A modern smartphone cannot be imagined without precise geolocation, and the Xiaomi Mi A3 is no exception. This device, running on a clean Android One operating system, lacks many “heavy” MIUI add-ons, which often makes it easier to work with system modules, including navigation. However, even on a pure Android, users may face the need to manually activate or calibrate the GPS module to correctly work maps.
Satellite positioning is not just required for the in-car navigator, but for a host of other applications: The camera uses geotag coordinates, messengers to transmit location, and fitness trackers to calculate distance traveled. Understanding how to manage these functions correctly will help you save battery power and improve accuracy.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the activation methods available, from standard switches in the notification curtain to hidden engineering menus, how to check the antenna and what to do if the phone stops “seeing” satellites. The instructions are relevant for all versions of firmware installed on Mi. A3.
Basic activation of geolocation through settings
The easiest and most obvious way to start a satellite search is to use the standard operating system interface. Since the Xiaomi Mi A3 is Android One, the interface here is as close as possible to the reference Google design. To quickly access the feature, just swipe down to open the Quick Settings panel. There you will find an icon, usually marked as "Location" or having a map marker icon. Activating this switch immediately triggers all available sources of geodata: GPS satellites, Wi-Fi networks and cell towers.
If you want more subtle controls, like denying a particular application access to coordinates, you need to go to a deep menu. Open Settings and find the Location section. In some versions of the firmware, it can be inside the Security and Location category. This is where the master switch controls the operation of the entire navigation module, and without it activating, no application will be able to access your coordinates, even if you give it the appropriate permissions manually.
Importantly, this section also configures the method of determining the coordinates. The system can only use satellites, only networks or a combined method. For maximum speed in the city, it is recommended to choose the mode "Across all sources", which allows the phone to quickly your position on Wi-Fi routers, and then refine it using GLONASS or GPS signals.
Configuring accuracy modes and data sources
Once the basic function is enabled, the system will suggest you select a mode of operation, which is a critical step that affects search speed and power consumption. In the Mode or Definition Method menu, you will see three main options: the first is "Only by Device" (or "Satellite"). This option uses exclusively built-in Xiaomi Mi A3 GPS-It's the most accurate in a clean field, but it can look for signals indoors for a long time and quickly land the battery.
The second option is "Charge Saving," in which case the satellite module may not be on at all. Coordinates are calculated solely based on the triangulation of cell towers and nearby Wi-Fi hotspots. The accuracy of this method varies from 50 to 500 meters, which is acceptable for weather applications, but not enough for navigation in an unfamiliar city. The third and most recommended option is "High accuracy." Here the smartphone intelligently combines data from all sources.
⚠️ Attention: High Accuracy requires constant scanning of the environment. If you notice that the phone is discharged quickly in your pocket, check if this mode is turned on for background applications that do not need it.
This section also provides location history, and Google Maps allows you to save your travels to your cloud account, which is convenient for analyzing habits, but raises privacy issues, and if you value anonymity, this option is better deaktivirovat immediately after you turn on the core module.
Calibration of compass and elimination of errors
Even with GPS on, the arrow of the navigator can point incorrectly or "walk" to the sides. This indicates the need to calibrate the magnetic sensor (compass). In pure Android, which is on the Mi A3, there is no built-in manual calibration menu, like in the MIUI shell, but the process is easily performed through standard maps. Open the Google Maps app and make sure that the geolocation is active. If the blue beam around your point is not directed correctly or has wide coverage, intervention is required.
To do this, you can take the phone in your hand and start describing the figure of eight in the air. The motions should be amplitude, covering all three axes of space. Usually 10-15 repetitions are enough for the magnetic field sensors to recalibrate, and in some cases, the application will ask you to perform this action by showing the appropriate animation.
If calibration doesn't work, it might be a problem with a software crash of the geoservice cache. You'll need to go to Settings → Apps → Show system processes. Find Google Play Services and Google Play Services for AR. They need to clean up the data and cache. This won't delete your personal files, but resets.
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For better calibration, go out into the open space away from metal structures and power lines that create magnetic interference.
Checking the module through the engineering menu
For advanced users who want to make sure that hardware is working, there is an engineering test menu available. Unlike many other Xiaomi models, the entry code on a pure Android Mi A3 may be different or hidden. However, the standard method of diagnosis through ADB or special terminal applications remains working. The easiest way is to use the GPS Test app or analogues from the Play Market.
When you run this app, you'll see a list of visible satellites. If you're outside or at the window, you'll see signals in 1-2 minutes. The green color of the indicator means that the satellite is used for navigation. Grey is the satellite is visible, but data from it is not received. Red or no signals indicate problems with the antenna or software.
Diagnostic tools also display coordinates, altitude, speed and number of satellites used. The normal indicator for confident reception in the city is 8-12 satellites. If the phone catches 1-2 satellites and constantly loses signal, it may be damaged antenna module or plume, especially if the phone has previously been hit or moisture.
☑️ Diagnostics GPS
Table of the main navigation parameters
To organize information about available modes and their impact on the operation of the device, it is convenient to use a summary table, which will help you choose the optimal balance between autonomy and accuracy in various situations.
| Parameter | Only GPS. | Saving charge | High precision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sources | Satellites | Wi-Fi and networks | All sources. |
| precision | Tall (3-5 m) | Low (50-500 m) | Maximum |
| Work indoors | Bad/No | Good. | Great. |
| Battery consumption | High-pitched | Minimum | Medium/High |
As you can see from the table, the universal solution is high-precision mode, but in the face of energy shortages or when using the phone as a navigator in a charging car, you can experiment with settings. Understanding these differences allows you to flexibly manage the resources of the Xiaomi Mi A3.
Solving Location Problems
If after all the manipulations of GPS on Xiaomi Mi A3 does not work, it is worth checking the permissions for specific applications. Even with the global switch on, the navigator program can be blocked at the system level. Go to Settings → Applications, select your navigator (for example, Yandex Navi or 2GIS) and find the Resolutions. Make sure that access to the location is allowed. Better choose the option “Allow all the time” or “Allow only when using”, but not “Disallow”.
⚠️ Note: If you reset your network settings to factory settings, all stored Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth pairings will be deleted (A-GPS), until the phone re-downloads the satellite almanac.
Another common cause of failures is energy saving settings. Android can aggressively kill the navigator's background processes by counting them. Go to the battery settings and find your map app. Set Unlimited mode or add it to the exception list. This ensures that voice prompts don't go missing in the middle of the route because of the system's sleep.
In extreme cases, if the software methods don't work, you can try resetting your network settings. This action will return the mobile, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings to factory values, which often eliminates conflicting configurations. Path to function: Settings → System → Additional → Resetting → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile Internet and Bluetooth settings.
Why isn't GPS working indoors?
Effect of protective accessories on the signal
Rarely, it happens that the cause of bad reception is external factors: GPS antennas in the Xiaomi Mi A3 are located at the top of the body. Using metal cases, magnetic clasp cases or thick shockproof cases can shield the signal. If you notice a deterioration in reception after changing the accessory, try removing it and check the navigation again.
And we also have to mention the effects of weather, because dense clouds, storm clouds, or heavy snowfall can weaken satellite signals, and that's a physical feature of radio waves, and in these conditions, switching to high-precision Wi-Fi-based mode is the only way to determine the coordinates.
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If the GPS stopped working after the fall of the phone, most likely, the antenna module is damaged or the connector of the plume has left, diagnostics are required in the service.