How to completely disable GPS on Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Why does Xiaomi’s GPS work even after it’s shut down?

Did you notice that Xiaomi continues to locate you despite the GPS shutdown in the notification curtain? It's no coincidence that MIUI has multiple geolocation layers in its firmware, and the standard shutdown through the Quick Settings Panel only blocks satellite navigation, and the smartphone can still use Wi-Fi, mobile towers and even Bluetooth LE data to approximate coordinates.

The manufacturer's motivation for this is "improved user experience": that's how weather services work, Mi Browser recommendations, and background optimization for Google Services. But if you need to completely block any tracking attempts, you'll have to dig deeper into the settings. In this article, we'll look at everything from basic to hidden engineering menu features.

It is important to understand the difference between:

• 📡 Satellite GPS (coordinates GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou)
• 📶 Network geolocation (approximate location by towers and Wi-Fi)
• 🔍 Background scanning (constant data collection for system services)

Method 1: Quickly shut down through the notification curtain

The most obvious method is to use a quick settings panel, which is suitable if you need to temporarily disable GPS for a particular application (for example, so that the game does not track your location).

Instructions:

1. Swipe your finger down to open the notification curtain.
2. Find the Location icon (usually looks like an arrow or pin).
3. Then, touch the slate once, and it will turn grey.

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If the icon is not in the curtain, press the pencil (✏️) in the lower right corner and add it manually from the list of inaccessible tiles.

Limitations of the method:

• ⚠️ Only shuts down satellite GPS, but not network geolocation.
• ⏳ After restarting the smartphone setting may reset (depends on the model).
• 🔄 Some system applications (e.g., Mi Security) may include GPS backwards.

Method 2: Completely disabling in MIUI settings

To block all geolocation, including network, you need to go to advanced settings, which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones with MIUI 12-15 firmware.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → Privacy → Application permissions → Location.
2. At the top of the screen, move the "Location" slider to the "Off" position.
3. (Optional) Press Location Accuracy and turn off "Wi-Fi and Mobile Search".

The main switch is switched off in "Location"|Switched off accuracy. Wi-Fi/network|Closed all applications using geodata (maps, taxis, etc.)|Rebooted smartphone to apply changes-->

What does it mean?

• 🛡️ Completely blocks access to GPS for all applications, including system.
• 📴 Disables background scanning of Wi-Fi networks and cell towers.
• ⚡ Reduces battery consumption (geolocation is one of the main “eaters” of charge).

⚠️ Note: After that, the services that depend on the location will cease to work: Google Maps, Yandex.Maps, Uber, Delivery Club and even some banking applications (for confirming payments).

Method 3: Disconnect via the Engineering Menu (for advanced)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use the hidden engineering menu (Engineer Mode), which is suitable for users who want to permanently disable the GPS hardware module, but requires caution – wrong actions can disrupt the smartphone.

How to open the engineering menu:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Enter the combination: ##4636###.
3. Select the Testing item → GPS.

Further action depends on the model:

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi) K60 Pro) the engineering menu may be missing or require root rights. Incorrect commands in this menu may cause loss IMEI or reset!

Method 4: Disconnect via ADB (for developers)

If you’re familiar with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can disable GPS at the system level, a technique that’s suitable for users who want to block geolocation on a permanent basis, including MIUI updates.

Instructions:

1. Enable Developer Mode (click 7 times on the MIUI version in Settings → About Phone).
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and execute the commands: adb shell settings put global location_mode 0 adb shell settings put global location_providers_allowed -gps,-network

To get it back, use:

adb shell settings put global location_mode 3


adb shell settings put global location_providers_allowed +gps,+network

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ADB-team off GPS Android-level, so they work even after resetting (if you don’t wipe data).

Method 5: Using Third-Party Applications

If you need to manage geolocation flexibly (e.g., enable it only for individual applications), you can use specialized utilities.

• 🔒 AppOps — allows you to disable location access for specific applications without root rights. Download from APKPure (not available on Google Play). → Operations → Access to location → Banned.
• 📍 Fake GPS Location: Replaces coordinates for all or selected applications, requires developer mode enabled and mock provider selected in settings, allows you to freeze location at one point.
• 🛡️ NetGuard blocks applications from accessing the Internet and geodata through a firewall, works without root, but with root gives more features. GPS When connected to a specific Wi-Fi network.

⚠️ Attention: Apps like Fake GPS They can lead to a ban in games (Pokémon GO, Harry Potter: Wizards Unite or taxi services (Yandex Go, Uber) only use them when necessary!

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after the GPS is turned off, some users find that the smartphone continues to "know" their location.

Problem 1: GPS itself turns on after the reboot.

• 🔹 Reason: Automatic Resetting of System Services (Mi Cloud, Google Play Services).
• 🔹 Solution: Turn off settings synchronization in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Synchronization.

Problem 2: Applications still determine location.

• 🔹 Reason: Network geolocation is used (by IP, Wi-Fi, towers).
• 🔹 Solution: Turn on Flight Mode or turn off mobile data/Wi-Fi.

Problem 3: The engineering menu is not working.

• 🔹 Reason: Newer models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Turbo 3) are restricted.
• 🔹 Solution: Use ADB or appendices MTK Engineering Mode.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions