Not only is geolocation on Xiaomi smartphones a convenient navigation tool, but it is also a potential privacy threat. Many Redmi, POCO or Mi users want to turn off GPS to save battery power, avoid surveillance or simply stop sharing their coordinates with apps. However, in MIUI, this feature is hidden deeper than in pure Android, and some methods work in an unobvious way.
In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to disable GPS, from standard settings to hidden developer settings, how to turn off geolocation completely, only for individual applications or even at the system level through ADB. And also find out what unexpected consequences can cause deactivation of GPS on Xiaomi – from problems with the mobile network to blocking some functions.
1. Standard GPS shutdown via notification panel
The fastest way to turn off geolocation is to use the Quick Settings Panel, which works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Mi 11, but has a limitation: some applications can still get approximate coordinates through Wi-Fi and mobile networks.
To turn off GPS through the curtain:
- Swipe your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.
- Find the Geolocation icon (usually looks like an arrow or dot on a map).
- Touch the icon – it should go out (grey means GPS is off).
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (Especially global, this method only disables precise geolocation, but leaves the possibility of location over networks.
2. Complete disabling of geolocation in system settings
If you need to guarantee that you will not allow any location, including data from cell towers and Wi-Fi, use the settings menu, which blocks geolocation at the MIUI level, but can affect some system functions (such as weather or device search).
Instructions:
- Open the Settings. → Confidentiality.
- Select Application Permissions → Location.
- At the top of the screen, switch the "Access to Location" slider to the "Off" position.
- Optionally: Scroll through the list of applications and disable geolocation access for each manually (useful if you want to leave GPS for the navigator, but forbid it to social networks).
🔹 What does it mean:
- 📵 Completely blocking. GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile geolocation.
- 🔋 Reduces battery consumption (especially noticeable on Redmi with weak battery).
- 🛡️ Prevents surveillance through background applications.
☑️ Checking the shutdown GPS
3. Disable GPS for individual applications
You don't always have to shut down your geolocation completely. For example, you might want Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator to work, but Instagram or TikTok didn't have access to your coordinates. In MIUI, it's flexible, you can set permissions for each application separately.
How to restrict access:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the appropriate app (such as Facebook).
- Press Permissions. → Location.
- Set the value of "Disallow" or "During Use Only" (if you want GPS to be enabled only when the application is open).
⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Uber or Delivery Club) may stop working properly without access to geolocation, in which case they will either request permission to re-start or refuse to launch at all.
Which apps are most commonly abused by GPS?
4. Hidden settings: Disable GPS through Developer Mode
If standard methods don’t work (e.g., GPS itself turns on after a reboot), you can use the developer mode, which is suitable for advanced users, because it requires care – incorrect settings can disrupt the smartphone.
Step-by-step:
- Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Click 7 times on the MIUI Version (you will be notified "You're a developer!").
Settings
Additionally.
For developers
"Debugging"
Disable surveillance permissions
"Mock location"
Only the device
🔧 An additional trick: In developer mode, you can also turn off Wi-Fi scanning and Bluetooth scanning in the background, which will further protect against surveillance.
💡
If your mobile data stops working in developer mode after your GPS is turned off, check your APN settings. Sometimes MIUI resets it when you change system settings.
5. Radical method: Disable GPS via ADB (for advanced)
For users who want to permanently block GPS at the system level (for example, so that applications can not turn it on even after resetting), the method through ADB will suit.
Instructions:
- Install ADB Tools on your PC.
- Enable USB debugging on Xiaomi (Settings → Developers → USB debugging).
- Connect your phone to your computer and type in the command line: adb shell settings put global location_mode 0 This command completely disables all types of geolocation (GPS, Wi-Fi, mobile networks).
- To return settings back, use: adb shell settings put global location_mode 3
6.The consequences of a GPS shutdown: what breaks down on Xiaomi
Before you turn off geolocation, you need to understand which features will stop working. The table below shows the main implications for different smartphone use scenarios.
| Function/Annex | What happens when GPS is turned off | Bypass |
|---|---|---|
| Google Maps / Yandex.Maps | They will not be able to determine your location to build a route. | Manually enter the starting point. |
| Taxi (Uber, Yandex.Taxi) | You can’t order a car “to yourself” – only at the address. | Use street search. |
| Fitness trackers (Mi Fit, Google Fit) | They will stop recording the routes of jogging / cycling. | Use a pedometer without reference to the map. |
| Social networks (Instagram, TikTok) | You can't attach geotags to posts. | Add location manually. |
| Banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) | They can block transactions, deeming the device to be “suspicious.” | Turn on GPS only when working with the bank. |
💡 Advice: If you need to temporarily disconnect GPS (For example, while traveling, use flight mode, which automatically shuts down all communication modules, including geolocation!
💡
Shutdown GPS Xiaomi doesn't always mean complete anonymity. Some apps (like instant messengers) can identify your location by using the same name. IP-address SIM-map.