How to completely disable geolocation on Xiaomi Redmi 9: 5 proven ways

Geolocation on Xiaomi smartphones is a two-way sword: on the one hand, it simplifies navigation, finding nearby establishments and working maps, on the other – eats up battery power, transmits your location data to applications (sometimes without explicit consent), and can become a vulnerability to surveillance. Owners of Redmi 9 often find that even after manually turning off GPS through the notification panel, geolocation continues to work in the background – for example, due to Google services or MIUI system functions.

In this article, we will analyze not only standard methods of disabling (through settings and control panel), but also hidden options that the manufacturer does not advertise. You will learn how to completely block access to geodata for individual applications, disable background location and even remove system services responsible for tracking. MIUI 12/13, where the logic of geolocation is different from pure Android.

We warn you beforehand that some methods require superuser rights or developer mode activation. If you're not ready for experiments, use the first three methods, they are safe and do not violate warranty. For advanced users, we have prepared instructions for deep cleaning of the system from spy modules.

1. Standard geolocation shutdown via notification panel

The fastest, but not the most reliable, way is to use the Quick Settings Panel. On Redmi 9, it opens with a swipe from top to bottom (with one finger for a truncated menu, two for a full menu (🧭) or the inscription "Location".

However, there is a catch here: even after clicking this button, some applications (such as Google Maps, Yandex.Maps or MIUI system services) can continue to determine your location through:

• 📡 Cellular towers (according to the identifier of the nearest base station)
• 📶 Wi-Fi networks (even if you are not connected to them)
• 🔍 IP-address (geolocation by provider)

To check if geolocation is disabled, open any mapping application (e.g. 2GIS) and try to determine your location. If the marker still appears, proceed to the following methods.

💡

On Redmi 9, after disabling geolocation through the notification panel, restart your phone.This will reset background processes that may have ignored your command.

2. Complete shutdown in system settings

A more reliable way is to block geolocation at the system level.

1. Open Settings → Privacy → Location.
2. Turn the slider to the off position (it will turn gray).
3. Slip on Accuracy Mode and select Device Only (this will disable the use of Wi-Fi and cellular networks to clarify coordinates).
4. Go back and click Recent Location Requests to see which apps have tried to retrieve your geodata.

Note the Location Services section at the bottom of the screen, and you can activate:

• 🔄 Google Location Service (responsible for high-precision geolocation)
• 📱 Service MIUI (Used for system functions, such as weather or device search)
• 🚨 Emergency alerts (geolocation for sending) SOS)

Disable all unnecessary services, but remember: without Google Service, Google Maps, Uber, and other applications that depend on precise location determination will cease to work.

Slider turned off in settings|Selected “Device only” mode"|Unnecessary services are deactivated|Rebooted phone-->

3. Disabling geolocation for individual applications

If you need to leave your geolocation enabled but limit access to it for specific programs (such as social networks or games), do the following:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the app you want (such as Instagram or TikTok).
3. Slip on the Permits. → Location.
4. Choose to refuse or allow only during use.

On the Redmi 9 with MIUI 12+, there is a hidden option that allows you to block access to geodata for all applications at once.

1. Activate Developer Mode (7 times tap Settings → About Phone → MIUI version).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the option to Disable permissions for all applications (may be called Mock Location in English firmware).
4. Activate it and restart the phone.

This method is radical: it will block geolocation even for system processes, which can cause MIUI malfunctions. Use it only if you are critical to complete anonymity.

Battery savings|Confidentiality|I don't use navigation.|Interfering with applications|Another option-->

4. Disabling background location determination

Even if you have banned apps from accessing geodata, some may continue to follow you in the background through Google Play Services or MIUI System.

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management.
2. Select the Apps Choice and find it in the Google Play Services list.
3. Slip on it and select Limit background activity.
4. Repeat the same for MIUI Daemon and SecurityCenter.

These system processes are responsible for telemetry collection and background location determination, and their limitations can:

• ⚡ Increase battery life by 10-15%
• 🛡️ Stop sending geodata to Xiaomi and Google
• ⚠️ Break some functions (for example, automatic time zone or weather detection on the lock screen)

On Redmi 9 with MIUI 13 firmware, after the Google Play Services restriction, the Google Play Store may stop updating. To fix this, temporarily undo the restriction, update the applications and return the settings back.

5. Radical methods: removal of system services (root required)

If you're willing to go to extreme lengths and have root rights, you can completely remove the geolocation components, which permanently disables the coordinates, but can disrupt some functions.

List of system packages that can be removed (using Root Explorer or ADB):

To remove the packet via ADB, connect the phone to your PC and execute the command:

adb shell


su




pm uninstall -k --user 0 name package

Warning: Deleting system packages can cause permanent firmware damage. Before experimenting, back up via TWRP or Mi Flash Tool.

6. Alternative methods: Simulation of location

If you don’t want to turn off geolocation completely, but just hide your real location (for example, for games or social networks), you can use fake GPS apps. On Redmi 9, this only works after the developer mode is activated:

1. Turn on Settings → Additional → For developers → Mode of location simulation.
2. Install the Fake GPS Location app (available on Google Play).
3. Select any point on the map and activate the simulation.

This method only tricks applications that request geodata through the standard Android API, and some programs (such as banking or government services) can detect spoofing and block access.

Also note that:

• 📱 The simulation works only as long as the developer mode is turned on.
• 🔄 After rebooting the phone, the fake location is reset.
• ⚠️ Some applications (e.g, Pokémon GO) Blocking accounts for using fake GPS.

💡

Location simulation doesn't disable real geolocation -- it just swaps out coordinates for selected applications. MIUI and Google systems services can still see your real location.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you turn off geolocation on Redmi 9, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

⚠️ Note: If mobile payments (e.g. Google Pay or SberBank Online) have stopped working after geolocation has been turned off, check the security settings in these applications.

Problem 1: The geolocation itself turns on after the reset.

Solution: This involves automatic time-zone synchronization. Turn it off in Settings → System → Date and Time → Automatically.

Issue 2: Applications ignore the ban on access to geodata.

Solution: Check if they have special access enabled in Settings → Privacy → Special permissions → Access to location in the background.

Problem 3: Contactless payments stopped working after GPS was turned off.

Solution: Some banking applications tie security to geolocation. Try adding an exception to them in your privacy settings.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions