How to Put Marusya Instead of Google Assistant on Xiaomi: A Complete Guide to Risks and Life Hacks

Voice assistants have become an integral part of modern smartphones, but not all Xiaomi users are comfortable with Google Assistant with its language, functionality or binding to a Google account. Russian voice assistant Marusya from VKontakte offers an alternative: support for Russian language at the native level, integration with VK Ecosystem and lack of binding to foreign services. However, replacing the standard assistant with Xiaomi is a process fraught with technical nuances and potential risks to the stability of the system.

In this article, we will analyze all the ways to install Marousi on Xiaomi smartphones (including models on MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS), compare the functionality of assistants, assess the pros and cons of replacing, and give recommendations for eliminating typical errors. We will pay special attention to the method using ADB, which allows you to appoint Marusya as a default assistant without root rights - this method works even on new devices that block changes in system settings.

Before you start replacing, consider that the procedure requires basic technical skills. If you have never worked with ADB or have not manually configured application rights, it is better to practice on a data backup or a less used device.

Why Xiaomi users want to replace Google Assistant with Marusya?

The main reason is the language barrier. Despite its long-standing presence in the market, Google Assistant still does not understand Russian perfectly: accents, dialects or complex queries often lead to errors. Marusya, designed specifically for Russian-speaking audiences, shows better results in voice recognition and processing.

The second factor is integration with Russian services.

• 📞 Call via VK Calls without additional settings
• 🎵 Manage music in VK Music, Yandex Music and Zvooq
• 📅 Create reminders in the VK Calendar and sync them with other ecosystem devices
• 🏠 Control smart devices through VK Smart Home (unlike Google, which requires Google Home)

Finally, privacy plays a role: many users do not trust Google to process voice data, Marusya stores records on VK servers in Russia, which for some becomes a decisive argument.

But there’s a downside: Marusya doesn’t know how to manage Android settings at the system level (like turning Wi-Fi or mobile data on/off), and her offline mode is worse than Google’s. If those are the things that are critical to you, replacing them can be frustrating.

Comparison of Opportunities: Google Assistant vs Marusya on Xiaomi

To make a balanced decision, compare the key functions of assistants in the context of use on Xiaomi smartphones:

An important nuance: on Xiaomi with HyperOS (2026 and later), Google Assistant is more deeply integrated into the system, and its replacement can lead to conflicts with branded services (for example, Mi AI), Marusya in this regard is more “neutral”, but its capabilities are limited by the application.

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If you are using Xiaomi with global firmware (e.g. MIUI Global), check before replacing the assistant to check if the system settings for changes are blocked. Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro+) require unlocking the bootloader.

Preparation of Xiaomi smartphone for installation of Marousi

Before replacing the assistant, follow the mandatory steps to avoid failures:

1. Back up your data. Use Settings → About Phone → Backup or third-party tools like Swift Backup (requires a root).
2. Update your firmware to the latest version. On MIUI 14 and HyperOS, the replacement process is different from the older versions.
3. Install Marusya from Google Play or APKMirror (if the app is not available in your area).
4. Enable USB debugging: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging on USB
5. Download ADB- Tools on PC (official package).

If your Xiaomi is running HyperOS, check if you have the default assistant option in Settings → Apps → Assistant. On some models (such as Xiaomi 14), this item may be hidden – then you will need ADB.

Data backup created |

Annex Marusya | installed

USB| debugging enabled

Downloaded ADB- Tools on PC|

Verified firmware version (MIUI/HyperOS)-->

Method 1: Assign Marousi as the default assistant via ADB (no root)

This is the most reliable method that works on most Xiaomi devices (including HyperOS) and does not require superuser rights, but ADB- tools and PC access.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB and allow debugging (a request will appear on the phone screen).
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices must appear serial number of your device.
4. Follow the command to appoint Marousi as the default assistant: adb shell pm grant ru.mail.app.cloudassistant android.permission.BIND_ASSISTANT_SERVICE adb shell cmd assistant set-default-assistant ru.mail.app.cloudassistant/.assistant.AssistantActivity
5. Reboot your smartphone.

After rebooting, hold the Home button (or swipe from the corner of the screen if gesture navigation is used) – Marusya should start.

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ADB teams temporarily assign Marusya as the default assistant, and after resetting or updating the firmware, the procedure will have to be repeated.

⚠️ Warning: On HyperOS devices, the "Assistant service not found" error may appear after the commands are executed. In this case, additionally, do: adb shell settings put global assistant ru.mail.app.cloudassistant/.assistant.AssistantActivity If the error persists, check whether Mi Security is blocking the changes (turn it off temporarily).

Method 2: Replacement through system settings (for older versions of MIUI)

On Xiaomi with MIUI 11 and below (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi 9T), you can try replacing the assistant without ADB:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select the default Assistant.
3. Select Marusya from the list (if there is no one, install the application again).
4. Confirm the selection and restart the device.

This method does not work on new firmware (MIUI 12+ and HyperOS), where the option is hidden or blocked, and it can reset after a system update.

If the default Assistant is missing, try an alternative path:

1. Install Activity Launcher from Google Play.
2. Open the app and find the Assistant Settings (com.android.settings.Settings$AssistantSettingsActivity).
3. Manually select Marusya in the menu that opens.

⚠️ Warning: On some models (POCO F3, Xiaomi 11T) voice search may be lost in Mi Launcher. To return it, reset the launcher settings to Settings → Applications → Launcher → Storage → Clear data.

Method 3: Using Tasker to run Marousi by gesture (a bypass)

If none of the previous methods worked, you can set up Marousi to launch via Tasker or MacroDroid, which doesn't make it the default assistant, but allows you to quickly open the application with a gesture or voice command.

Instructions for Tasker:

1. Install Tasker and AutoInput plugin (required for click emulation).
2. Create a new Task (Task → New Task) called Marousi Launch.
3. Add the action Launch App → Marusya.
4. Create a profile (Profile → Event → Display → Display Unlocked) and link the task to it.
5. Set up a gesture (such as double tapping the screen or shaking the device) via Profile → Event → Sensor → Shake.

For voice-activation:

• 🎤 In Tasker, create a profile with the AutoVoice Recognized event (AutoVoice plugin required).
• 📌 Set up a command (e.g., “Marusya, listen”) and link it to the application startup task.

The disadvantage of this method is that Marusya will not be integrated into the system (you can not use it to manage Android settings), but the method works even on blocked firmware.

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If you have a Xiaomi IR- blaster (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro), you can set up Marousi launch via a long press on the remote button in Mi Remote. In Tasker, use the Plugin → Mi Remote Button event.

Typical problems and their solutions

When replacing Google Assistant with Marusya, Xiaomi users face several common mistakes:

If after all the manipulations Marusya refuses to work, check:

• 🔍 App version (update to the latest in Google Play or APKMirror).
• 🛠️ Conflicts with other assistants (e.g., Alice or Siri via Shortcuts)
• 📱 Device Region (Russia must be selected in Xiaomi settings, otherwise some Marousi features will be blocked).

⚠️ Warning: On devices with HyperOS and Mi Cloud enabled, sync error may occur after the assistant is replaced. To avoid this, turn off settings sync in Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud → Sync before the procedure.

FAQ: Frequent questions about replacing assistant with Xiaomi