What Xiaomi’s smart speaker can do: A full guide to the possibilities in 2026

Xiaomi’s smart speakers have long since ceased to be just music playback devices, and today they are central smart home management nodes, personal assistants, and even AI-enabled entertainment centers. 20-30% They are capable of using them without knowing the hidden functions and integrations.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the full range of Xiaomi’s current speakers (from the budget Mi Smart Speaker to the flagship Xiaomi Smart Speaker Pro), including little-known chips that the manufacturer doesn’t advertise. You’ll learn how to turn a speaker into a home appliance control center, customize voice scripts to automate routine tasks, and even use it as a security monitor or language learning tool.

We will pay special attention to practical applications: what tasks the column solves better than a smartphone, where it loses to specialized devices, and how to circumvent restrictions (for example, the lack of official support for Yandex Alice on global firmware).

1. Smart home management: from light bulbs to robot vacuum cleaners

The main advantage of Xiaomi speakers is deep integration with the Mi Home ecosystem (or Xiaomi Home in new versions).The column can become a central hub for managing more than 2,000 compatible devices, including:

• 💡 Smart lamps (Yeelight, Mi) LED) — regulation of brightness, color, temperature
• 🔌 Sockets and switches (Mi Smart Plug, Aqara) – remote on / off
• 🧹 Robot Vacuum – Start cleaning, select zones, control battery
• 🌡️ Climate devices (Mi Air Purifier, Mi Humidifier) - setting modes by voice
• 🚪 Security sensors (Mi) Door/Window Sensor, Aqara Camera – Intrusion alerts

To control, you just need to say things like, “OK, Google, turn on the light in the living room,” or “Alice, start the kitchen vacuum cleaner.”

But there are nuances:

⚠️ Note: On Chinese firmware, speakers support only XiaoAI (Chinese voice assistant), and on global ones – Google Assistant or Alice (depending on the model.

Advanced users can create automation chains through the Mi Home app, for example:

If the motion sensor is triggered after 20:00 → turn on the light for 5 minutes + send a notification to the phone

Or a more complicated scenario:

If the humidity is below 40% → turn on the humidifier + say through the column: "Humidity is low, humidifier is on"

2.Voice assistants: XiaoAI vs Google Assistant vs Alice

The choice of voice assistant depends on the regional firmware of the column and the associated account.

To change the assistant on global firmware:

1. Open the Google Home or Mi Home app
2. Select your column in the list of devices
3. Go to Settings. → Voice assistant
4. Choose the right assistant (if available)

Lifehack: You can activate the "Continue on your phone" mode on the Google Assistant speakers, for example, if you say, "OK, Google, show me the borscht recipe."

The assistant will send the result to a smartphone connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

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To improve voice recognition, place the column at a distance. 1-2 Meter from the main places of communication (sofa, dining table) and avoid installation in niches or behind curtains.

3. Multimedia: Music, Radio, Podcasts and Hidden Sources

Xiaomi speakers support audio playback from a variety of sources, but not all of them are obvious.

• 🎵 Streaming services: Spotify, Apple Music, Yandex Music (via voice commands or an app)
• 📻 Internet radio: Built-in stations (e.g., "Turn on Energy Radio") or via TuneIn
• 🎙️ Podcasts: support for Google Podcasts and Yandex Podcasts (on the relevant firmware)
• 💿 Local files: playback with USB-the storage device (on models with a port) or DLNA
• 🎮 Game sound: connection to PC/set-top box via Bluetooth or AUX (on models with a 3.5 mm connector)

Hidden feature: You can run music on speakers with Google Assistant based on contextual queries. Examples:

• "Play some music for practice" → playlist with motivational tracks
• "Play the music like Starbucks" → atmospheric compositions
• "Play something from the 90s in Russian" → hits of the era

For audiophiles, it is important: Xiaomi Smart Speaker Pro speakers support codecs AAC and aptX, which provides better Bluetooth playback compared to the basic models (where only used) SBC).

⚠️ Note: When connecting to AUX The cable must be fully inserted into the connector -- even a small backlash can cause noise or interruption of sound. 2020-2021 year-end.

4.Security and monitoring: column as guard

With modern updates, Xiaomi speakers have received security alarms and room monitoring functions.

• 🚨 Security mode: when activated, the speaker listens to sounds in the room and if suspicious noises are detected (broken glass, screams) sends a notification to the phone
• 👂 Listening: You can remotely connect to the speaker microphone via the Mi Home app (on-device confirmation required)
• 📢 Siren: When sensors (e.g. Mi Door Sensor) are triggered, the speaker can emit a loud signal (up to 90 dB)
• 🗣️ Voice alerts: for example, "Cross in the corridor" or "The door to the balcony has been open for 10 minutes"

To set up the security mode:

1. Open Mi Home → select a column
2. Go to Settings. → Security → Security regime
3. Activate the function and adjust the microphone sensitivity
4. Add trusted contacts for alerts

Important: In the mode of protection, the column consumes on 15-20% On the Xiaomi Mi Portable Bluetooth Speaker, this reduces battery life. 8 before 6-7 hours.

Enable security mode in Mi Home|Add trusted contacts|Test the sensitivity of the microphone|Set up an activation schedule|Check the level of charge (for portable models)-->

To improve reliability, it is recommended to combine the column with other Xiaomi sensors:

5. Educational and recreational functions: from languages to meditations

Xiaomi speakers can be a useful tool for learning and relaxation, and here are some non-obvious ways to use them:

• 📚 Language learning: You can use Google Assistant or Alice to practice pronunciation, translate phrases in real time, or run audio lessons (e.g., “Alice, turn on an English lesson for beginners")
• 🧘 Meditation and ASMR: Integrated nature sounds or integration with services like Calm (via Google Assistant)
• 🎲 Games: voice quizzes, "Guess the melody" or even text quests (for example, "OK, Google, let's play a quiz about the movie")
• 👶 Children's mode: inclusion of fairy tales, children's songs or training podcasts on the timer
• 📖 Audiobooks: Support for Audiobooks from LitRes (via Alice) or Google Play Books

Hidden Opportunity: The XiaoAI (Chinese firmware) columns have a feature called "Studying Poems." Suffice it to say, "" (XiaoAI, teach me a poem),

And the assistant will read the classic Chinese poems line by line, waiting for you to repeat it.

For parents, the “Good Night” function is useful:

1. The column includes white noise or lullaby.


2 After a predetermined time (e.g. 30 minutes), the sound gradually fades.




3. simultaneously dimmed connected smart light (if configured).

⚠️ Warning: When using the speaker in the nursery, turn off the Voice Buy feature in the assistant settings, otherwise the child may accidentally order goods through voice commands (for example, "Alice, buy Lego").

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Xiaomi’s Google Assistant-enabled speakers can play content from YouTube Premium (if you have a subscription), but only through English-language voice commands.

6. Advanced settings and life hacks

For power users, there are a few hidden features and workarounds:

• 🔧 Change in firmware region: You can reflash the column from the Chinese version to the global (or vice versa) to access other voice assistants.
• 🔊 Equalizer setting: the Mi Home app has pre-settings (Bases, Voice, Custom), but fine tuning will require third-party software like Equalizer FX (Android).
• 🔄 Automatic source switching: You can set the speaker to automatically switch from Bluetooth to Wi-Fi when playing music through the voice assistant.
• 📡 Wi-Fi signal amplification: Xiaomi Smart Speaker Pro speakers can work as network repeaters (Wi-Fi Extender function in beta version of firmware).

Instructions for changing the firmware region (for experienced users):

Download firmware for the desired region from the forum XDA|Connect the column to the PC on USB (required OTG-cable)|Run MiFlashTool in Fastboot Mode|Select a firmware file and wait for completion (10-15 minute)|Reset the settings after firmware-->

To improve the sound quality in Mi Home, hidden settings are available:

1. Go to the Device Settings → Sound. → Additionally.
2. Activate Night Bass Mode (reduces low frequencies at night to avoid disturbing neighbors)
3. Turn on Adaptive Volume – The speaker will automatically adjust the volume depending on the noise level in the room.

On the speakers Xiaomi Mi Smart Speaker (model 2022) when activating the mode "Party mode" you can synchronize music playback on several speakers with a delay of less than 50 ms - this is one of the best indicators among budget devices.

7. Model comparison: which Xiaomi column to choose in 2026

Xiaomi’s range of smart speakers includes more than 10 models, differing in price, capabilities and target audience.

When choosing, pay attention to:

• 🔌 Connection type: if you want portability, take a battery model. For stationary use, you'll need powered options.
• 🎤 Sensitivity of microphones: in noisy rooms (kitchen, office) it is better to choose models with an array of 4+ Microphones (Smart Speaker Pro).
• 🌍 Regional firmware: for Russia, optimal models with support for Yandex Alice or the possibility of flashing.

Savings tip: If you only need a speaker for smart home controls and simple voice commands, take the basic Mi Smart Speaker model.The difference in sound with the Pro version is only noticeable when the volume is above 70% or playing music with deep bass.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi smart speakers