How to completely disable Google geolocation on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Why does Google geolocation work on Xiaomi even after it’s turned off?

Have you noticed that Google continues to track your location on Xiaomi smartphone despite the geolocation settings being disabled?It's not paranoia - that's how the Google Play Services ecosystem works. Even if you turn off GPS in the notification curtain, many apps (including Google Maps, YouTube and Google Photos) can determine your location through:

• 📡 Mobile network data (cellular towers)
• 📶 Wi-Fi access points (even without connecting to them)
• 🔄 Background activity of Google services (e.g. com.google.android.gms)
• 📱 Built-in functions MIUI (For example, Mi Cloud or Find Device)

On Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark), the problem is complicated by a dual permission system: in addition to standard Android settings, MIUI restrictions apply. For example, even after disabling geolocation in Google settings, some features (such as Adaptive Battery or Application Permissions) can automatically turn it back on.

In this article, we will discuss 5 ways to completely disable Google geolocation on Xiaomi, from basic settings to deep changes in the system. ADB-team.

Method 1: Disabling geolocation in Android settings

Start with basic Android settings. This method works on all Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11, etc.), but does not guarantee a 100% result - some Google services may ignore these restrictions.

Steps:

1. Open Settings → Privacy → Application permissions → Geodata.
2. Switch the geodata slider to the off position.
3. Scroll down and select Google Location History → turn it off.
4. Go back and click on Additional Settings → Scan → Turn off Wi-Fi Scanning and Bluetooth Scanning.

⚠️ Note: After disabling geodata, some functions will stop working:

• 🚗 Navigation in Google Maps (but maps will be available offline).
• 📸 Geotags on Google Photos.
• 🔍 Location-based recommendations on YouTube or Google Assistant.

Method 2: Restriction of Google Play Services

Google Play Services is the main spy in your smartphone, responsible for background geolocation even if you have disabled GPS. On Xiaomi, this service often works bypassing standard resolutions, so it needs to be restricted separately.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google Play Services (or Google Play Services) and open it.
3. Select Permissions → Geodata and set Prohibit.
4. Go back and press Battery → Background Activity → select Limit.
5. For full effect, disable AutoRun (in some versions of MIUI, this item is hidden – see spoiler below).

Once Google Play Services is restricted, some apps (like Gmail or Google Pay) can give out sync errors. That's OK, that's how surveillance works.

Method 3: Disconnect via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you'll have to use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is a way for Xiaomi on Android 10+ and requires a connection to a computer, and the advantage is that it blocks geolocation at the system level, bypassing the limitations of MIUI.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your smartphone: go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, install ADB Tools, and execute the commands:

adb shell pm revoke com.google.android.gms android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION


adb shell pm revoke com.google.android.gms android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION




adb shell settings put global location_mode 0

⚠️ Warning: These commands completely disable geolocation access for all Google services, including Maps and Find My Device:

adb shell settings put global location_mode 3

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If so, ADB-If you want to know if you're going to get geolocation, check for updates for Google Play Services. Sometimes newer versions will reset the restrictions.

Method 4: Use of alternative firmware (for advanced)

If you’re willing to take drastic measures, installing custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) will remove Google services completely or allow you to control them through MicroG, a lightweight alternative to Google Play Services.

Pros:

• ✅ Full control of geolocation.
• ✅ No background activity of Google.
• ✅ Use F-Droid instead of Play Market.

Cons:

• ❌ Complex installation (requires unlocking the bootloader).
• ❌ There may be problems with the camera or sensors (especially on the camera). POCO and Black Shark).
• ❌ There is no warranty on the device after unlocking.

To install custom firmware on Xiaomi:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (can take up to 72 hours).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for your model (see instructions on XDA Developers).
3. Fastboot or TWRP to run the firmware.

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Custom firmware is the only way to get rid of Google's surveillance completely, but it's only suitable for power users. For most, 1-3 is enough.

Method 5: Physically disabling sensors (extreme case)

If software methods don't work, you can physically shut down GPS modules and sensors, which is a radical step, but it's guaranteed to stop any tracking, and it's suitable for devices that are used without navigation, such as tablets or backup phones.

How to do this:

• 🔧 Shutting down the antenna GPS: Take the phone apart and unplug the plume. GPS-Module (soldier iron and repair experience required) on some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) module combined with NFC — Disabling one will affect the other.
• 📴 Foil use: Screen the back cover with aluminum foil (not recommended for permanent use - degrades the network signal).
• 🔋 Disable sensors via build.prop: Add the ro.location.disabled string=1 to the system file (root rights required).

⚠️ Attention: Physical intervention deprives of warranty and may lead to:

• Loss of GPS and GLONASS signal.
• Unstable operation of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
• Problems with location in emergency services (e.g., emergency call).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many Xiaomi users are faced with the fact that Google geolocation turns on itself.

1. Automatic Enablement After Updating MIUI

After the system update, Xiaomi often resets its privacy settings.Solution: After each update, check:

• Settings → Privacy → Geodata
• Settings → Applications → Google Play Services → Permissions

2. background activity of Mi Cloud

The Mi Cloud service (Xiaomi Cloud) can include geolocation for Find Device. Solution: Turn off sync in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Find the device.

3. Spy applications

Some apps (like Facebook, TikTok, or AliExpress) request geodata separately from Google.Solution: Check each application's permissions manually through Settings → Apps → Permissions Management.

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To quickly find all applications with access to geolocation, use the search in the settings: open Settings and enter in the search bar "geodata".

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions