How to Replace Google Assistant with Alice in Xiaomi

Owners of Xiaomi smartphones often face a dilemma: built-in default Google Assistant does not understand Russian speech and does not know how to manage a smart home in the way that it does Yandex. Standard voice assistant from Google is sharpened for the English-speaking segment, so in domestic realities it is often useless. Fortunately, the ecosystem of MIUI and HyperOS allows you to flexibly configure system applications.

Replacing the assistant is not just about installing a new app, it's about reassigning the system commands, so you have to make sure that when you press the power button or you push a long tape across the screen, Alice is the one who starts it, and this will make it much easier to interact with the gadget.

In this article, we will discuss all available methods of integration of Yandex into the system, we will consider both the standard shell settings and more complex technical solutions for advanced users, the result will be a fully adapted smartphone for the Russian-speaking user.

Preparation for installation and configuration

Before you start replacing your system assistant, you need to make sure you have an up-to-date version of Yandex. It is where the main voice control module resides. Older versions may not have the necessary permissions to work in the background.

It is also important to check security settings. Android system based on MIUI strictly controls the access of applications to the microphone and lock screen. Without these rights, Alice will not be able to activate with voice or button.

Don’t forget to log in to your Yandex ID account. This is necessary to synchronize your request history, Yandex Plus subscription and smart home device management. Without authorization, the functionality will be severely limited.

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Use only official sources to download applications. Third-party builds may contain malicious code that will intercept your voice commands.

Method One: Replacement in MIUI settings

The easiest and safest way is to use the built-in shell functionality. In modern versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14, developers have added the option of choosing a digital assistant, which requires no root rights and works stably.

First, you have to open the settings menu and find the application section, and the path may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same, and the system will offer a list of available assistants.

Select Yandex from the list, and then the system will alert you that the new app will have access to the microphone and the history of the actions, which is standard procedure for any voice assistant.

⚠️ Note: Some global firmware versions (Global) ROM) The assistant selection point may be hidden by the manufacturer, in which case move on to the next method or use the ADB.

If the item is found and activated, check the work. Press and hold the power button (if reassignment is on) or swipe from the corner of the screen. Alice animation should appear.

Setting up Alice's Power Button call

One of the most convenient features is to call the assistant with a physical button, and on Xiaomi smartphones, it's usually a long press on the lock button, and the default is Google Assistant, but we'll fix that.

Go to Settings → Additional Features → Press and Hold the Power button. Here you will see a switch that activates the Assistant call. Below is a list of options available.

If Yandex is not listed, try launching the Yandex app first, activating Alice with your voice, and then going back to settings. Sometimes the system needs a "tips" to see a new service.

In some cases, especially on older versions of Android, direct reassignment of the button to a third-party service is impossible without system modifications, then clicking will open the application, but not activate the microphone immediately.

Using ADB for Advanced Users

If the standard methods do not work, Android Debug Bridge comes to the rescue (ADB). It's a powerful debugging tool that allows you to make changes to system configurations that are hidden from the average user. USB-cable.

The first step is to turn on the developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on the MIUI build number seven times. You will receive a notification that you have become a developer.

Then, in the Additional → menu, for developers, activate Debugging over USB. Connect your smartphone to your PC and allow access on the device screen. You can now send commands.

adb shell pm grant com.yandex.searchplugin client.yandex.voiceassistant

This command compulsorily gives the Yandex app rights that are normally reserved for Google's system service. After completing the command, restart the device.

⚠️ Attention: Working with ADB Introducing incorrect commands can lead to unstable system operation or cyclic restart (bootloop.

ADB allows you to bypass the restrictions of regional firmware, especially for users who have purchased devices in the Chinese market (CN Version) with installed global firmware.

Comparison of Google and Yandex capabilities

Why are users trying to replace the standard service? It's not just about the language, Alice has a deep understanding of the context of Russian speech and cultural peculiarities, she can support a conversation, tell a joke or include music from Yandex Music.

Google is good at finding technical information and working with the services of the corporation, but in everyday scenarios in the post-Soviet space, it loses: Alice better manages a smart home, recognizes the commands “turn on the light” or “turn down”.

The table below shows the key differences in the functionality of the two systems in the context of use in Russia.

As the comparison shows, Yandex offers a more relevant set of services for local use, and the integration of navigator and music streaming makes the transition worthwhile.

Typical Problems and Conflicts

During the setup process, you may find that after locking the screen, Alice stops hearing the command "Listen to Yandex" This is due to aggressive energy savings in MIUI. The system "kills" background processes to save the battery.

To fix this, go to Settings → Applications → All Applications → Yandex. Find AutoStart and turn it on. Also, in Battery, select No Limits mode.

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Without auto-start permission and removing battery restrictions, Alice will not be operating in the background and responding to the stop word.

Another problem is the Google Assistant conflict: If you don't completely disable the latter, it can take control. Make sure Google's Hey Google settings are turned off unless you plan to use both services in parallel.

Sometimes, when you update your firmware, you reset your settings, and then you have to repeat the process of choosing your assistant, and that's the normal behavior of Android security when you get major updates.

Optimization of voice control

It's important to adjust the microphone sensitivity for comfortable use. The Yandex app has settings that allow you to calibrate your voice recognition to your diction, which is especially useful in noisy environments.

You also need to customize the scripts. Alice can do chains of action on one command, for example, the phrase "I'm home" can turn on Wi-Fi, brighten up and start a playlist, which turns a smartphone into a real control center.

Clean the app cache regularly if you notice a slowdown in response. Voice models accumulate data, and periodically cleaning them helps to keep the response going.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install third-party "accelerators" or "cleaners" from Play Market. MIUI It works more efficiently and third-party apps may conflict with Alice’s access rights.

By following these guidelines, you will get the most responsive system, and your Xiaomi will become a really smart assistant, understanding you from the bottom of the word.