How to enable geolocation on Xiaomi Redmi 4X: full instructions with tips

Xiaomi Redmi 4X is one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, which is still actively used due to its reliability and functionality. However, many owners face difficulties in setting up geolocation: services do not determine the location, the battery quickly dies due to incorrect GPS settings. In this article, we will discuss how to correctly enable and optimize geolocation on the Redmi 4X so that the maps work accurately and the smartphone does not discharge in half a day.

It is important to understand that geolocation on Xiaomi works not only through GPS satellites, but also through Wi-Fi networks, mobile towers and even Bluetooth (in new versions of MIUI). On Redmi 4X with MIUI 8-12 firmware, coordinate algorithms may differ, so we will consider universal methods that are relevant for all versions. If your phone after the update stopped “seeing” satellites, do not rush to carry it into service: in 90% of cases, the problem is solved software.

Why you need geolocation on Xiaomi Redmi 4X

Geolocation is not just about Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator, but it depends on the exact location:

• 📍 Taxi services (Yandex Go, Uber, Citymobil)
• 🔍 Finding the nearest cafes, pharmacies or gas stations in 2GIS and Google Search.
• 📱 Geotechs in photos (if you want to save the shooting location)
• 🚶‍♂️ Fitness trackers (step counting, jogging routes in Mi Fit or Strava)
• 🔒 Two-factor location authentication (in some banking applications)

Without geolocation enabled, many smartphone features will not work properly, such as Yandex.Weather will not be able to show an up-to-date forecast for your area, and Avito or Yula will not sort ads by distance, and constant GPS operation in the background can increase battery consumption by 15-30% - so it is important to know how to turn on geolocation only when you really need it.

How to enable geolocation on Redmi 4X

On the Xiaomi Redmi 4X, there are three main ways to activate geolocation: through the notification bar, the settings menu and the developer mode (for advanced users).

1. Quick activation through the curtain of notifications

The easiest method is to use the Quick Settings Panel:

1. Swipe your finger down the screen to open the notification curtain.
2. Find the Location icon** (usually looks like an arrow or a dot on a map).
3. Tap the icon – if it turns blue, geolocation is enabled.

⚠️ Warning: If the icon is not in the main panel, swipe down again to expand the full list of quick settings, or add it manually (clip the icon and drag it to the top panel).

2. Enable via the settings menu

If you don’t have quick access or need to adjust the settings more accurately, do the following:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to the section Additional → Privacy (in some firmware Settings → Location).
3. Activate the Location Switch** at the top of the screen.
4. Press Mode and select: High accuracy - uses GPS, Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth (maximum accuracy but high battery consumption); battery savings are only Wi-Fi and mobile networks (more precisely in the city, but worse in nature); only the device is GPS only (the most accurate, but slow and energy-intensive).

3. Setup through Developer Mode (for experienced)

If geolocation is unstable, you can optimize it through the developer mode:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI Version 7 times.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the Mock Locations section and turn it off if it is active.
4. Turn on the option. GPS-Logging (if you need to debug coordinates).

⚠️ Warning: Sloppy changes in developer mode can cause malfunctions in the smartphone. If you are not sure, it is better not to touch these settings.

Verification of geolocation

To make sure that your GPS and other sensors are working correctly, follow these steps:

1. Google Maps test: Open the Google Maps app. Click on the blue dot (your location) — if it flashes, you'll be looking for satellites. In 10 to 30 seconds, your exact location will appear (an error of up to 5 to 10 meters in the city).
2. Checking through the engineering menu: Enter the dialer code: ##4636## Select Phone Information → GPS-If satellites appear on the list (greens are connected, grays are detected), GPS work.

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If geolocation is determined for too long, go out into an open space (such as a balcony or street), buildings and trees can block the GPS signal.

Update AGPS data to accurately determine location

AGPS (Assisted GPS) — It's a technology that speeds up satellite search by leveraging data from mobile networks. 4X This data can become obsolete, especially if the phone has not been connected to the Internet for a long time. AGPS:

1. Install the GPS Status & Toolbox app from Google Play.
2. Open it and press A-GPS Status Management.
3. Select Reset, then Download.
4. Wait until the process is completed (usually 10-20 seconds).

After the update, restart your smartphone and check the geolocation again. If the problem persists, try resetting the network settings:

1. Go to Settings → Mobile Network → SIM-card settings.
2. Select Network Settings Reset (you will need to enter) PIN-code).

Solving geolocation issues on Redmi 4X

If geolocation does not work or if location is not accurate, the reasons may be as follows:

• 📵 No Internet – no connection to the network AGPS Cannot download satellite data.
• 🔋 Battery Savings – Ultra-Economic or Charge Saving modes can block background work GPS.
• 📡 Weak signal – in basements or remote areas, satellites may not be caught.
• 🔄 Older versions of the old version MIUI There are geolocation bugs.
• 🛠️ Damaged. GPS-module - if nothing helps, hardware breakdown is possible.

To eliminate software failures:

1. Check if your geodata is blocked by an antivirus or battery optimizer (such as Security or Battery Doctor).
2. Update your firmware to the latest version via Settings → About Phone → System Update.
3. Reset Location Settings: Settings → Apps → All Apps → Google Services Framework → Storage → Clear Data.

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If the geolocation stopped working after the MIUI update, try rolling back the firmware to the previous version or wait for a patch from Xiaomi.

How to save battery power when using geolocation

Constant GPS operation is one of the main reasons for the Redmi 4X’s rapid discharge.

• 🔄 Use Charge Saving mode** in location settings (wi-fi and mobile only).
• ⏳ Enable geolocation only when necessary (e.g. only during travel).
• 🚫 Disable geodata for unnecessary applications in Settings → Confidentiality → Permits → Location.
• 🔋 Activate the adaptive battery in Settings → Battery → Battery settings.

Redmi 4X with MIUI 10+ firmware has a hidden feature called “Intelligent Positioning” that automatically switches GPS modes based on activity, and to turn it on, select Location → Location Mode → Battery Saving from the engineering menu (#4636##) and activate the Auto-select option.

FAQ: Frequent questions about geolocation on Xiaomi Redmi 4X