How to disable Alice on the phone Android Xiaomi Redmi

Owning a modern Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone involves actively using an ecosystem that often offers pre-installed services that are not always necessary for a particular user. One of these elements is the voice assistant Alice, which by default can be activated via a power button or swipe, which is annoying for those who prefer classic management methods. Disabling this functionality is a solvable task, but it requires a careful approach to system settings, since the ways may differ from one version of the MIUI firmware to HyperOS.

The main difficulty is that developers often integrate the assistant deep into the system interface, linking it to hardware buttons. Complete removal of the system component without root rights is impossible and can lead to unstable system operation, so the most secure and effective method is precisely the competent setting of startup and activity. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of deactivation, from simple switches in the menu to more complex manipulation of access rights.

Before you make any changes, you should understand that turning off voice control will not affect the overall health of your device. You will still be able to use all the apps, make calls and surf the Internet, just stop hearing the greeting “I listen” when unlocked or accidentally tapped. Let’s look at the step-by-step instructions that will help you regain full control of the interface of your gadget.

Disconnection through the settings of the Yandex application

The most logical and easy way to limit the functionality of the assistant is to use the internal settings of the application Yandex, which is the host for Alice. Often users look for a solution in the depths of the system, forgetting that the main switch is directly in the interface of the service. First, you need to open the application and go to profile by clicking on the icon of your account in the lower right corner of the screen.

In the menu that opens, you'll find the Settings section, which is usually represented by a gear, and here we're interested in the unit associated with the voice assistant, and find the Voice Assistant or just Alice, and go inside, and that's where the key parameters that are responsible for her behavior in the Android system are hidden.

• 🔇 Find the “Voice Activation” switch and put it in an inactive state so that Alice stops responding to the word “Alice” or “Yandex».
• 📱 Turn off the “Start When Connecting Headphones” option if you don’t want the assistant to activate automatically when you connect the headset.
• 🚫 Uncheck the box from the item "Show hints on the lock screen" so that the interface does not interfere with the review.

Once you make the changes, make sure to scroll down and click the Save button if it is present, although modern versions do apply the settings instantly. It is important to note that these actions do not remove the application, but only limit its background activity and how to wake up. If you use other Yandex services, this solution will be the optimal balance between functionality and comfort.

⚠️ Note: After the application update, the settings may reset to factory values. Check this section periodically, especially after major updates to the Yandex service.

Setting up the power button in MIUI and HyperOS

The most common reason Alice accidentally activated on Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones is to assign a voice assistant to a long-term click on the power button, which is implemented at the shell level and takes precedence over the system settings of the application itself. To change this behavior, you need to go to the main settings of the device.

In the settings menu, look for the “Advanced” section (or “Advanced Settings” in older versions of MIUI). Inside this section, look for the “On button” item. This shows the current action assigned to the long press. By default, it often has “Voice Assistant” on it, which causes Alice to start when unlocking the phone.

Settings → Additional → Including button → Long press

Click on this, and the system will give you a choice: You can set up a Google Assistant to run if you use the Google ecosystem, or you can choose the Nothing option to completely disengage the button from any action. Choosing the Nothing option is the most radical and effective way to get rid of random inclusions.

It is worth considering that some global versions of firmware interface may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same: looking for the management of physical buttons. If you can not find this item in the specified place, use the search by settings, typing the phrase "button" or "power button." This will save time and immediately display on the desired configuration screen.

Managing permissions and microphone access

Another layer of control over the voice assistant is permission management. Even if you have turned off button activation, the app can request access to the microphone for background work. Limiting these rights is a surefire way to make sure that Alice won't "listen" to the environment without your knowledge.

Go to the Apps section in your Redmi or Xiaomi settings. Find Yandex or Alice app on the list. Go inside the app card and select Permissions. Here is a complete list of what the program has access to.

Pay special attention to Autostart resolution. In MIUI shells, this is a critical parameter. If you prevent autostart, the application will not be able to initiate its processes immediately after the phone is turned on, which will significantly save battery power and RAM.

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If you deny access to the microphone, voice control will stop working completely, even when you press a special button inside the application.

Once the settings are changed, the system may issue a warning that the app may not work properly. Ignore this message, because for your purpose of disabling the voice assistant, this "incorrectness" is the desired result.

Removing widgets and shortcuts from the desktop

Often, users will put Yandex widgets on their desktops without noticing, which contain the Alice call button. A random touch of the widget instantly activates the assistant. Visual cleaning of the workspace is an important step in the fight against unwanted activation.

Take a close look at your screens and workspace. If you find a widget with a Yandex logo or search bar, click on it and hold your finger until the action menu appears. Choose the "Delete" option or drag the item into the shopping cart. This action will not remove the app itself, but will remove its visual representation from the home screen.

• 🗑️ Remove the Yandex.Search widget from the home screen, as it often contains an active voice area.
• 🏠 Check the lock screen: in the settings of the theme or lock screen can be a widget recommendation.
• 📂 Remove the app shortcut from the Google or Tools folder if you’re afraid of accidentally launching it.

Also worth checking is the lock screen settings. Some of the Xiaomi design themes have a search bar or weather widget that calls the assistant when swiped. Go to Settings → Lock screen and turn off the widget display or change the theme to a standard one.

Cleaning your desktop will not only eliminate random launches, it will also make the interface cleaner. You will no longer see the intrusive recommendations and news that often accompany search engine widgets. This is especially true for users who prefer minimalism.

Resetting default settings for applications

If standard methods don't work and the phone continues to behave strangely, it may have lost the association of files or actions, for example, the system may think that in a certain action you should always open Alice.

To do this, go back to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Search Yandex or Yandex.Browser if it is the assistant that calls. Inside the app menu, find the Defaults button. If it is active (not grey), click on it and select Reset.

This procedure breaks any hard connections that the application may have made to the system. After resetting the next time you try to call an assistant through a search or voice, the system may again ask you which application to use for this action.

⚠️ Warning: Resetting your default settings does not delete your personal data, search history or logins.It is a secure operation that affects only system startup priorities.

In the rare cases where nothing works, you can try to clear the app cache. Go to Storage inside the app card and click Clear Cache. Don't confuse it with Clear All, because the second option will delete your saved passwords and authorization data in the app.

Using ADB to Advance Disconnect

For experienced users who want to achieve maximum results and are ready to work with a computer, there is a method of disconnecting through the Internet. ADB (This method allows you to “freeze” or completely disable the system component responsible for the voice assistant, without removing the very same APK-file.

First, you need to activate the developer mode on your phone. Seven quick clicks on the build number in the About section. Then, in the Developer menu, turn on USB Debugging. Connect the phone to your computer and install ADB drivers.

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.yandex.searchplugin

The above command disables the search plugin, which is often responsible for integrating Alice into the system, and you can also try disabling the main package if it is not critical to the operation of other Yandex services that you use.

Using ADB requires caution. Incorrectly disabling system packages can lead to errors in the interface. It is recommended that you carefully check the names of the packets before entering commands and understand what they are responsible for, this method provides the most control, but also carries the greatest risks.

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ADB is a powerful tool for removing system “garbage,” but requires a PC and basic command line knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)