Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones are equipped with powerful satellite navigation modules, but standard solutions often do not reveal their full potential. Device owners face inaccurate positioning, slow satellite capture or complete lack of signal in difficult conditions such as dense urban areas or forests. This is where specialized software comes to the rescue to control the GPS module at the system level.
The Strelka app (often featured in repositories as Strelka or similar diagnostic tools) is a tool for professional calibration and monitoring of navigation systems. The MIUI shell on which the brand’s smartphones are based has its own background processes, which requires a special approach to configuration. Proper configuration will allow you to use navigators without delays and positioning errors.
In this article, we will take a closer look at how to install, configure access rights and optimize the navigation module through this app, how to bypass the aggressive energy saving policy of the system and make the phone work at maximum efficiency in geolocation matters, which is especially true for those who use a smartphone as the main navigator in the car or in the field.
Preparation of the device and installation of necessary components
Before you start deep customization, make sure your device is ready to work with diagnostic utilities.The basic requirement is that you have superuser rights or at least debugging mode enabled, although for most of Strelka's features, standard Android system resolutions are sufficient. However, if you plan to change the system configuration files of the GPS, Root rights may be required.
App downloads should only be made from trusted sources to eliminate the risk of malicious code. Xiaomi's official repositories or developer forums are the safest places to find the current version. Once you install an apk file, don't rush to run the program until you have completed the basic security settings.
MIUI is known for its strict security policy, which can block the installation of applications from unknown sources, and you must explicitly allow the browser or file manager to install programs, which is standard for any software not available on Google Play.
☑️ Preparing the smartphone for setting GPS
It is also important to check the OS version. On older versions of Android, some features of modern navigation apps may not work properly. Make sure your smartphone is updated to the latest firmware available.
Primary setting of access rights and permissions
Once you successfully launch Strelka, the first thing you'll encounter is permission requests. It's critical to have full access to geodata in order for the navigation module to work properly, without which the app won't be able to read satellite signals and display them on the screen.
Go to your smartphone settings via Settings → Apps → All apps. Find the Arrow installed in the list and go to App Permissions. You need to activate location access by selecting Always Allowed or Allowed Only When Use, depending on your background work needs.
⚠️ Note: If you select the “Request Every Time” option, the app will lose signal when it folds, making it impossible to record track background or navigation.
Additionally, it is worth allowing access to the device's memory if you plan to save logs or update satellite almanacs. Some features may require access to the phone to identify the device, although this is rarely used in the basic functionality.
Pay special attention to the battery settings for this application. MIUI aims to kill any process that consumes charge, even if it is an important system service. Go to Settings → Battery, find the application and select No Limits mode, which will prevent the geolocation service from being forced to stop.
Calibration of the GPS module and work with satellites
The central function of the app is visualization and calibration of the signals. On the home screen, you will see a map of the sky showing the visible satellites of the GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou systems. The color indication usually shows the status: red means search, yellow means data acquisition, green - readiness for navigation.
Calibration requires an open space, and inside buildings, especially with metal structures or tinted glass, the signal may be too weak to be fine-tuned. Go outside, turn on Strelka, and wait for the first satellites to arrive.
If the app supports Assisted GPS (AGPS) reset, use it to clear the almanac cache and force the module to re-interview satellites, which often solves the problem of sticking coordinates at one point.
What is a cold and hot GPS start?
When calibrating, watch for C/N0 (signal/noise ratio) values above 30-35 dBHz are considered excellent, values below 20 dBHz can cause signal loss when driving. If values are low, try changing the position of the phone or checking if the case is blocking the antenna.
Configuring energy saving and background work
Aggressive battery optimization is the main enemy of stable navigation on Xiaomi smartphones.The system can turn off the GPS module when the screen goes out, believing the application to be inactive.
Open the built-in Security app (green lightning icon). Go to Battery and find your autostart settings. Search for Arrow in the app list and turn on the Autostart switch, which will allow the app to start the services you need right after you turn on your phone.
- 🔋 Go to Settings. → Advanced settings → Access memory and make sure the application is not blocked.
- 🔋 In the multitasking menu (bottom-up swipe and retention), find the application window and pull it down to see the lock icon appear. This will prevent the system from unloading the application from RAM.
- 🔋 Turn off the “Energy Saving” mode while using navigation, as it forcibly reduces the poll frequency. GPS-module.
It’s also worth checking your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings. Even if you’re not using them for the internet, network scanning can help with location (A-GPS). Make sure that the geolocation settings include Wi-Fi Scanning and Bluetooth Scanning.
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If you use navigation on long trips, connect your phone to a charger. The constant operation of the GPS and the screen quickly drains the battery, and the energy saving mode can disrupt navigation.
Solving Common Navigation Problems
Users often experience a situation where the application is running, but the coordinates are not updated or jumping around the map. One of the common reasons is time desynchronization. Make sure that the Date and time settings automatically determine the time over the network. A difference of even a few seconds can lead to errors in the calculations of the position of the satellites.
Another problem is that you have conflict with other apps, and if you have multiple navigators or voice-change utilities installed (e.g. Yandex Navigator, Google Maps, 2GIS), they may be trying to monopolize the GPS module. Close the extra apps before you run Strelka for diagnostics.
| Problem. | Probable cause | Decision-making |
|---|---|---|
| No signal in the room. | Physical signal blocking | Go out into the open space, check the cover |
| Long search for satellites | AGPS's outdated almanac | Perform AGPS reset in the application, turn on the Internet |
| Coordinates "dance" | Signal reflection (canyon effect) | Use GPS only mode without Wi-Fi scanning |
| Appendix is closing | Lack of RAM or MIUI protection | Block the application in memory, enable auto-start |
If nothing works, try resetting your network settings. Go to Settings → Connection & Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. This action will not delete your personal data, but will return network settings to factory values, which often resolves software conflicts.
Use of advanced functions and logs
For advanced users, Strelka offers log-keeping, NMEA raw data recording allows you to analyze the quality of the signal after the fact, and it is useful for engineers or enthusiasts who test the operation of the antenna in different conditions.
In the application settings, you can find the coordinate refresh rate settings. The standard value is usually 1 Hz (once per second). Increasing the frequency can improve track smoothness, but will significantly increase battery consumption and processor load.
Some versions of the app allow you to enter forced coordinates or select a priority satellite system. For example, in certain regions, GLONASS or BeiDou may work better than the American GPS. Experiment with the choice of systems in settings if the standard combination gives a poor result.
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Regular cleaning of AGPS cache and the right choice of satellite systems can improve positioning accuracy by 20-30% in difficult conditions.