Geologic data on Xiaomi: how to include GPS and adjust the location correctly

Xiaomi’s current smartphones use geodata for dozens of functions, from navigation in Google Maps to accurate weather widgets and delivery services. However, many users face challenges: the phone does not determine location, applications do not see. GPS, Or the battery is quickly discharged due to background geolocation. In this article, we will discuss how to correctly enable geodata on Xiaomi in different versions of firmware (including HyperOS), configure permissions for applications and fix typical problems.

It is important to understand that the geolocation setting on Xiaomi is different from other brands due to the branded shell. MIUI (It's got its own nuances: hidden menus to fine-tune. GPS, separate permissions for Chinese and global firmware versions, as well as features of working with dual SIM-We're going to look at these things Step-by-step, so that your smartphone can determine the coordinates as accurately and economically as possible.

If you have never set up geodata on Xiaomi or encounter errors like “Search” GPS...» Or "Location Unavailable," this guide will help you understand the causes and fix them without going to the service center.

Why you need Xiaomi geodata and how it works

Geolocation on Xiaomi smartphones involves several technologies, each of which is responsible for its part of the process:

• 📡 GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou: Satellite systems for precise coordinates (work even without the Internet, but slowly "grab" the signal).
• 🌐 Wi-Fi and mobile networks: approximate location by nearby towers and access points (quickly but less accurately).
• 🔄 Sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope): help smooth the movement between points (for example, in navigators).
• 📱 Google Play Services: Optimizes geolocation for Android applications (may conflict with Chinese firmware).

On Xiaomi, all these components are managed through the Settings menu. → Confidentiality → Location. However, by default, many features are disabled to save battery life. For example, if you have never used Google Maps or Yandex.Maps, the system can automatically restrict access to the Internet. GPS background-process.

Geo data are also used for:

• 📍 Precise operation of navigators (Waze, 2GIS, CitiGID).
• 🔍 Geotechs in photos (if included in camera settings).
• 🛒 Delivery of food and taxis (Delivery Club, Yandex Go, Uber).
• 🌦️ Automatic weather and time zone updates.
• 🔒 Two-factor location authentication (in banking applications).

⚠️ Note: On Chinese versions of the firmware (MIUI China) Geolocation may not work properly due to lack of Google services, in which case you will need to set up a separate setting through Settings → Additionally. → Region (see section on problem solving).

How to Enable Geodata on Xiaomi: Basic Instructions

To activate location, follow the following steps (relevant to the MIUI 12-15 and HyperOS):

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Privacy section → Location.
3. Activate the main Location switch (should turn blue).
4. Select Precision Mode: High Accuracy - Uses GPS + Wi-Fi + mobile networks (maximum accuracy but fast battery life); charge savings are only Wi-Fi and networking (suitable for densely-covered cities); device only GPS (The slowest but the lowest battery consumption).

Go back to the main Settings menu and open the Apps → Permits → Location to configure access for individual programs.

Once you turn on the geodata, wait until your smartphone catches the satellites, which for the first time can take up to 5-10 minutes (especially if you are indoors), and to speed up the process, go out to the open area or go to the window.

Main location switch switch switch on|Selected mode "High accuracy"|Permissions are given for the desired applications (e.g. Maps)|The smartphone is in an open space (not in the basement)|Power saving mode is disabled (can block) GPS)-->

If the geodata still doesn’t work after turning on, move to the next section with solutions to typical problems.

Setting permissions for applications: what can be turned off

By default, many applications on Xiaomi request geolocation access even if they don't need it. Excessive location resolution programs result in:

• 🔋 Fast battery discharge (background activity) GPS).
• 🐢 Slowdown (constant requests to geodata servers).
• 🛡️ Security risks (some apps sell your location data).

To optimize your work, follow the following steps:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions → Location.
2. Browse the list of applications and disable geodata for those who don't need it: ❌ Games (Clash of Clans, PUBG — They don't need them. GPS). ❌ Social networks (TikTok, Instagram – a fairly approximate location). ✅ Navigators (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps – be sure to include them). ✅ Banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff – for security).

For critical apps (like Google Maps), click on them in the list and select Always (to work in the background) or Only during use (to save battery).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 or X-ray) POCO X5) In Chinese firmware, there is no "Always" option for permissions. ADB-Teams (see section for advanced users).

Problems with geodata on Xiaomi: causes and solutions

If after turning on the geolocation smartphone still does not determine the location, check the following points:

1.The smartphone does not see satellites (badge) GPS flashing)

Reasons:

• 📵 Weak signal: You are indoors or surrounded by tall buildings.
• ⚡ Energy saving: the mode of "Ultra-economy" disconnects GPS.
• 🔧 Wrong settings AGPS: Support system data not updated.

Decisions:

• 🌳 Go out to the open area (balcony, street).
• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone.
• 📱 Turn on Flight Mode for 10 seconds, then turn off.
• 🔧 Update the data AGPS through the engineering menu (see below).

2. Apps do not see location (no access error)

Reasons:

• 🚫 Blocked permissions for a specific application.
• 🔒 Limitations MIUI: Firmware blocks background geolocation.
• 📱 Google services failure (on Chinese firmware).

Decisions:

• 🔓 Check the permissions in Settings → Annexes → [Title of the annex] → Permits.
• 🔄 Clear the cache of Google services: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Google Play Services → Clear the cache.
• 🌐 If you use MIUI China, install Google Framework through XiaomiTool.

3.The battery is rapidly running out due to geolocation

Reasons:

• 🔋Too many apps using GPS in the background.
• 📡 Continuous search for Wi-Fi networks to clarify location.
• 🔄 Failure of sensors (for example, after updating).

Decisions:

• ⚡ Switch to Charge Savings mode in Location Settings.
• 🔌 Turn off the Wi-Fi scanner in Settings → Connections → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Wi-Fi scanner.
• 📵 Include the Adaptive Battery in Settings → Battery → Battery settings.

Does not determine location|The battery goes down fast.|Apps don't see GPS|Other|There was no problem.-->

Engineering menu and hidden settings GPS Xiaomi

If standard methods do not help, you can use the engineering menu for manual adjustment. GPS. This method is suitable for experienced users and requires caution.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##.
2. In the menu that appears, select Phone Information (or Testing on some models).
3. Scroll down to the GPS unit and press the GPS Test.
4. If the satellites are not displayed, press AGPS restart (reboot of auxiliary data).
5. For a complete reset GPS-Cache use the Delete command AGPS Data.

On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi). K60) The engineering menu can be blocked. In this case, use the app. GPS Status & Toolbox from Google Play for the same purpose.

After discharge AGPS This data will be automatically downloaded the next time you connect to the Internet, which can take up to 5-10 minutes.

ADB-Teams for Advanced Users

If you are faced with restrictions MIUI (For example, you can not give the application permission "Always", you can use it. ADB (Android Debug Bridge for manual configuration. This method requires a computer and basic command line knowledge.

Instructions:

1. Enable USB Debugging on your smartphone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to become a developer), then Settings → Additional → Developers → Debugging over USB.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line (or Terminal on Mac/Linux).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear the name of your device.
4. To give the application permission to permanently access the geolocation, use: adb shell appops set [application package] android:location BACKGROUND_ALLOWED For example, for Google Maps: adb shell appops set com.google.android.apps.maps android:location BACKGROUND_ALLOWED

List of useful ADB-geolocation:

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Do not change settings unless you are sure of their purpose, for example, the command adb shell settings put global settings. location_mode 0 completely disable geolocation, and it will have to be turned on manually through settings.

Features of geodata configuration on HyperOS

The new HyperOS firmware that replaced MIUI, It has a number of differences in geolocation management:

• 🔄 Simplified interface: Location menu is now in Settings → Security and confidentiality.
• 📡 Automatic optimization: the system chooses the accuracy mode depending on the active applications.
• 🔒 More stringent resolutions: Background geolocation is disabled by default for most applications.
• 🌐 Better Google Compatibility: Less Problems with Global Versions.

To configure geodata on HyperOS:

1. Open Settings → Security and Privacy → Location.
2. Turn on the main switch and select Precision mode.
3. Go to Application Permissions and set up access for each application separately.
4. To save battery, activate the Adaptive Location option (automatically disables) GPS, when he's not needed).

HyperOS also has a Geozone feature that allows you to automatically turn on or off certain actions when you enter/exit a given area, such as:

• 🔕 Automatically switching off the sound at work.
• 📱 Enabling mobile internet when leaving home.
• 🔋 Transition to energy saving in certain places.

To create a geofence:

1. Go to Settings. → Smart functions → geozones.
2. Click Add and specify the address or coordinates on the map.
3. Select the action to be performed when entering/out of the zone.

💡

HyperOS geolocation works more stable than on the MIUI, Thanks to optimized control algorithms GPS Better integration with Google services.

FAQ: Frequent questions about geodata on Xiaomi