How to set up a location on Xiaomi smartphones: from GPS to hidden MIUI features

Have you just purchased a new Xiaomi smartphone or are you faced with maps that no longer determine your location? Geolocation on devices with MIUI works differently than on Android bare — there are nuances with resolutions, accuracy modes and hidden settings. In this article, we will not just show where GPS turns on, but take a look at all the pitfalls: from automatically turning off geodata in energy saving mode to manually calibrating the compass for navigators.

Problems with determining the coordinates on Redmi, POCO or Mi are often not due to hardware malfunctions, but to the software limitations of the firmware itself. For example, many users do not know that MIUI 14+ has a separate switch for “exact location” in the privacy settings – without activation, even the GPS enabled will give coordinates with an error of up to 500 meters. We tested all methods on current models (including Xiaomi 14 and Redmi Note 13 Pro+) and put together a checklist for quick diagnosis.

1. Basic geolocation setting in MIUI

So, to start with, how do you even enable location on Xiaomi, and unlike other manufacturers, the way you go to setup can vary depending on the firmware version, and the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 have this algorithm:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to Location (older versions – Additional → Privacy → Location).
3. Activate the master switch at the top of the screen. It should turn blue.
4. Select Precision Mode (optimally High Accuracy for Navigators).

Important: If you see a gray switch that doesn’t respond to clicks, it means that the geolocation is locked at the device administrator level, most often after installing third-party launchers or antiviruses (such as Avast or 360 Security). The solution is to delete such programs or revoke their administrator rights in Settings → Annexes → Special access.

Main location switch switch switch on|Selected mode "High accuracy"|There are no restrictions on third-party antiviruses|Allowances for maps (Google) Maps/Yandex.Maps)-->

2. Precision modes: which to choose and why

There are three location modes available in MIUI, and each affects accuracy and battery consumption in different ways.

Secret Life Hack: If you use your navigator in your car often, but the battery goes down too quickly, try the combined mode.

1. Turn on high accuracy only for the duration of the trip.
2. After arrival, switch to battery saving.
3. Use the Adaptive Battery in Settings → Battery to optimize the system’s own consumption.

High accuracy |Battery savings |Only GPS|I don't know what it-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F5, Redmi K60) Only the device may not work. A-GPS (Accelerated coordinate determination via the Internet. GPS Long-term satellite catch (more than 2 minutes), check the connection to the mobile network or Wi-Fi.

3. App Permissions: Why Maps Can't See Your Location

Even if geolocation is enabled at the system level, individual applications (e.g. Google Maps or Yandex.Maps) may not have access to coordinates. In MIUI 14+, the permission algorithm has changed, so you now need to configure access separately for background and use.

How to check:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Google Maps).
3. Go to Permits. → Location.
4. Install Always (for navigators) or only during use (for social networks).

Xiaomi features: some system applications (such as Mi Browser or Security) can automatically reset permissions after updates. If the cards suddenly stop seeing your location, first check this item. Also note the lock icon next to the resolution - it means that access is blocked at the Special Permits level (you need to go to Settings → Privacy → Special Permits → Access to Location and remove restrictions).

Problems with GPS: Diagnostics and Solutions

If the location is determined with a large margin of error or not at all, the problem may lie in the hardware.

• 📶 Testing the antenna GPS: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) the antenna is located at the top of the body. If you use a case with metal inserts or a magnetic holder in the car, the signal can be shielded.
• 🛰️ Satellite test: Install the GPSTest app from Google Play and check how many satellites your phone is seeing. Normally, it should be at least 8-12 (in a city) or 15.+ (open-air).
• 🔄 Reset AGPS: Sometimes it helps to clean the cache of data of the auxiliary system GPS. To do this, enter the dial code # # #36446339## (does not work on all models).
• 📱 Firmware update: Xiaomi often comes out patches for GPS-Check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Critical case: if the phone does not find any satellites even in open areas, this may indicate a hardware malfunction GPS-This is most often done after a fall or when it gets moisture, and you can diagnose the problem using the engineering menu:

Enter the dialer: ##4636###


Go to the tab "Phone Information"




Scroll down to the GPS block.




If the status of "GPS: Off" and it is impossible to enable it, the module is defective.

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If you often lose your GPS signal in the car, try placing your phone closer to the windshield (like the dashboard).

5 Energy saving and geolocation: how to combine

One of the most common reasons why geolocation suddenly shuts down is because of the aggressive battery optimization in MIUI, which can automatically shut down GPS when the smartphone is in standby mode for a long time, to avoid this:

1. Open Settings → Battery → Battery Optimization
2. Find apps that need a permanent location (like Google Maps or activity trackers) in the list.
3. Choose a mode for them without restrictions.
4. Turn off the option Adaptive battery (if it interferes with the operation of the navigator).

For POCO and Redmi with Android 13+ firmware, there's another caveat: the system can block background location to save power.

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Permits → Location.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select System Settings.
3. Activate the option to Allow background location.

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 15 (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) And you have a smart location control feature that automatically turns off. GPS, If you're not using your navigator for a long time, go to Settings to deactivate it. → Location → Additionally, and disable the appropriate switch.

6. Hidden functions: compass calibration and sensor test

Few people know, but Xiaomi has built-in compass calibration and sensor testing tools that directly affect geolocation accuracy. For example, if the compass arrow in Google Maps is dancing or showing the wrong direction, follow these steps:

1. Open the Compass app (if not, install it from Google Play).
2. Rotate the phone in the air, describing the infinity sign (∞), until the message appears "Calibration completed".
3. For fine-tuning, go to Settings → About Phone → All Specifications → Sensors and run the Sensor Test.

Another useful feature is the GPS Developer Mode, which allows you to manually control the parameters of the module:

Activate Developer Mode (7 taps according to "Version MIUI" in "About Phone")


Go to "Settings → Additional → For Developers"




Find the Mok Location and GPS-logger block




Here you can turn on the log coordinates to diagnose problems.

For owners of the POCO F4/F5 and Redmi K50, there is a unique feature: these models support the GPS dual antenna (L1 + L5).

1. Install the L5 Enabler GPS app from Google Play.
2. Give him superuser rights (root).
3. Enable the Force L5 option.

This will increase the accuracy of positioning in cities with tall buildings by 30-40%.

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Calibration of the compass and sensors are mandatory steps if you use your smartphone for accurate navigation (for example, in a forest or mountainous area), without which the error can reach 20-30 meters.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

We have compiled a table of the most common geolocation problems on Xiaomi and how to fix them:

A special case is that if the location option is missing from the settings after the MIUI update, it may be due to regional restrictions. Some China ROMs don't have full GPS support due to local laws, so the solution is to flash Global ROM or EEA ROM through the Mi Flash Tool.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions