How to turn on GPS on Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro: all ways + problem solving

Why GPS on Redmi 8 Pro May Not Work – and How to Fix It

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro often face a situation where navigation applications (Yandex.Maps, Google Maps, 2GIS) refuse to determine the location - or do it with a large margin of error. MIUI And the thing is, by default, the system limits the background activity. GPS-This causes the coordinates to be updated less frequently or not at all.

Another common problem is incorrect geolocation settings. Many users turn on GPS only through the notification panel, without going to the Security Options section, where additional options are hidden. For example, a disabled High-Accurrence Detection option can cause a smartphone to use only GPS satellites, ignoring the Russian GLONASS system and the Chinese BeiDou, which reduces the accuracy by 2-3 times. In this article, we will analyze all ways to turn on GPS, optimize settings for maximum accuracy, and solve typical errors.

Before you go to the instructions, make sure your Redmi 8 Pro has the latest firmware installed. Check for updates in Settings → About Phone → System Update. Older versions of MIUI (below 12.5) may contain bugs in the geolocation module that have been patched in new builds.

Method 1: Quickly turn on GPS through the notification panel

The easiest way to activate geolocation is to use a notification curtain, which is suitable if you need to temporarily turn on GPS for one application (for example, for a taxi or a navigator).

1. Swipe your finger down the screen to open the notification bar.
2. Find the Location icon (usually an arrow or a dot on a map) and if it's not, swipe down again to reveal all the icons.
3. Touch the icon once. If it lights up in blue, GPS is on.

Note that this method only activates satellite navigation. To improve accuracy (for example, in a city with tall buildings), it is recommended to additionally enable Wi-Fi scanning and mobile networks in geolocation settings.

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If the Location icon is missing from the curtain, you can add it. To do this, click on the pencil icon (edit) and drag the desired item into the active area.

Method 2: Complete GPS configuration via the Security Options menu

For navigation applications to work smoothly, it's not enough to just turn on GPS, you need to configure accuracy and resolution modes.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the section Security settings → Location.
3. Activate the Location switch at the top of the screen.
4. Click on Mode and select High Accuracy (uses GPS, Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and Bluetooth for maximum accuracy).
5. Turn on the options: 📡 Wi-Fi scanning – improves indoor detection. 📶 Bluetooth Scanning – Helps in places with poor signal GPS. 🛰️ Google geolocation – uses Google’s database to speed up satellite search.

After you have set up, restart your smartphone, which will help the system re-initiate. GPS-Module and avoid conflicts with background processes.

Location switch switch switch switch switch switch on»|Selected mode "High accuracy»|Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Scanning Activated|Permits for navigation applications issued|The smartphone is rebooted after changes-->

Method 3: Enable GPS through the Engineering Menu (for power users)

If standard methods don't work, you can use the MTK Engineer Mode, which is a good way to diagnose the GPS module and force it to reset. Attention: wrong actions in the engineering menu can disrupt the smartphone. Use this method only if you are sure of your actions.

Instructions:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination: ##4636###.
2. In the menu that opens, select Testing → GPS.
3. Press Clear AGPS (clean GPS auxiliary data), then Reset to Default (reset to factory settings).
4. Go back to the main test menu and select Location, then activate GPS only to check the module's performance.

After this manipulation, restart the device. If the GPS still doesn't work, the problem may lie in a hardware malfunction of the antenna or module.

Problem Solving: GPS is not switched on or is not working properly

If, after all the GPS manipulations on the Redmi 8 Pro, it still does not determine the coordinates or does so with a large margin of error, check the following points:

If none of these methods worked, check the integrity of the GPS antenna. On the Redmi 8 Pro, it is located at the top of the body (near the main camera), damage to the body or falls can lead to a break in the contacts, in which case repairs will be required at the service center.

Daily | Several times a week | Nearby |Only on trips |Never-->

Optimizing GPS: How to Reduce Battery Consumption

Constant GPS usage significantly reduces the battery life of the Redmi 8 Pro. To balance navigation accuracy and power consumption, follow these tips:

• 🔋 Turn it off. GPS Many applications (such as maps or fitness trackers) continue to work in the background even when they are folded.
• ⚡ Use Charge Savings mode in battery settings, but add navigation apps to exceptions.
• 📱 Set up an automatic shutdown GPS via applications such as Tasker or MacroDroid (e.g., turn off geolocation 30 minutes after activation).
• 🌐 Download offline maps in advance, which will reduce active use time. GPS, The application will not have to constantly update data over the Internet.

Also, look for app permissions. Some programs (e.g. social media or messengers) request geolocation access when they don't need it. Go to Settings → Apps → Permissions → Location and turn off access for unnecessary services.

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High accuracy mode is better, but uses up to 30% more charge. If accuracy is not critical (for example, for weather widgets), use Battery Saving mode.

Frequent errors when setting up GPS on Xiaomi

Many users make common mistakes that lead to unstable GPS, and the most common ones are:

⚠️ Warning: Never install apps to “accelerate” GPS» Most of them are fraudulent and either do not work or contain malicious code. GPS Test or GPS Status from Google Play.

• 🚫 Ignoring firmware updates in newer versions MIUI Geolocation bugs are often fixed, especially for Russian regions.
• 🔄 Reset settings without backup. Before resetting network settings or factory settings, save important data (such as Wi-Fi hotspots).
• 📵 Using metal covers, they can shield the signal. GPS, Especially if the antenna is close to the back cover.
• 🔌 Charging while navigating: If the battery is under 15%, the smartphone can automatically turn off power-intensive modules, including: GPS.

Another mistake is that the compass is not calibrated correctly, so if the arrow on the map rotates out of sync with your movements, calibrate: open Google Maps, click on the blue dot of your location, and select Calibrate the compass. Follow the instructions on the screen (usually you need to rotate the phone in the air with eight).

FAQ: Answers to Popular GPS Questions on Redmi 8 Pro