Modern smartphones Xiaomi and Redmi have become indispensable navigation tools, without which it is difficult to imagine moving around an unfamiliar city or ordering a taxi. However, often after buying or updating the system, users are faced with a situation where the geolocation does not work correctly or is completely disabled by default in order to save energy. GPS-The module is not just a point on the map, it is the basis of the work of many services, from weather applications to search systems for lost devices.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all aspects of working with geolocation on the shell of MIUI and the new HyperOS. You will learn not only to include basic functions, but also to configure high-precision modes, which are critical for navigators like Yandex.Navigator or Google Maps. The correct configuration will avoid situations when the car “flies” to the next block or a taxi arrives at the wrong entrance.
Once you understand the finer points of the map, you can make your cards more responsive and reduce battery consumption. Often the problem isn't hardware failure, but software constraints or a faulty signal source. Let's look at how to get your Redmi to identify coordinates as quickly and accurately as possible.
Basic activation via Quick Access Panel
The easiest and fastest way to activate navigation services is to use a notification curtain, which is ideal for situations where you need to urgently turn on geolocation to order a transport or mark on a map, and you just swipe down the screen from top to bottom to open the control panel.
In the icon list, look for a symbol resembling a geolocation tag or compass, which can be called “Location” or “GPS.” If you don’t see this icon right away, try swiping left or clicking on the edit button (usually a pencil or three dots) to add a widget to the main panel screen.
⚠️ Warning: When turned on through a curtain, the system may not activate high-precision mode, but only use satellites.
When you click the icon, it will light up, which signals the activation of the module. In some versions of MIUI, when you first turn on, the system will ask for consent to use geodata to improve maps. This is a standard procedure that helps calibrate the satellite signal based on data from other users.
Deep setting in the system menu
To make all functions work, you need to go to system settings. This section allows you to manage permissions for specific applications and select coordinate sources. Go to the Settings menu, then select Additional or immediately find the Location section (depending on the shell version).
This gives you access to key parameters, and you can see the Use Location switch that needs to be active, and below is Mode or Sources, where you choose the location method, and that's where you decide whether your phone will use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to speed up the search for satellites.
It's important to look at the Access to Location section, which lists all the programs that have requested your coordinates, and you can customize access for each application individually, either to allow it at all times, only during use, or to deny it completely, which helps you control privacy and charge consumption.
- 📍 High precision mode: uses GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile networks to determine as quickly as possible.
- 📡 Device only: Satellite only, slower, more economical and more anonymous.
- 📶 Saving Charge: Uses only Wi-Fi networks and cell towers, ignoring satellites.
☑️ Verification of geolocation settings
Coordination modes and their influence
Understanding the difference between GPS modes is critical to making a smartphone work efficiently. There are several options available in Xiaomi and Redmi devices, each with its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the use case.
High Accuracy is the most recommended mode for everyday navigation, it uses all available sensors, the satellite system provides global coordinates, and data from cell towers and Wi-Fi routers help determine the position inside buildings or in the “concrete jungle”, where the signal from satellites reflects off the walls.
⚠️ Note: In high precision mode, battery consumption can increase by 15-20% During the active day of navigation.
GPS Only (or Device Only) is a good option if you are in the woods, mountains or sea without cellular coverage, and it is also useful if you want to keep your battery as high as possible and don’t need instant card response.
Why does GPS take so long to find satellites?
Managing permissions for applications
Modern versions of Android and MIUI shells place a huge emphasis on data security. Even if GPS is enabled globally, a particular app (such as a taxi or food delivery) may not access your coordinates without explicit permission.
To check this, go to Settings → Apps → All apps. Find the service you want (like 2GIS or Uber) and click on Permissions. Make sure that access to the location is set to “Allow” or “Allow only when used.”
Particular attention should be paid to background access. If you want an activity tracker or a child tracking app to work when the screen is off, you need to allow background work. In MIUI, this often requires additional confirmation in a special rights menu.
| Type of permit | Description of behaviour | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Banned | App doesn't see coordinates | For games and lanterns |
| Ask | Request at each launch | For low-use maps |
| Only when used | It works while the application is open. | Optimal for taxi and delivery |
| Always allowed. | Continuous access, even in the background | For trackers and navigators in the background |
💡
If the taxi app doesn’t see your address, try selecting “Always Allowed” in the location resolution settings, then go back to the app and update the map.
Calibration and signal accuracy
There are situations where GPS is on, but the arrow on the map shows the wrong direction or jumps on buildings. In such cases, calibration is necessary. On Xiaomi smartphones, this process is often automatic, but it can be accelerated manually.
Open the Google Maps app. Click on the blue dot that indicates your current position. If you see a wide gray sector around the dot or it's pale, click "Calibrate." The system will ask you to steer your phone in the air, drawing an eight, which helps the magnetic sensor and accelerometer understand the orientation of the device in space.
It’s also worth including “Improving Geolocation Accuracy” in the basic location settings, which allows the phone to scan the surrounding Wi-Fi networks (even without connecting to them) and Bluetooth beacons for more accurate positioning indoors where satellite signal is weak.
- 🔄 Enter the open space for initial satellite capture.
- 📡 Enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth navigation modules.
- 🧭 Perform movements with eight with a lost orientation.
⚠️ Warning: Metal covers, magnetic holders in the car and thick protective glass can significantly weaken the signal of the antenna located in the upper part of the body.
Solution and resetting of settings
If none of the above methods worked and the navigation is not working correctly, there may have been a software failure in Google Play services or the system geolocation module, in which case it is worth trying to reset the location settings.
To do this, go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Restore and Reset. Select Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile Internet and Bluetooth settings. Please note: this action will delete saved passwords from Wi-Fi networks and associated Bluetooth devices, but will not affect your personal files, photos or contacts.
In extreme cases, if the problem is only seen in one application, try clearing its cache. Go to Settings → Apps, find the problem program, select Memory and click Clear Cache. Don't confuse it with Clear All so you don't lose your saved offline cards.
💡
Resetting network settings is an effective way to eliminate software conflicts that interfere with the correct operation GPS-module, without loss of personal data.
In conclusion, the correct GPS setup on Xiaomi Redmi ensures comfortable use of all modern services. Regularly check system updates, as manufacturers often release patches that improve antenna performance and positioning algorithms. Watch application resolutions to balance between convenience and autonomy of the device.