How to send a geolocation to WhatsApp on Xiaomi: all ways and solutions to errors

Send geolocation via WhatsApp on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi models, POCO and Mi) seems like a simple task — until you encounter errors like "Can't locate" or the lack of a "Send geolocation" button. MIUI Android resolutions that Xiaomi aggressively optimizes to save battery life.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to send geolocation to WhatsApp on Xiaomi (including hidden functions), as well as solve typical errors: from the lack of a geolocation icon to incorrect work. GPS. Instructions checked for MIUI 14/13 Android 13/12, But it is also suitable for older versions, taking into account the features of the interface.

If you have never submitted a geo-position via WhatsApp or are experiencing problems after the update MIUI, This guide will help you to understand without any technical details, and for experienced users, we have added unique techniques to speed up the determination of coordinates and circumvent restrictions. MIUI, which are not in the standard instructions.

1. Basic method: how to send geolocation in WhatsApp chat

The easiest method is to use WhatsApp’s built-in feature to send a current or live location. Here’s how to do it on Xiaomi:

1. Open a contact chat or group on WhatsApp.

2.Click on the clip icon (📎) message-in.

3. In the menu that appears, select "Location" (if there is no item, see the section on problem solving).

4.Wait until the app determines your coordinates (can take up to 30 seconds on Xiaomi due to optimization) GPS).

5. Select:

- "Send current location" (static point on the map).

- "Share location in real time" (trace movements during selected time).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi with MIUI 12+ After selecting the "Location" item, a request for permission of the exact location may appear - it must be confirmed, otherwise the coordinates will be determined with an error of up to 1-3 km.

Turn on GPS notice-curtain

Check WhatsApp permissions in Android settings

Turn off energy saving mode for WhatsApp

Update the application to the latest version-->

2.Why Xiaomi doesn't have a "Location" button on WhatsApp

The absence of the item “Location” in the WhatsApp menu is a frequent problem on Xiaomi, associated with trigger restrictions MIUI These are the main causes and solutions:

Reason 1: No geodata permits are available

MIUI block access GPS for applications unless they have been explicitly authorized:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → WhatsApp.
2. Select "Permissions" → "Location".
3. Set the value "Always" (not "Only during use").
4. Activate the "Exact Location" switch (important for the MIUI 13+).

Reason 2: WhatsApp is on the Battery Optimization list

Xiaomi automatically limits the background activity of applications to save charge, which prevents the determination of coordinates.

1. Open Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Consumption Management by Apps.
2. Find WhatsApp in the list and select “No Limits”.
3. Turn on “Sunset” and “Background Activity” for WhatsApp.

Reason 3: An outdated version of WhatsApp or MIUI

In older versions of WhatsApp (up to 2.22.16.12) or MIUI 11 and below, the geolocation function may not work properly:

• 📱 WhatsApp: via Google Play or official website.
• 🔄 MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

MIUI 14

MIUI 13

MIUI 12 or older

I don't know.-->

3. How to speed up the definition of geolocation on Xiaomi

On Xiaomi smartphones (especially budget models Redmi and other POCO) GPS It can be determined longer than usual due to hardware limitations or background optimization:

Method 1. Enable high-precision mode GPS

By default, Xiaomi uses energy-efficient location mode to improve accuracy:

1. Go to Settings → Location.
2. Select "Mode" → "High precision" (uses GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile networks).
3. Activate the Wi-Fi Scanner and Bluetooth Scanner to speed up your search.

Method 2: Use Developer Mode for Priority GPS

This method is suitable for MIUI 12+ and requires activation of the developer mode:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find “Location Select” and set “Device Only” (disables the use of network data for the purpose of using the device). GPS, But it speeds up the clean field).

Method 3: Pre-heating" GPS

Before sending geolocation to WhatsApp, launch any other application that uses the app. GPS (Google Maps or Yandex Maps, for example. This will wake up the module. GPS and reduce the time of determining coordinates in the messenger.

💡

If you share geolocation frequently, add the Google Maps widget to the home screen – this will speed up the launch. GPS-module.

4. Geolocation via Google Maps (alternative method)

If the built-in WhatsApp function does not work, you can send a location via Google Maps or Yandex.Maps. This method is universal and works even on older versions. MIUI.

Step 1. Share your location on Google Maps

1. Open Google Maps and wait for your location to be determined (blue dot).
2. Press the blue dot. → "Share your location".
3. Select "WhatsApp" from the list of applications.
4. Specify a contact or group and send a link.

Step 2: Send a live geoposition

For real-time tracking:

1. In Google Maps, click on your avatar. → "Share geodata".
2. Choose a time limit (from 15 minutes to 3 days).
3. Click on "Share in Other Apps" → WhatsApp.

⚠️ Note: Geolocation links from Google Maps may not be opened to recipients if they have blocked access to Google services (for example, in China or on some corporate devices). 2GIS.

5. Solving Errors in Sending Geolocation

Even after you set up permissions on Xiaomi, you can get errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Error 1: "Not able to locate"

Causes and solutions:

• 📵 GPS Disabled: Check notification curtain or Settings → Location.
• 🌐 No Internet: GPS It works faster with mobile traffic or Wi-Fi (even if the cards are offline).
• 🔋 Power saving mode: turn it off in Settings → Battery.
• 📡 Weak signal. GPS: Go out to an open space or use Wi-Fi to check your coordinates.

Mistake 2: Geolocation is determined with a large error

If your location on WhatsApp is shown with a deviation of several hundred meters:

Error 3: The Location button disappears after the update MIUI

After major updates MIUI (For example, from 12 to 13, you can reset the cache of applications:

1. Clear WhatsApp cache: Settings → Annexes → WhatsApp → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
2. Reboot the phone.
3. If it doesn’t help, reinstall WhatsApp (pre-backup chats).

6.Security: How to control who sees your geolocation

Sending geo-location to WhatsApp is a convenient feature, but it carries risks for privacy. Xiaomi can further protect your data with built-in tools MIUI.

Setting 1. Restricting access to geodata for applications

To prevent other apps from tracking your location:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Permits → Location.
2. View the list of applications with access to GPS and turn off unnecessary.
3. For WhatsApp, leave permission, but set "Only during use" (unless background geolocation is required).

Setting 2. Disable the "live" location

If you previously shared a real-time location and want to stop tracking:

1. Open a WhatsApp chat where you sent a live location.
2. Click on the card message. → "Stop the exchange".
3. Confirm the action (the recipient will see the notification of termination of tracking).

Setup 3: Use of VPN coordinate-masking

If you do not want to reveal the real location, but you need to send approximate coordinates:

• 🌍 Install. VPN (For example, ProtonVPN or Windscribe).
• 📍 Select a server in the right city/country.
• 🔄 Send geolocation via WhatsApp – coordinates will be linked to the selected server (error error) ~5-10 km).

💡

When you send a live geolocation, remember that the recipient will see your movements in real time, even if you close WhatsApp, and to stop tracking, you need to manually stop the data exchange.

7. Features on different Xiaomi models

Functionality GPS and sending geolocation may vary depending on the Xiaomi model and version MIUI. Below are the key nuances for popular lines:

Redmi Note models 10/11/12 and POCO X3/X4

These devices often have a long search problem. GPS (up to 1-2 minutes) because of the budget chipset:

Xiaomi's flagships 12/13/14 mi 11

On top-of-the-line models. GPS It is faster, but it may conflict with the dual apps feature (if you have a cloned WhatsApp) to fix it:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Double Apps.
2. Remove the WhatsApp clone or configure permissions for both versions separately.

Devices for the Chinese market (China) ROM)

On smartphones with firmware for China (China) ROM) Google Play Services may not be available, which prevents the operation of geolocation in WhatsApp:

Redmi Note 10/11/12

POCO X3/X4/X5

Xiaomi 11/12/13/14

Another model-->

FAQ: Frequent questions about geolocation in WhatsApp on Xiaomi