How to turn it on GPS Xiaomi: instructions for all models (2026)

Geolocation has become an integral part of modern smartphones, and GPS-The module in Xiaomi devices is responsible not only for navigation in maps, but also for the operation of many applications – from taxis to fitness trackers. However, many users face difficulties when first turning on this feature or after resetting settings. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways of activation. GPS on Redmi smartphones, POCO, Mi and other brand lines, including hidden settings to improve accuracy.

Feature of Xiaomi devices - the presence of a proprietary shell MIUI, This may vary depending on the version and the region of the firmware, and we'll take these nuances into account and show you the universal methods that work on most models released after 2018. You will also learn how to check the operability of the module and what to do if the satellites are not even on. GPS — A problem that often faces owners of budgetary devices.

Why do you need it? GPS Xiaomi smartphone and how it works

Global positioning system (GPS) In smartphones, Xiaomi uses satellite signals to pinpoint your location to within a few meters:

• 🛰️ GPS (U.S. main system, operating in all conditions, but slow to catch a signal in cities;
• 🌍 GLONASS (Russia) – an alternative GPS, It works better in the northern latitudes;
• 📡 A-GPS — Accelerated coordinate determination via mobile network;
• 📶 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Positioning – determines the location of the nearest access points.

On Xiaomi smartphones, all of these technologies are combined in a geolocation module that can be customized for specific tasks, for example, to save battery power, you can turn off Wi-Fi search, and for maximum accuracy (for example, in navigators) – use all available sources.

It is important to understand that GPS-The module only consumes energy during active use, and if you don't start maps or trackers, it automatically goes to sleep, but some applications (such as Google Maps or Yandex.Maps) can keep the module on in the background to speed up future requests.

Method 1: Quickly turn on GPS through the notification panel

The easiest method to activate geolocation is to use the Quick Settings Panel, which works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 Mi 11:

1. Swipe your finger down the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the Geolocation icon (usually depicted as an arrow or dot on a map)
3. Tap the icon once if it turns blue or green, GPS included.

If the icon is not in the main panel:

• 🔍 Scroll to the left to find hidden buttons;
• ⚙️ Click on the pencil icon (edit) and drag "Geolocation" to the main panel;
• 📱 On some firmware (MIUI 13 and below) you may need to click "More" or "All settings".

The geolocation icon has become colored|In the status line appeared the icon of the satellite|Applications (such as Maps) determine location|No errors in settings-->

Please note: inclusion GPS Through the notification panel activates all geolocation methods (GPS, Wi-Fi, mobile networks. If you only want satellite navigation, you'll have to manually adjust the settings (more on this in the next section).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) after-in GPS If you see a pop-up window "Let Google Play Services use your location?", feel free to click "Allow" - this is necessary for the correct operation of geolocation services.

Method 2: Inclusion GPS through system settings

If you don't have fast access or need fine-tuning, use the settings menu. MIUI (10 to 14) and models including Xiaomi 13 Pro and Redmi A2:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon);
2. Go to the Appendix section → Permits → Geolocation (on MIUI 14) or Confidentiality → Geolocation (on MIUI 12/13);
3. Activate the slider "Geolocation" at the top of the screen;
4. Click Mode and select one of the options: High accuracy - uses GPS, Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth; charge savings – only Wi-Fi and mobile networks (GPS It's off; it's just a device. GPS (The most accurate, but slow and energy-consuming).

For maximum accuracy in navigation (such as Google Maps or 2GIS), select High Accuracy mode. If you just need to determine the city for a weather widget, Charge Saving mode is enough.

On some firmware (e.g, MIUI for Russia) in the geolocation settings may not be a choice of mode:

1. Open the settings → About the phone;
2. Press 7 times on the version MIUI, activate the developer mode;
3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers;
4. Find the option Select geolocation mode and set the desired option.

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After inclusion GPS The apps don't determine the location anyway, try to reboot the smartphone. Sometimes the geolocation module "hangs" after the update. MIUI.

Method 3: Inclusion GPS specific applications

System system MIUI It allows you to flexibly manage geolocation access for each application separately, and it's useful if you want to:

• 🔒 Disable location access for unnecessary programs;
• 📍 Allow geolocation only during application use;
• 🚫 Shut it down completely. GPS to save charge, but to leave access to individual services.

To set up permits:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management;
2. Select the desired application (for example, Google Maps or Yandex.Taxi);
3. Press Permissions. → Geolocation;
4. Install one of the options: Allow all the time – the application can use GPS Even in the background; Allow only during use – access only when the application is open; Prohibit – complete prohibition of access to the location.

For system applications (e.g. Google Play Services), the path may be different:

1. Open the Settings. → Confidentiality → Permits → Geolocation;
2. Tap System Services.
3. Find Google Play Services and set the Allow All Time resolution, which is necessary for most geolocation services to work properly.

⚠️ Note: If you deny access to geolocation for Google Play Services, not only maps, but many other features will stop working, including automatic time zone and weather detection".

Checking of operability GPS and troubleshooting

After inclusion GPS The smartphone does not determine the location or does it with a large margin of error, follow the following steps:

Verification of satellite signal

Xiaomi smartphones have a hidden test menu GPS, This shows the number of satellites found and the signal level:

1. Open the phone application;
2. Enter the combination: ##4636##;
3. In the menu that appears, select Testing (or Testing).
4. Go to the tab. GPS;
5. If you have satellites with green stripes on the list, the module works fine, if the list is empty or all the satellites are gray, the antenna or firmware problem.

Updating data A-GPS

A-GPS (Assisted GPS) It speeds up satellite search by downloading auxiliary data over the Internet, GPS work slowly:

• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile internet;
• 🔄 Open any application with maps (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps);
• 🕒 Wait 1-2 minutes – the system will automatically update the data A-GPS.

3. Resetting geolocation settings

If GPS It stopped working after the update. MIUI, Try resetting your settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management;
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Reset application settings;
3. Confirm the action and restart the smartphone.

Additional settings to improve accuracy GPS

If you want maximum accuracy (e.g. for geocaching or professional navigation), use these tips:

Inclusion of GLONASS and other satellite systems

Xiaomi is using only the default GPS (US$, but other systems can be used:

1. Install the app GPS Test or GPSTest from Google Play;
2. Open the application settings;
3. Find the Satellite Systems and activate: 🇷🇺 GLONASS (Russia); 🇪🇺 Galileo (Europe); 🇨🇳 BeiDou (China).

Calibration of the compass

For proper navigation (for example, determining the direction of movement), you need to calibrate the compass:

1. Open Google Maps;
2. Click on the blue dot (your location)
3. Select the Calibration of the compass;
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (usually rotate the phone in the air, describing the infinity sign).

3. Optimization for battery saving

If GPS It drains the battery quickly, try it:

• 🔋 Enable charge saving mode in geolocation settings;
• 📴 Turn off permanent Wi-Fi search in Settings → Wi-Fi → Additionally. → Searching for networks is always available;
• 🔄 Use Adaptive Geolocation in Google Maps (Settings) → geolocation → adaptive).

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For maximum accuracy in navigation, always turn on the High Accuracy mode and activate all available satellite systems (GPS + GLONASS + Galileo).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even after the right setup GPS Xiaomi may have problems. Let's look at the most common ones:

If none of the methods worked, try rolling back the firmware to the previous version. MIUI Or go to the service center on some models (Redmi 7, Mi). A2) trouble GPS This can be due to antenna wear, in which case a module replacement is required.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions