Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often face intrusive preinstalled services. In particular, users of the Redmi Note 4 model may find that the voice assistant Yandex.Alice actively invades the interface, this occurs not only through a separate application, but also through system widgets, lock screen and even the Home button with prolonged pressing. For many, this functionality becomes unnecessary, especially if the device is used for other tasks or if the owner prefers Google Assistant.
The process of deactivation can seem confusing due to the features of the MIUI shell. The system tries to keep the user in the ecosystem of Yandex, hiding switches in different menus. However, knowing the exact paths and system settings, you can completely rid Android of unnecessary software. In this article, we will discuss all the methods from simply disabling widgets to completely stop system processes.
It is worth noting that the complete removal of system components sometimes requires root rights or use of ADB. However, in most cases, for Redmi Note 4 standard settings are enough. We will look at safe ways that do not violate the warranty and do not lead to errors in the operation of the operating system.
Disabling widgets and lock screen
The most visible element of Alice's presence is the desktop widgets and the search bar, which often take up useful space and are activated randomly, and to remove them, you need to go into desktop editing mode, so you can pinch your two fingers in the center of the screen or hold your finger on an empty area.
In the menu that opens, find the "Widgets" or "Add" section, and then you'll find the "Yandex" or "Search" item and delete it. If the search bar is built into the launcher, go to Settings → Desktop. Find the search bar and select the "No" or "Google" option, which will instantly clear the top of the screen.
The lock screen deserves special attention, and in some versions of MIUI firmware, it can display a news card or an offer to start an assistant.
- 🔒 Go to Settings. → Lock screen.
- 📉 Find the item "Carousel of wallpaper" or "Tape of widgets».
- 🚫 Turn off the “Connected Devices” or “News” switch».
- 🧹 Clear the Security app cache if the changes don’t apply immediately.
⚠️ Warning: After updating the firmware, the launcher settings may reset. If the search bar appears again, repeat the procedure in the desktop menu.
It is important to understand that simply removing an icon does not always stop background processes. The widget can continue to consume RAM even if it is not visible on the screen.
Setting up voice control and the home button
A common problem with Redmi Note 4 is that you activate Alice when you press the central touch button for a long time. This behavior is set in the navigation system settings. To change the device's response, go to Settings → Advanced Settings. Here you will need to use "Button Management" or "Navigation".
In the button management menu, find the action “Long-Tap Home.” The default action may be “Voice Assistant” or “Yandex.” Click on this item and select “Nothing” or “Google Assistant” if you use standard Android services, which will break the link between the physical action and launching an unwanted application.
It is also worth checking the settings of the Yandex app itself. Voice Activation is often enabled inside the program, which means that Alice can respond to the phrases "Listen" or "Yandex", even when the phone is in her pocket.
- 🎤 Open the Yandex application and click on the profile icon.
- ⚙️ Go to Settings. → Voice functions.
- 🔇 Find the “Voice Activation” switch and turn it off.
- 📵 Turn off the “Start When Connecting Headphones” option if it is active.
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If the Home button still calls Alice, try clearing the Settings or Security app data, as they can cache old navigation options.
Some users prefer to reassign the button to start the voice recorder or the camera. This can be done in the same button management menu. Choose the feature you really need to avoid random launches in your pocket. If you don't use voice control at all, the best choice is to set the action "Nothing".
Application management and forced stop
If simple settings don’t work, you need to move to more radical measures through the application management menu. On Android, every application can be forcibly stopped or restricted. To do this, open Settings → Applications → All applications. In the list, find Yandex, Yandex.Search or Voice Assistant.
Once you enter the app properties, you will see the Stop button. Press it to immediately complete all processes. However, after you restart the phone, the application may start again. To prevent this, use the Disconnect button. The system will warn you that the application will be removed from the list and will stop updating. For system components, the button may be called Disable or be inactive without superuser rights.
If the off button is not available, you can limit the access rights:
- In the app menu, find the "Permissions" section.
- Disable access to microphone, geolocation and contacts.
- Turn off auto-start if this option is present in your version of MIUI.
- Clear the data and cache to reset all temporary settings.
| System component | Action. | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Yandex.Search. | Shut down. | Search bar and widgets disappear |
| Google Voice Entering | Stop it. | The activation of “Ok Google” stops working |
| Yandex (main) | Withdraw rights | Alice stops hearing the microphone |
| Security (MIUI) | Clearing the cache | Resets the launcher settings |
It is important not to manually delete system files through the file manager without understanding their purpose. This can lead to a cyclic device restart (bootloop).
Using ADB for Advanced Removal
For users who want to get rid of Yandex system components on Redmi Note 4, there is a method using the system. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method requires connecting the smartphone to the computer via USB-cable and availability of installed Xiaomi driver USB Driver. Before starting work, you need to activate the developer mode.
To activate Developer Mode, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the build number (MIUI Version) seven times. Then the "Developers" option will appear in the "Advanced Settings" menu. Inside you need to turn on "Debugging on USB." Connect the phone to your PC and confirm the debugging request on your smartphone screen.
Next, use the following commands in the terminal on your computer to disable packets:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 ru.yandex.searchplugin
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 ru.yandex.mobile.search
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.yandex.voiceThese commands don't physically delete files, but they make them invisible to the system and the user. Applications stop running, updating, and consuming resources. If you want to return everything back, use the adb shell pm enable command.
Risks of using ADB
The advantage of ADB is that it works even on root-enabled devices, making it a versatile tool for cleaning firmware from junk, but be careful when you type packet names: one error in the character can lead to a command execution error.
Alternative launchers as a solution to the problem
If the built-in MIUI tools seem too confusing, you can go the other way – replace the standard desktop.Installing a third-party launcher such as Nova Launcher, Microsoft Launcher or Smart Launcher allows you to completely ignore the system widgets and search bars Xiaomi.
Once you have an alternative launcher installed, the system will ask which application to use as default for the home screen. Choose the one installed and click "Always." The new interface will not contain any Yandex elements unless you add them yourself. It's a radical but effective way to change the look of the Redmi Note 4.
In addition, third-party launchers often offer more flexible gesture and button settings. You can customize swipes and long taps as you like, without regard to the limitations of MIUI. This can also speed up the old device a little, as modern launchers are often optimized better than stock ones.
⚠️ Warning: When you reset your phone to the factory settings, the standard launcher will again be a priority.
Using third-party software is a balance between functionality and stability. Xiaomi’s standard launcher is better integrated with the system, but third-party solutions give freedom from intrusive advertising and services. For the Redmi Note 4, which is no longer a new device, a light launcher can be a breath of fresh air.
☑️ Post-switch check
Impact of disconnection on autonomy and system operation
Disabling Alice and related Yandex services has a positive effect on the Redmi Note 4’s lifetime from a single charge. The voice assistant’s background processes constantly poll the microphone and check the geolocation, which consumes energy. After the shutdown, you may notice that the phone has become less heated in standby mode.
On 3GB of RAM devices, as in some versions of the Redmi Note 4, every megabyte counts. The absence of a heavy application in memory allows other programs to work faster and reduces the frequency of "killing" background tasks by the system.
But there are some features that need to be considered, and if you used Alice to set alarm clocks or voice reminders, you'll have to do it manually or through Google Assistant, and you'll stop using weather and traffic widgets if they were tied to Yandex services, and you'll have to replace them with alternatives.
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Complete shutdown of Yandex services on Redmi Note 4 can increase battery life up to 15-20% due to the stop of background activity.
Overall, for most users, abandoning pre-installed services is a positive step: the system becomes cleaner, faster and more predictable, and you decide which apps should work on your device, regaining full control of Android.