How to permanently remove Google Assistant from Xiaomi phone: from simple shutdown to complete removal

Google Assistant on Xiaomi smartphones often runs in the background, consuming battery power and collecting data about your actions. Even if you don't use the voice assistant actively, it can automatically start when you hold the Home button or through gestures. Many users of Redmi, POCO and other Xiaomi lines want to get rid of this service - either because of privacy issues or to optimize performance.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways, from temporary shutdown to complete removal of the system application (including root-rights methods and through ADB). It is important to understand that some methods can affect the stability of MIUI, so we will describe in detail the risks and alternatives. If you use Xiaomi based on Android One (for example, Mi A1/A2), some instructions will differ - this will also be discussed separately.

Why Google Assistant works for Xiaomi, even if you haven’t run it

On most Xiaomi smartphones (except for models for the Chinese market), Google Assistant is pre-installed as a system application.

• 🔋 It starts automatically when the device is booted and consumes up to 5-15% Charges per day (according to AccuBattery).
• 🎤 Activates when you hold the Home button or voice command “OK, Google” (even if the microphone is turned off in the settings).
• 📊 Collects data about your activities: search queries, location, installed applications (for more information in the privacy section).
• 🔄 Updated via Google Play regardless of updates MIUI, Which can lead to conflict with the shell.

The root of the problem is in the agreement between Xiaomi and Google: to certify Google Mobile Services (GMS), the manufacturer must pre-installe the main applications, including the Assistant. Even on the POCO F1 or Redmi Note 10 Pro, where MIUI is as “lightweighted” as possible, the assistant remains part of the firmware.

Method 1: Disconnect via MIUI settings (without root)

The safest method is to deactivate the Assistant without removing it completely, which is suitable for most users, because it does not require technical skills and does not disrupt the system. MIUI 12/13/14:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Show System Processes.
3. Search the Google (or Google Assistant) list and tap on it.
4. Select Disable (if the button is inactive, click Stop first).
5. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

After that:

• ✅ Assistant will stop running on the Home button.
• ✅ Background activity of the application will be limited.
• ❌ Voice commands “OK, Google” can continue to work (requires additional settings in Settings) → Google → Settings for the Assistant → Voice Match).

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If the Assistant is activated again after the reboot after the shutdown, check for updates in Google Play. Sometimes the service is turned on voluntarily after the update.

Method 2: Remove updates and reset to factory version

Google Assistant consists of two parts: system APK (stitched into firmware) and updates (installed through Google Play).If you can’t completely remove the application without root, you can at least roll it back to the factory version, which will reduce functionality and load on the system.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Google Assistant.
2. Slip on three dots in the top corner and select Remove Updates.
3. Confirm the action. The system will return the app to the version that was used when you bought the phone.
4. Then turn off the automatic update: Open Google Play. Find Google Assistant in the app list. Tap three dots next to the Update button and uncheck Auto Update.

This method will not remove the Assistant completely, but:

• 🛑 Background updates that “bloat” the size of the application will stop.
• 🔕 New features (e.g. context recognition or integration with smart devices) will disappear).
• ⚠️ Some system functions (such as a quick screen search) may not work properly.

Backup of important data

Check the version of MIUI (Settings → About the phone)

Disable sync with Google account (Settings → Accounts)

Close all background applications-->

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (without root but with PC)

If previous methods didn’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a debugging tool that allows you to manage system applications without superuser rights, which is suitable for Xiaomi based on Android 8.0+ and does not require unlocking the bootloader.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock Developer Settings, then turn on Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission on the smartphone screen.
2. Open the command prompt (or PowerShell in Windows) and type: Adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list.
3. Run the command to disable the Assistant: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox (this will remove all updates and disable the application for the current user).
4. Reboot the phone.

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

⚠️ Attention: After use ADB Some Google features (such as quick screen search or voice input) may stop working, and there is a risk of resetting your Google account settings.

Method 4: Complete removal with root rights

If you're willing to take drastic measures, completely removing Google Assistant is only possible with super-user (root) rights.

• 🔓 Requires unlocking the bootloader (which resets all data on the phone).
• 🛠️ May disrupt other Google services (e.g. Google Play Services).
• ⚠️ Deprives of warranty (if the phone is warranty).

Instructions for Xiaomi owners with an unlocked bootloader and installed Magisk or SuperSU:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /system/priv-app/GoogleQuickSearchBox or (in newer versions of MIUI): /system/app/GoogleQuickSearchBox
3. Delete the GoogleQuickSearchBox folder (or rename it by adding.bak at the end).
4. Also delete (if any) files: /data/app/com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox-1 and /data/data/com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox
5. Reboot the phone.

After removal:

• ✅ The assistant will be completely uninstalled (including system files).
• ✅ Disappear from the list of applications and stop consuming resources.
• ❌ There may be errors in the Google Play Store or other services, in which case you will have to restore deleted files.

Method 5: Alternatives to Google Assistant on Xiaomi

If you have removed the Assistant but want to keep the functionality of the Voice Assistant functional, consider these alternatives:

• 🤖 Xiao AI (Xiaomi built-in assistant: Works without Google, supports Chinese and English (Russian limited) Activated by long-holding Home button (setting in Settings) → Special facilities → Xiao AI). Disadvantages: weak integration with Western services.
• 🎵 Alice from Yandex: A complete replacement for Russian-speaking users, able to manage smart devices, search the Internet, run applications. ~100MB.
• 🔍 Bixby (for Samsung owners, but it works on Xiaomi too): APK It's well optimized for Android, but it collects data for Samsung.
• 🛠️ Tasker + AutoVoice (for advanced users): Allows you to create a custom voice assistant with any commands. Requires customization, but gives you full control.

If you choose an alternative, consider:

• 🔋 Any voice assistant will consume battery power (but usually less than Google Assistant).
• 🔒 Check the permissions of an alternative application – some (e.g. Xiao) AI) They can collect more data than Google.
• 📱 On Xiaomi with Android One (e.g. Mi) A3) Alternatives may not work well due to firmware limitations.

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The best alternative to Google Assistant on Xiaomi is Alice from Yandex, if you use Russian. For English, Xiao AI or Bixby (with manual installation) is suitable.

Google’s Privacy Assistant: What it Knows About You

Even when Google is offline, the Assistant can collect data if it doesn't configure privacy correctly, and here's what it can track (according to a study by the Electronic Frontier Foundation):

• 📍 Location: History of places visited (even if GPS switched off, determines by Wi-Fi and towers).
• 🎤 Audio recordings: All voice requests are saved on Google servers (you can listen to My Activity).
• 📱 Application Activity: What programs you run and how long you use them.
• 🔍 Search queries: Including those you type in your browser or other services.
• 📅 Calendar and Reminders: Synced with Google Calendar.

How to minimize data collection:

1. Go to Google Account Settings → Data and Personalization Management.
2. Disable: Web and Application Activity Location History Voice Requests

• In the My Activity section, select Delete → Always.
• For Location History: Google Chronology → Settings → Delete the entire history.

⚠️ Note: Even after the Google Play Services Assistant is disabled, it may still collect some of the data:

• Install custom firmware without GMS (for example, LineageOS).
• Use alternative services (e.g. MicroG instead of Google Play Services).
• Unsubscribe from Google account on the device.

Frequent problems after deleting Google Assistant and their solution

Removing or disabling the Assistant can have unexpected consequences, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

If after manipulation, the phone began to brake or overheat:

1. Check the background processes in Settings → Battery → Battery use.
2. Clear the system cache: Settings → Memory → Clear the cache.
3. Do reset settings (Settings → Additional → Resetting) if the errors are critical.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 9 Pro) POCO X3) If you delete the Assistant, you may lose the Now on Tap function. If you need it, consider replacing it with an alternative assistant instead of removing it.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions