How to turn on GPS on Xiaomi Redmi 4A: all ways and solutions to problems

The Xiaomi Redmi 4A is still a popular budget smartphone, despite its 2016 launch, and one of the device’s key features is the GPS module, which is responsible for location, navigation applications, and geolocation services, but many users have difficulty turning it on — especially if they’ve previously turned off geodata to save charge or for other reasons.

In this article, you will find not only basic instructions for activating GPS, but also a discussion of hidden MIUI settings that can affect the accuracy of positioning. We will also look at why Redmi 4A sometimes “does not see” satellites, how to check the module’s performance and what applications will help speed up the search for a signal. If you use your smartphone to navigate in Yandex.Maps, Google Maps or 2GIS, these tips will be especially useful.

Preparation: What to Know Before Turning on GPS

Before you get to the settings, make sure your Redmi 4A is geolocated ready.

• 📶 Mobile network: GPS It operates autonomously, but cell tower data is used to speed up the search for satellites (A-GPS). Make sure there is an operator signal on the smartphone.
• 🔋 Battery charge: Satellite search consumes more power than normal mode. If the charge is below 20%, better plug the charger in.
• 🌍 Region of use: Some countries (e.g. China) may have work restrictions GPS For foreign devices, Redmi. 4A global-fixed (MIUI Global) is free of such problems.

Also check if you have geodata blocking apps on your phone (like App Ops or Greenify) that can interfere with GPS even after you have enabled it in your settings. If you've experimented with app rights before, you should either revert to factory settings or delete those apps.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4A custom firmware (unofficial) module GPS If after all the manipulations, the satellites are not identified, check the version of the software in Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. The official builds are designated as Stable or Developer.

Method 1: Enable GPS through the notification panel

The fastest method of activating geolocation is to use the notification panel, which is suitable if you need to temporarily turn on GPS for one application (for example, for a taxi or delivery).

1. Swipe your finger down the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the Location icon (usually an icon with a dot on the map or an arrow) if it is not available, swipe left to open the additional buttons.
3. Tap the icon – it should be illuminated (it will become blue or green depending on the theme of the design).

If the icon is missing, it can be added manually:

1. Click on the icon. ⚙️ Edit (pencil) in the upper right corner of the panel.
2. Find the "Location" list and drag it to the active area.
3. Save the changes by pressing Ready.

⚠️ Attention: Inclusion GPS Through the notification panel activates all geolocation modes (GPS, If you only need satellite navigation, use the method in the following section.

Make sure your smartphone is not in “Airplane” mode

Check for a mobile network or Wi-Fi

Close applications that block geodata (VPN, antivirus)

Update the A-GPS data (see Accelerating Satellite Search)

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Method 2: Configure GPS in the Redmi 4A settings menu

To fine-tune the geolocation, go to the basic parameters of the system, where you can select the GPS mode, disable the support services or, conversely, improve the accuracy of the positioning.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the section Additional → Privacy → Location.
3. Activate the Location slider (at the top of the screen).
4. Click Mode and select one of the options: High accuracy - uses GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile networks (maximum accuracy, but high power consumption); battery savings - only Wi-Fi and mobile networks (more precisely than one GPS, but can be mistaken in rural areas); only the device - clean GPS without supporting data (slowest search, but minimal battery consumption).

For most tasks (city navigation, mapping) High accuracy is optimal. If you are away from populated areas (for example, in the forest or mountains), select Device Only, which will speed up the search for satellites without unnecessary delays in scanning networks.

High precision

Saving charge

Device only (GPS)

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Method 3: Turning on GPS for individual applications

MIUI allows you to manage geolocation permissions flexibly for each application, which is useful if you want to save battery power, but only allow GPS access for navigation programs (e.g. Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator).

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Permissions → Location.
2. You'll see a list of all the programs that requested access to the geodata, and there's a switch in front of each application.
3. Turn off geolocation for unnecessary applications (social networks, games, etc.).
4. For critical services (cards, banking applications), leave permission enabled.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4A firmware MIUI 9 and below may not automatically update data A-GPS. This leads to a long search for satellites (up to 10-15 minutes), the solution is manually updated through an engineering menu or third-party utilities.

Accelerating Satellite Search: Update of A-GPS Data

The Assisted GPS (A-GPS) system uses mobile network and Wi-Fi data to speed up satellite search, and if that data is outdated, the Redmi 4A can catch a signal for a long time, and you can manually update it.

Method 1: Engineering menu (for experienced users):

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##1472365###
2. Select GPS → Delete AGPS Data (delete old data).
3. Then click Update AGPS Data (update).
4. Reboot the phone.

Method 2: Using GPS Status & Toolbox:

1. Install the utility from Google Play.
2. Open it and press Manage A-GPS State.
3. Select Reset, then Download.
4. Wait until the process is completed (internet connection required).

On Redmi 4A with MIUI 8 firmware, the A-GPS update via the engineering menu may not work – use only third-party apps.

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Updating the A-GPS data is recommended every 1-2 months, as well as after resetting the phone settings or a long absence of GPS use.

Additional tips to improve GPS performance

If your Redmi 4A GPS is not working properly, try these tips:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone: Sometimes module bugs are fixed with a simple reboot.
• 📴 Turn off the power saving mode: In Settings → Check if the Super Power Saving option is activated – it can block background work GPS.
• 🌐 Use alternative maps: For example, OsmAnd or Maps.me sometimes perform better with a weak signal than Google Maps.
• 📡 Check the network settings: In Settings → SIM-Maps and mobile networks make sure that data transfer is enabled – without it it will not work A-GPS.

If you use navigation often, you should turn off the automatic switch to the navigation. 2G (if it is included in the settings SIM-The thing is, the network is the map. 2G transmission of supporting data for A-GPS It works slower than in 3G/4G.

FAQ: Frequent questions about GPS Xiaomi Redmi 4A