How to enable "Hey Google" on Android 16 with minimal GApps (crDroid/Xiaomi) — No root, no reflashing

If you're using a custom ROM like crDroid on a Xiaomi device and "Hey Google" is grayed out, it's not a bug — it's by design.

**Why it happens:** Minimal GApps packages (like BiTGApps) intentionally omit the voice-recognition components — specifically HotwordEnrollment and Velvet (GoogleQuickSearchBox) — because they're large and not essential for basic functionality. Without them, Google Assistant's voice activation cannot register.

**The fix:** Install only the targeted NikGapps addons via TWRP — no root, no data loss, no clean flash required:

1. Download from https://sourceforge.net/projects/nikgapps/files/Releases/Android-16/ (Addons/ folder only):
- NikGapps-Addon-16-GoogleSearch-*.zip
- NikGapps-Addon-16-GoogleTTS-*.zip (optional but recommended for natural voice)

2. Reboot to TWRP recovery
3. Disable zip signature verification in TWRP Settings
4. Flash both zips, reboot
5. Go to Settings > Apps > Google > Clear Data & Cache
6. Set Google TTS Engine in Accessibility settings

**Verification:** Run `adb shell pm list packages | grep hotword` — you should see com.android.hotwordenrollment.*

Confirmed working on: Xiaomi Mi 10T (apollo), Mi 11, Redmi K40 series running Android 16 ROMs.

Full guide with exact commands on XDA: https://xdaforums.com/t/guide-fix-hey-google-grayed-out-on-xiaomi-mi-10t-apollo-with-crdroid-12-11-android-16-bitgapps-minimal.4794486/

Hope this helps others avoid hours of searching!

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