How to turn on GLONASS on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: full instructions with pictures

Why GLONASS is important for your Redmi Note 7 and how to set it up correctly

Have you ever noticed that the cards on your Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 are latent or show you 50 meters from your actual position? GPS, frequency-operated L1, GLONASS uses additional signals, which is especially useful in urban canyons or northern latitudes, where satellites are used to create a new satellite. GPS They may get lost behind buildings.

Many users mistakenly believe that the Redmi Note 7 has GLONASS activated by default, in fact, even if the device specs indicate support. GPS + GLONASS + BeiDou, the system can only use GPS In this article, we will discuss not only how to turn on GLONASS through hidden settings, but also how to check its operation using special applications, and also what to do if satellites are not caught despite all the manipulations.

The Redmi Note 7 (lavender model) is that its Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset supports up to 3 navigation systems at a time. MIUI It's designed to reduce the load on the processor, but at the expense of accuracy. Fortunately, you can fix this without root rights -- you just need to know the right sequence.

Checking the current settings GPS/GLONASS on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7

Before you turn on GLONASS, you need to understand which navigation systems are already active on your device. MIUI.

Open the Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI and tap 7 times on the kernel line to activate the developer mode. Then go back to the main settings menu and find a new section for developers. GPS — When clicked, a list of all available satellites will be opened, indicating their system (GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou) and signal strength.

• 📡 GPS (USA) — identifiable satellites SVN (for example, SVN-63). Usually around 10-12 visible.
• 🇷🇺 GLONASS (Russia) – satellites with Rxx identifiers (for example, R03, R14). Ideally, it should be. 5-8.
• 🌏 BeiDou (China) – satellites with Cxx IDs, and Redmi Note 7 has limited support.

If there are no GLONASS (Rxx) satellites on the list, then the system is disabled at the firmware level. TTFF (Time to First Fix: Time to first location, normal for cold start: up to 30 seconds. TTFF exceeds 1 minute, this is a signal of problems with the antenna or firmware.

Step-by-step: how to turn on GLONASS on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7

Now, to the main thing, GLONASS activation. It's important to understand that on the Redmi Note 7, it's not done through the standard geolocation menu, but through an engineering menu or special commands. We'll look at both.

Method 1: Through the Engineering Menu (without root)

This method works on most Xiaomi devices with Qualcomm chipsets, including the Redmi Note 7.

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##.
2. In the menu that opens, select Testing. → GPS Test.
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings.
4. In the section GNSS Configuration Find the Line GLONASS and check the box.
5. Save the settings and restart the phone.

After the reboot, check the satellite list through Settings → For developers → Status. GPS. GLONASS (Rxx) satellites should appear in the list 1-2 minute.

The phone is enabled mobile Internet or Wi-Fi

The battery is charged by more than 30%

VPNs and proxy servers are disabled

The phone is in an open space (not in the room)-->

Method 2: Through ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

If the engineering menu is not available or does not save the settings, you can use the ADB (This method requires a computer and USB-cable.

First, turn on the debugging. USB in the developer settings, then connect the phone to the PC and execute in the command line:

adb shell settings put global gps_glonass_enabled 1


adb shell settings put global gps_beidou_enabled 1

These commands will force the activation of GLONASS and BeiDou.

adb shell settings get global gps_glonass_enabled

If the command returns 1, the setup is successful. Reboot the device.

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If after setting up GLONASS phone became faster discharge, try to disable BeiDou – this system consumes more power than GPS+GLONASS.

Checking the work of GLONASS: applications and tests

Turn on GLONASS, half the way, make sure that the system actually works and improves geolocation accuracy, and we use specialized tools to do that.

Annex GPS Test (recommended)

Install. GPS Test from Google Play after launch:

• 📊 Go to the Sky tab – all visible satellites are displayed here.
• 🎯 Colored dots: green for navigation, gray for visible but not involved.
• 📏 The bottom of the screen is shown PDOP (accuracy index) and Fix (type of fixation: 2D or 3D).

Good result: no less 8 Green satellites (including the 2-3 GLONASS should be), PDOP < 3, fixation 3D. If there are fewer green satellites 5, So there's a problem with the antenna or the firmware.

Comparison with Google Maps

Open Google Maps and turn on location mode (blue dot).

• 📍 Before GLONASS is included: accuracy 10-30 meters, dot jumps.
• 🎯 After turning on GLONASS: accuracy 3-10 Meters, point stable.

For an objective test, walk on foot. 100-200 The GLONASS on should draw a trajectory with minimal deviations from the real path.

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If after all the manipulations GLONASS satellites do not appear, the problem may be in the hardware malfunction of the antenna or module. GPS. In this case, a diagnosis is required in the service center.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after the GLONASS is set up properly, there can be failures, and let's look at typical situations and how to fix them.

Problem 1: GLONASS satellites are not listed

Possible causes:

• 🔄 Resetting settings GPS: Go to Settings. → Annexes → All applications → Google Services Framework and Clear Cache.
• 📱 Outdated firmware: Update MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🛠️ Configuration file damaged: try resetting network settings (Settings) → Resetting settings → Reset the network settings).

Problem 2: Fast battery discharge after GLONASS switching on

Decisions:

• ⚡ Turn off background location for unnecessary applications (Settings) → Permits → geodata).
• 🔋 Enable the power saving mode for cards (Settings) → Battery → Choice of regime → Energy saving for Google Maps).
• 🌐 Use Device Only in Geolocation Settings instead of High Accuracy.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone starts to overheat after turning on GLONASS, it may indicate a conflict with custom firmware. MIUI via Mi Flash Tool.

Problem 3: GLONASS works, but accuracy hasn't improved

Possible causes and solutions:

• 📶 Weak signal: In urban environments, a metal case can shield the signal. Remove the case and repeat the test.
• 🕒 Long Fixing Time: Perform Cold Reset GPS via the engineering menu (#4636## → GPS Test → Delete AGPS Data).
• 🗺️ Incorrect data of the almanac: install the application GPS Status and update the data AGPS.

Optimization of GLONASS to save charge

Many users are abandoning GLONASS for fear of increased battery consumption, but with the right setup, you can strike a balance between accuracy and power consumption.

Set-up of geolocation modes

V MIUI There are three modes of location determination:

1. Only the device uses only the device. GPS/GLONASS, minimum battery consumption.
2. Battery savings - a combination GPS and mobile network data.
3. High precision — GPS + GLONASS + Wi-Fi + Mobile networks (maximum consumption).

For most tasks, only the GLONASS device is enough. That gives you accuracy. 5-10 Meters with minimal energy consumption.

Disabling unnecessary navigation systems

On the Redmi Note 7, you can turn off BeiDou and Galileo GPS And GLONASS, which will reduce the time it takes to find satellites and reduce the workload on the processor. ADB:

adb shell settings put global gps_beidou_enabled 0


adb shell settings put global gps_galileo_enabled 0

Use of offline maps

With active GLONASS, it is recommended to download offline maps to Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator, which will reduce the use of mobile Internet and, as a result, battery consumption.

1. Open the map app.
2. Enter the name of your city in search.
3. Press three points. → Download the offline map.

⚠️ Note: If you use Redmi Note 7 with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), the GLONASS settings may be reset after the update.

Comparison of GLONASS with other navigation systems on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7

To see if GLONASS should be enabled, compare it to other available systems on the Redmi Note 7:

The table shows that GLONASS is optimal for use in Russia and CIS countries, especially in densely built-up or northern regions. BeiDou, despite the large number of satellites, loses due to high power consumption and low accuracy outside Asia.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 combination GPS + GLONASS gives an increase in accuracy 40-60% compared to GPS, The increase in battery consumption is all 5-7%. This makes the GLONASS setting uniquely useful for most users.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions