How to change the location on the phone Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Xiaomi’s geolocation changes can be used for a variety of purposes, from circumventing regional restrictions in apps to testing services in other countries. However, standard MIUI settings do not always allow you to do this in a couple of clicks – the system actively protects the real coordinates of the device. In this article, we will discuss all the working methods of relocating the location, including hidden firmware functions, third-party utilities and circumventing restrictions through a VPN.

It is important to understand that artificial change of geodata can lead to blocking of certain services (for example, banking applications or Google Pay), as well as violate the terms of use of a number of platforms. We will tell you not only how to do this, but also what to prepare for after the change of coordinates. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 14/15 on Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi models from 2022-2026.

Why Xiaomi is limiting location change

The manufacturer implements geodata protection for several reasons:

• 🔒 Payment security: Many banking applications link transactions to the device's real location, and a sudden change of coordinates can block access to the account.
• 📱 Regional restrictions: Xiaomi adapts firmware to markets (for example, for China and the global version, pre-installed services differ).
• 🚫 Fighting fraudsters: substitution GPS used to cheat taxi services, delivery or geolocation games (e.g, Pokémon GO).
• 📡 Compliance with laws: in some countries (e.g. India or the EU) the collection of geodata is regulated by law.

At the firmware level, MIUI blocks direct coordinate editing through:

• 🛡️ Protecting system files (even with root rights, you need to bypass dm-verity).
• 🔄 Automatic synchronization with networks GPS, GLONASS and BeiDou.
• 📶 Transfer data about the nearest cell towers and Wi-Fi points.

⚠️ Note: Change of location on devices with MIUI Global could cause Google Play Services to crash. on Chinese firmware (MIUI China: Some of the methods are not working due to the lack of Google services.

Method 1: Enabling Developer Mode and Mock Location

The safest method that doesn't require root rights is to use the built-in mock location feature, which is available through the developer menu, but has limitations:

Steps for activation:

1. Open Settings → About the phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version to unlock Developer Mode.
2. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → For developers.
3. Find the Select Mock App (or Mock Location App in English) and select the GPS simulation app (e.g. Fake GPS Location).
4. Turn on the USB Debugging Switch (you will need it for some applications).

And then any support app can change coordinates, but you should keep in mind:

• 📌 Limitation MIUI: Some firmware versions block mock location for system applications (e.g., Google Maps or Mi Fit).
• 🔄 Reset when restarting: After restarting the phone, you may need to re-select the mock app.

Install an app for fake coordinates (e.g. Fake GPS by Lexa)

Enable the Developer Mode (7 taps according to MIUI)

Select the application in the Mock Location App settings

Restart your phone to apply changes

Check the work in Google Maps or Yandex.Maps-->

Method 2: Applications for GPS swapping (without root)

If the built-in settings don't work, you can use third-party utilities. We tested 5 popular apps -- the results in the table:

Instructions for Fake GPS GO (most stable option):

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. In the developer settings, select Mock Location App → Fake GPS GO.
3. Open the application, enter the desired coordinates or select a point on the map.
4. Click Start – Location will change for all applications except system ones.

⚠️ Attention: Substitution applications GPS If maps or geolocation games stop working after activation, clear the cache of Google services in the application settings.

Fake GPS Location

Fake GPS GO

Mock Locations

Other

I didn't use it.-->

Method 3: Change location via VPN

VPN doesn't change GPS-coordinates, but allows to bypass regional restrictions on IP-It's useful for the address:

• 🌍 Access to content in other countries (Netflix, YouTube, streaming services).
• 🛒 Shopping in foreign online stores (AliExpress, Amazon).
• 🎮 Bypassing blocking in online games.

Best VPNs for Xiaomi with support for region change:

How to set up a VPN on Xiaomi:

1. Download the VPN app from Google Play.
2. Register and select a server in the country you want (e.g. USA → New York).
3. Connect to a VPN and check your IP through 2ip.ru.
4. Clear the browser or apps cache (like the Google Play Store) so that the changes take effect.

Limitations of the method:

• 📍 GPS Apps like Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator will show real coordinates.
• 🔒 Account Blocking: Some services (e.g. banks) may block access when changing accounts IP.

💡

If the VPN does not change the region in Google Play, clear the Google Play Store and Google Play Services app data in your phone settings.

Method 4: Root access and edit system files

Full control of geolocation requires unlocking the bootloader and obtaining root rights, a method that is suitable for advanced users and has risks:

• 🚨 Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• 🔧 Possibility of "bricking" (incorrect actions will lead to inoperability of the phone).
• 🛡️ Security issues: Banking apps and Google Pay will stop working).

Step-by-step:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires an account binding Mi).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP) for your model.
3. Please use Magisk to obtain root rights.
4. Install FakeGApps or Mock Mock Locations via Magisk Manager.
5. Anywhere. GPS-application (e.g. Fake) GPS) set the coordinates.

For models Xiaomi 12/13/14 series and Redmi Note 11/12 we recommend using:

Magisk Module: FakeGApps (v2.3+)


TWRP: Version for your model (check out the XDA forum)

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 15 and the Snapdragon processor 8 Gen 2/3 may require a shutdown AVB 2.0 Without it, the phone won't boot!

Method 5: Use ADB-Teams (for advanced teams)

If you do not want to get root, but you need a reliable replacement GPS, can be used ADB-This method works for teams. MIUI 14/15 without unlocking the bootloader, but requires a connection to the PC.

Instructions:

1. Install Android SDK Platform-Tools on your computer.
2. Connect your phone via USB and enable USB Debugging in the developer settings.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
4. Enter the commands in order: adb shell settings put global development_settings_enabled 1 settings put global mock_location 1 settings put global mock_location_app com.lexa.fakegps (replace com.lexa.fakegps with your mock application package).
5. Reboot the phone.

Proven application packages for mock-location:

• com.lexa.fakegps — Fake GPS Location
• com.binarytoys.fakegps.free — Fake GPS Free
• com.incorporateapps.fake_gps_location — Fake GPS GO

If the commands don’t work, try an alternative method:

adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MOCK_LOCATION -e latitude 55.7558 -e longitude 37.6173

(Replace the coordinates with the coordinates).

💡

ADB-This method only works until the first restart of the phone. GPS Re-entering commands or using script will be required.

What to do if nothing works

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 📱 Version MIUI: Chinese-made (MIUI China) mock location is often blocked at the core level.
• 🔄 System updates: in MIUI 15 closed some of the vulnerabilities used to bypass GPS.
• 🛡️ Antivirus or protection MIUI: Turn off Security. → Scanner and try again.
• 📡 Flight mode: sometimes helps to turn on / off the aircraft mode after changing coordinates.

Alternative solutions:

• 💻 Android Emulator: Install BlueStacks or LDPlayer on PC and change GPS there.
• 📱 Second phone: Use the old device solely for location-shifting tasks.
• 🌐 Browser solutions: for web services (for example, Google Maps in the browser) will be enough VPN + Extension of the Location Guard.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (new firmware from Xiaomi, 2026), some methods may not work due to a changed security architecture.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing location on Xiaomi