Voice assistant Alice from Yandex has long ceased to be exclusive to devices on Android One or Google Pixel. Today it can be launched even on Xiaomi smartphones, despite the proprietary shell MIUI. But the activation process here has its nuances: from the need to install additional applications to manually configure permissions. In this article, we will discuss all the official and alternative ways to include Alice on Xiaomi in 2026, including solutions for models without Google services.
It’s important to understand that Xiaomi doesn’t pre-install Alice on its devices — unlike Google Assistant, which is integrated into MIUI by default — which means that users will have to download the Yandex app with the assistant widget themselves, and then adjust its interaction with the system, while some models (such as the Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Pro) may have conflicts with Xiaomi’s branded services, which block the work of third-party voice assistants in the background.
1. Checking the compatibility of Xiaomi phone with Alice
Before you start installing, make sure your smartphone meets the minimum requirements:
- 📱 Android version: not lower than 8.0 Oreo (for full operation you need Android 10)+).
- 🔄 Shell MIUI: any version, but on MIUI 12.5+ Possible limitations of background work.
- 🌍 Firmware region: Official global (Global) or European (EEA) Firmware. On Chinese versions (China) ROM) Alice will not work without additional manipulations.
- 📶 Google services: must be installed (on models for China, for example Redmi) K50, They will have to be manually installed).
To check the Android version and MIUI, Go to Settings. → About the phone. If you have China. ROM, line MIUI" I'll give you a firmware type. V14.0.3.0.TMBCNXM (letter CN In this case, before installing Alice, you will need to unlock the bootloader and flash the global version, otherwise the assistant will not get access to the microphone.
2. Installation of Yandex application with Alice
The official way to activate the assistant is through the Yandex app with Alice's widget. Download it from Google Play Market:
- Open the Play Store and find the application "Yandex: Alice, search, news".
- Click "Install" and wait for the download to be completed.
- After installation, open the application and go through the initial setting (selecting a theme, synchronizing with your Yandex account).
If you have Xiaomi without Google services (e.g. Redmi Note 11 on China) ROM), download APK-application file from the official Yandex website:
- 🔗 Follow the link: https://browser.yandex.ru/mobile/assistant.
- 📥 Click "Download for Android" and confirm the download.
- 🔓 Before installation, allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Annexes → Special access → Installation of unknown applications.
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If Alice does not respond to voice commands after installation, check if the microphone for the Yandex application is turned off in the MIUI privacy settings.
3.Setting up permits for Alice in MIUI
In order for Alice to listen to voice commands and perform tasks, she needs special permissions. In MIUI, their setting is different from pure Android:
Autostart of the application|Background work|Access to the microphone|Access to location (optional)|Display over other windows-->
Step-by-step:
- Autostart: go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Yandex and turn on Autostart.
- Background: In the same menu, activate "Allow background activity" and "No battery restrictions".
- Microphone: In the "Permissions" section, enable access to the microphone and confirm in the pop-up window.
- Special Rights: Return to the main menu of the Yandex application and turn on "Show on top of other windows".
On some Xiaomi models (e.g. POCO F4), after upgrading to MIUI 14, autostart permission may be reset. To avoid this, add Yandex to Cleanup Protection (Settings → Battery and Performance → Cleanup Protection).
What if Alice doesn’t hear the commands?
4.Activation of Alice by voice and from the lock screen
By default, Alice will only start when you open the Yandex app. To activate it with voice or from a locked screen, follow the following steps:
| Function | The path of adjustment | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Voice activation (OK, Yandex) | Open Yandex → Alice → Settings → Voice Assistant → Learn to Voice | You need to write down 5 phrases for training |
| Launch from the lock screen | MIUI settings → Lock screen → Additional → Widgets → Add Yandex widget | It only works on MIUI 13+. |
| Quick start with double push of a button | Settings → Buttons and gestures → Quick start → Select Yandex | It does not work on the POCO M5 and some budget models. |
For voice activation of Alice on Xiaomi, it is important that the MIUI settings turn off Smart Assistant (Settings → Special Features → Smart Assistant), otherwise the system can intercept voice commands.
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On models with MIUI 14 and later, Alice's voice activation only works when connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi or mobile data. In airplane mode, the assistant will not respond.
5. Solving Alice's Job Problems at Xiaomi
Even when you set it up correctly, Alice can be unstable, and here are the typical problems and solutions.
⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI Alice stopped responding, reset the settings of the Yandex application (Settings) → Annexes → Yandex → Warehouse → Clear the data) and reconfigure it, due to the change in permissions policy in the new shell versions.
- 🔇 Alice can't hear the commands: Check if the audio device is occupied by another application (for example, Spotify or YouTube.
- 🔄 Assistant spontaneously closes: Add Yandex to "Memory Cleanup Exceptions" (Settings) → Battery → Exceptions: Update the app to the latest version.
- 📵 Does not work on the lock screen: Make sure that in Settings → Lock screen → Lock and protection disabled "Hidden Mode" Check if there is a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher) that can block widgets.
On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi 11 Lite), Alice may conflict with the Mi AI Assistant app, and to fix this, disable the auto-update for Mi AI in the Play Store or uninstall it via ADB:
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.voiceassist6.Alternative ways to launch Alice
If the standard installation fails, try one of the alternative methods:
- 🤖 Through Tasker: Create a Task in Tasker that will run Alice by gesture or voice command. To do this: Install Tasker and AutoInput plugin. Create a Task with the action "Run the App" → Select Yandex. Add a trigger (e.g., shaking your phone or voice command via AutoVoice).
Through a label on the desktop
Long tap on the desktop → “Widgets” → find the widget “Alice” (4×1 or 2×2) and drag it to the screen.
Bixby (for models with an assistant button)
On some Xiaomi (such as the Mi Mix 4), you can reassign the Google Assistant button to Alice using the Button Mapper app.
For advanced users, there is a way to integrate Alice into the system launcher through ADB. This will allow you to launch the assistant with a long hold of the Home button:
adb shell settings put secure assistant com.yandex.browser
adb shell settings put secure voice_interaction_service com.yandex.browser/.voiceassist.VoiceInteractionService⚠️ Note: Change system settings through ADB It can lead to unstable work MIUI. Before executing commands, make a backup of the data in Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
7.Optimizing Alice's work on Xiaomi
To help the assistant work faster and not drain the battery, follow these tips:
- 🔋 Limit background activity of other voice assistants (Google Assistant, Mi) AI).
- 📶 Use Wi-Fi instead of mobile internet – Alice handles commands faster with a stable connection.
- 🗣️ Train a voice profile in a quiet room to improve recognition.
- 🔄 Update the Yandex application monthly – in new versions, bugs for the new version are fixed MIUI.