The Xiaomi Redmi 6, released in 2018, is still a popular budget smartphone due to its balanced performance and support for current features, including geolocation. However, many users face difficulties when first turning on GPS or have problems with accuracy of positioning. In this article, we will analyze not only the basic activation steps, but also the nuances of settings for different versions of MIUI, as well as how to diagnose typical failures.
Geolocation on Redmi 6 works by combining GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou and mobile network/Wi-Fi data. Incorrect settings can lead to fast battery discharge or inaccurate positioning. For example, in densely populated areas with tall buildings, a smartphone can “lose” without adjusting parameters.
Why you need geolocation on Xiaomi Redmi 6
The location function is not only used for navigation in Google Maps or Yandex.Maps, but is integrated into many system and third-party processes:
- 📍 Photo geotags – automatically links pictures to coordinates, simplifying sorting in the gallery.
- 🚗 Taxi and car sharing – apps like Uber or Delimobil require accurate data to find a car.
- 🔍 Find My Device from Google will help you find your smartphone when you lose.
- 🌍 Local recommendations – social networks and marketplaces adjust content to your region.
- ⚡ Traffic savings – some messengers (e.g. Telegram) use geodata to optimize servers.
Disabling geolocation can cause these features to malfunction, for example, without GPS, Google Assistant will not be able to provide current weather forecasts or traffic information. However, the constant operation of the GPS module increases power consumption by 15-25% (according to Xiaomi tests on basic firmware), so it is important to correctly adjust the balance between accuracy and autonomy.
Basic geolocation setting: step-by-step instructions
To enable geolocation on Redmi 6, do the following: Note that the interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (9, 10 or 11).
- Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
- Go to Additional → Privacy (in MIUI 11, the path can be Settings → Location).
- Activate the Location slider (at the top of the screen). When you first turn on, the system will request confirmation - press Allow.
- Choose accuracy mode: High accuracy — uses GPS, Wi-Fi, mobile networks and sensors. Optimal for navigation, but consumes more battery; battery savings — only Wi-Fi and mobile networks. Suitable for geotagging on social networks. Only device — only GPS. The most accurate, but slow and energy-intensive.
Slider "Location" is enabled in settings |
Selected High Accuracy mode (for navigation)|
Geodata for the desired applications is allowed (see next section)|
The smartphone is in the coverage area GPS (outdoors)-->
Once activated, check your geolocation with Google Maps or special utilities like GPS Status & Toolbox. If the location icon in the notification bar flashes but no coordinates are determined, go to Troubleshooting.
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On Redmi 6 with MIUI 9, the path to geolocation settings can be hidden behind System Settings → Advanced Settings → Location. If you don't find a partition, search by settings (the magnifying icon at the top).
Setup of permissions for applications
Enabling geolocation at the system level is only half the battle, and every application that uses coordinates requires a separate permission, without which even an activated GPS won't be transmitting data to Yandex.Navigator or 2GIS.
To set up permits:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions → Location.
- In the list, select an app (like Google Maps) and set one of the options: Allow all the time for navigators and trackers; Allow only during use for social networks and instant messengers; Disallow for applications that do not need geodata.
For system services (e.g. Google Play Services), it is recommended to leave permission Allow all the time, otherwise functions such as automatic time zone determination can fail.
| Annex | Recommended authorization | Effects of disconnection |
|---|---|---|
| Google Maps | Allow me all the time. | It is impossible to construct a route, the last known location is displayed. |
| Yandex.Maps. | Allow me all the time. | No navigation or search for nearby objects. |
| Allow only during use | You can’t add geotags to stories and posts. | |
| Telegram | Banned | You can't share your location in chat rooms. |
Please note that some applications (e.g. banking) may request geodata for additional security, and disabling permissions for them may result in account locking.
Daily (navigation, tracking)|Several times a week (social media, photos)|Approximately (only on trips)|Never turn it on.-->
Optimizing GPS Accuracy on Redmi 6
Even with geolocation enabled, Redmi 6 can show inaccurate coordinates, due to hardware platform features (Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 chip does not support current GPS L5) standards and software limitations, to improve accuracy:
- Update your A-GPS data: Install the GPS Status & Toolbox app from Google Play. Launch it and press Manage A-GPS state → Reset. Then select Download, which will update the assistive data for a quick satellite search.
Enable “High Precision Mode” in the location settings (see section above).
Turn off battery savings for navigation applications:
- Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management by Apps.
- Find Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator and select No Limits.
- Use an external antenna (optional). Redmi 6 is suitable for universal antennas. GPS-plug-in USB-C, But their effectiveness depends on the quality of the signal in the region.
After resetting, you will have to reconnect to Wi-Fi and configure mobile Internet.
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If the geolocation stopped working after the update MIUI, Try to roll back to the previous firmware version via Fastboot. MIUI 12 for Redmi 6 there is a driver bug GPS-module.
Saving battery power when using GPS
Continuous geolocation is one of the most energy-consuming features of a smartphone. On a Redmi 6 with a 3,000 mAh battery, it can reduce battery life by 30-40%.
- 🔋 Use the “Adaptive Battery”: Go to Settings → Battery and productivity → Adaptive battery. Turn on the option - the system will limit the background activity of applications when GPS not used.
- 📱 Turn off geolocation manually: Add location tile to the Quick Settings panel (swipe down from the top edge of the screen). GPS, When not needed (for example, after the trip is over).
- 🔄 Set up automatic shutdown: Install the Tasker or MacroDroid app. Create a rule: "If Google Maps is closed for more than 10 minutes" → disconnect GPS».
Also, notice the In-Air mode, which if it's activated, geolocation won't work, even if you turn on the GPS manually, and that's because all the wireless modules are turned off.
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On long-distance trips (e.g., by train), turn off automatic time zone determination in date and time settings. Frequent switching between cell towers forces you to switch between the time zone. GPS-The module is more intensive, which increases battery consumption.
Alternative methods of determining location
If the GPS on Redmi 6 is out of order or is not working properly, alternative geolocation methods can be used:
- According to the mobile network: Accuracy: 500-2000 meters (depending on the density of towers). How to turn on: in the location settings, select Saving Charge mode. Disadvantages: not suitable for navigation, but enough for geotags on social networks.
- Over Wi-Fi: Accuracy: 20–100 meters (in urban areas) How it works: Smartphone sends MAC-The address of nearby access points to the Google database, which returns approximate coordinates.Limitation: requires an Internet connection to transfer data.
Through Bluetooth beacons:
- Accuracy: up to 1 meter (used in shopping malls for indoor navigation).
- Example of the app: ShopAgain or Navigon.
If there are suspicious programs on the list (such as games or unknown services), deny them access to the location.