How to enable and configure geolocation on Xiaomi smartphones: the complete guide

Geolocation on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a feature for navigation in Google Maps or Yandex.Maps. Mobile banks, food delivery, taxis, photo geotags and even some system services depend on the correct GPS configuration. However, many users face problems: the phone is long looking for satellites, coordinates are determined with a large error or geolocation is completely disabled by default.

In this article, we will explore all the ways to enable geolocation on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from basic settings to hidden developer settings. You will learn how to speed up satellite search, what accuracy modes exist and why sometimes GPS does not work correctly even with the module on. And we will give specific recommendations for popular models in 2022-2026, where the manufacturer changed the location of some menu items.

Why you need a geolocation on Xiaomi and how it works

The geolocation module in Xiaomi smartphones combines several technologies:

• 🛰️ GPS (American navigation system - the main source of accurate coordinates.
• 🌍 GLONASS (Russian system) - improves accuracy in the northern latitudes.
• 📡 A-GPS — Accelerate satellite search via mobile internet.
• 📶 Wi-Fi and cell towers – help to determine the location in the premises where GPS catcherless.

Without geolocation, you can't:

• 🚖 Order a taxi (Yandex Go, Uber, Citymobil).
• 🏦 Confirm the entrance to the mobile bank (Sberbank Online, Tinkoff).
• 📸 Add geotags to photos in Google Photos or Instagram.
• 🎮 Play in AR-game (Pokémon GO, Harry Potter: Wizards Unite).

The new Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13 and POCO F5/X5 models use a Qualcomm Snapdragon or MediaTek Dimensity chip with GPS dual frequency support (L1 + L5), which means that the accuracy of determining the coordinates in the city has improved to 1-3 meters (versus 5-10 meters on older smartphones), but even with modern hardware, the wrong settings can negate all the benefits.

⚠️ Note: On smartphones Xiaomi with MIUI 14 and later geolocation by default may be limited to save battery.If you notice that the cards are loading your location for a long time, check the energy saving settings for specific applications.

Basic way to enable geolocation through settings

The easiest way to activate GPS is to use the standard MIUI menu. The instructions are suitable for all models, including the Xiaomi 12T, Redmi 10C and POCO X4 Pro:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the Appendix section → Application authorizations → Permits.
3. Slip on the location.
4. Activate location access slider (should turn blue).
5. Select Precision Mode: Precise (uses GPS + Wi-Fi + mobile networks) Approximate (wi-fi only and towers save battery).

For quick access to geolocation, you can add a shortcut to the notification panel:

1. Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the curtain.
2. Click on the pencil icon (Edit).
3. Find the location and drag it to the active area.

Access to location in settings is enabled

Selected Precise mode.

In the curtain of notifications is a GPS icon (arrow)

Applications are given separate permissions for geodata-->

If GPS coordinates are determined for more than 30 seconds after switching on, try updating the A-GPS data.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination ##1472365## (for MediaTek chips) or #36446339## (for Qualcomm).
3. In the Location Test menu, click AGPS RESTORE.

Geolocation settings for individual applications

Even if GPS is turned on globally, some programs may not see your location due to MIUI limitations, to give access to a particular application:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the application you want (e.g. Google Maps or 2GIS).
3. Slip the Permits. → Location.
4. Set one of the values: Always for navigators and banking applications; only when in use for social networks and games; Ban if the application does not need geodata.

MIUI 14+ has a feature called "Auto-Resolution" that automatically turns on geolocation for applications when they run, to configure it:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Auto Permissions.
2. Activate the location slider.
3. Add to the list of applications that you trust (for example, Yandex.Navigator).

3.The geolocation shuts down on its own

The culprit is battery optimization in MIUI. Correct:

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management.
2. Select No Limits for Applications that Need Geolocation.
3. Turn off the adaptive battery function (if it interferes).

Hidden geolocation settings in developer mode

For power users, Xiaomi hides advanced GPS settings in the developer menu to activate them:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version (you will be notified "You became a developer").
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Developer options.

Now find and configure the following options:

• 🛰️ Selection of a satellite system GPS — turn on all available (GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo).
• 📡 precision GPS — set up High.
• 🔄 Data resetting GPS — It is useful if the coordinates are incorrectly determined.
• 📊 Log. GPS — Helps diagnose problems (saves data in a file).

On models with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro), the option of Dual Frequency GPS appeared in the developer menu. Its inclusion improves accuracy to 1-2 meters in urban conditions, but can increase battery consumption by 5-10%.

💡

If you use your navigator frequently in your car, add Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator to the list of “Secure Apps” (Settings → Battery → Secure Apps) to prevent geolocation from automatically turning off when you lock the screen.

Optimizing geolocation to save battery

Constantly active GPS-The module can eat up to 15-20% of the charge per day, to reduce the consumption without loss of functionality:

• 🔋 Use Power Saving Mode for apps that don’t need constant geolocation (e.g. Instagram).
• 📍 Include Exact Location only when necessary (e.g. during travel).
• 🛑 Turn off geolocation for background processes: Settings → Confidentiality → Special access → Optimizing the battery.

MIUI 14 has a Smart Geolocation feature that automatically switches accuracy modes depending on the situation.

1. Go to Settings → Location → Smart geolocation.
2. Turn on the slider and add frequently used places (home, work).
3. Select Battery Savings for the home area and High Accuracy for the street.

💡

On Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 14 and newer, geolocation by default works in "adaptive mode," which balances accuracy and battery economy. For maximum autonomy, turn off background activity for unnecessary applications.

Checking the health of GPS on Xiaomi

To make sure that the geolocation module works correctly, use specialized applications:

1. GPS Status & Toolbox – shows the number of satellites found, signal strength and accuracy.
2. GPSTest tests the time of first position determination (TTFF) and supported systems.
3. Google Maps – In navigation mode, it displays an error (blue circle around your position).

Normal indicators for modern Xiaomi smartphones:

• 📡 TTFF (Time to first signal: less than 15 seconds outside, up to 30 seconds indoors.
• 🎯 Accuracy: 3-10 meters in the city, 1-3 meters in the open area.
• 🛰️ Number of satellites: 8-12 (the more the more accurate).

If the parameters are worse than normal:

• 🔄 Restart your phone and repeat the test.
• 📲 Check if the cover is blocking the antenna. GPS (Especially relevant for Xiaomi 12 Lite with a metal body).
• 🛠️ Update the firmware: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

⚠️ Note: On some models POCO (for example, POCO X3 Pro) after rooting or installing custom firmware, GLONASS support may disappear. Check this in GPSTest - if Russian satellites do not appear, return to the official version of the satellite. MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about geolocation on Xiaomi