical step is to disable the features directly in the service profile, which requires you to open the Google app on your device, and if the icon is removed from your desktop, you can find it in the general list of all installed programs or through a search system.
Once you start the app, click on the profile avatar in the top right corner of the screen. In the menu that opens, select Settings, then go to Google Assistant, and that's where the basic levers of voice assistant behavior are concentrated.
Inside the settings menu, find the Assistant section and scroll down to Phone, where you need to turn off the switch that activates the Assistant on the device, which will prevent you from running the service when you call through system commands.
⚠️ Note: After disconnecting, Assistant will no longer respond to voice commands, but some system features tied to the Google ecosystem may not work properly or offer re-activation.
You should also check the Hey Google and Voice Match section. Even if the main functionality is turned off, the phone can continue to listen to the trigger phrase.
💡
If you can not find the settings inside the application, try to enter the word "Assistant" in the search for phone settings - the system will tell you the desired menu item.
Remove the power button response
One of the most annoying features for many users is to launch the voice assistant while pressing the lock button for a long time. On Xiaomi smartphones with a MIUI 12 shell and later, this behavior is often set by default.
Go to the main settings menu of your smartphone and select the optional or advanced settings section. Find the option to press and hold the power button. In the window that opens, you will see options: call the Assistant or open the off menu.
Select the Off menu option. Now, if you press the button long enough, you'll see a standard window with the off and reset sliders and the emergency call button, which brings back the classic logic of Android smartphones.
- 🔹 Open the phone settings.
- 🔹 Go to the Additional Settings section.
- 🔹 Select Press and Hold the "Power" button".
- 🔹 Set a marker opposite the Shutdown menu.
In some older firmware versions, this option may be in the Search on the device or hidden in the feature menu. If the standard path doesn't work, search by settings by typing the phrase "power button".
☑️ Checking the button off
Disconnecting with Google Discover and Search
Often users confuse a full voice assistant with a Google Discover news feed, which opens with a swipe left on the desktop or when you click the search button. Although it is not the Assistant itself, these services are closely related, and turning off one often requires customizing the other.
To remove the tape, press and hold your finger on the empty desktop space. The edit menu will appear at the bottom of the screen where you need to select the option "Enter" or "Settings", and you can turn off the display of Google or Yandex feed if it is installed by default.
Also worth checking is the search widget settings. Click on the Google search bar widget on your desktop (usually an icon with a magnifying glass or a G). In the menu that appears, turn off the option to Show recommendations or Discover. This will make the interface cleaner and remove unnecessary notifications.
If you have Google Quick Search Box activated on your device, you can also limit it. Go to Settings → Apps → All Apps, search Google and select Notifications. Turn off all notification categories related to news and recommendations.
Managing Voice Activation Hey Google
The "Hey Google" (or "OK, Google") constant wiretapping feature is the most resource-intensive, not only is it consuming battery life, but it can also cause privacy concerns among users, and it needs to be disconnected separately from the core functionality.
In the Google app, go to Settings → Google Assistant → Hey Google and Voice Match. Here you will see the Hey Google switch. When you turn it off, the system will ask for confirmation - agree that the Assistant will stop responding to voice.
It is also important to remove the saved voice model so that the system is guaranteed to stop "recognize" you. In the same menu, select "Delete voice model" or "Rewrite" and this will reset the biometric data used to identify the user.
⚠️ Note: After removing the voice model, you will have to re-examine the learning process if you decide to return voice control functionality in the future.
There is also a nuance with the Assistant's work when the screen is locked: even when the "Hey Google" function is turned off, the phone can respond to commands if the screen is on. Make sure that the Lock (in the Assistant settings) section has disabled the option to Allow Personal Results when the device is locked.
Comparison of disconnection methods
There are several levels of service constraints, from mild to severe, and users are often confused about which method to choose to achieve the desired result. Below is a table comparing the effectiveness of different ways to disconnect.
| Method | Efficiency | Impact on the system | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disconnection in the Google app | Tall. | Minimum | Low. |
| Change of action of the power button | Medium | Absent. | Low. |
| Turning off Voice Match | Tall. | Medium (battery) | Low. |
| Stopover via ADB | Maximum | High (PC requires) | Tall. |
As you can see from the table, for most users, a combination of the first three methods is enough, and the use of ADB commands is only required in extreme cases when standard settings do not work or you need to completely remove the system component.
💡
The complete shutdown of all functions (button, voice, application) ensures that the Assistant will not disturb you under any circumstances.
Advanced level: Disconnection through ADB
For advanced users who want to completely remove the Assistant process from RAM, there is a method using USB debugging. This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer and having the Platform-tools installed.
The first thing you need to do is activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the build number seven times (MIUI Version). After the message "You became a developer" appears, go back to the settings menu and find the section "Additional → For developers".
Turn on the USB Debugging Toggle. Connect your phone to your PC with a cable. On your computer, open the command line in the ADB folder and enter a command to check the connection:
adb devicesOn the screen of the smartphone will request debugging permission — click "Allow". Next, to disable the Assistant component, use the following command, which hides the package from the system:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox⚠️ Note: Disabling system packages through ADB This can cause Google search widgets to work in an unstable way. To return functionality, use the adb shell pm enable com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox command.
This method doesn't physically remove an application, but it makes it invisible and inactive to the operating system, and it's the most radical, but also the most effective, way to combat intrusive service at the kernel level.