How to enable geolocation on Xiaomi Redmi phone: a full guide

Modern smartphones, such as Xiaomi and Redmi devices, are almost impossible to imagine without a properly functioning positioning system; geolocation is necessary not only for navigating in an unfamiliar city, but also for running a variety of applications, from weather widgets to banking services. However, users often face a situation where the feature seems to be on, but it does not work correctly or drains the battery.

In this article, we will discuss all aspects of the work in detail. GPS-operating-system MIUI And HyperOS. You'll learn not only about basic inclusion, but also about fine-tuning that will improve the accuracy of positioning. The right configuration will save you from navigation errors and help applications run consistently.

It’s worth noting that shell interfaces may vary slightly depending on the Android version and regional firmware. However, the logic of system services remains the same across the Xiaomi ecosystem.

Basic activation through the notification curtain

The fastest and most obvious way to activate satellite search is to use the Quick Access Panel, which is suitable for situations where you need to urgently turn on the geoposition for a map or messenger, just swipe down from the top of the screen to open the curtain.

In the icon menu that opens, find a symbol that resembles an arrow or compass, which is usually signed as "Location" or "Geodata." Activation is done by simply touching: if the icon is illuminated in blue or orange, then the module is running. In some versions of MIUI, with a long press on this icon, you can immediately go to the advanced settings.

However, it is worth remembering that this method only includes sharing coordinates. To properly operate navigation in difficult conditions (for example, in the center of a city with tall buildings), additional actions may be required. Simply switching the slider does not guarantee high accuracy without proper calibration.

Xiaomi also allows you to customize the behavior of this switch. You can add this feature to the home screen or configure automatic switching scenarios. This is especially convenient if you use taxis or courier services often.

Deep configuration in the system menu

To manage geo-location services in more detail, you need to go to the main settings menu, which hides the parameters that affect accuracy and power consumption. Go to Settings → Location (or Additional settings → Privacy → Location in new versions).

In this section, you'll see the "Use Location" switch, below the "Mode" menu, which is critical for accurate navigation, and that's where you choose the method by which the phone determines your coordinates.

⚠️ Attention: Selection of the "Only by" mode GPS" It can significantly increase satellite search time and battery consumption, but will provide maximum accuracy away from cell towers.

The "Permissions" option is also available on this menu, and you can see which apps are requesting access to your data, and it's recommended that you check this list periodically and turn off access for programs that don't need it all the time.

Remember that newer versions of Android and MIUI have the option to choose "Only when in use", "Always" or "Request" modes. Choosing the "Always" option for background applications can unnoticed drain the battery.

Choice of coordinate determination mode

Understanding the differences between GPS modes is key to making good use of navigation. Redmi and Xiaomi typically have three main options available, each with its own features and application scenarios.

The first mode is "Network coordinates," in which case the phone uses cell towers and Wi-Fi access points to approximate location, a method that is 500 meters to a few kilometers accurate, but it works very fast and uses almost no charge.

The second option is "Satellite only." It uses only the built-in GPS-This provides high accuracy (up to several meters), but a cold start can take up to a few meters. 2-3 minutes, especially indoors or overcast weather.

The third and most recommended mode is High Accuracy (or All Sources), which simultaneously polls satellites, Wi-Fi and cell towers using sophisticated algorithms to calculate position, which is the optimal balance between speed, accuracy and power consumption.

• 📡 Over the web: Ideal for fast weather requests or news feeds where accuracy to home is not important.
• 🛰️ Only GPS: Necessary in hikes, at sea or in places where there is no cellular coverage.
• ⚖️ High accuracy: The best choice for navigators, taxis and delivery services in the city.

Managing permissions for applications

The security and privacy of data in MIUI are implemented quite strictly, and even if the global geolocation is enabled, a particular application (such as Yandex.Maps or Instagram) may not work correctly if you do not give it the appropriate rights.

When you first start a program that requires maps, the system will issue an access request. It's important not just to click "Allow", but to choose the appropriate option. For navigators, it is critical to choose "Allow always" or "Allow only when used", but with background geolocation enabled.

You can manually check and change these settings. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find the program you want, and select "Permissions." Here is the "Location" section.

⚠️ Note: If the taxi app doesn't see your dot on the map, check if the "Request Every Time" restriction is worth it.

Also worth paying attention to is the "Precise Location" feature, which allows apps to access only an approximate location (within a radius of several kilometers) in modern versions of Android.

Improved accuracy and calibration of GPS

Sometimes the navigator takes the wrong direction or the cursor shakes in place, which may indicate that the satellite almanac needs to be calibrated or reset. Xiaomi smartphones have built-in diagnostic tools.

First, make sure you have high-precision mode on, then use a secret engineering menu or third-party testing utilities, enter the dialer code ##6484## (not working on all firmware) to log into the engineering menu and select the GPS test.

If built-in tools are not enough, it is recommended to use the application "GPS Status & Toolbox" or analogues, such programs have a function "Reset GPS" (Reset GPS), which clears the cache of ephemerides and makes the phone re-download current data about satellites.

The phone's physical position also affects accuracy. The metal case or magnetic holder can shield the signal. Remove the case and try calibrating through Google Maps: open the map, click on the blue dot, and select "Calibrate" by following the instructions on the screen (drawing eight).

Resetting the satellite almanac (A-GPS data) often solves the problem when the phone can not catch the signal for a long time after a long downtime or moving to another city.

Energy saving and work in the background

One of the main problems Xiaomi users have is the aggressive power saving system MIUI. It can force the navigator to close or turn off GPS if the screen is turned off, which is critical for walking or trekking.

To avoid this, you need to set the application in the background: go to the battery settings, find your application (for example, 2GIS or Yandex.Navigator) and set the "No restrictions" mode, which will prevent the system from "sleeping" the program.

Also, in the Security menu → Permissions → Autostart, make sure the switch opposite the navigator is on, allowing the app to start the necessary services immediately after the phone is turned on.

• 🔋 No restrictions: Allows the application to operate without background activity restrictions.
• 🚀 Auto Start: Guarantees the start of geolocation services together with the system.
• 🔒 Fixing in memory: Open the menu of running applications, click on the lock next to the navigator so that the system does not unload it from RAM.

Ignoring these settings often causes the navigator to be silent when the screen is off while you walk along the route, and the right energy-saving configuration solves 90 percent of these problems.

Comparative table of working arrangements

So to make it easier to understand different methods of location, we've created a summary table that will help you quickly navigate which mode to choose in a particular situation.

As you can see from the table, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, but High Accuracy is the most balanced mode for everyday use, and it combines the advantages of all positioning technologies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)