How to permanently disable the voice assistant on Honor: a complete guide

Voice assistant on smartphones Honor (formerly part ecosystem Huawei) is often activated accidentally - just hold down the power button or say a key phrase. For many users, this feature is useless and the constant triggering is annoying. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not provide an obvious option to completely disable the assistant through the standard menu, but there are several working workarounds.

In this article we will look at 5 proven methods - from simple settings to technical solutions using ADB i HiSuite. The instructions are relevant for devices on EMUI 10–13 i MagicUI 7–8, including models Honor 50/60/70/80/90, Honor Magic 4/5/6 and others. Important: some methods require developer rights or connection to a PC.

Why is the voice assistant not disabled through the settings?

The manufacturer intentionally complicates the process of deactivating the voice assistant for several reasons:

• 📱 Integration with EMUI/MagicUI: the assistant is closely related to system services, and disabling it can affect the operation of other functions (for example, smart search or quick commands).
• 🔄 Automatic update: even after manual disabling, some firmware versions return the assistant after a reboot or OS update.
• 🎤 Marketing strategy: Huawei/Honor promotes its own services, including a voice assistant Celia (in new models) or HiAssistant.

As a result, users are faced with a situation where the menu Settings → System applications → Voice assistant has no “Disable” button or is gray. This is not a UI bug, but a planned limitation. However, you can bypass it - read on.

Method 1: Disabling through system settings (partial)

This method will not remove the assistant completely, but will minimize its activity. Suitable for users who do not want to tamper with system files.

1. Open Settings → Applications → Applications (or Settings → Applications and notifications → Manage applications).
2. In the upper right corner, click on the three dots (⋮) and select Show system processes.
3. In the list, find:
   • 🔍 Voice assistant (Voice Assistant)
   • 🔍 HiAssistant (for older models)
   • 🔍 Celia (for new models with MagicUI)

Select the application and press Disable (if the button is active) or Stop.

In the section Notifications disable everything switches.

Go back to Settings → System → Gestures and buttons and deactivate the option Launch the voice assistant (if any).

Important: after rebooting the device, the assistant can be activated again. This method is only suitable for a temporary solution.

Are notifications from the assistant disabled|Are shortcuts removed from the desktop|Are launch gestures deactivated|Has the power button been checked (does it launch the assistant)-->

Method 2: Using HiSuite for deep shutdown

HiSuite is the official software from Huawei/Honor to control your smartphone from a PC. You can use it to disable system applications that are not available in manual mode.

Instructions:

1. Download and install HiSuite on your computer (Windows/macOS).
2. Connect your smartphone via USB, enable debugging (if necessary, enable Mode developer via Settings → About phone → Build number - tap 7 times).
3. In HiSuite go to section Applications → Installed.
4. Find in the list:
   • 📌 com.huawei.android.hsf (main module of the assistant)
   • 📌 com.huawei.hiaction (for HiAssistant)
   • 📌 com.huawei.celia (for Celia)

Select the application and press Delete or Disable (depending on the version HiSuite).

Confirm the action and reboot your smartphone.

⚠️ Attention: Removing system APKs can lead to unstable operation of the firmware. Before the procedure, create a backup copy via HiSuite → Backup.

What to do if HiSuite does not see your smartphone?

Make sure your phone is turned on File transfer mode (MTP) in the notification shade If the problem persists, install drivers HiSuite manually via Device Manager (Windows) or restart both devices.

Method 3: Disabling via ADB (for experienced users)

If the previous methods did not work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) a tool for low-level system management. This method requires a connection to a PC and basic knowledge of the command line.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Download ADB Tools and extract the archive to any folder.
2. Enable on your smartphone USB debugging (Settings → System → For Developers).
3. Connect your phone to the PC and open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
4. Enter the commands one by one:

   adb devices

   (your device should appear)

   adb shell pm list packages | grep -E 'hsf|hiaction|celia'

   (search for packages assistant)

   adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.huawei.android.hsf

   (replace com.huawei.android.hsf with the packages found)

5. Reboot your smartphone.

Command	Description	Example output
adb devices	Connection check	1234abcd device
pm list packages	List of all packages	package:com.huawei.android.hsf
pm uninstall -k --user 0	Uninstall for the current user	Success

⚠️ Attention: Commands uninstall uninstall the application only for your profile After resetting the settings or updating the OS, the assistant can return. Complete removal requires root accesswhich will void the warranty.

Method 4: Blocking through "Digital Well-being"

If you need to temporarily limit the assistant's work (for example, while sleeping or working), you can use the built-in control tools:

1. Go to Settings → Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls → Toolbars.
2. Select Sleep Mode or Focus Mode.
3. Click Customize → Applications and find the voice assistant in the list.
4. Add it to restricted applications and set a schedule.

This method does not disable the assistant completely, but blocks it launch at specified hours. Suitable for users who need the function during the day, but not at night.

Method 5: Reset settings (last resort)

If the assistant is activated after each update or reset, and other methods do not help, you can perform partial reset:

1. Go to Settings → System → Reset.
2. Select Reset application settings (does not affect user data).
3. After reboot, repeat Method 1 or Method 2.

Critical information: a full reset (Reset to factory settings) will delete all data, including photos and contacts. Use it only if. other options have been exhausted.

Frequent problems and solutions

Even after disabling, users are faced with reactivating the assistant. Let's consider typical scenarios:

• 🔄 The assistant returns after the update: this is due to the fact that the firmware restores system applications. The solution is to repeat the shutdown through ADB or HiSuite after the update.
• 🎙️ Triggered when you press the power button: check the gesture settings in Settings → System → Gestures and buttons. Disable the option Launch voice assistant.
• 🔊 Voice prompts continue to sound: these may be notifications from other services (for example, Google Assistant). Turn them off in Settings → Sound → Voice prompts.

⚠️ Attention: On some models Honor (for example, Honor Magic 5 Pro) voice the assistant is integrated into Huawei Mobile Services (HMS). Its complete removal may disrupt the operation of the application store AppGallery.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

Is it possible to disable the voice assistant without a PC?

Yes, but only partially - through Settings → Applications (see Method 1). Complete removal requires ADB or HiSuite.

Why does the assistant appear again after disabling?

This is due to the automatic synchronization of system applications. The solution is to use ADB to remove packages or disable the assistant after each update.

Is it safe to delete system applications via ADB?

Removing via pm uninstall -k --user 0 is safe since it only affects your user profile. However, complete deletion (without the flag -k) can lead to errors.

How to return the assistant if you need it?

Go to AppGallery and find Huawei Assistant or Celia. Or reset application settings (Settings → System → Reset).

Do these methods work on Honor with Google Services (GMS)?

Yes, but on models with GMS (for example, Honor 50 for the global market) there can be two assistants: Google Assistant and Huawei Assistant. They must be disabled separately.