Xiaomi’s Driving app: How to turn off or remove permanently

Why the Driving app is hindering Xiaomi users and how to remove it

Driving Mode automatically activates on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones when connected to a car via Bluetooth or when motion is detected, blocking notifications, simplifying the interface and enabling voice assistants — features useful behind the wheel but annoying in everyday life. Users complain of spontaneous start of mode in transport, the inability to fully use the phone and the loss of important notifications from instant messengers.

Complicating the problem, MIUI does not provide an obvious way to disable Driving through standard settings. Depending on the firmware version (MIUI 12, 13 or 14) and the smartphone model (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5, etc.), the solutions are different. In this article, proven methods for completely removing, disabling auto-start and bypassing system limitations.

What is the “Driving” mode and why is it necessary?

Driving Mode is a safety feature integrated into MIUI to reduce distractions while driving.

• 📵 Block notifications (except for calls and SOS-message).
• 🎙️ Includes voice assistant to control the phone without hands.
• 🚗 Simplifies the interface: large buttons, limited set of applications.
• 📶 Automatically responds to messages with a template “I am driving».

Theoretically, the feature is useful, but in practice it works falsely: it turns on the subway, bus or even when walking fast. Moreover, on some models (Xiaomi 12T, Redmi K50), the mode is activated when connected to Android Auto or Bluetooth headset, which prevents you from using the phone as a navigator.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and later, the Driving app may be part of the com.miui.voiceassist system package, and removing it without root rights will cause errors in the voice assistant.

Method 1: Disabling Autostart through Settings

The safest method is to prevent the application from running automatically, and that won't delete it, but it will prevent spontaneous activation.

Instructions for MIUI 12-14:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search box, type “Driving” (or “Driving Mode” in English firmware).
3. Select the application and go to Autostart.
4. Turn off the sliders: 🔄 «Auto-start» 📱 «Secondary launch (if any) 🔔 «Notifications»

Stop it.

On some devices (POCO X5 Pro, Redmi Note 11) the AutoStart option may not be available, in which case use an alternative path:

Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management → Applications selection → Driving → Limit background activity

Close all background applications

Connect your phone to charge (recommended)

Check out the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone

Make a backup copy of important data-->

Method 2: Removal via ADB (without root rights)

If disabling autorun didn’t help, you can uninstall the app via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a method that works on most Xiaomi devices with the bootloader unlocked, but doesn’t require root rights.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version.

USB debugging

Settings → Additional → For Developers

ADB Tools

Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices


adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.voiceassist

If the command fails, try an alternative package:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.car

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI Global for Xiaomi 13 Ultra, removing com.miui.voiceassist may disrupt voice search.In this case, use method 3 (rollback updates).

Method 3: Reverse application updates

If Driving came after the MIUI update, you can return a previous version of the app where the features were less intrusive.This method only works on devices without rollback lock (e.g., POCO F4, Redmi 10).

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Driving.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Cancel Updates.
3. Confirm the action. The system will return the factory version of the application.
4. Turn off auto-update for this app in Google Play Store → Settings → Auto-update apps.

Every day.

1-2 times a week

Rarely, but annoying.

Never turned on.

I don't know what it is.-->

Method 4: Hidden MIUI settings (for power users)

MIUI has hidden menus where you can deactivate system applications without ADB. This method requires care, as improper actions can disrupt the phone.

How to open hidden settings:

1. Open the phone app and enter the code: ##4636##
2. In the menu that appears, select Phone Information.
3. Scroll down and find the Mode of Work Selection.
4. If you have a Driving Mode, turn it off.

For devices with MIUI 13/14 (e.g. Xiaomi 12S Ultra, Redmi K60) use the alternative code:

##6484##

After entering, the MIUI Hidden Settings menu will open, where you need:

1. Go to System App Settings.
2. Find Driving Mode or Car Mode.
3. Turn off the Enable slider.

Step-by-step:

1. Install System App Remover from Google Play.
2. Give root access.
3. In the list of system applications, find: com.miui.voiceassist (voice assistant + driving) com.miui.car (driving mode)

Delete

⚠️ Note: Removing system applications may result in loss of functionality (such as voice search or Bluetooth connection to the car).Before removing, check for dependencies in Magisk or backup through TWRP.

💡

Root removal is the most radical method. If you have problems with Bluetooth or voice assistant after you delete it, restore the app from a backup or reflash the phone.

What to do if nothing helps

If none of these methods worked, your Xiaomi model may have a rigidly integrated Driving mode in the firmware, leaving the following options:

• 🔄 Reverse to the old version MIUI (for example, MIUI 14 on MIUI To do this, download the firmware from Xiaomifirmwareupdater.com and run through Fastboot.
• 📱 Using an alternative firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS) will remove all Xiaomi system applications, but will require unlocking the bootloader.
• 🛠️ On some devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mix Fold 2), Driving mode is locked at the kernel level and can only be disabled with engineering software.

If you are not ready for radical measures, try to cheat the system:

1. Turn off Bluetooth and geolocation when traveling in transport.
2. Install an alternative launcher (like Nova Launcher) that ignores system limitations.
3. Use Android Auto instead of the built-in driving mode – it’s more flexible in settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's "Driving" mode