How to turn on geodata on Xiaomi phone: a complete guide with pictures

Xiaomi’s smartphone geolocation isn’t just a navigation feature; it’s a function of maps (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps, 2GIS), the accuracy of weather apps, geotags of photos, and the correct operation of taxi services, delivery services, and even some banking applications. However, many users face problems: the phone doesn’t determine location, GPS floats or is turned off by default. In this article, we’ll discuss how to properly enable geodata on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, avoiding typical errors.

It's important to understand that geolocation on Android works in a complex way: it involves multiple modules, GPS (satellite navigation), mobile tower data (A-GPS) and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, to refine indoor coordinates. If one of the components is turned off, the accuracy drops dramatically, and we'll show you how to configure each of them, and we'll also tell you why sometimes geodata suddenly stops working and how to fix it.

Why you need geodata on Xiaomi and what services use them

Geolocation isn't just about navigation, but here are the basic scenarios where it's critical:

• 📍 Maps and navigation: Google Maps, Yandex.Navigator, Waze without GPS just don't work. Even pedestrian navigation requires precise positioning.
• 🚖 Taxi and delivery services: Yandex.Taxi, Uber, Delivery Club use geodata to determine your address and track the courier.
• 📸 Photo geotags: if you want your photos to be automatically tied to the location (good for travel).
• 🏦 Banking applications: Many banks (e.g., Sberbank Online, Tinkoff) request geodata to confirm transactions or block a card if suspicious activity occurs.
• 🌦️ Weather widgets: To show a current forecast for your location, not the entire city.
• 🎮 Games with AR: Pokémon GO, Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, and other augmented reality games require precise coordinates.

Without the geodata enabled, many smartphone features will not work properly or even start up, such as Google Pay, which can block payment if it finds that the location is disabled (this is a security measure), and in some countries (for example, in China), without GPS, you will not be able to use local services like WeChat or Alipay.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling geodata can cause Mi Fit (linking to Mi Band smartwatches) and Xiaomi Home (managing smart devices by location, such as automatically turning on lights when you return home).

How to enable GPS and geolocation in Xiaomi settings

The basic geodata setting is done via the Settings menu. The instructions are relevant for all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones on MIUI 12/13/14 (including HyperOS). If you have an older firmware version (before MIUI 11), the interface may be slightly different, as we will discuss below.

Steps to include:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the Privacy section (on some models – Permissions).
3. Select the Location Service (or Geodata) item.
4. Activate the location accuracy slider (should turn blue).
5. Click on Mode and select High Accuracy (uses GPS + Wi-Fi + mobile networks).

After that, your smartphone will start to determine the coordinates. To check the GPS, open Google Maps - the blue dot should appear on the map within 10 to 30 seconds (indoors, it may take longer).

Is geodata included in the settings

Selected "High accuracy" mode

Is there any internet access (for A-GPS)

Is the sky open to satellites (if you are outdoors)

-->

If GPS is not detected, try restarting your phone or turning on flight mode for 10 seconds, then turning off, which will reset the connection to the networks and often helps with temporary crashes.

Setting App Permissions: Why Maps Can't See Your Location

It's not enough to turn on the system-level geodata, because each application needs to have a separate permission to access the location, for example, even if GPS is on, Yandex.Maps won't work if you don't give them permission. Let's see how to do that.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (such as Google Maps).
3. Click on Permits (or Rights).
4. Find the location and set one of the values: Allow all the time - for navigators and taxi services; Allow only during use - for weather widgets; Prohibit - if the application does not need geodata.

Note that some apps (such as Uber or Delimobil) require constant access to geodata, otherwise they will not be able to track your movement in the background. If you choose Only during use, the service may not correctly calculate the cost of the trip.

Navigators (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps)

Taxi services (Uber, Yandex.Taxi)

Social networks (Instagram, VK)

Fitness trackers (Mi Fit, Strava)

Other-->

⚠️ Warning: On MIUI 14 and later, Special Access for Geodata has been introduced. If an application requests it, it means it wants to get the exact coordinates (rather than towers) that only vetted programs have to deny, so that attackers can use it to track.

Xiaomi GPS problems: Why geodata doesn’t work

If you have enabled geolocation, but your smartphone still doesn’t determine location, the problem may be one of the following:

• 📵 Internet Absence: For quick positioning (A-GPS), you need network access. Without it, GPS will search for satellites longer (up to 5-10 minutes).
• 🏙️ Interference: In basements, tunnels, or high-rise areas, the GPS signal weakens. Try to get out into the open.
• 🔄 Module failure: Resetting GPS (more on this below) sometimes helps.
• 📱 Outdated firmware: Older versions of MIUI have geolocated bugs. Update the system.
• 🛠️ Hardware failure: If GPS does not work even after reset, the antenna module may be damaged (relevant after falls or repairs).

To diagnose the problem, use the GPS Status & Toolbox app (available on Google Play).

• How many satellites does the phone see?
• What type of signal is used (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo)
• Accuracy of coordinate determination (in meters).

If the app shows 0 satellites or a "No fix" error, that's a sign of a hardware problem, and then only the service center will help.

Battery savings: how to reduce the cost of geolocation

GPS and constant location tracking are some of the main battery eaters, and if you notice that your smartphone is running out faster after you turn on geodata, use these tips:

• 🔋 Turn off background geolocation for unnecessary applications. Go to Settings → Privacy → Location Services → Application Permits and only allow access to programs that actually need it.
• 📶 Use the Charge Saving mode in Google Maps: it turns off the background map update when the screen is off.
• 🌐 Switch to Device Only (in geolocation settings) if you don't need high accuracy, and this will turn off the use of mobile data and Wi-Fi for positioning.
• ⏳ Set a time limit: Some applications (e.g. Mi Fit) allow GPS to be turned on only while exercising.

MIUI 14 introduced the Adaptive Battery feature, which automatically limits background activity of applications, including access to geodata, to enable it:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance.
2. Select Battery Settings → Adaptive Battery.
3. Activate the slider.

💡

If you use a navigator in your car often, connect your phone to charge via the USB- lighter jack, which not only saves battery life, but also speeds up satellite detection through steady power.

Features of geolocation on different models Xiaomi

Not all Xiaomi smartphones work equally well with GPS, here’s what you need to know about the different series:

On POCO and Redmi with MediaTek (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro with Helio G96), there is sometimes a bug when GPS shuts down after the reboot.

1. Install the GPS Locker app from Google Play.
2. Run it and press Lock GPS.
3. Add the application to the autoboot (in the battery settings).

For flagship models (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Xiaomi 14), the problem with dual GPS (L1 + L5) is relevant. If you notice that accuracy has dropped after the update, try:

1. Open Settings → The phone.
2. Slip the MIUI version several times to activate the developer mode.
3. Return to Settings → Additional → Developer settings.
4. Find the GPS- signal L5 and turn it on.

Security: How to Protect Your Geodata from Leakage

Geolocation is not only a convenience, it's also a potential privacy threat, and attackers can track your location through:

• 📲 Malware applications (especially from third-party sources)
• 🔗 Phishing links (e.g., “check where you were yesterday”);
• 📍 Social media (Instagram geotags, VK)
• 🚗 Smart devices (such as AirTag trackers connected to your phone).

How to defend yourself:

• 🔒 Turn off geotags in the camera: Settings → Apps → Camera → Geotags.
• 🛡️ Check application permissions: if a messenger (e.g. Telegram) requests access to geodata, it is suspicious.
• 🌍 Use VPN with a location change function (e.g. NordVPN) if you don't want services to know your real location.
• 📱 Check regularly which apps have accessed your location: Settings → Privacy → Permissions Log.

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi with Chinese firmware (China ROM), geodata can be transmitted to Xiaomi servers even when location services are disabled. If privacy is critical, install Global ROM or EU ROM (e.g., Xiaomi.eu).

💡

Never share your exact location in open chat rooms or social media, and attackers can use that data to steal, blackmail or spy on you.

FAQ: Frequent questions about geodata on Xiaomi