How to set up geolocation on the Xiaomi Redmi phone: a complete guide from the GPS before Google services

The geolocation of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is not just a point on the map, but a whole range of technologies that depend on the operation of navigators, delivery accuracy, functionality of banking applications and even some camera features. Location services are crooked, they refuse to turn on, and the battery goes to zero in a couple of hours. In this article, we will discuss all the ways to adjust geolocation on Redmi (including Note models). 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/13C and others, let's find out why GPS It can glitch and learn to optimize battery consumption without losing accuracy.

Feature of Xiaomi smartphones – a corporate shell MIUI, which sometimes conflicts with Google services or unpredictably manages permissions. MIUI 14 Many users noticed that geolocation stopped working in the background and Google Maps lost the signal in the subway. We tested the solutions on different firmware (including HyperOS for new models) and collected only working methods - without general tips like "Reboot your phone".

1. Basic geolocation settings in MIUI

Before digging deeper, make sure the basic settings are enabled correctly.On Xiaomi Redmi, the path to geolocation settings may vary depending on the version. MIUI, But the general pattern is one:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Privacy section → Permits → Location (in older versions, the path may be Settings) → Annexes → Permits → Location).
3. Activate the location accuracy slider (some firmware called "Improving accuracy").

Important: if this option is turned off, the smartphone will only use data GPS, Ignoring Wi-Fi networks and mobile towers will greatly reduce accuracy in the city, and check if High Accuracy mode is on (more on this in the next section).

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If the settings do not include “Location Accuracy”, update Google Play services to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Google Play Services → Update.

Another nuance is the automatic geolocation shutdown to save battery life. MIUI There's a hidden feature that blocks background location for some applications:

• 🔄 Go to Settings. → Battery and productivity → Battery consumption management.
• 📱 Find an application that doesn’t have geolocation (e.g. Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator).
• 🔒 Select No Limits mode (in older versions – Allow background activity").

Precision modes: which to choose for Redmi

Xiaomi Redmi has three location modes, and each affects accuracy and battery consumption in different ways.

To change the regime:

1. Go to Settings. → Location (or Settings) → Confidentiality → Location).
2. Slip on "Mode" (in some firmware - "Method").
3. Choose the right option.

A critical feature for Xiaomi Redmi with MIUI 13+: If you've chosen High Accuracy mode, but geolocation still doesn't work well, check your Wi-Fi and mobile data settings. MIUI Sometimes it blocks the scanning of networks in the background:

• 📶 Go to Settings. → Connections and sharing → Wi-Fi.
• 🔍 Enable the option “Scanning is always available” (in older versions – “Search for devices").
• 📡 Repeat the same for mobile data in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Additionally. → Network scanning.

3. Setup of permissions for applications

Even if geolocation is enabled at the system level, individual applications may not have access to it, such as Google Maps or 2GIS will show your location with a delay if they are not allowed access in the background, to configure permissions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application (for example, Yandex.Maps).
3. Slip on "Permissions" → "Location".
4. Set the value of "Always" (for navigators) or "Only during use" (for social networks, weather).

Is location included in the system settings|

Whether the "High accuracy" mode is selected"|

Is access to geodata allowed for the desired application|

Wi-Fi and mobile network scanning enabled|

Battery optimization for navigation applications is disabled-->

Pay attention to system limitations MIUI:

• 🚫 Some apps (like TikTok or AliExpress) may request geolocation for targeted advertising.
• ⚠️ V MIUI 14, you have the Privacy Protection feature, which automatically blocks geolocation access for new applications. To turn it off, go to Settings. → Confidentiality → Protecting privacy and deactivating the option.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Redmi with two SIM-If you have a map, you may not be able to geolocate correctly if one of the cards is disabled or roaming. SIM In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks.

4.Problems with GPS: Why doesn't it catch satellites?

If your Xiaomi Redmi can’t find satellites (Google Maps has a blue circle, and accuracy is Search for satellites). GPS"), The problem may be the following:

• 📡 Weak signal. GPS — In cities with tall buildings or indoors, satellites are worse.
• 🔄 Obsolete data A-GPS — Smartphone downloads auxiliary data for a quick search for satellites, but they can get lost.
• 🛠️ Damaged. GPS-module – if the phone fell or got wet, the antenna contacts could oxidize.
• 📱 Conflict with energy saving settings — MIUI aggressively optimizing background processes.

The first thing to do is update the data. A-GPS. For that:

1. Install the GPS Status & Toolbox app from Google Play.
2. Open it and tap the "Management" button. A-GPS".
3. Select "Reset", then "Download".
4. Reboot the phone.

If that doesn’t work, try resetting your geolocation settings:

1. Go to Settings → System and device → Reset settings.
2. Select “Reset Location Settings” (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. Confirm the action.

5. Battery optimization without loss of accuracy

Geolocation is one of the main battery eaters on Xiaomi Redmi, for example, when you use Google Maps in navigation mode, your phone can run out in 3-4 hours, but there are ways to reduce consumption without compromising accuracy:

• 🔋 Turn off background geolocation for unnecessary applications (social networks, games, stores).
• 📶 Use Battery Savings mode for geolocation when high accuracy is not required.
• 🔄 Turn on adaptive brightness – a bright screen in the navigator discharges the battery faster than the battery itself GPS.
• 📵 Turn off mobile data for Google Maps if you downloaded the maps offline.

For advanced users, there is another trick: limiting the refresh rate. GPS. By default. MIUI It updates the coordinates every second, but it takes 5 to 10 seconds for pedestrian navigation:

1. Install the app GPS Logger from Google Play.
2. In the application settings, find the "Update interval" option.
3. Set the value of 5000 (5 seconds) or 10000 (10 seconds).

⚠️ Attention: Redmi with Snapdragon processors 4xx/6xx (Like Redmi. 9A, Note 10) It is often a bug when GPS It stops working after a long period of navigating, so the solution is to restart the phone or turn on/off flight mode.

6.Geolocation in games and applications with anticheat

Many games, for example, Pokémon GO or PUBG Mobile) require access to geolocation to fight cheaters, but on Xiaomi Redmi they often give out an error like "failed to determine the location" or "GPS-signal is weak, even if it's set up correctly:

• 🎮 Blocking Mock Locations — MIUI Some games may be seen as an attempt to change location.
• 🛡️ The game's anticheat conflicts with MIUI — for example, Pokémon GO locks devices with unlocked loader.
• 🔒 Google Play Services Restrictions – if they are outdated or damaged.

To correct:

1. Update Google Play Services and Google Play Games to Google Play.
2. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → For developers, check that the option "Allow location simulation" (Mock Locations) is disabled.
3. For Pokémon GO install the app GPS Joystick (for legal use only, for example, if not available) GPS-room-signal).

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If the game still does not determine the location, try to disable the function "Optimize" MIUI" for her in battery settings.

7. Alternative methods of positioning

If standard GPS Redmi is unstable, alternative methods can be used:

• 🌍 Google services (Wi-Fi and mobile) are less accurate but work indoors.
• 📡 GLONASS/BeiDou — Russian and Chinese navigation systems that sometimes catch the signal better GPS.
• 📱 Bluetooth beacons (iBeacon) – used in shopping malls for indoor navigation.

To include support for GLONASS/BeiDou:

1. Install the GPS Test app from Google Play.
2. Open it and go to the settings.
3. Enable the options "GLONASS" and "BeiDou".
4. Reboot the phone.

For Wi-Fi positioning (useful in subways or large buildings):

1. Turn on Wi-Fi in the settings.
2. Activate the option "Scanning is always available" (see section 2).
3. In Google Maps, turn on “High Accuracy”.

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

Collected typical problems with geolocation on Xiaomi Redmi and how to fix them:

If neither method worked, there might be a hardware problem. 8/9 defect GPS-antennae that manifests itself through 1–2 In this case, only repairs to the service center will help.

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Before contacting the service, check the operation of geolocation in safe mode (click the power button). → "Safe regime”). GPS earned - a problem in a third-party application.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions