Where in Xiaomi is Location: A Complete Guide to Setting Up GPS and Geodata

Why does Xiaomi geolocation work differently than other smartphones?

If you've ever tried to find a location on Xiaomi through standard Android settings, you might have noticed that it's different here, not only because of the MIUI shell that redesigns the menu for itself, but also the additional layers of security that Xiaomi adds on top of the core system. For example, even after turning on GPS in the notification curtain, some apps may not see your coordinates — because they require separate permission in Settings → Privacy.

Another feature is duplication of features. MIUI has several ways to manage geolocation: through Google Settings (if you use Google services), through Xiaomi’s own services (for example, Mi Cloud), and through hidden menus for developers, while some models (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or Xiaomi 13 Ultra) have additional chips for accelerated satellite search, which also affects the operation of geolocation. In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios from basic configuration to solving accuracy problems.

Before you go to the instructions, answer one question:

Where is the main location menu in Xiaomi settings?

The most obvious way is through the notification curtain. Swipe down from top to bottom, find the Location icon (usually stylized as a compass or a map tag) and tap it. However, this is just a quick on/off — you need to go deeper to fine-tune it.

The complete path to the geolocation menu:

1. Open the settings (cog icon).
2. Go to Connections and Sharing (on some models, the Network and the Internet).
3. Select Location.

Here you will see three key options:

• 📍 Precision mode: the choice between high accuracy (GPS + Wi-Fi + Mobile networks, battery saving (wi-fi and network only) and device only (clean) GPS).
• 🔄 Recent Location Requests: List of Apps That Recently Received Your Location Coordinates.
• ⚙️ Additional settings: here are hidden settings for Google Location Accuracy (if you use Google services) and Mi Location Service (branded Xiaomi service).

On models with MIUI 14+ (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or POCO F5), the menu may look different — instead of Connecting and Sharing, look for Security and Privacy → Location.

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If the curtain does not have the Location icon, add it manually: go to Settings → Notification Panel → Edit and drag the icon to the active area.

How to turn on GPS on Xiaomi if it doesn’t work?

If the geolocation refuses to turn on or determines your position with a large margin of error, the problem can be hidden in several places.

1. Check the physical condition of the antenna. On some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) GPS-The chip is located next to the top of the case, and if the phone is wearing a case with metal inserts or it is lying down the screen, the signal can be blocked.
2. Update the AGPS data. It's an auxiliary system that speeds up satellite search.

Settings → About Phone → All Settings → MIUI Version (shut 7 times to activate Developer Mode)


Settings → Additional → For developers → AGPS data reset

If GPS still doesn't catch satellites, try alternative location methods:

On models with Broadcom BCM47755 chip (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro or Black Shark 5), GPS works even indoors with an accuracy of 1-2 meters - but only with the "High Accuracy" mode on and an active Internet connection.

Hidden geolocation settings: what can be configured through the developer mode?

For power users, MIUI has hidden options that improve GPS accuracy or, conversely, limit access to geodata for individual applications.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → The MIUI version and tap it 7 times until a notification appears You became a developer!.
2. Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.
3. Scroll down to the Debugging or Network block.

Useful options for geolocation:

• 🛠️ Data resetting AGPS — Clears the cache of supporting data for accelerated satellite search.
• 📡 Turn on debugging. GPS — log-in GPS file /sdcard/gps.log (useful for diagnosis).
• 🔒 Disallow location access in the background – restricts applications from accessing geodata when they are folded.
• 🌍 Use only GPS (without internet – forcibly disconnects help from Wi-Fi and mobile towers.

Caution: changing these parameters can lead to unstable navigation or increased battery consumption, for example, if you turn on GPS debugging, the phone will constantly record logs, which eats up additional resources.

Disable important applications (banking, instant messengers)

Make a backup copy of settings

Record current GPS settings (screenshot)

Check the battery charge (should be) ≥30%)-->

How to track a lost Xiaomi phone through geolocation?

If your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO is lost or stolen, you can try to find it through the built-in services.

• ✅ Location enabled (at least in charge saving mode).
• ✅ Internet connection (mobile network or Wi-Fi).
• ✅ Linked Mi Account Account Account.

Instructions for searching through Mi Cloud:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the Find the device tab.
3. The map will show the last known location of the phone (if it was online).
4. In addition, it is possible to:

• 🔔 Turn on the beep (even if the phone is silent).
• 🔒 Block the device with the display of the message on the screen.
• 🗑️ Delete all data (last resort if the phone has confidential information).

Important: If the phone is turned off or discharged, its location will not be updated, but you will see the last point where it was on the network.

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The Mi Cloud service is working even if it is SIM-The card has been replaced, but the phone must connect to the Internet at least once via a new network.

Why can’t apps see my location on Xiaomi?

A common problem: GPS is on, but Yandex.Maps, Google Maps, or Uber can't tell you where you are, and the reasons may be:

1. No permissions. In MIUI, it is not enough to give access to geolocation in Android settings - you need to separately allow this in Settings → Privacy → Permits → Location.
2. Limitations MIUI. The shell blocks background access to geodata to save battery life:

Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management → Select the App → Without Limitations

Another possible reason is regional restrictions, with some Xiaomi models (especially those designed for the Chinese market) having restrictions on the use of Google services.

• 📱 Install alternative cards (e.g. Yandex.Maps or 2GIS).
• 🌐 Use it. VPN servers in Europe or the United States (but this may impair accuracy).
• 🔧 Switch the global version MIUI (risky if you don't have experience).

If the problem only occurs in one app (such as Tinder or Bolt), try:

1. Clear the app cache: Settings → Apps → Select the app → Storage → Clear the cache.
2. Reinstall the app.
3. Check if MIUI Optimizer blocks it (in the developer settings, disable MIUI Optimization).

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In some regions, such as China, Google Maps is not working properly due to government restrictions, and use local alternatives like Baidu Maps or Amap.

How to turn off location surveillance on Xiaomi?

If you're concerned about privacy, you can restrict access to geodata for individual applications or for the system.

1. disable Google Location History (if you use Google Services):

1. Go to Settings → Google → Managing Google Account → Data and Privacy.
2. Select Location History and turn it off.

2. to prohibit access to geodata for individual applications:

Settings → Privacy → Permits → Location → Select the App → Prohibit

3. disable Mi Location Service (branded service Xiaomi):

Settings → Location → Additional → Mi Location Service → Disable

4. Use Device Only mode (pure GPS without data transmission over the network):

Settings → Location → Mode → Device only

However, keep in mind that a complete shutdown of geolocation will cause the following to stop working:

• 🚗 Real-time navigation.
• 📦 Delivery of food/taxi (apps will not be able to identify your address).
• 🏃 Fitness trackers (stepmers, running applications).
• 🔍 Search for your phone via Mi Cloud.

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Even in Device Only mode, Xiaomi can transmit anonymous location data to improve services (this is spelled out in the user agreement). This can only be completely disabled through Settings → Privacy → Additional → Disable Diagnostics.

FAQ: Frequent questions about location on Xiaomi