How to turn off location on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones are equipped with a variety of sensors that constantly collect information about the surrounding space. One of the most important features is geolocation, which allows applications to determine your exact position on the map. However, not all users know that this feature works even when you are not using the navigator, using battery power and transmitting data about your movements.

Shutdown GPS-The module is not just a way to save energy, but also an important step towards improving digital hygiene, and many services require access to coordinates for targeted advertising or analytics, which can be a concern for those who value their anonymity. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the methods that allow you to completely or partially restrict the access of applications to location data.

It is important to understand that a complete shutdown can affect some system functions, such as device search or emergency calls, so before making changes to your system settings, it is worth weighing the pros and cons to find the optimal balance between usability and security of personal data.

The main methods of geolocation management

The fastest way to change GPS access settings is to use a notification curtain. Swipe your finger from the top edge of the screen down to open the Quick Access panel, and find the Location icon. Pressing it activates or deactivates the module globally for the entire system, which is a convenient solution for temporary shutdown.

However, for a more subtle setup, you need to go to the deep settings menu. Open Settings, then select Privacy or Additional Settings (depending on the version of MIUI), which is the location access point, which allows you to manage the operation of satellite modules in high detail.

In this section, you can see a list of all the apps that request access to your coordinates. Android allows you to flexibly configure the rights: allow access always, only while using the application or deny it completely, which allows you to leave the navigator running, but block access to geodata for social networks or games.

It’s worth noting that newer versions of the HyperOS and MIUI 14 shell may have slightly different interfaces, but the logic remains the same: Users often ignore the “Improving Accuracy” clause, which uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to more quickly determine coordinates even if the GPS is turned off.

• 📍 Quickly switching over the notification curtain lets you instantly hide your track from most apps.
• ⚙️ Deep access rights setup gives control over each individual application in the system.
• 🔋 Disabling background coordinate requests significantly extends the battery life of the smartphone.
• 🛡️ Restricting rights for suspicious programs reduces the risk of data leakage about your movements.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling geolocation completely may make it impossible to find a lost device through Google’s Find Device or Xiaomi Cloud service.

For those who want to be completely safe, it is recommended not just to turn off GPS, but also to regularly check the history of locations, a feature that is often turned on by default in a Google account, saving tracks of your movements on the servers of the Corporation, Clearing this history is an important step in protecting privacy.

Configure the accuracy and modes of operation of GPS

Many users do not realize that turning off the Location slider does not always mean a complete stop to all geo-positioning methods. Xiaomi smartphones have a high-precision mode that combines GPS, Wi-Fi and cell tower data. Even when the GPS is turned off, the phone can approximately determine your location over nearby Wi-Fi networks.

To change mode, go to Settings → Location → Mode. There are three options available: Network Coordinates, Device Sensors, and High Accuracy. The first option will allow applications to run, but with a large margin of error, which can be useful for saving energy without losing functionality altogether.

You should also pay attention to Google’s Geolocation service, which can work regardless of the phone’s basic settings, and to turn it off, you need to go to Google’s settings, select Location, and disable Geolocation Services, which will break the connection between your device and Google’s Wi-Fi hotspot databases.

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Periodically check the list of applications with access to geodata – many programs request these rights “just in case”, although they do not need them for work.

You can also calibrate GPS if you notice that the navigation is not working properly, and you can use Google Play apps or built-in developer tools to do that, but you can use standard settings for everyday life.

The right mode depends on what you're doing, and if you're walking around a city you're not familiar with, and you're using maps, you definitely need high-precision mode, and if you're at home just flipping through the news feed, you can switch to the definition over the network or you can turn off the module completely.

Managing Application Access to Geodata

Controlling which programs see your coordinates is a more flexible tool than turning off GPS altogether. In modern versions of Android and MIUI, you can configure access so that the app only receives location data when it is open on the screen.

To set up, go to Settings → Applications → All apps. Select the right program, such as messenger or social network. Find permission and select Location. Here you will be offered three options: “Allow always”, “Allow only during use” and “Disallow”.

Some applications, such as taxis or food delivery, may require permanent access to track the courier or driver, make sure this feature is only enabled for services that are really needed, and other programs have access "only during use."

Xiaomi smartphone owners can also use the Permissions Manager feature, which allows you to see all applications with access to the camera, microphone and geolocation in one list, a handy tool for quickly auditing the security of your device.

• 📱 Check the permissions for new apps regularly after installing them on your smartphone.
• 🚫 Ban access to geodata for flashlights, calculators and simple games – they don’t need it.
• ⏳ Use the “Once” option if the system offers such a choice for temporary access.
• 🔍 Pay attention to apps that require location access “always,” without the need to be used.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi system applications may not work properly without geolocation access (e.g., weather widgets or device search).

Hiding location in the gallery and when sending a photo

Xiaomi smartphones, like most modern devices, automatically add geotags (EXIF-And that data is the exact location, time, and even altitude, and by sending the original photo over messengers or by posting it on social media, you can unwittingly reveal your address.

To turn off saving geodata in the camera, open the Camera app. Click on the three bars in the upper right corner to open the menu and select Settings. Find the Save geodata (or Location) switch and put it inactive. Now your photos will be "clean."

If you need to send an existing photo without tags, use the Hide Location Data feature when sending it via MIUI. When selecting a file from the standard Send menu or Mi Drop, the system may offer the option of deleting metadata before transferring it.

Be careful when choosing a format for sending if you want to remain anonymous.

Problems with location and their solution

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the location is turned on, but the maps do not work or determine the position with a long delay, often due to a malfunction of Google Play services or a crowded cache of system components, in which case you need to reset the GPS settings.

To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. From the menu, select Google Play Services and click Clear → Clear All Data. Fear not, it won’t delete your accounts or contacts, but it will reset geolocation services settings and force the phone to recalibrate modules.

Also check if Wi-Fi Scanning is enabled. Even if Wi-Fi is off, this option allows the phone to scan the airwaves to find networks and locate. → Location → Scanning.

If software methods don't work, maybe the problem is the case: Metallic or too thick covers can shield the satellite signal, remove the security accessory and check the navigation again.

Questions and Answers (FAQ)