Removing Google Assistant on Xiaomi MIUI 12: step-by-step instructions

Many Xiaomi smartphone users are faced with the intrusiveness of embedded services that consume resources and collect data, especially the Google Assistant, which is often activated by accident when you press the power button or swipe from the corner of the screen. On the shell of MIUI 12, it is impossible to completely remove this component, since it is deeply integrated into the system.

However, there are proven ways to deactivate and even completely remove an application without obtaining root rights, which allows you to free up RAM and prevent unnecessary processes from working in the background. In this article, we will discuss safe methods that will help you regain full control of the device.

Before we start taking drastic measures, it is important to understand that disabling the system component requires care. Wrong actions can lead to unstable interfaces. We have prepared a detailed guide that minimizes risks and allows even a beginner to complete the task.

Why you should turn off the voice assistant

The main reason users are looking for a way to remove Google Assistant from Xiaomi MIUI 12 is because of privacy: the voice assistant is constantly listening to the environment, waiting for the trigger phrase, which raises legitimate concerns among those who value their privacy. In addition, the background activity of the service consumes battery power, albeit slightly, but on a day-to-day scale it is noticeable.

The second important aspect is annoying random activations. Often when you unlock your phone or dial a number, the user accidentally calls an assistant, which interrupts the current process. Deleting or deep deactivating the component solves this problem, making smartphone use more comfortable and predictable.

Also worth noting is the impact on performance: on devices with a small amount of RAM, every megabyte counts, and turning off Google’s heavy services allows the system to run more smoothly, especially on models from previous years of release.

• 🔒 Increased privacy and reduced data collection.
• ⚡ Increased Autonomous Operation Time by Stopping Background Processes.
• 🚫 Elimination of accidental start of the assistant interface during phone use.

⚠️ Warning: Deleting system components completely may affect other features that depend on Google services, such as smart home or voice input in the navigator.

Preparation of the smartphone for system modification

Before you start removing system applications, you need to properly prepare the device. First of all, make sure that your Xiaomi has enabled developer settings. To do this, go to the settings menu, select About phone, and click seven times in a row on the MIUI version until the mode activation notification appears.

Then you need to enable USB debugging. This is a critical step, without which the computer will not be able to interact with the file system of the smartphone. Go to the section "Advanced settings", find the item "For developers" and activate the debugging switch over USB. When you connect the cable to the PC on the phone screen, you will see a request for access permission, which must be confirmed.

You will also need a computer running Windows, macOS or Linux and an installed driver. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. Without this toolkit, you can't interact with system packages. Download platform tools from the developer's official website and unpack them into a convenient folder.

Remember that you do all the manipulation of system files at your own risk. Although the method described is considered safe, there is always a minimal risk of software failure.

Removal method through ADB Shell

The most effective way to completely remove Google Assistant from Xiaomi MIUI 12 is to use the ADB command line. This method does not require root rights, but allows you to remove even those applications that are hidden from the average user. First connect the smartphone with a cable to your computer and open the command line or terminal in the folder with the ADB tools.

Type in the adb device command to check the connection. If you have a debugging window on your phone, confirm it. The terminal should display the serial number of the device. You can now search for the assistant package, usually called com.google.android.apps.googleassistant.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.apps.googleassistant

Once you input this command, the application will be deleted for the current user. The interface will disappear and the processes will stop running. It is important to understand that the files will physically remain in the system partition, but they will be inactive and will not consume resources.

It is worth noting that in some regions or firmware versions, the package may be called differently, in which case it is recommended to use utilities to analyze installed packages to find the exact name.

Alternative methods through MIUI settings

If you don't want to use a computer, you can try limiting the assistant to the MIUI 12 system itself. While this won't remove the app completely, it will prevent it from activating using the power button. Go to Google's settings, look for "Settings for Google Apps" and select "Search, Assistant and Google Lens."

In the menu that opens, select "Google Assistant" and you'll need to find the "Phone" or "Devices" tab and turn off the Google Assistant option, and then the voice assistant will stop responding to commands and call buttons, which is a secure method that doesn't require any special knowledge.

You can also turn off the Hey Google feature, which causes the phone to listen to the microphone all the time, which will save you a lot of battery power, and you can also prevent the assistant from accessing the lock screen to avoid accidental starts in your pocket.

• 📱 Open Google Settings through the App Menu.
• 🔍 Go to the Assistant Management section.
• ❌ Remove the tick from the activation point of the assistant.

This is ideal for those who are afraid of making changes to system files, it is reversible at any time and does not affect the stability of the rest of Xiaomi components.

Comparison of removal and disconnection methods

The choice between fully uninstalling through ADB and simply turning off your settings depends on your goals. If you want maximum performance and you are confident in your actions, then the command prompt is the best choice. If stability and quick returns are important, you should limit yourself to software settings.

The table below provides a detailed comparison of both methods so you can choose the best option for your MIUI 12 use case.

As you can see from the table, ADB is the middle ground between safety and efficiency, and it doesn't require a breach of warranty like root rights, but it does offer much deeper control than standard settings.

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The best solution for most users is the ADB method, as it provides complete removal without losing warranty.

Possible problems and solutions

Unforeseen situations may occur during the removal process, such as the computer may not see the smartphone. USB — It should support data transfer, not just charging. USB-port, preferably located directly on the motherboard, and not through the hub.

Another common problem is the error "Failure [not installed for 0]" when trying to delete. This means that the batch name is incorrect or the application has already been deleted. Carefully check the command syntax and the package name. For Xiaomi with global firmware, the names are standard, but in Chinese versions they may differ.

If the Gboard keyboard voice input stops working after the assistant is removed, it means that the components are connected, and you have to restore the package or accept text input. Android and MIUI are closely intertwined, and removing one element can affect related functions.

⚠️ Note: Do not delete packages with the words "framework", "services" or "system" in their name unless you are 100% sure of their purpose).

To diagnose problems, you can use system logs or analyzer applications that show the relationships between packets, which will help you understand which component is causing the conflict.

Frequently asked questions

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Save a list of deleted packets in a text file on your computer, which will help you quickly restore the system if something goes wrong.