Voice assistant Google Assistant on smartphones Honor often activated by accident - just hold down button Home or say the phrase “Okay, Google.” For many users, this is an annoying factor: the assistant consumes battery power, collects data on voice requests and interferes with work. The problem is especially pressing on devices with shell Magic UI (previously EMUI), where Google settings are integrated deeper than in "pure" Android.

In this article you you will find 5 working ways to disable - from standard settings to advanced methods using ADB and editing system files. We took into account the features of firmware Honor (including models Honor 50/60/70/90 and MagicOS 7.0+), where Google Assistant can “rise from the dead” after updates. All instructions have been tested on current versions of Android 12–14.

Before you start, check: perhaps the assistant functionality is enough for you, and not remove it completely. For example, turn off voice activation or remove the icon from the lock screen. These options are discussed in the first sections. limit assistant functionality, rather than removing it completely. For example, turn off voice activation or remove the icon from the lock screen. These options are discussed in the first sections.

📊 Why do you want to disable Google Assistant?
Random activations
Battery saving
Protection privacy
I don’t use voice assistants
Another option

1. Disabling through standard Honor settings

The safest way is to use the built-in system options. It is suitable for most models Honor on Magic UI 4.0–7.2 and does not require superuser rights. Follow the instructions:

  1. Open the application Google (icon with a colored letter "G").
  2. Tap on the profile avatar in the upper right corner → select Settings.
  3. Go to section Google Assistant → General.
  4. Disable the switches:
    • 🔄 Google Assistant (main toggle switch)
    • 🎤 Voice input (if yes)
    • 📱 Assist on the lock screen
  • Return to the previous menu and select Voice control → disable Okay Google.

    • On some firmware Honor (for example, Magic UI 6.1 on Honor X8), the item Google Assistant may be hidden in Settings → Applications → Default applications → Assistant and voice input. If you don’t find the option, use the search in settings (magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen).

    ⚠️ Attention: After being disabled through Google settings, the Assistant can be activated again when updating applications Google or services Google Play. To avoid this, disable auto-updates for these applications in Play Market.

    Press the Home button - the assistant window should not open|

    Say "Okay, Google" - no reaction|

    Check the lock screen - no microphone icon|

    Open the Google application - no Assistant tips-->

    2. Uninstalling updates and rolling back to the factory version

    If Google Assistant was pre-installed on your Honorbut later was updated via Play Market, you can return it to the factory state. This will remove all additional functions, including voice activation.

    Instructions:

    1. Open Settings → Applications → Applications (or Application Manager).
    2. Find in the list Google (not to be confused with Google Play Store!).
    3. Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner → select Uninstall updates.
    4. Confirm the action. The system will return the application to the factory version.
    5. Then click Disable (if the button is active) and confirm.

    After that:

    • 🔒 Disable auto-update for the application Google v Play Market (open the application page → triangle at the top → uncheck Auto-update).
    • 📵 Turn off notifications from Google Assistant in the application settings.
    ⚠️ Attention: On some models Honor (for example, Honor 8X or Honor 10 Lite) the factory version of Google Assistant may not be available at all - in this case, the item Uninstall updates will be inactive. Then proceed to the next method.
    Model Honor Magic UI version Does it support uninstalling updates? Alternative method
    Honor 50/60/70 Magic UI 5.0–7.0 Yes Method 1 or 3
    Honor X7/X8/X9 Magic UI 4.2–6.1 Partially (depending on the region) Method 4 (ADB)
    Honor 9X/10X EMUI 9.1–10.1 No Method 5 (rooting)
    Honor Magic V2 MagicOS 7.2 Yes, but with restrictions Method 2 + blocking Digital Balance

    3. Blocking via Digital Balance

    The shell Magic UI offers a built-in tool Digital Balance (Digital Wellbeing) that allows you to limit the activity of applications. This method. does not remove Google Assistant, but makes it unavailable without additional actions.

    How to set it up:

    1. Go to Settings → Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls → Digital Balance.
    2. Select Focus mode or Application timer (depending on the firmware version).
    3. Find in the list Google or Google Assistant and set a limit 0 minutes.
    4. Activate the mode Always or set the schedule to 24/7.
    5. Additional: add the application to List of restrictions (if there is such an item).

    Advantages of the method:

    • 🔋 Does not affect the work of others Google services (for example Play Market or Gmail).
    • 🔒 The blocking is valid even after rebooting the device.
    • 📱 Does not require root access or connection to a PC.

    Disadvantages:

    • ❌ Google Assistant will remain in the system and may consume resources in the background.
    • ❌ Some voice commands (for example, through Google Search) may continue to work.
    💡

    If your version of Magic UI does not have a Digital Balance item, try finding it through a search in the settings. On some Honor models (for example, Honor 8A), this section is called “Screen Time” or “Parental Controls.”

    4. Disabling via ADB (for experienced users)

    If standard methods do not help, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) —a tool for debugging Android devices. This method is suitable for all models Honor on Android 8.0 and later, but requires connection to a computer.

    Preparation:

    1. Download and install Platform Tools (official package from Google).
    2. Enable Developer mode on your phone: go to Settings → About phone and tap 7 times on Build number.
    3. Go back to Settings → System → Developer Options and activate USB Debugging.
    4. Connect your phone to the PC via USB cable (use the original cable for stability).

    Disable Google Assistant via ADB:

    1. Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with platform-tools.
    2. Enter command to check the connection: 
      adb devices

      The name of your device should appear.

    3. Run the command to disable Google Assistant as the default assistant: 
      adb shell pm revoke com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox android.permission.BIND_ASSISTANT_SERVICE
    4. Then disable voice activation: 
      adb shell pm revoke com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO
    5. Restart your phone: 
      adb reboot

    After a reboot:

    • 🔧 Google Assistant will no longer open using the button Home and voice commands.
    • 📌 Application Google will remain in the system, but its functionality will be greatly reduced.
    • ⚙️ To return everything back, use the command: 
      adb shell pm grant com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox android.permission.BIND_ASSISTANT_SERVICE
    ⚠️ Attention: On some firmware Honor (especially Magic UI 7.0+) ADB commands may be reset after a system update. In this case, the procedure will have to be repeated. It is also not recommended to use ADB on devices with a locked bootloader - this may lead to a factory reset.
    What to do if ADB does not see the device?

    1. Make sure that the drivers for Honor are installed (download them from the official Huawei/Honor website).

    2. Try another USB cable (preferably the original one).

    3. Enable the "USB Debugging (Security Options)" option in the developer options.

    4. Restart your phone and PC.

    5. If you are using Windows, run the command prompt as an administrator.

    5. Radical methods: rooting and deleting system files

    If you are ready to take extreme measures, you can completely remove Google Assistant from the system. This will require root access access to the system partition. The method is suitable only for experienced users, as it carries risks:

    • 🚨 Loss of warranty (on most models Honor).
    • 🔧 Possible system failure if files are deleted incorrectly.
    • 📵 Some functions (for example, Google Pay) may stop working.

    Instructions:

    1. Get root access using Magisk or another tool (for example, KingRoot for old models).
    2. Install a file manager with root support (for example, Root Explorer or FX File Explorer).
    3. Go to the path: 
      /system/priv-app/Velvet

      or

      /system/priv-app/GoogleQuickSearchBox
    4. Delete folders Velvet and/or GoogleQuickSearchBox (make a backup first!).
    5. Clear the cache and application data Google in the settings.
    6. Restart the device.

    On Honor models with Magic UI 7.0+, Google Assistant files can be stored in the /product/priv-app/ section. Check this path if you do not find the folder in /system/.

    After removal:

    • ✅ Google Assistant will disappear from the system completely.
    • ✅ It will be free until 100–150 MB of memory.
    • ❌ Some Google features (for example Discover on the Home screen) may not work correctly.
    • ❌ System updates may restore deleted files.
    ⚠️ Attention: On devices with Magic UI 6.0+ and Android 12+ removing system applications can lead to an error com.android.phone and loss of the network. Before experiments, create a full backup via TWRP or Huawei Backup.

    6. Alternative assistants: how to replace Google Assistant

    If you have disabled Google Assistant, but want to retain the voice control functionality, consider alternatives:

    Assistant Advantages Disadvantages Compatible with Honor
    Yandex Alisa Understands Russian well, integration with Yandex.Ecosystem Collects data, advertising in replies Yes (requires installations)
    Siri (via Shortcuts) Works with Apple devices if they are in the ecosystem Limited functionality on Android Partially
    Bixby (Samsung) Voice commands for Samsung devices Not optimized for Honor No
    Assistant.ai Open source, privacy Limited features Yes
    Celeste (from Huawei) Optimized for EMUI/Magic UI, supports Chinese and English Weak support for Russian language Yes (pre-installed on some models)

    To install an alternative assistant:

    1. Download the application from Play Market or APKMirror (for example, Yandex with Alice).
    2. Go to Settings → Applications → Default applications → Assistant and voice input.
    3. Select a new assistant from the list.
    4. Set up voice activation (if required).

    On models Honor c Magic UI 7.0+ you may need to additionally configure permissions for the alternative assistant (microphone access, auto-start, etc.).

    💡

    Before installing a third-party assistant, disable battery optimization for its application in Honor settings. Otherwise, voice commands may not work in the background.

    Common problems and their solutions

    Even after turning off Google Assistant can manifest itself. Let's consider typical situations and ways to fix them:

    Problem 1: After updating Google Assistant is activated again.

    • 🔹 Solution: Prohibit auto-updates for applications Google i Google Play services in Play Store.
    • 🔹 Use ADB to permanently disable (method 4).

    Problem 2: The button Home still calls the assistant.

    • 🔹 Solution: Reassign the button action in Settings → System → Gestures → Button Home 3: (if available).
    • 🔹On some models Honor this can be done via Button Mapper (requires root).

    Problem 3: Voice activation "Hey Google" continues to work.

    • 🔹 Solution: Check your settings in Google → Settings → Voice Search → Voice Matching and disable voice learning.
    • 🔹 Delete the voice model in the same section.

    Problem 4: After disabling, some functions stopped working (for example, Google Pay).

    • 🔹 Solution: Return the rights for Google Play services via ADB: 
      adb shell pm grant com.google.android.gms android.permission.BIND_ASSISTANT_SERVICE
    • 🔹 Reinstall Google Pay and configure it again.
    Can I disable Google Assistant without root and ADB?

    Yes, use method 1 (standard settings) or method 3 (Digital Balance). These methods do not require special knowledge and work on most models. HonorHowever, they do not remove the assistant completely, but only limit it. functionality.

    Why does Google Assistant turn on again after a reboot?

    This is a feature of the firmware Magic UI, where some system applications restore rights after reboot. To avoid this:

    • Use ADB to permanently disable (method 4).
    • Freeze the application Google via Titanium Backup or Lucky Patcher (requires root).
    • Disable auto-updates for all Google applications in Play Store.
    Will Google Pay work after disabling the Assistant?

    In most cases Google Pay will continue to work because it uses other components Google Play servicesHowever, if you deleted the Google Assistant system files (method 5), problems may arise. In this case:

    • Reinstall Google Pay.
    • Check your security settings. in Settings → Google → Security.
    • Update Google Play services to the latest version.
    How to return Google Assistant if you need it?

    To restore the assistant:

    1. If you used method 1 or 3 —just turn the toggle switches back in the settings.
    2. If you used method 4 (ADB) —execute the commands: 
      adb shell pm grant com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox android.permission.BIND_ASSISTANT_SERVICE

      adb shell pm grant com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox android.permission.RECORD_AUDIO

    3. If you deleted system files (method 5) — restore them from backup or reflash device.

    After that, update the application Google via Play Market.

    Is there a way to disable the Assistant only for specific applications?

    Yes, you can restrict Google Assistant's access to individual applications:

    1. Go to Settings → Applications → Google.
    2. Select Permissions.
    3. Disable permissions for those applications where you do not want to see the assistant (for example, Camera or Gallery).
    4. In section Advanced disable Display on top of other applications.

    This will not disable the Assistant completely, but will limit its intrusion into other apps.