How to correctly enable geolocation on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro: all the ways and subtleties

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro is one of the most popular mid-range smartphones, but even its owners sometimes face basic setup issues. Geolocation (or GPS) is a critical feature for navigation apps, delivery services, and even some social networks. However, it is not always as easy to turn on as it seems: MIUI hides some of the settings in non-obvious sections, and some applications require additional permissions.

In this article, we will not only look at the standard way to activate geolocation through the settings menu, but also at alternative methods (for example, through the notification panel or for specific applications), and pay special attention to the typical errors that can cause GPS to work incorrectly, from incorrect power saving settings to conflicts with the MIUI shell. If you notice that your Redmi Note 9 Pro does not detect location poorly or quickly loses signal, here you will find solutions.

Why you need geolocation on Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro

Smartphone geolocation is not just about navigation in Google Maps or Yandex.Maps, but it is used in dozens of everyday scenarios:

• 📍 Accurate location for taxis (Yandex Go, Uber), food delivery or courier services.
• 📱 Social media geotags: Instagram, VK TikTok automatically adds your location to your posts.
• 🔍 Find My Device (Google) or Mi Cloud (Xiaomi) in case of loss.
• 🌍 Local recommendations: weather, nearest cafes, promotions in stores near you.
• 🎮 Games with AR (for example, Pokémon GO), where geolocation is the basis of gameplay.

Without geolocation enabled, many smartphone features will not work properly or even start at all, such as Google Pay can block payment if it can not confirm your location, and Bolt or Citimobile will not show the nearest drivers.

It's important to understand that geolocation isn't just GPS. Modern smartphones use a combination of technologies:

• 📡 GPS/GLONASS - satellite navigation (the most accurate, but energy-consuming).
• 📶 Wi-Fi and cell towers - approximate definition of the nearest networks (saves charge).
• 🔄 Hybrid mode – Automatic switching between sources to balance accuracy and battery consumption.

Standard method: Enabling geolocation through settings

The most reliable activation method is through the system menu, and the instructions are suitable for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro on any version of MIUI (including MIUI 12/13/14):

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the desktop).
2. Scroll down and select the Privacy section (on some firmwares – Permissions).
3. Tap on the Apps Permissions item → Location.
4. At the top of the screen, turn on the location access slider (should turn blue).
5. Select accuracy mode: High accuracy - GPS + Wi-Fi + cellular networks (maximum accuracy, but quick discharge); Savings charge - only Wi-Fi and cellular networks (suitable for cities); Device only - GPS (more precisely, but longer searches for signal).

After activation, check the geolocation: open Google Maps or Yandex.Maps – the blue dot should appear on the map within 10–30 seconds. If this does not happen, go to the "Problem Solutions" section.

An important nuance: on the Redmi Note 9 Pro with MIUI, after upgrading to Android 12/13, the path to geolocation settings may change. If you don't find the Privacy section, try:

1. Open Settings → in the search bar at the top enter the location.
2. The system will offer a direct transition to the desired section.

Quick activation through the notification panel

If you need to temporarily enable geolocation (for example, for a single trip), it is more convenient to use the notification panel:

1. Swipe your finger down the screen to open the notification curtain.
2. Swipe down again to turn the panel completely.
3. Find the Location icon (usually an arrow or pin). If it's not there, tap it. ⚙️ Edit and add it to active switches.
4. Tap the icon once to enable geolocation. The icon will change to blue.

This method is convenient, but has a limitation: it includes geolocation in the default mode Saving Charge. For maximum accuracy (for example, for navigation in the car) after activation through the panel, go to the settings and manually select High Accuracy mode.

💡

If the geolocation icon on the notification bar is gray and inactive, the function is disabled at the system level. Enable it first through Settings → Privacy, as described in the previous section.

Configure permissions for individual applications

Enabling geolocation at the system level is not enough, each application needs to be given separate permission to access your location, for example, Google Maps can request permission at each run, and Yandex.Maps can work in the background.

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Application Permissions → Location.
2. You will see a list of all installed applications that have ever requested access to geodata.
3. Tap the right application (for example, 2GIS or Uber).
4. Choose one of the options: Allow all the time – the application sees your location always (for tracking or courier services); Allow only during use – access only when the application is open (optimum for maps); Prohibit – complete prohibition (the application will not be able to determine your location).

On the Redmi Note 9 Pro with MIUI 12+, there is a hidden option: if an application requests geolocation too often, the system can automatically restrict its access. To turn off this restriction, go to Settings → Applications → Permissions Management → Special Access → Battery Optimization and turn off optimization for the desired application.

Some applications (such as banking or instant messengers) may require geolocation access for security reasons, and if you refuse them permission, they will either block some of the features or constantly remind them to enable access.

Optimizing energy consumption: how to save battery life

Geolocation is one of the most voracious features of a smartphone. On the Redmi Note 9 Pro with a 5020 mAh battery, constant GPS use can reduce battery life by 30-50%.

Another effective way is to use energy saving mode wisely:

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Energy Saving Mode.
2. Select Adaptive Mode – it automatically limits background activity, but leaves GPS working for active applications.
3. Add critical applications (such as a navigator) to the Exclusions so they are not optimized.

Problem Solving: Geolocation does not work or determines incorrectly

If the Redmi Note 9 Pro doesn’t show your location after you turn on the geolocation, or if it detects it with a large margin of error, the reasons may be as follows:

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI After upgrading to Android 13, a bug may work in which GPS It shuts down after you restart. To fix this, reset the network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.

Let’s look at typical scenarios and ways to eliminate them:

• 🔴 Geolocation not turned on at all: Check if Flight Mode is disabled (it blocks all wireless modules, including the Flight Mode). GPS). Make sure that in the settings → Special features disabled Wet location (if any). Update firmware: go to Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📍 Location is determined with a large margin of error: Enable High Accuracy mode in geolocation settings. Go out to open areas - buildings walls and roofs block the signal GPS. Calibrate your compass: In Google Maps, click on the blue dot. → Calibration of the compass and rotate the phone by the figure of "eight".
• 🔄 Geolocation periodically shuts down: Disable Adaptive Battery in Settings → Battery → Battery settings. Add apps that use GPS, c Optimization exceptions. Check if the phone overheats when it overheats. MIUI Automatically shuts down energy-intensive modules.

If none of these methods helped, reset your network settings:

1. Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
2. Confirm the action and restart the phone.
3. After restarting, turn on the geolocation again and check its operation.

💡

On the Redmi Note 9 Pro with custom firmware (like LineageOS), the path to GPS settings may be different. If you use unofficial software, make sure that it correctly runs the drivers for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G module, which is responsible for navigation.

Additional functions: geofences and automatic control

MIUI offers advanced geolocation tools that many users don't use, such as setting geofences, which are automatic actions when you enter or exit a particular area:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Geozones section (or Smart Functions → Geozones).
3. Click Add Geo-fence and specify the address or radius on the map.
4. Select the action to be performed when you log in/out: Turn on/off Wi-Fi or mobile data; change your sound profile (e.g., silent mode at work); and launch a specific application (e.g., Spotify when you get home).

Another useful feature is the shared location in Mi Cloud, which allows you to share your coordinates with friends or family in real time:

1. Open your Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on location synchronization.
3. In the Find Device app, select the option to share your location and specify your contact.

These features require an active internet connection and can consume additional traffic.If you use the Redmi Note 9 Pro with a limited rate, turn off background geodata transfer in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Transfer of data → Background traffic.

Security and privacy: how to protect your data

The geolocation enabled is not only a convenience, but also a potential privacy risk, and malicious or unscrupulous applications can track your movements to minimize the risks:

• 🔒 Limit access to geodata: Go to Settings → Confidentiality → Application authorizations → Location: Sort apps by last use date and revoke permissions from those you don't use.
• 📱 Use "Moist Location" (if available): C Settings → Special features include Wet Location, which will allow you to transmit fictitious coordinates to applications (for example, for games or testing).
• 🔄 Check activity regularly: In Settings → Google → Managing a Google Account → Data and personalization → Location history can be seen which apps tracked your location.
• 🚫 Disable geolocation when not in use: Add Location icon to notification panel for quick shutdown. Use Incognito mode on maps if you don't want to save your travel history.

⚠️ Note: Some banking applications (e.g., SberBank Online or Tinkoff) require geolocation access to confirm transactions. If you refuse them permission, security locks may work, in which case you only allow access while using the application.

The Redmi Note 9 Pro with MIUI has a built-in permissions manager that shows which apps have requested access to geodata in the past 24 hours.

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Permissions Manager.
2. Select the Location tab.
3. Click on the Journal in the upper right corner.

If you notice suspicious activity (such as an unknown app often requests your location), delete it and check your phone for viruses using Google Play Protect or Mi Security.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)