How to permanently remove Google Assistant with Xiaomi Mi 9: from shutdown to complete removal

Xiaomi Mi 9 is the flagship of 2019, which is still relevant thanks to powerful hardware and support for updates. However, many users are faced with an intrusive Google Assistant, which not only consumes resources, but also collects data about your actions. Unlike the new Xiaomi models, where Google services are integrated at the firmware level, the Mi 9 still has a chance to get rid of the assistant completely – but this will require a combination of system settings, ADB-The team and, in extreme cases, the root.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, from simple shutdown to deep removal of system components. It is important to understand that on MIUI 14+, some methods may not work due to the tightening of Xiaomi’s security policy. If your Mi 9 has been updated to the latest version, prepare for manual file editing or custom firmware.

Why Google Assistant is Interfering with Xiaomi Mi 9

On paper, the voice assistant is supposed to make life easier: quick commands, reminders, smart home management. But in practice, Mi 9 users complain about:

• 🔋 Increased battery consumption – com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox background processes can eat up to 15% of a day’s charge.
• 📱 Interface freezes – especially when activating voice search with a long press of the Home button.
• 🛡️ Data collection – even in sleep mode, the Assistant sends logs to Google servers (confirmed by NetGuard traffic analyzer).
• 📦 Inability to completely remove through standard settings — MIUI Hide system applications from the user.

According to XDA Developers, on the Mi 9 with MIUI 12.5, the assistant takes up up 300 MB of active memory. For comparison, the same Nova Launcher consumes 10 times less. If you don't use voice commands, the assistant becomes a useless burden.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi firmware, disabling Google Assistant may cause Google Play Services to malfunction. Before manipulating, check if you are using applications that depend on these services (for example, Google Pay or Google-authorized games).

Method 1: Disconnect via MIUI settings (without root)

The safest way is to deactivate the assistant in the settings menu, which won’t physically delete the app, but will stop its background activity.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, type in Google and select Google Assistant (or Google App).
3. Press Disable (if the button is inactive, tap Stop first).
4. Confirm the action in the dialog window.

To completely disable voice activation:

1. Go to Settings → System and device → Gestures → Additional settings.
2. Turn off the Google Assistant option in the Long Press Home button section.

This method works on MIUI 11-13. On MIUI 14, Xiaomi can block the shutdown of system applications, in which case ADB will be required.

Method 2: Delete via ADB (without superuser rights)

If the standard shutdown doesn’t work, use Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method does not require root, but requires a computer and USB-cable.

Step 1: Preparation

• 🖥️ Install. ADB Tools on PC.
• 📱 On Mi 9, turn on Debugging on USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).
• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trusted device.

Step 2. Follow the commands:

adb shell


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




pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.apps.googleassistant

If the first team returns the Failure error [DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR], Try an alternative option:

adb shell pm hide com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware may stop working on the Google Play Store after these commands are executed. To return functionality, follow: adb shell pm enable com.android.vending

💡

If ADB doesn’t recognize the device, try reinstalling Xiaomi drivers via Mi PC Suite or manually pointing the path to drivers in Windows Device Manager.

Method 3: Remove system APKs via TWRP (requires unlocking the bootloader)

To completely remove Google Assistant, you’ll need a custom TWRP recap and unlocked bootloader, a method that’s suitable for power users.

Step 1. Unlock the bootloader:

1. Apply for unlocking via Xiaomi’s official website (Mi Account is required).
2. Connect Mi 9 in Fastboot mode (press Power + Vol Down) and unlock through Mi Unlock Tool.

Step 2. Set TWRP:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-cepheus.img


fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-cepheus.img

Step 3. Delete APK-file:

1. In TWRP, go to Advanced → File Manager.
2. Find and delete files: /system/priv-app/Velvet/Velvet.apk (main Assistant module) /system/priv-app/QuickSearchBox/QuickSearchBox.apk (search bar) /system/app/GoogleAssistant/ (full folder, if any)

Wipe → Cache

After this procedure, Google Assistant will be removed at the system level, but MIUI updates can restore files. To prevent this, use Magisk to block the installation:

echo "com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox" >> /data/adb/magisk/denylist

Method 4: Blocking through Magisk (for root users)

If you already have root rights, the most reliable way is to block the Assist components through Magisk modules.

Step 1. Install the modules:

• 📥 Download Universal GMS Doze (optimizes background activity of Google services).
• 📥 Install App Systemizer to convert custom APK System (if you need to replace the Assistant with an analogue).

Step 2. Lock the components:

1. Open Magisk Manager and go to Modules.
2. Activate the Universal GMS Doze module and add to the lock list: com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox com.google.android.apps.googleassistant
3. Reset the device.

For complete isolation, also edit /system/build.prop (via Root Explorer) by adding the following line:

ro.config.low_ram=true

This will force Android to limit background activity of all Google services.

💡

Using Magisk allows you to block Assistant without physically deleting files, which is safer for system stability. However, after the MIUI update, modules can be disabled - check their status after updates.

Method 5: Alternative firmware (for advanced users)

If none of the methods worked, consider installing custom firmware without GApps (Google Apps). For Xiaomi Mi 9 (cepheus), you can:

• 📱 LineageOS (without GApps or with a minimum pico package)
• 📱 crDroid (with the option to disable Google services)
• 📱 HaventOS (optimized for performance)

Installation instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader (see Method 3).
2. Install. TWRP And make a full backup. → System + Data).
3. Download firmware (e.g. LineageOS for Mi 9) and, if necessary, Open GApps (pico or nano).
4. Fly through the Wipe. → Advanced Wipe (select Dalvik, Cache, System, Data) ZIP-firmware.

After installing custom firmware Google Assistant will be absent by default. To return functionality (for example, Google Play), install the minimum GApps package via TWRP.

⚠️ Warning: Installing custom firmware voids Xiaomi's warranty and may result in data loss.On some versions MIUI (Unlocking the bootloader requires waiting up to 720 hours (30 days).

What to do if Google Assistant is back after the update

MIUI has a nasty feature: after a system update, some remote applications are restored.

1. Turn off automatic updates: Go to Settings → The phone. → Update the system. Click on the icon. ⚙️ Turn off Automatic Booting via Wi-Fi.

Magisk

echo "com.google.android.gsf" >> /data/adb/magisk/denylist

DisableForceEncrypt

If the Assistant does return, repeat the steps from Method 2 (ADB) or Method 4 (Magisk).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Google Assistant on Xiaomi Mi 9