How to set up a location on Xiaomi: a complete guide to GPS

A modern smartphone is impossible to imagine without geolocation. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices often face the need to quickly activate navigation to call a taxi, find a route or mark on a photo. However, standard inclusion is sometimes not enough to work stable in difficult urban conditions or when using specialized applications.

MIUI or HyperOS offers an advanced set of geodata management tools that are hidden in the depths of the menu. Proper configuration not only saves battery power, but also significantly improves the accuracy of positioning. In this article, we will examine all aspects of the configuration, from basic switches to hidden engineering menus.

Errors in the satellite module can lead the navigator to the wrong place and delivery services to the wrong place, and understanding how geolocation works will help avoid such situations. Below are steps for different use cases.

Basic activation and selection of the determination mode

The first step is always to turn on the main module. Unlike some other manufacturers, the shell from Xiaomi allows you to flexibly manage data sources. The standard activation path is in the notification curtain, but for detailed configuration you need to go to the system menu. Find the Settings section and select Location.

Here, the user sees the main service switch. It's important to understand the difference between modes of operation. High accuracy requires Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to be enabled even without a network connection, since the smartphone scans the environment for triangulation. GPS Only mode saves energy, but lasts longer and only outdoors.

⚠️ Warning: Enabling Device Only» (GPS) Significantly increases the time spent searching for satellites during cold start and may not work inside buildings.

For most scenarios, the best choice is All Sources mode, which uses satellites, cell towers, and Wi-Fi router databases, which balances response speed and power consumption. If you notice that the battery is running out too quickly, check which applications have constant access to coordinates.

Setup of permissions for applications

The Android System Behind the MIUI, It strictly controls access to personal data, even if GPS globally enabled, a specific application (such as a navigator or camera) may not be authorized to use this data. → All applications.

Select the program you want from a list, like Yandex.Maps or Google Maps. Find the Permissions and make sure it's "Allowed" or "Allowed only when used," the latter option being the most secure from a privacy perspective.

So, you should pay special attention to background access, and if you use your phone as a tracker for jogging or cycling, the app might need to access geo-positioning even when the screen is off, and without that, the tracks would be intermittent or completely broken.

• 📍 Always Allow: Suitable for activity trackers and security applications.
• 📍 When used only: optimal for maps, taxis and food delivery.
• 📍 Request Every Time: Maximum Privacy Protection for Infrequently Used Programs.

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If the food delivery app doesn’t see your address, try manually restarting your smartphone – this often clears the geoservices cache and updates the list of nearby towers.

Calibration of sensors and increase accuracy

Sometimes, the blue dot on the map is walking or showing the wrong direction, which requires calibration. There are no built-in deep calibration tools in the settings menu, so external utilities or built-in Google features are used.

The most effective method is to use the Google Maps app. Open the map, click on the blue dot of your location, and select Calibrate. Follow the instructions on the screen while shaking your phone in the shape of an eight, which helps the magnetic sensor correctly identify the cardinal directions.

For more advanced users, there are specialized tools like GPS Status & Toolbox, which allow you to see the number of satellites visible and the signal level. If the phone sees the satellites but can't determine the coordinates, A-GPS data reset will help.

Working with engineering menu and resetting A-GPS

In situations where standard methods don't work, you can use satellite almanac reset, which is especially true if you've travelled a long distance (for example, flew to another city) and the phone can't catch the signal for a long time. GPS Test or analog.

Inside these applications, there is a clear function. A-GPS data (cleaning up data) A-GPS). Once cleaned, we need to re-engineer the satellite search, and the phone will download the actual position data of the celestial bodies, which will accelerate the initial determination of coordinates.

Actions for discharge:


1. Launch GPS Test




2. Press Menu -> A-GPS -> State




3. Select Reset




4.Out into an open space

Some Xiaomi models have hidden engineering menus available through the code in the call. However, using the code ##3646633# (or similar for MediaTek) requires caution. Changing the parameters in the Location section without understanding can lead to the module’s inoperability.

Comparison of energy saving regimes

The MIUI shell is known for aggressive battery optimization, which sometimes affects background geolocation services, and there is a direct correlation between the power mode chosen and the accuracy of navigation. Let's look at the main differences.

If you use your smartphone as a navigator in your car, it is recommended to switch the mode to “No Limits” for a particular map application.This will prevent the screen from turning off or signal loss when you lock the device.

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To navigate in the car, always set the “No Limits” mode for the navigation app, otherwise the screen may go out at the most inopportune moment.

Addressing common problems

Users often experience a situation where coordinates are misidentified or the app says, "No signal." First of all, check if the date and time settings are set to automatic mode. Wrong time can block the connection to satellites.

Also worth paying attention to is the case: Metallized or too thick protective covers can shield the antenna, which is usually located at the top or bottom of the case. Remove the case and check if the signal reception has improved.

⚠️ Attention: If there is a problem with GPS You've got it after you've upgraded your system, try resetting your network settings, and it won't delete your personal photos or contacts, but it will return the settings of the communication modules to the factory.

In rare cases, flashing a module or completely resetting a device helps, but before that, you should eliminate software conflicts, remove recently installed applications that may request access to geodata and cause system failures.