Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with powerful satellite navigation modules that by default support several systems: American GPS, China’s BeiDou, European Galileo and Russia’s GLONASS. However, many users face a situation when the navigator “catch” satellites for too long or the signal is constantly lost in dense urban areas. Often the problem lies not in hardware failure, but in software constraints or incorrect settings of geolocation priorities.
In the operating room. MIUI HyperOS battery saving algorithms can aggressively limit background work GPS-In addition, the standard Android interface often hides the ability to manually select the satellite constellations used. To make the device work with maximum accuracy, you need to make a number of settings that are not visible to the average user when you first turn on the phone.
In this guide, we will discuss how to force GLONASS activation, check satellite connection status and optimize the navigation module. We will not use questionable accelerator applications, but turn to proven system tools and engineering menus available on Redmi and Poco devices.
GLONASS support check and signal diagnosis
Before you start to set up complex settings, you need to make sure that your smartphone is physically able to communicate with Russian satellites. Virtually all Xiaomi models released in the last 5-6 years have built-in hardware support for GLONASS, but software it can be inactive or run in the background with low priority.
For primary diagnosis, it is best to use specialized utilities that show “raw” data from the GPS-Standard Google or Yandex maps don't give you a complete picture of what satellites your phone is seeing right now. GPS Test or GPS Status & Toolbox.
- 📡 Run the app outdoors or at a window to get the maximum number of signals.
- 🛰️ Note the flags of countries next to the satellite numbers: the Russian flag or the letter "R" denotes GLONASS.
- 📶 Green indicates active connection and data transfer, gray - satellite is visible, but data is not transmitted.
⚠️ Warning: Inside or in the basement, your smartphone may not see GLONASS satellites at all. This is normal, because the signal does not pass through concrete and metal structures.
If there are no Russian satellites on the list, it may indicate that the navigation module is currently ignoring this frequency, and in some cases, a simple reset of the almanac and ephemerides helps, which makes the phone re-experience the entire sky.
Engineering menu and selection of satellite systems
The most efficient way to manage navigation modules is to use an engineering menu. In Xiaomi smartphones, access to it is often hidden, and it requires the use of special codes or third-party utilities, such as MTK Engineering Mode (for MediaTek processors) or Test Point (for Qualcomm).
Try entering the phone app code ##3646633##. If the menu opens, go to the Location → Location Based Service tab, where you can manage the satellite configuration in the YGPS or GPS key section.
What if the code doesn't work?
Inside the settings, look for GNSS Configuration or GPS System, and here you'll see a list of available systems: GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo. Make sure the tick is set against GLONASS. If you have a choice of mode, you prefer to leave Auto or Multi-GNSS mode so that the phone can pick the best signals.
| Parameter | Default value | Recommended value | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPS System | GPS Only | GPS + GLONASS + Beidou | Increases the number of visible satellites |
| A-GPS | Enabled | Enabled | Accelerates the primary definition of coordinates |
| SUPL Version | 2.0 | 2.0.4 | Improves compatibility with servers |
| GNSS Config | Auto | Multi-System | Optimal balance of accuracy and battery |
After making changes, be sure to press the Set or Save button, and then restart the device. Without rebooting, the new settings may not apply to the communication module.
Set up geolocation services in MIUI and HyperOS
Even if the hardware is configured correctly, the software limitations of the shell can block precise positioning. MIUI has a separate menu for selecting a geolocation provider, which often switches to Chinese servers or limits functionality.
To access hidden settings, go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Developer. If Developer is hidden, click on the MIUI version seven times in the About Phone menu. Find the Select Geolocation Mode and make sure you select High Accuracy (GPS + Wi-Fi + Mobile Networks).
☑️ Checklist of geolocation settings
It is also important to check permissions for specific applications. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, select your navigator (Yandex.Navigator, 2GIS, Google Maps) and make sure that the permission point is “Always Allow” or “Allow the use of geodata.” The “Only when used” option can lead to loss of signal if you turn off the application.
The feature, “Search for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth,” deserves special attention. Even if Wi-Fi is turned off, the phone can use it for more accurate positioning. Go to Settings → Additional → Privacy → Geolocation Services and activate the scan.
⚠️ Warning: Turning on permanent Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scans may slightly increase battery consumption in standby mode, but will significantly improve the accuracy of navigation in the city.
Reset and calibration GPS-module
Sometimes the navigation module sticks to old ephemeris data, which prevents it from quickly finding GLONASS satellites, which requires a forced reset of the almanac, a safe procedure that does not delete your personal data, but only clears the cache of navigation.
To perform the reset, you can use the previously mentioned GPS Status & Toolbox app. Open the menu, select Tools → A-GPS Status Management → Reset. After that, click Download to download the latest satellite position data.
There's also a method through the engineering menu if the app doesn't work. In the YGPS section, find the Information tab and press the Reset or Cold Start button. This will force the receiver to restart in cold start mode, forcing it to look for all available systems from scratch.
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Before calibrating your GPS, turn on flight mode for 10 seconds and then turn it off. This will restart the radio modules and can help capture the signal faster.
After resetting, it is recommended to go out and wait 5-10 minutes, holding the phone still. This is a process called "warming up" or establishing a stable connection. Don't start the navigator right away, let the system first see the satellites in the background.
Optimizing battery life for navigation
Xiaomi’s energy-saving systems are known for being aggressive, can kill navigation if the screen goes out or the app goes into the background, and in order for GLONASS to work consistently in the background, you need to remove navigators from the optimization list.
Go to Settings → Battery and Performance (or simply Battery). Click on the gear icon or look for Activity Control. Find your navigation app on the list and select No Limits mode. This will prevent the system from stopping GPS processes.
- 🔋 Open the Security app and go to the Permits section».
- 🚀 Find the Auto Start item and turn it on for the navigator.
- 🔒 In the Battery menu, make sure that the card is in the "No Limits" mode».
It's also worth checking whether Flight or Energy Saving mode is turned on while navigating, which often reduces the polling frequency. GPS-module, which leads to cursor jerks on the screen and loss of the GLONASS signal in difficult conditions.
Hardware limitations and external modules
It is important to understand that software settings cannot improve reception if the phone's antenna is physically damaged or shielded. In some Xiaomi models, the antenna module is combined with the frame of the case. Using dense metal cases or magnetic cover covers can completely block the signal.
If the software methods didn't help, and the phone categorically can't see the GLONASS satellites (while other phones in the same place can see them), there may be a problem in the hardware. GPS-receiver that connects to the smartphone and takes over the function of determining the coordinates.
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Outside GPS-The module is the best solution for professional navigation if the smartphone’s built-in antenna module is damaged or is not operating stable.
When choosing a navigation case, prefer silicone or plastic. Metallic coatings and thick protected cases significantly reduce the sensitivity of the antenna, which is critical for weak signals of Russian satellites in the middle latitudes.