The Xiaomi Mi9 is a powerful device, but Google’s pre-installed services can sometimes cause discomfort to users who prefer minimalism. Often flagship owners face the intrusiveness of a voice assistant that is activated by random tapping or requires constant listening to the microphone. Removing a system component like Google Assistant requires a careful approach, since it is deeply integrated into the Android operating system.
In this article, we will look at the safe ways to deactivate and uninstall an application without obtaining superuser rights (Root) and using them.It is important to understand that the complete removal of system components can affect the operation of other services, such as Google Pay or voice text input. We will break down all the nuances so that you can optimize the operation of your Mi9 to your own needs, while maintaining the stability of the system.
Before you start taking drastic measures, it is worth assessing whether you really need to remove it completely, or simply limit its functionality. Sometimes a simple reconfiguration of privacy settings solves the problem of intrusion without risking the integrity of the MIUI firmware. However, if the decision is made, follow the instructions below to competently free up the resources of the device.
Why Users Want to Remove Assistant
The main reason for wanting to get rid of the voice assistant is privacy. Many users are concerned that the device's microphone is constantly active in the background, waiting for an activation command. While Google claims the security of its algorithms, the fact that it constantly listens to the audio environment raises questions for those who value privacy.
The second important aspect is resource consumption. On the Xiaomi Mi9, despite the powerful Snapdragon 855 processor, background processes can affect battery life. The assistant constantly synchronizes data, checks location and analyzes context, which leads to additional battery drain. For users struggling for every percentage of charge, turning off unnecessary services becomes a necessity.
⚠️ Note: Deleting system applications completely may cause some Google features to function unstable, so it is recommended to create a complete backup of data before starting the procedure.
The third reason is random activation. Sensitivity to "OK, Google," or pressing the power button for a long time, often leads to the assistant being launched at the wrong time. It's annoying when the phone is in your pocket or bag. Disabling the service solves the problem of false positives and returns control of the device to the owner.
Standard methods of disconnection through settings
The safest and easiest way to limit the work of the assistant is to use the built-in settings of the Android system. This method does not require a connection to the computer or special knowledge. It allows you to completely disable the functionality without physically deleting the application files, which leaves you the ability to quickly restore if necessary.
To start, you need to go to the settings menu of your Xiaomi Mi9. Find the section responsible for the applications, or search by settings, typing in the "Assistant" query. In modern versions of MIUI and Android, the path may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same: control is through the menu of specific applications.
- 📱 Open Settings and go to the Application section.
- 🔍 In the list, find Google (main app, not just Assistant).
- ⚙️ Select Google Settings or Google Assistant at the bottom of the screen.
- 🚫 Find the Google Assistant switch and turn it to the “Off” position".
Once you do this, the voice assistant will stop responding to voice commands and button presses, but the application files will remain in the device's memory, a compromise that most users don't want to risk system stability, and if your goal is to free up space completely, a deeper approach will be needed.
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If the Assistant continues to pop up after turning it off, check the settings of the Google Play app and clear its cache to reset possible setting conflicts.
Using ADB to remove system components
Physically removing an application from a Xiaomi Mi9 device requires the use of Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tools, which remove system packages that are usually hidden from the user, and is safer than obtaining Root rights, but requires accuracy when typing commands.
The first step is to prepare your computer and smartphone. You need to enable USB debugging mode on Mi9. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly press the MIUI build number seven times until you have a message that you have become a developer. Then activate USB debugging in the advanced settings.
adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.googleassistantExecuting this command will remove the Assistant for the current user, effectively hiding it from the system and stopping all related processes.It is important not to delete the com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox package completely if you use the Google Search widget on the desktop, as this can lead to interface errors.
☑️ Preparation for removal through ADB
If something goes wrong in the process, you can always restore the deleted packet, using a current user installation command that returns the application to its original state, which is the advantage of ADB over complete removal through Root rights, where recovery can be difficult.
Comparison of deactivation and disposal methods
The choice of method depends on your technical skills and the ultimate goal. Simple disconnection through settings is suitable for those who want to quickly solve the problem of obsession. Using ADB is necessary to free up space and completely stop background processes. Below is a table to help determine the choice.
| Method | Difficulty | Return of changes | Impact on the system |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android settings | Low. | Instant. | Minimum |
| ADB (User 0) | Medium | PC required | Moderate. |
| Root + System App Remover | Tall. | Difficult. | Critical |
| Third-party launchers | Low. | Instant. | Minimum |
Using third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or Launcher 10 allows you to simply hide the icon and disable integration, but does not remove the service itself. This is a good option for those who are afraid to make changes to system files.
Getting Root rights gives you maximum control, but on the Xiaomi Mi9 it requires unlocking the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock service.This action voids the warranty and can lead to the failure of banking applications due to security breaches of Google Pay (now Google Wallet).
Possible problems and solutions
Once you remove or disable the Assistant, Xiaomi Mi9 users may experience a number of side effects, most often related to the dependencies of other apps from Google libraries, such as the “Ok Google” feature to unlock the phone will stop working, since it is directly tied to the remote component.
⚠️ Note: When removing system packets through ADB Make sure you do not remove components necessary for Google Play Services to work, otherwise the app store may cease to function.
Another common problem is errors when updating Google apps. If you removed Assistant but left other services, an automatic update through Play Market may try to restore the deleted component, causing installation errors, in which case you will need to disable auto-update for a particular package or ignore the error.
What to do if the phone goes into a cyclical reboot?
Also worth mentioning is the Quick Access or Google Feed feature on the left screen, which, once the Assistant is removed, may stop opening or show an error, a normal behavior that is treated by turning off the left screen in the MIUI launcher settings.
Alternatives and Replacement of Functionality
Many users are looking for alternatives, and there are third-party voice assistants on the market that offer similar functionality but with great respect for privacy, such as open source projects or dedicated smart home applications.
To manage a smart home through the Xiaomi Mi9, you can use the native Mi Home app or platforms like Home Assistant, which do not require constant listening. Voice input can be replaced with Google’s built-in speech recognition engine, which works locally and does not require the activation of the full assistant.
- 🎤 Google Voice Typing – perfectly copes with dictation of text without unnecessary functionality.
- 🏠 Mi Home – to manage Xiaomi ecosystem devices without intermediaries.
- 🔒 Shelter – an application for creating an isolated profile where you can keep Google services.
Using such alternatives allows you to maintain the usability of the smartphone, while removing the extra load on the system and battery. Xiaomi Mi9 has enough performance to work with custom launchers and lightweight versions of services without losing speed.
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The optimal balance between functionality and privacy is to disable Assistant through settings and use ADB only to remove residual components without affecting Google Play Services.
Final recommendations for optimization
Removing Google Assistant on Xiaomi Mi9 is a step toward personalizing your device, but completely cutting out all components can disrupt maps, app stores, and contact sync.
It is recommended to test the basic functions of the phone for several days after removal. Pay attention to the battery consumption and connection stability. If you notice strange behavior of the system, you can always return the deleted packet using the command adb shell cmd package install-existing with the corresponding name of the package.
Remember that regular firmware updates to MIUI can bring back remote system applications. After each major system update, check the list of installed applications and repeat the cleaning procedure if necessary. This ensures that your Mi9 will work exactly the way you want it to work, not the way the developers intended it to work.