How to set up geolocation in a Xiaomi phone: the complete guide

A modern smartphone cannot be imagined without precise location, and Xiaomi devices are no exception. Owners of popular models such as the Redmi Note or the flagship Xiaomi 13 often face the need to quickly activate navigation for taxis, maps or search for lost devices. Proper geolocation configuration provides not only ease of use of navigation services, but also improves security for emergency calls.

However, the standard system settings MIUI Or the new HyperOS may not work properly because of aggressive battery savings. Users sometimes notice that the cursor on the map is "shaking", coordinates are determined with great error or applications do not see satellites at all. GPS-module, from basic inclusion to deep calibration of sensors.

Ignoring the nuances of permission settings can lead to rapid battery drain or complete failure of location-based services. We will explore how to balance accuracy and energy efficiency on your Xiaomi device effectively.

Basic methods of incorporating GPS on the MIUI and HyperOS shell

The fastest way to activate location is to use the control panel. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the "Stork" and find the Location icon (usually looks like a pin or compass). Pressing it instantly activates the module, allowing apps to request your coordinates. If the icon is not in the visible part, swipe left to expand the menu or tap on the editing pencil to add it.

More detailed settings are available through the system menu. Go to Settings → Location, where you will see the main switch. Here is the critical setting "Location Mode". For maximum accuracy in the navigator, you need to select the option High accuracy, which uses all available data sources: GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile networks.

⚠️ Attention: “Only by” mode GPS» (Saving charge can significantly increase the time of searching for satellites in the city among high-rise buildings, as it excludes the help of cell towers.

Owners of devices with the updated HyperOS system may notice a modified menu interface, but the logic remains the same. New firmware versions have expanded access to geo-position history, which is also managed in this section. Make sure that for critical applications such as Yandex.Navigator or Uber, access to geodata is allowed at all times, not only when using.

Configuring permissions for specific applications

Just turn on GPS is not enough – you need to configure access rights for each specific application. Android on Xiaomi smartphones provides flexible control over when the program can see your location. Go to Settings → Apps → All applications, select the desired service (for example, Google Maps) and go to the section “Resolutions”.

Here you will encounter three main access options: One is "Allow Always," which is necessary for trackers or family control; the second is "Allow Only During Use," which is the optimal choice for most programs, saving battery life; the third option is "Request Every Time" or a complete ban, which is suitable for applications that do not require location for basic functionality.

• 📍 Background access: Allows the app to track movements even when the screen is off, which is critical for navigation in the background.
• 🔒 Exact location: Accesss coordinates to within a few meters using satellite data.
• 🌐 Approximate location: Defines a district or city based on cell towers, hiding the exact address.

Google Play Services is responsible for synchronizing geodata between applications, and if you deny it access to location, many third-party maps may stop working correctly or show outdated traffic information.

💡

For maximum autonomy, allow background access to geolocation only 2-3 of the most important applications, leave access to the rest "Only when used".

Calibration of the compass and increase the signal accuracy

Sometimes, after turning on the GPS, the arrow on the map points in the wrong direction or “walks” around the screen. This means that the magnetic sensor (compass) requires calibration. On Xiaomi devices, this process can be started through the Google Maps app. Open the map, click on the blue dot of your location and select the option “Calibrate the compass”.

You'll be asked to move the phone in the air, representing the number 8, which helps the system understand the orientation of the device in space relative to the Earth's magnetic field, and after successful calibration, the cone of direction on the map will become narrower, indicating an increase in the accuracy of the azimuth determination.

Also in location settings (Settings → Location → Improved accuracy), it is worth activating all the switches available, this includes scanning Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networks even when those modules are off, and the access point database helps the phone to quickly determine the position indoors where the satellite signal is weak or absent.

⚠️ Warning: Metal cases or magnet holders can significantly distort the electronic compass readings, making calibration useless.

Optimizing energy saving for navigators

The aggressive MIUI energy saving system often causes the navigator to “dead” when the screen is turned off or the application rolled up. To avoid this, you need to remove navigation applications from the optimization list. Go to Settings → Battery → Top to right gear (or three points) → Special features.

In the list that opens, find your navigator (like Yandex.Navigator or 2GIS) and switch to “No Limits” mode, which will prevent the system from forcibly shutting down navigation even if the phone is in your pocket with the screen gone, without which voice prompts can disappear for seconds or minutes.

Additionally, check the settings in the Security section → Licenses (or Permissions) → Autostart. Make sure the switch in front of the desired application is activated, ensuring that the geolocation service will start immediately after the phone is turned on, without waiting for manual intervention by the user.

Solving Location Problems

If geolocation is enabled but the coordinates are not determined or show a point in the middle of the ocean, try resetting the network. → Connection and sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth.Please note that this action will remove saved passwords from Wi-Fi networks, but often solves the problem of "hangover» GPS-module.

Another common problem is time desynchronization, and the satellite signal encryption protocols require absolutely accurate time. → Additional settings → Date and time activated by "Use network time." Manual timing often leads to authorization errors in the GPS-service.

In rare cases, cleaning up the Google Play Services app data helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps → Google Play Services → Memory → Clear. Fear not, it won’t delete your accounts or apps, but it will reset the geo-position cache, causing the system to re-query current location data.

Using A-GPS to speed up satellite search

A-GPS (Assisted GPS) technology allows the phone to download up-to-date satellite position data over the Internet, which greatly speeds up the cold start of navigation. On Xiaomi smartphones, this data is updated automatically, but with prolonged downtime, the almanac can become obsolete.

It is recommended to install a diagnostic app, such as GPS Status & Toolbox. From the tool menu, select “A-GPS Status Management” → “Reset” and then “Download” This action will force you to update satellite data, which is especially useful if you have moved a long distance (for example, flew to another city) with your phone turned off.

It is worth noting that A-GPS requires an active Internet connection to operate. Without mobile Internet or Wi-Fi, it can take 2 to 15 minutes to determine the initial coordinates in unfamiliar terrain until the module reads data directly from satellites. In dense urban environments, the use of auxiliary data is almost mandatory.

💡

Regular updates to A-GPS data via the Internet reduce the time spent searching for satellites from a few minutes to 5-10 seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)