How to improve geolocation on Xiaomi phone: from calibration to hidden MIUI settings

Have you noticed that your Xiaomi maps are positioning 50 to 200 meters wrong, and the navigators are jumping down the road? The problem isn’t always with a weak GPS signal — often to blame for system settings, outdated satellite data or hardware limitations of budget models. In this article, we’ll discuss 7 working ways to improve geolocation on Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones, including hidden MIUI features and hardware tricks.

It's important to understand that geolocation accuracy depends on a combination of GPS (satellites), A-GPS (Internet Search Acceleration), GLONASS/BeiDou (Russian/Chinese satellites) and auxiliary data — Wi-Fi and cell towers. If the phone "sees" only 3-4 satellites instead of 12-15, the error will grow significantly. We tested methods on Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and POCO F5 — the results were different, but each method gave an increase in accuracy.

Calibration of the compass and motion sensors

If the compass needle in Google Maps or Yandex.Maps is random and the route "goes away" to the side - the problem is uncalibrated sensors. MIUI does not always automatically reset them after updates or drops of the phone.

1. Open the Compass app (if not, download it from Google Play).
2. Follow the instructions on the screen: rotate the phone in the air, describing the infinity sign (∞).
3. For accurate calibration of the gyroscope and accelerometer, use the GPS Status & Toolbox app (Calibration section).

⚠️ Warning: Do not calibrate the sensors near metal objects (keys, laptop) or magnets - this will distort the results. If after calibration the problem remains, check the phone for magnetic interference (for example, from a magnet case for attachment).

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After calibration, restart the phone – this will reset the sensor cache and apply new data.

2. Update of A-GPS and Almanac data

The Assisted GPS (A-GPS) system speeds up satellite search by downloading their orbits from the Internet. If this data is outdated (for example, after resetting), the phone will catch the signal longer. MIUI does not have a built-in tool for forced updating, but there are workarounds:

• 📱 Use the app. GPS Status & Toolbox: Press Manage A-GPS state → Reset, then Download.
• 🌍 For models with Qualcomm Snapdragon (most Xiaomi) secret codes work: ##36446337## In the menu that opens, select Start to download data.
• 🔄 If the phone does not see satellites at all, check the date and time settings: they must be automatic (otherwise, the phone will not see satellites at all). GPS Not in sync with satellites).

On smartphones with a MediaTek chip (like Redmi 10A), secret A-GPS codes don’t work – only use third-party apps.

3. High precision setting

MIUI by default includes a cost-effective geolocation mode that uses only GPS and Wi-Fi, ignoring GLONASS and BeiDou. To use all satellite systems:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions → Geolocation.
2. Select High Precision Mode (on some models, Device Accuracy).
3. Turn on the Bluetooth Scanner and Wi-Fi Scanner option to help you determine your location indoors.

⚠️ Note: On budget models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) High precision mode may not be an increase in accuracy — their chips support a limited number of satellite systems.

4. Checking hardware limitations

If after all the settings, the GPS still works poorly, the problem may be in the hardware:

• 📡 Quality of antenna: In cheap models (Redmi) 8A, POCO C31) simplified GPS-modules without support L1+L5 (The error of these chips is up to 15 meters, even under ideal conditions.
• 🛠️ Damage: A phone drop could displace an antenna or damage contacts on the motherboard.
• 🔋 Energy savings: In the ultra-saving mode (MIUI) Background processes, including updates, are disabled GPS. Turn off this mode in Settings → Battery.

For flagship owners (Xiaomi 13T, Mix Fold 3), it is useful to enable dual-band GPS (L1+L5).

##4636## → Testing → GNSS → Include L1+L5

5. Resetting geolocation settings and cache

If the GPS was working normally, but Suddenly stopped, it's the fault of the damaged cache or the settings conflict.

Close all navigation applications

Connect to Wi-Fi (you need to download ~10 MB of data)

Remember the current accuracy settings (to restore the later)

Disable VPN (can block A-GPS servers)

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1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google Services and Google Play Services, clear the cache.
3. In Settings → System → Reset settings, select Reset geolocation and network settings.
4. Restart your phone and wait for the A-GPS data to reload (it can take up to 10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: After reset, you will have to recalibrate the compass and configure permissions for applications (for example, Yandex.Navigator or the other). 2GIS). If the problem persists, try a complete network reset (Settings) → SIM-maps and networks → Reset network settings, but it will delete all saved Wi-Fi passwords.

6. Alternative methods of signal enhancement

When the standard methods don’t help, try these tricks:

• 📶 External antenna: For Xiaomi with connector USB-C sell-out GPS-antennas (e.g. GlobalSat) BU-353-S4). Connect through OTG-Adapter, and it's up to 30 percent accuracy.
• 🔄 Flashing module: In forums 4PDA and XDA Developers upload modified gps.conf files to specific models, and install them requires an unlocked bootloader and root rights.
• 🌐 Change of region: In some cases, change the region of the phone to the United States or Europe (c Settings) → Additionally. → Region improves reception of Galileo (European satellites).

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The external antenna is only relevant for stationary use (e.g. in a car), and is inconvenient for walking navigation due to wires and power requirements.

For owners of the POCO F4 GT and other gamers, it is useful to turn off performance mode in Settings → Special Features → Game Mode. This mode limits background processes, including GPS updates.

7. Verification of program conflicts

Some apps block access to GPS or intercept its data to find the culprit:

1. Launch your phone in Safe Mode (press the power button → Safe Mode).
2. Check the GPS on Google Maps, and if everything is fine, it's a problem with third-party software.
3. Remove newly installed applications by testing geolocation after each deletion.

Frequent culprits:

• 🔒 Ad blocking apps (e.g. AdGuard, Blokada) – can filter requests to servers A-GPS.
• 🛡️ Antiviruses with location protection function (Kaspersky, Avast).
• 🎮 Cheats for games (Pokémon GO, Ingress – Replace the real coordinates.

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If the problem occurs after the MIUI update, roll back to the previous version via the Mi Flash Tool or wait for a patch. GPS bugs are not uncommon in the first builds of new firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about geolocation on Xiaomi