Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are using location data to power maps, weather widgets and system services. However, constantly determining coordinates through GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile networks not only consumes battery power, but can also become a threat to privacy. If you notice that the phone is too quickly discharged or want to limit the access of applications to your geolocation, this article will help you understand all the nuances.
Depending on the version of MIUI (Android shell on Xiaomi devices) and the Redmi model (e.g. Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10 or POCO X5), the interface of settings may vary slightly. But the general principle remains the same: disabling the location is possible both completely for the entire system and selectively for individual applications. We will consider both options, and also talk about hidden features that continue to track your movements even after deactivating GPS.
It's important to understand that some services, like Google Play Services or Mi Cloud, can automatically enable geolocation for their own needs, and to avoid that, you'll not only have to turn off the GPS module itself, but you'll also have to limit access rights manually, and then you'll have to take step-by-step instructions to take into account all the pitfalls.
1. Completely disabling location in MIUI settings
The easiest way to deactivate geolocation is to use a system switch, which is a good way to do this if you want to temporarily disable coordinates for all applications at once.
Instructions:
- Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
- Go to Location (in some versions of MIUI it may be called Security and Privacy → Location).
- Move the slider to the off position at the top of the screen.
After that, all applications, including Google Maps, Yandex.Maps and system services, will lose access to your coordinates. However, there is a caveat: some functions (for example, finding nearby Wi-Fi networks or Bluetooth devices) may continue to approximately determine your location through the Internet. IP-Address or cell tower data, and complete anonymity will require additional steps.
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If you notice that the battery is running slower after you turn off the location, but some applications (such as banking) are no longer working correctly, check their settings separately.
2. Selective geolocation shutdown for applications
Not all apps need constant access to your coordinates, like messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram can request a location to send geotags, but in everyday use, this feature is rarely used.
Steps:
- 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
- 🔍 Select the desired app from the list (such as Instagram or Instagram). VK).
- 📍 Slip on the Permissions item, then find the Location.
- ❌ Select the option to Disable or Only during use (if you want to leave the option to manually enable).
Note that some applications (such as Google Maps or 2GIS) will not work properly without access to geolocation, in which case you can leave permission only during use, so that the program requests access every time it launches.
Choose apps that rarely use geolocation|Open the permission settings for each|Disable access to the location or restrict it|Check the application after the changes-->
3. Disabling background location determination
Even if you have banned geolocation for individual applications, some may continue to track your location in the background, including MIUI system services, as well as apps from Google and Xiaomi, to completely stop background activity:
Ways:
- For MIUI: Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Management. Select App Selection and find programs that actively use geolocation (e.g. Mi Security or Mi Cloud). Limit their background activity by selecting the Limit option.
For Google Play Services:
- Open Settings → Google → Google Settings → Location.
- Turn off Location History and Device Search (if you don’t use these features).
- Open the settings → Additional → for developers.
- Find the option to Disable Location Resolutions (or Mock Location App if you want to change coordinates).
- Activate the switch and confirm the action.
Warning: Changing your settings in developer mode can cause some features, such as Google Pay or Mi Pay, to work unstable.
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Developer mode allows not only disable geolocation, but also emulate it (for example, for application testing), but this can disrupt real-location services such as banking applications or navigation.
6. Alternative methods: disabling through ADB or third-party utilities
If standard methods don’t work, you can use tools for advanced users, such as ADB (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to disable geolocation at the system level, and applications like AppOps or XPrivacyLua give you extended control over permissions.
The ADB method:
adb shell settings put global location_mode 0This command completely disables all location modules (GPS, Wi-Fi, and mobile networks). To return the settings back, use:
adb shell settings put global location_mode 3The use of ADB will require:
- 🖥️ Install Android SDK Platform-Tools on the computer.
- 📱 Turn on Debugging. USB in the developer settings on the phone.
- 🔌 Connect Redmi to the PC via USB-cable and confirm trust in the device.
⚠️ Attention: Use ADB It can cause system failures if you enter incorrect commands.
7.Result Check: How to Make Sure Geolocation Is Actually Disabled
After completing all the steps, it is important to check that the location is no longer determined.
Methods of verification:
- 📍 Open Google Maps or Yandex.Maps – if your location is not displayed (or shown with a large margin of error), then, GPS switched off.
- 🔍 Use the app. GPS Google Play Test – It will show the status of satellites and the accuracy of determining the coordinates.
- 📊 Check the Settings. → Battery → Battery use – if the module GPS It does not appear on the list of active processes, so it is deactivated.
If you notice that the coordinates are still being determined (for example, through the IP-address or mobile network information, try:
- Connecting to a VPN will hide your real IP.
- Disable mobile data and use only Wi-Fi (or vice versa).
- Manually specify another city in the weather and clock settings.
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Even after a complete shutdown. GPS Some services (such as Google or Yandex) can approximately determine your location by IP-To be completely anonymous, you'll need a combination of methods: geolocation disablement. + VPN + restriction.