How to permanently remove Google Assistant with Xiaomi Mi 7: from simple shutdown to deep cleaning

Google Assistant

Xiaomi Mi 7

MIUI

5 working methods

root

Many Mi 7 owners are faced with the fact that even after deleting through the settings, the Assistant returns after updating Google Play Services, we will learn how to disable auto updates, delete cache and data, and also look at radical methods through ADB and custom firmware. Importantly, some methods require technical knowledge — if you are a beginner, start with the first two points.

Before you start, check the MIUI version on your device: Settings path → About Phone → MIUI version. Mi 7 is valid versions from MIUI 10 to MIUI 14, but removal methods may differ. Also note that completely removing system applications can disrupt some functions (for example, voice search in Google App).

1. disable Google Assistant via settings (without deletion)

The safest way is to deactivate the Assistant without deleting its files, which will stop the background work, but the application will remain in the system.

Go to:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Google → Notifications → Disable All

Then go back to the Google menu and select Permissions.

• 🔊 Microphone (to prevent voice activation)
• 📱 Auto-start (so that the Assistant does not start at system start)
• 🔄 Background activity (stops hidden processes)

After that, the Assistant will stop interfering, but will remain in the list of applications.This method does not delete the application data, so the next update to Google Play Services, some of the functions can be restored.

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If after turning off the Assistant is still activated by the Home button, check the gesture settings in Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures and reset the action of long press.

2.Removal of updates and reset to factory version

The assistant is updated frequently via Google Play, which returns it even after it is deleted.

Step 1. Open Settings → Apps → All apps and find Google Assistant (or Google App).

Step 2.Push it. ⋮ → Remove updates. Confirm action.

Step 3. Go back to the app menu and select Storage → Clear cache and data.

Now Assistant will return to the factory version (usually Google App 6.x), which takes up less space and doesn’t have many “obtrusive” features, to prevent automatic updates:

• 🛡️ Open the Google Play Store → Profile → Settings → Auto-update of applications → Never.
• 📵 For Google Assistant separately: visit its Play Store page → press ⋮ → Cancel subscription to updates.

Check the MIUI version (should be at least 12)

Make a backup copy of important data

Turn off auto-update in the Play Store

Clear the cache and data of Google App-->

3. Complete removal via ADB (no root rights)

If previous methods didn’t work, you can remove Assistant via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This doesn’t require root, but requires a PC connection.

Step 1. Install ADB Tools on your computer and enable USB Debugging on your phone (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times click on the build number → Return to Settings → Additional → For Developers).

Step 2: Connect Mi 7 to your PC and execute the commands:

adb shell


pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox




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

These commands will remove the Google App (includes the Assistant) and the Google Assistant itself only for the current user. System files will remain, but the application will disappear from the interface. To return it, you just need to update Google Play Services or reinstall Google App manually.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI 14 after removal through ADB Voice search may be lost in Google Chrome and other applications. If it is critical, use the disable method (section 1).

4. Custom Recavery Removal (TWRP)

For advanced risk-averse users, there is a way to remove the Assistant at the system file level, requiring a TWRP installed and a nandroid backup.

Step 1. Load to TWRP (hold Power + Volume up when turned on).

Step 2. Go to Advanced → File Manager and delete the files:

• 📁 /system/priv-app/Velvet/Velvet.apk (main file of the Assistant)
• 📁 /system/priv-app/GoogleQuickSearchBox/GoogleQuickSearchBox.apk
• 📁 /data/app/com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox-* (residual)

Once removed, wipe the cache (Wipe → Dalvik / ART Cache) and restart.This method completely removes the Assistant, but can cause errors in the work of other Google services. On the Mi 7 with MIUI 13+, Google Pay and some Google Photos features may stop working after such removal.

5. Alternative: Replacement with another assistant

If the goal is not so much to remove the Assistant as to replace it with a more convenient option, consider alternatives:

To assign an alternate assistant to the Home button:

1. Install the selected application (e.g. Alice).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Buttons and gestures → Long press of the Home button.
3. Select a new app from the list.

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Replacing Assistant with an alternative is the safest way to get rid of Google Assistant without risk to the system. Most alternative assistants support the same features (voice search, device management), but without intrusive integration with Google services.

Possible problems and solutions

After removing or disabling the Assistant, side effects can occur, and here are the most common ways to eliminate them:

Problem 1: Voice activation is missing in other apps (like Google Maps).

Solution: Install Google App manually from APKMirror, but disable auto-updates. Or use alternative voice-controlled apps.

Problem 2: After the Google Play Services update, the Assistant is back.

Solution: Block updates for com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox via the Play Store or use ADB for forced removal (Section 3).

Problem 3: The “Ok Google” command stopped working on the lock screen.

Solution: This is normal – the function is tied to Google Assistant. Set up an alternative command via an assistant app (e.g., "Hello Alice" for Yandex.Alice).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi Mi 7 s MIUI 14 After the complete removal of the Assistant, you can stop working Google Lens in the camera. Velvet.apk or use third-party object recognition applications (e.g. CamScanner).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Google Assistant