A modern smartphone is impossible to imagine without geolocation, which is responsible for the operation of taxis, navigators, delivery services and search for lost devices. Owners of devices from the Xiaomi brand often face the need to quickly activate this feature, especially when you urgently need to build a route or mark a meeting place. The standard algorithm of actions is simple, but in the shells of MIUI and the new HyperOS there are hidden nuances that affect the accuracy of positioning.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways to activate a satellite module, from the elementary switch in the curtain to deep system settings through the engineering menu. You will learn why sometimes a phone can not see satellites even with the module on and how to fix the situation with minimal effort. The correct configuration will save battery power and speed up navigation applications.
Quick activation through the control panel
The most obvious and quickest way to start a satellite search is to use the control center, and you just unlock your smartphone screen and swipe down from the top of the display, and you'll find an icon that's signed as Location or Geolocation and you'll touch it with your finger, and when you activate it, it usually changes color to blue or green, signaling the start of the module.
If the panel is not rolled up, press the edit button (often looks like a pencil or three dots) and drag the hidden element to the active area of the screen. This action ensures that the function will be available in one click in the future.
However, simply pressing a button does not always guarantee high accuracy. In some cases, especially in dense urban areas or indoors, the standard mode may not work properly, then the user will need a deeper setup through the system menu, where advanced options are available.
High precision settings in the system menu
To get the most reliable location data, you need to activate the combined search mode. Go to Settings, select the Additional Features section (or Privacy in new versions) and find the Location. Here it is important not just to turn on the switch, but to configure the coordinate method.
From the definition method menu, select High Accuracy. This mode forces Android to use simultaneously. GPS-Satellites, Wi-Fi networks and cell tower data: The combination of signal sources allows the device to determine the location even where direct sky view is closed by buildings.
- 🛰️ Only GPS: It uses satellites only, which provides high accuracy in open areas, but is slow to operate indoors.
- 📡 Wi-Fi and mobile: Quickly determine the coordinates of base stations and access points, but with low accuracy and without binding to the map.
- 🚀 High accuracy: Optimal balance of speed and accuracy, consuming more power but operating in all conditions.
⚠️ Attention: High precision mode significantly increases battery consumption, as the module constantly polls sensors. If the battery is running out, it is better to switch to economy mode or use only Wi-Fi.
☑️ Verification of geolocation settings
Managing permissions for applications
Even with an activated module, navigation may not work if a particular application does not have permission to access coordinates. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, privacy controls are implemented very strictly. Go to Settings → Privacy Protection → Permissions Management → Location.
In the list that opens, find the right application, such as Yandex.Navigator or 2GIS. Make sure you choose the Allow Allow or Allow only when you use. The “Request Every Time” option can cause a malfunction in the background of the navigator when you fold the application.
You should also pay attention to the "Exact Location" feature, which, if it's disabled, will only see the approximate area of your location, which is critical for calling a taxi or courier, and enable this option to transmit coordinates to within a few meters.
Why does the app ask for background access?
Calibration of sensors and signal improvement
Sometimes the module is on, but the cursor on the map is walking or showing the wrong direction. In such cases, you need to calibrate. Open the Google Maps app, click on the blue dot of your location and select Calibrate. Follow the instructions on the screen, making the phone move as an eight.
For more advanced diagnostics, you can use the engineering menu or third-party utilities. Type ##6484## (not all models) into the dialer to get into the testing menu. Select the GPS and run the test. If the device can't catch satellites outdoors for a long time, there may be a problem with the antenna.
You can improve signal reception by turning off power saving for navigation applications. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find the navigator, select Charge Savings and set the value No limits. This will prevent the module from being turned off by the system in the background.
| Parameter | Standard regimen | High precision | Saving charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sources | GPS + Networks | GPS + Wi-Fi + Networks + Sensors | Only Wi-Fi and cellular networks |
| precision | Tall. | Maximum | Low (city district) |
| Battery consumption | Medium. | High-pitched | Minimum |
| Start speed | Medium | Instant. | Fast. |
💡
For quick calibration in the field, turn on and off Flight Mode, which will force all radio modules, including GPS, to restart and help them reconnect to satellites faster.
Problems with navigation in MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi users often complain about “dying” GPS when the navigator loses signal in a tunnel or under a bridge and can not recover for a long time. This is a well-known feature of system optimization, which aggressively closes the background processes.
Open the Safety app (green zipper icon), go to the Battery section and find the application settings. Find your navigator and make sure the Auto Start slider is on. It's also worth fixing the app in memory: start the navigator, open the menu of running apps (bottom-up swipe and hold) and tap the lock above the app window.
⚠️ Note: Installation of third-party "accelerators" GPS» Play Markets often backfire, they put a lot of stress on the processor, but they can't improve the physical reception of the antenna signal.
Another cause of failures can be conflicting date and time settings: Make sure that the Date and Time section ticks Use Network Time. Incorrect system time violates satellite synchronization protocols, and the device cannot calculate its position.
💡
Fixing the navigator in RAM and turning off energy saving are key steps for stable GPS operation in MIUI.
Diagnostics of hardware faults
If software methods don't work, it's worth checking the physical condition of the device, remember whether the phone fell recently or whether the case was repaired. The GPS antenna module in Xiaomi smartphones is often integrated into the plume or back cover, and its damage leads to complete loss of signal.
You can check for satellites using the GPS Test utility. Run the application in an open space (at the window or on the street). If after 2-3 minutes there is no satellite in the list (No Fix status), and other devices in the same place catch the signal, hardware failure is likely.
- 📉 Absence of satellites: Complete module failure, antenna plume break or chip failure.
- 📉 Weak signal (1-2 Partial damage to the antenna or heavy shielding of the body (metal cases, magnets).
- 📉 Jumping coordinates: Software failure, interference from other radio modules or poor-quality navigator software.
In the case of hardware failure, self-repair is complex and requires special soldering equipment. The most common cause of GPS failure in Redmi and POCO models is the unfettering of the antenna contact when replacing the battery or screen. If the phone is warranty, you should contact an authorized service center.