A modern smartphone is impossible to imagine without navigation systems that allow not only to build routes in an unfamiliar city, but also to accurately determine the time, as well as transmit coordinates to friends. For owners of the popular Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 model, the issue of activation and correct operation of the GPS module often becomes critical, especially given the age of the device and the specifics of the MIUI firmware. In this material, we will analyze in detail all aspects of geolocation setting, from basic inclusion to deep calibration of sensors.
Many users experience a situation where the navigator “sees” satellites for too long or can not determine the location of the indoors. This does not always indicate a hardware module breakage, often the problem lies in software failures or incorrect power saving settings. Understanding the principles of the global positioning system based on Android will help you avoid common mistakes and significantly speed up the search for satellites.
We'll look at both the standard activation methods through the control panel and the hidden engineering menus available on Redmi Note 4 devices. Properly configuring these settings ensures that taxi apps, maps and activity trackers will work consistently. Let's start at the very basics to lay the foundation for error-free navigation.
Basic ways to activate GPS through the interface
The easiest and fastest way to start a satellite search is to use the standard operating system toolkit. Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 owners do not need to go into complex menus for everyday use. Just swipe down the screen from top to bottom to open the "curtain" of notifications. In the quick settings menu, find an icon signed as "Location" or having a card marker icon. Pressing it will activate the module, and the system will start scanning the ether.
If you don't have the right button in the folded menu, you need to expand the list of available switches. To do this, click on the edit button (usually a pencil icon or three dots in the corner of the menu) and drag the geolocation slider into the active zone. After that, you can control the function in one click. It is important to understand that simply turning on a toggle does not always guarantee instantaneous operation if the system has lost the priorities of data sources.
An alternative path is through the main settings menu. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Privacy. This is where the main location service switch is located. In some versions of the MIUI shell, this item can be displayed in a separate Security menu or located at the very top of the list of basic settings. Activation through the menu gives more control over the permissions for individual applications.
It's worth noting that older versions of Android, which is based on Redmi Note 4, have multiple modes of operation: GPS only, network only, or combined. For maximum accuracy in urban areas, it's better to choose a combined version that uses data from Wi-Fi and cell towers to accelerate a cold start. However, in the field, where there is no network coverage, the only salvation is a clean signal from satellites.
Setting up accuracy and navigation modes
Once the basic function is enabled, the system will suggest selecting a level of accuracy, which is a critical step, because it affects the speed of the navigator and the battery consumption. In the geolocation settings menu (Settings path → Location → Mode), you will see several options. The first is "Across all sources" (High accuracy), in which the smartphone uses GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile networks simultaneously.
The second option is Network Coordinates, where the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 ignores the satellite signal and determines the position of the triangulation of cell towers and available Wi-Fi hotspots. This works faster indoors, but gives a large margin of error that can reach several hundred meters. The third option is "Device Sensors." This is a classic GPS that works slowly, especially in cold start, but provides maximum accuracy in open areas.
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For the navigator in the car, always choose All Sources mode, as this ensures the best switching between the satellite signal and network data in tunnels or under overpasses.
Remember that mode choices affect the autonomy of a device: constantly polling all data sources can drain the battery faster than usual; if you use your phone only to determine the city or weather, you can limit yourself to network mode; however, full access to hardware sensors is necessary for full navigation in applications like Yandex.Navigator or Google Maps.
⚠️ Caution: Forced disabling the use of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for scanning (even if they are turned off in the system) can cause a “cold start” to occur» GPS will last until 5-10 minutes instead of usual 30 seconds.
Managing permissions for card applications
Even with the navigation module enabled, a particular app may not see your coordinates. This is due to Android's privacy policy, which requires explicit permission from the user. To check this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Find your navigator (e.g. 2GIS, Yandex Maps or Google Maps) in the list and click on it.
In the menu that opens, find Permissions or Rights, where you need to activate location access, and the system will offer you several options: "Disallow", "Only when used" or "Always." For weather widgets or mileage trackers to work correctly, you need to select "Always" or "Allow Always" or background coordinate synchronization will not work.
- 📍 Make sure that the access rights section does not have a "Only during use" restriction if you need a track background record.
- 📍 Check if the Battery mode is activated in the same menu with a restriction of background activity for cards.
- 📍 If an app requests access to contacts or a microphone without an obvious need, it is a reason to think about its security.
Often users forget that after updating the operating system or the application itself, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 can reset previously issued rights. So if the navigator stopped showing your current position, first of all check this section of settings. Digital hygiene requires regular audit of the established rights, but in the case of navigation, excessive rigor can violate the functionality.
Calibration of sensors and acceleration of satellite search
If geolocation is enabled, but the cursor on the map is standing still or walking around the screen, it requires calibration. Xiaomi smartphones have a built-in tool for this. Open the Compass app (if removed, download any app to calibrate sensors from the store). Follow the instructions on the screen, rotating the phone in space as an eight.
You can use the engineering menu to get a deeper setup. Type ##6484## in the phone book. The CIT menu will open. Find the GPS or Single Test GPS. Here you will see the technical information: the number of satellites visible, the signal level (SNR) and the status of the fixation. If this menu does not even have satellites outdoors for 2-3 minutes, it may be a hardware problem.
☑️ Checklist of diagnostics GPS
Also worth mentioning is A-GPS (Assisted GPS) technology, which allows you to download current satellite almanacs over the Internet, which speeds up position determination. Make sure that the geolocation settings activate the option "Improving accuracy" or "Use wireless networks." Without this, the Redmi Note 4 has to "listen" to the air idle, waiting for slow data transfer from orbit.
| Parameter | Description | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
| Mode of work | Selection of data source | High accuracy (all sources) |
| Wi-Fi scanning | Searching for geo-location networks | Included. |
| Bluetooth scanning | Search for geolocation beacons | Included. |
| Location history | Preserving Google Routes | At the request of the user |
Problems with energy conservation MIUI
MIUI is known for its aggressive energy saving policy, which often kills navigation in the background. If the screen goes out and the navigator stops reporting turns with your voice, the system has restricted the application. To fix this, go to Settings → Battery (or through the Security app).
Find the charge consumption or apps section. Find your navigator and change your energy saving settings from Savings to No Limits on the list.This is a critical step for Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 owners, as standard settings can block the power saving settings. GPS-Tracking immediately after the screen is turned off, without this change, full navigation is impossible.
Why is MIUI so aggressive in saving energy?
In addition, check auto-start. In the Security app, go to Permissions → Auto-Start and make sure that the slider in front of the cards is active. This will allow the application to recover faster after folding. Battery optimization is a dual tool: it extends the life of the smartphone, but can break useful functionality if you do not configure exceptions.
⚠️ Warning: Setting the “No Limits” mode for the navigator will lead to increased battery consumption, as the process will work constantly, even in the background.
Hardware malfunctions and resetting settings
If the software methods don't work, and the engineering menu (#6484##) has zero satellites even after 10 minutes of waiting in the open space, it may be the hardware. In the Redmi Note 4, the GPS antenna module is located at the top of the body, and damage to the antenna plume or connector detachment after falls is a common cause of signal loss.
Before you contact the service, try resetting your network settings. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Restore and Reset → Reset your Wi-Fi, mobile Internet and Bluetooth settings. This action will not delete your personal data (photos, contacts), but will return your network settings to factory settings, which sometimes solves the problem of a suspended communication module.
- 🔧 Check if there is a case with a metal back panel that can screen the signal.
- 🔧 Make sure the device has the current firmware version installed, as there may have been driver bugs in older versions.
- 🔧 Try installing a third-party application to work with GPS (for example, GPS Test) to eliminate error of a particular mapping service.
In extreme cases, if nothing works, you will have to completely reset your device (Hard Reset). Remember that this will delete all data, so make a backup. If after reset Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 does not see satellites, the probability of hardware failure of the antenna module or the board itself is close to 100%, and you need to replace components in the service center.
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Before you go to the service center, take a picture of the GPS engineering test screen with zero satellites, which will save the time of the master for diagnosis and confirm that the problem is in the device, not the settings.