The problem with determining the location on Xiaomi smartphones is a common scenario faced by users of various models, from the budget Redmi series to the flagship Mi. Satellite navigation can work incorrectly due to software failures, incorrect power saving settings or even the features of the hardware of the antenna. Device owners often notice that the navigator “floats”, the location is determined with a large delay or does not catch a signal in the room.
Fortunately, most of the time, it's not just a service center, because MIUI and its current version of HyperOS provide deep access to system parameters, allowing you to fine-tune the reception of the signal. It's important to understand that geolocation depends not only on the number of satellites you can see, but also on the correctness of the A-GPS data, which helps the phone find orbits faster.
In this guide, we will take a comprehensive approach to solving a problem, and we will look at both standard methods available to each user and advanced techniques, including working with an engineering menu. The right sequence of actions will allow you to significantly improve the accuracy of positioning in navigation applications.
Basic diagnostics and resetting of A-GPS parameters
Before we get to the tricky part, we need to eliminate software errors in the geodata cache. The smartphone stores satellite position information to speed up navigation, but over time this data becomes obsolete. A-GPS reset is the first and most important procedure to perform. It does not necessarily require third-party software to install, although specialized utilities often make the process more visual.
Using GPS Status & Toolbox or similar tools, you can visually assess the status of satellite communications. After installation, launch the program, wait for the map to appear, and find the A-GPS status management menu. Select the option to Reset or Reset GPS, and then Download fresh data. A cold start after this procedure may take longer, but the coordinates will be more accurate.
⚠️ Attention: When data are reset A-GPS The first launch of the outdoor navigation may take 2 to 5 minutes to initially capture the satellites.
If you prefer not to install unnecessary apps, you can use standard tools. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find Google Play Services and Google Maps. In Memory, clean the cache. This will not delete your data, but update the temporary files responsible for the operation of location services.
Configure high accuracy and resolution mode
Android offers multiple location modes, and the default mode can be selected to save energy. High precision mode must be activated for maximum efficiency. GPS/GLONASS, Wi-Fi network data and information from cell towers. Switching is done in the Settings menu → Location → Regime.
Special attention should be paid to permissions for specific applications. Navigators like Yandex.Navigator, 2GIS or Google Maps should have constant access to geolocation. Go to Settings → Applications → [your navigator] → Permissions. Make sure you choose “always allow” or “only when you use”, but with the exact location option enabled. The application background operation must also be allowed, otherwise navigation may be interrupted when the screen is off.
- 📍 Turn on Wi-Fi scanning even when the module is off: this speeds up search through access point databases.
- 📍 Turn off Charge Savings mode during navigation as it limits the frequency of the survey GPS-module.
- 📍 Check if the “Flight Mode” is enabled, which can block data transmission to the A-GPS.
It’s also worth checking if the “Precise Location” feature is activated in the general privacy settings of Android 12 and higher.If this option is turned off globally, apps will only receive approximate coordinates, making navigation impossible. Geosons and travel history can also affect path prediction algorithms, so periodically cleaning them sometimes helps.
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Use the Location widget in the notification curtain for quick accuracy switching without diving deep into the settings menu.
Calibration of compass and sensors
A common problem when the blue arrow on the map indicates the wrong direction of movement or rotates randomly is associated with the desynchronization of the magnetic sensor. Calibration of the compass is a mandatory procedure after buying a new case with magnets or falling a smartphone. Without correct data on the azimuth, the navigator will not be able to build the correct route, especially in pedestrian mode.
To perform the calibration, open the Google Maps app. Click on the blue dot of your location and select "Calibrate." Follow the on-screen instructions that usually suggest you steer your phone in the air, drawing an eight, and the accelerometer and magnetometer sensors at that point read the changes in the Earth's magnetic field.
| Parameter | Norma. | Problem. | Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compass accuracy | Tall. | Low/Scaling required | The Eight Movement |
| Number of satellites | 8-12+ | Less than 4. | Entering an open space |
| Error (EPE) | < 10 meters | > 50 meters | A-GPS data reset |
| Time to first fix | < 30 seconds | > 2 minutes. | Checking the antenna contact |
| Status | Stable signal. | Loss of signal | Reboot the module |
If standard calibration doesn't work, you can use engineering tests. Type ##6484## in the phone app (works on most Xiaomi models). Select "Compass" or "Sensor" from the CIT menu. You can see raw data from sensors and do deep calibration by putting the phone on a flat surface. Magnetic interference from metal fittings in buildings can distort readings, so calibration is better done outside.
Use of engineering menu and selection of satellite systems
The most powerful tool for Xiaomi owners is the engineering menu that allows you to control directly. GPS-To get there, open the Phone app and type in the combination ##3646633#. If the code doesn't work, you may need to install a special Launcher app for the engineering menu from third-party sources, but on global firmware, the code is often active by default.
In the interface that opens, go to the Location → Location Based Service tab. Here you will see a map with satellites and a list of available systems. Only GPS and GLONASS can be selected by default. To improve coverage in your region, it is recommended to activate support for BeiDou (a Chinese system that works perfectly with Xiaomi) and Galileo (a European system).
⚠️ Warning: Do not change the values in the "Debug" or "Hardware Testing" sections if you are not sure about your actions. Reset to the factory settings (Default) if the navigation stopped working after the experiments.
In the YUSAT GPS (or similar, depending on the MediaTek/Qualcomm processor), you can perform a full almanac reset. Find the "AGPS restart" or "Cold start" button. Once pressed, the phone will completely reset the satellite data and start searching again. This action is similar to resetting through the application, but takes place at a deeper, system level. Using the BeiDou system on MediaTek processors often gives an increase of 2-3 additional satellites in dense urban areas.
☑️ Checklist of setting up the engineering menu
Optimizing Applications and Background Processes
The aggressive MIUI energy saving system often causes GPS to fall off when the screen is off. The smartphone simply kills the navigation process to save charge. To prevent this, you need to set up autostart and work in the background for navigation applications. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, select your navigator.
In the app menu, turn on Autostart. Then go to Activity Control (or Charge Savings) and select No Limits mode. This is a critical step for background navigation. Without that permission, the system can pause coordinate updates, and you will hear the voice command "Route rebuilt" after you have passed the desired turn.
- 🚀 Turn on the “Display on top of other apps” option for the navigator so it doesn’t fold down.
- 🚀 Fix the application in memory (lock in the menu of running applications) so that the system does not unload it.
- 🚀 Turn off Advanced Optimization in the battery settings if the problem is massive.
It's also worth checking if the "Exact Location" feature is enabled in the energy saving mode. MIUI Reduce the frequency of the survey GPS-If you use third-party launchers or themes, try switching to standard ones, as they may conflict with system geolocation services.
Why does GPS work worse in a case?
Hardware factors and external antennas
If software methods failed, it’s worth considering hardware reasons: In the budget models of Redmi and Poco, the antenna module can be less sensitive or have poor contact with the board after a fall. The antenna defects manifest themselves in the fact that the phone catches 0-2 satellites even in open spaces in clear weather, while other devices at the same point see 10-12.
There is a myth that antenna stickers on the body can improve reception, and in reality, their effectiveness is highly questionable and often zero, since they are not connected to the inner circuit of the smartphone. GPS-The receiver is a workable solution for professionals, and these devices are connected through the OTG Bluetooth, have a powerful antenna and transmit coordinates to the phone.
The back cover material is also affected by the signal reception. Glass and plastic covers are transparent to radio waves, whereas the all-metal case (found in older models) requires the introduction of plastic antenna inserts. If you have a smartphone with a metal case and you use a solid metal case, you are almost guaranteed to get a signal shielding. Remove the case and check the navigation.
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If after all the settings and resets, the phone catches less than 3 satellites in the open air, there is a high probability of hardware malfunction of the antenna module or plume.