Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the desire to replace the standard Google Assistant with a more familiar and functional for the Russian-speaking segment of Yandex Alice. Despite the fact that the Android operating system is originally focused on Google services, the Yandex ecosystem offers deep integration with local services, navigation and smart home, which makes it a priority for many owners of equipment.
The process of replacing the voice assistant does not require root rights or complex flashing of the device, but it involves careful implementation of a number of settings in the system menu. It is important to understand that completely remove the system component of Google is impossible without the risk of disruption of the work, but you can reconfigure all activation triggers to start the Yandex application.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm of actions that will allow you to use voice control from Yandex with (long press) power button or through on-screen hotkey. You will learn to bypass the system limitations of the MIUI and HyperOS shell, ensuring comfortable interaction with your smartphone without constantly accessing foreign servers.
Preparation of the device and installation of necessary components
Before you start setting up, you need to make sure that all the required components are installed on your device in the current versions. The basic requirement is the presence of the Yandex application itself with an integrated voice assistant, which can be downloaded from the official Google Play store or GetApps. Without the installed main application, you will not be able to activate the assistant functions.
It is also critical to check the presence and version of the Google app, as it is through its settings that system actions are reassigned. In some cases, especially on Chinese firmware versions, this application may be hidden or removed, which will require additional installation through the use of a new software. APK-file.
- 📲 Install the latest version of Yandex from the official source.
- 🔄 Update the Google and Google Assistant app to the current version in the Play Store.
- 🔐 Unlock the screen and make sure the apps have all the permissions requested.
- ⚙️ Check if microphone access is enabled in global privacy settings.
It’s worth noting that the settings menu may differ visually across different versions of MIUI shells, but the logic remains the same: If you’re using custom firmware or a global version with cut-out services, the procedure may require Google Play Services to be pre-installed.
⚠️ Note: When installing applications from third-party sources (not from the Play Store), the system may issue security alerts. APK-files only from verified resources, such as the official developer site or 4PDA, to avoid the introduction of malicious code.
⚠️ Please note: Do not attempt to disable or remove Google system components through ADB Or setting up a developer if you don't have experience, and that could cause a cyclical reboot or a touchscreen inoperability.
☑️ Ready to set up
Setting Alice as the default primary app
The first and most important step is to tell the system that you want to use Yandex as a priority service for processing voice queries, which requires you to go to the settings of the Yandex application itself. Open the application, go to the profile (human icon or avatar) and select Settings.
Inside the settings menu, find the item associated with Voice Features or directly Alice. Here you will need to activate a switch, often called Use as the default assistant or similar. The system will automatically redirect you to the Android system menu to confirm the choice.
In the Settings window → Applications → Default Applications → Assistant, select from the Yandex list. If there is no such option explicitly, you may need to select Digital Assistant or Voice Input. Then, when you try to call an assistant using standard methods, the system will suggest running Alice.
What if the “Assistant” item is not selected?
It is important to understand that this setting changes the behavior of software buttons and some gestures, but does not always affect the hardware power button, the setting of which is made in a separate section.
Activate Alice through the power button on Xiaomi
One of the most popular features for Xiaomi users is the ability to call the voice assistant (long press) lock button, by default this feature is reserved for Google Assistant, but we can reconfigure its behavior through the system menu.
To do this, go to Settings smartphone, then select the section Additional (or "Advanced settings"). Find the item buttons and gestures (in some versions of MIUI it may be called simply "Buttons"). Here you are interested in the option to Launch voice assistant.
In the menu that opens, you will see the "Push and Hold 0.5s" switch. Activate it. Immediately below this switch, you will see the application selection. Google is there by default, click on it and select Yandex or Yandex.Search from the proposed list. Now a long press on the power button will activate Alice even from the screen that is off (provided that the phone is unlocked or configured to recognize).
| Action. | Standard behavior | After setting up | Where to change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long press of the power button | Google Assistant | Yandex Alice | Settings → Buttons and gestures |
| Swipe from the corner of the screen | Google Assistant | Yandex Alice (through assistant settings) | Settings → Assistant |
| Voice command "OK, Google" | Google activation | Not changing (requires third-party decisions) | Google appendix |
| A widget on the desktop | Google search | Yandex widget (installed separately) | Desktop editor |
It should be noted that on some global versions of firmware with a pre-installed set of Google services (GMS), the system may insistently suggest returning the default settings with each update, in which case the procedure for selecting the application will have to be repeated.
Setting up voice activation "Listen always"
The constant command readiness feature, known as Hotword detection, allows you to call your assistant by pronouncing a keyword without touching the screen. For Google Assistant, it's "OK, Google," and for Alice, it's "Listen, Yandex," or just "Alice," and for this feature to work on Xiaomi, you need to set the permissions correctly.
Go to the settings of the Yandex app, go to Alice → Voice. You need to activate the voice activation switch. The system will request permission to use the microphone in the background and possibly access the location for more accurate operation. Confirm all requests.
However, there is a caveat: Android limits the ability of two apps to listen to the microphone at a low level at the same time. So to avoid the phrase "OK, Google" conflicting with Alice, it is recommended to disable voice activation in the Google app. Open the Google app, click on the profile avatar, select Settings → Voice Control and turn off Google Assistant or the "Ok Google" feature.
After these actions, the smartphone will respond to the name “Alice” even from a locked screen (if the option to work with a locked screen in the settings of Yandex is enabled), which significantly increases usability, allowing you to quickly set an alarm clock, turn on a timer or find out the weather without taking the phone out of your pocket.
⚠️ Attention: The constant operation of the microphone in the background increases the battery consumption. If you notice that the smartphone began to discharge faster, try turning off the function “Listen always” and use activation only by pressing a button or touching the screen.
Conflict resolution and typical problems
In the process of integrating Yandex Alice as the main assistant, users may face a number of technical conflicts. MIUI shell is known for its aggressive energy saving system, which can forcibly close the background processes of Yandex, which causes voice activation to stop working.
To avoid this, add the app to the exclusion list. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance (or Advanced Settings → Battery). Find Yandex in the list and set the power saving mode to the No Limits position. Also, in the Permissions menu, make sure that autostart is enabled.
Another common problem is widget conflict: if you have a Google search widget installed on your desktop, it can intercept some of the features.