Xiaomi Mi 9 geolocation: how to turn on GPS, adjust accuracy and fix errors

Xiaomi Mi 9, released in 2019, is still a popular device due to its powerful hardware and support for current versions of MIUI. However, many users face problems when setting up geolocation – the service determines the location inaccurately, for a long time “catch” satellites or completely refuses to work in applications. In this article, we will discuss how to correctly turn on GPS on the Mi 9, configure permissions for maps and social networks, and also eliminate typical problems.

It's important to understand that Xiaomi geolocation involves not only satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou), but also data from mobile towers, Wi-Fi networks. The speed and accuracy of the coordinates depends on which sources are activated. For example, there is enough Wi-Fi and cell towers in a city, and in a city without GPS, the signal can jump hundreds of meters.

We tested all methods on the Mi 9 with MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 14 (Android 10/11) firmware, and the instructions are also valid for the Mi 9 SE and Mi 9T versions, as they are built on the same Snapdragon 855 platform. If your device runs on custom firmware (like LineageOS), some menu items may differ - we will warn you about this separately.

1. Basic geolocation settings in MIUI

The first step is to enable the location function itself. On the Xiaomi Mi 9, this is done through the Quick Settings Panel or the Parameters menu. Let's look at both.

🔹 Method 1: Through the notification curtain

• 📱 Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
• 🔍 Find the Geolocation icon (pictured as an arrow on the map) and tap it. If there's no icon, swipe left to open all the tiles.
• 🔄 Wait for the “Search” notification to appear GPS...»** — This means that the module is activated.

🔹 Method 2: Through system settings

1. Open the Settings app** (cog icon).
2. Go to the Privacy section → Permissions → Geolocation**.
3. Activate the "Access to Geodata" switchboard**.
4. Select the accuracy mode (more on this in the next section).

💡

If the geolocation icon on the panel is gray and does not respond to pressing, check if the charge saving mode is turned off in the battery settings. MIUI automatically blocks GPS when this mode is activated.

After the inclusion of geolocation in the status bar will appear icon 📍. If it's not there, then no application has asked for coordinates. Try opening Google Maps or Yandex.Maps to check the module's performance.

2. Geolocation accuracy modes: which one to choose?

MIUI It offers three different location modes, different in accuracy and power consumption, and can be switched to the Settings menu» → «Confidentiality» → «Geolocation» → «Precision mode»**.

On the Xiaomi Mi 9, Device Only mode can run unstable due to the features of the Snapdragon 855 chipset – without mobile network data, the cold start of GPS takes up to 2-3 minutes. If you want maximum accuracy (for example, for a navigator), choose High Accuracy** and make sure that:

• 📶 Mobile Internet or Wi-Fi;
• 🛰️ GPS/GLONASS (in the settings of the developer);
• 🔄 The Wi-Fi Scanner function (see section 4).

3. App Permits: Why don't maps see your location?

Even if geolocation is enabled at the system level, individual applications (e.g. Google Maps, Yandex.Navigator, Instagram) may not have access to coordinates. MIUI.

🔧 How to check permissions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management**.
2. Select the application you want (such as Maps).
3. Slip on the item "Permissions" → "Geolocation"**.
4. Set one of the values: Always - access to coordinates at any time; Only during use - access only when the application is open; Prohibit - a full block.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14, there's a special access feature,** which allows applications to get geodata even when the interface is closed (e.g., for jogging) to activate it:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Special Access → Geolocation**.
2. Find the app in the list and turn on the switchboard.

🛠️ Decision 1: Updating data AGPS

AGPS (Assisted GPS) speeds up satellite search by downloading current orbits over the Internet. On the Xiaomi Mi 9, this data can become obsolete, especially if you haven't used navigation for a long time.

1. Install the GPS Status & Toolbox app from Google Play.
2. Open it and tap the "Manage A-GPS state" button.
3. Select “Reset” and then “Download”.

⚠️ Note: If after discharge AGPS GPS Has stopped working at all, check if the settings of time and date are lost. Xiaomi Mi 9 is sensitive to incorrect time stamps - if they fail, the geolocation module is blocked.

🛠️ Decision 2: Developer settings

The developer menu has a set of parameters that affect how GPS works, so you can open it.

1. Go to "Settings» → «The phone»**.
2. Tap 7 times on the item "Version" MIUI». You will receive a notification saying, “You are a developer!».

Now find and activate:

• 🔍 «Enable Wi-Fi scanner** (improves accuracy in the city);
• 🛰️ «Enable Bluetooth scanner** (for devices with Bluetooth scanners) BLE 5.0);

Geolocation in the background: how to save charge?

Many applications (e.g. Google Maps, Yandex.Maps, SberMobil) continue to use GPS even when folded up. This is convenient for navigation, but it puts a lot of battery on the Xiaomi Mi 9 with a battery of 3300 mAh background geolocation can reduce the time of operation by 30-40%.

🔋 How to optimize spending:

• 📵 Turn off background geolocation for unnecessary applications: Go to Settings» → «Annexes» → «App management**. Select an app (e.g. Instagram). Tap "Permissions» → «Geolocation» → «Only during use»**.

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Charge Savings**.
2. Select "Settings» → «Applications without restrictions** and add Google Maps.

💡

If you want geolocation for your navigator only, turn it off for all other apps, which will extend your phone's life by 20 to 30 percent without compromising the basic function.

6.Geolocation issues after MIUI update

Xiaomi Mi 9 users often complain that after updating the firmware (for example, from MIUI 12 to MIUI 14) GPS stops working.

• 🔄 Resetting application permits;
• 🛠️ Changes in the privacy policy;
• 📡 Module conflicts GNSS (global navigation satellite system).

7. Alternative methods of positioning

If GPS on Xiaomi Mi 9 is unstable, you can use alternative geolocation methods:

🌍 1. According to the mobile network

Telecom operators (e.g. MTS, Beeline, MegaFon) can locate the nearest towers, up to 500 meters accurate, but it works even without GPS.

• Open "Settings» → «SIM-maps and mobile networks»**.
• Choose yours. SIM-Map and activate the "Network Location»**.