Google Assistant on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones can be an indispensable assistant, from voice control to quick search information. However, many users face a problem: standard methods of calling (for example, holding the Home button) often do not work due to the customized shell of MIUI. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to launch the Assistant on Xiaomi devices in 2026 – from voice commands to hidden settings.
It’s important to understand that the functionality depends on the MIUI version, the phone model, and regional restrictions. For example, on some devices for the Chinese market, Google Assistant can be blocked at the firmware level. We took these nuances into account and prepared instructions that work on most global versions of MIUI 12-14.
1. Standard way: voice command "OK, Google"
The most universal method is voice activation, but on Xiaomi it is often disabled by default due to a conflict with the company’s Xiao AI assistant.
To include:
- 📱 Open the Google app (not to be confused with Google Play!).
- 🔍 In the upper right corner, tap on the profile icon → Settings → Voice search.
- 🎤 Select the Voice Assistant → Google Assistant.
- 🔄 Activate the switch OK Google and get voice training (record 3-5 phrases).
Google Play Services is installed on the phone|Access to the microphone for the Google app is enabled|The language of the system is the same as the language of the Assistant (for example, Russian)|Power saving mode is turned off for Google-->
If the “OK, Google” command fails to work:
- 🔋 Check if the battery optimizer is blocking access (in Settings) → Annexes → Battery management).
- 📵 Make sure your phone is connected to the internet (Applications for active connection).
- 🔊 Restart the device – sometimes helps to reset conflicts with the MIUI.
⚠️ Note: On some models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro with the MIUI 13) Voice activation only works when the screen is unlocked. This is a shell restriction, you can only circumvent it through the screen. ADB (section).
2. Launching via Holding the Home button (or gesture)
On "pure" Android, holding the Home button calls the Assistant, but in MIUI, this feature is often reassigned to Xiao AI or the menu of recent apps.
Method for devices with hardware Home button (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 9, Redmi 8):
- Go to Settings → Additional → Home button.
- Select Holding the Home button" → Google Assistant.
- Save the changes and restart the phone.
For gesture-controlled devices (no buttons, such as Xiaomi 12T):
- 👆 Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen and hold your finger for 1-2 seconds.
- 🔄 If Xiao works. AI, Turn it off in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Xiao AI (Turn off auto-start and permissions).
| Xiaomi model | Supported method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 11 Pro+ | Gesture + voice | Requires to manually shut down Xiao AI |
| POCO X4 Pro | Home button (if any) | On the global firmware works without additional settings |
| Xiaomi 13 Lite | Just a voice. | The gesture is in conflict with MIUI Launcher |
| Black Shark 5 | Voice + side button | In game mode, the assistant is automatically turned off. |
Voice command | Hold button/gesture | Through widget | Through screen shortcut | Not using-->
3. Google Assistant widget on the home screen
If voice commands and gestures are uncomfortable, add a widget for quick access:
- Click and hold the empty space on the home screen → select Widgets.
- Scroll down the list to the Google section.
- Select the Assistant widget (usually 2×2 or 4×1) and drag it to the screen.
Advantages of the widget:
- 🚀 Instant launch without voice commands.
- 📱 It works even with a locked screen (if the option is enabled in the security settings).
- 🔄 You can place it on the notification panel (on some firmware).
⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14 Google widgets may disappear after launcher update.To return them, clear app cache MIUI Launcher in settings.
If the widget is not displayed in the list:
- 🔄 Update Google App through Play Store.
- 📥 Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) where Google widgets are more stable.
4. Label on the lock screen (for global firmware only)
On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi 11T, POCO F4), you can add the Assistant shortcut to the lock screen:
- Go to Settings → Lock screen → Shortcuts.
- Select the left/right label (depending on the model).
- Search for Google Assistant and save the changes.
Limitations of the method:
- ❌ It does not work on Chinese firmware (China) ROM).
- ❌ Could be a conflict with Xiao. AI (Priority is given to the corporate assistant).
- ✅ Nana MIUI 13+ The shortcut works even when the screen is turned off (if the option to wake up is enabled).
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If the shortcut doesn’t appear in the list, try first running Google Assistant manually (via search or widget) and then going back to the lock screen settings.
5. Advanced method: Adjustment through ADB (for experienced)
If standard methods do not work due to MIUI limitations, you can force Google Assistant to hold the Home button through ADB. This method is suitable for models where the function is locked by the shell (for example, Redmi K50 on MIUI 14).
Instructions:
- Turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
- Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put secure assistant "com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox/com.google.android.apps.gsa.staticplugins.opa.OpaActivity"
- Reset the device.
After that, holding the Home button (or gesture) will open Google Assistant. To return the standard behavior, do:
adb shell settings put secure assistant ""⚠️ Attention: Wrong commands ADB You can disrupt the system. Before experimenting, back up through Settings. → Additionally. → Backup.