SMS-Xiaomi Positioning: What It Is, How It Works, and Should It Be Activated?

If you have ever seen the settings of your Xiaomi item “Activation” SMS-We've been wondering what it is -- you're not alone, and it's a feature that's often confusing, with some users finding it useful for precise location, others finding it a battery load or even a potential privacy threat. It's not that clear.

SMS-Positioning is a technology that allows you to determine your location without using it. GPS Or the Internet, using cell tower data and short messaging with the operator. GPS, It works even in basements, tunnels, or densely built-up areas, but how exactly is this implemented in Xiaomi smartphones, and why can the feature be enabled by default? Let’s take a look in order – from the principles of work to practical tips for setting up.

What is it? SMS-Positioning and how it works on Xiaomi?

The technology of SMS-positioning (or Cell-ID) has been around for a long time, but in Xiaomi smartphones it is integrated especially closely with the proprietary shell MIUI.

• 📡 Your phone communicates with nearby cell towers, identifying their identifiers (Cell). ID) and signal level.
• 📱 This data is sent to the operator through SMS-a message (hence the name) that is not visible to the user.
• 🗺️ The operator analyzes the information and returns approximate coordinates of your location (accuracy - from 50 meters in the city to several kilometers in the countryside).

In Xiaomi smartphones, this feature is often used to:

• 🔍 Emergency calls (e.g., when calling the emergency 112, even without a call) GPS).
• 📍 Acceleration of location in maps or navigators (as an auxiliary method).
• 🔄 Geolocation services in poor conditions GPS-signal.

It is important to understand that SMS-Positioning does not replace GPS, It's a complement to that. For example, if you're on the subway, where you're in the middle of the subway. GPS If it does not catch, the phone can use the tower data to at least roughly show your location on the map.

Why does Xiaomi include this feature by default?

Many users are surprised to find that SMS-Positioning activated on their Redmi, POCO Or Mi without their knowledge, and there are several reasons for this:

1. Legal requirements: In some countries (e.g. EU or Russia), operators are required to provide subscriber location data to emergency services. SMS-This is the solution to this problem, even if GPS switched off.
2. Optimization of geoservices: Xiaomi integrates this feature into MIUI to speed up location determination in applications like Google Maps or Yandex.Maps.
3. Battery savings: In some scenarios (e.g., with a weak GPS signal), using cell tower data consumes less power than constantly searching for satellites.

But there’s a downside: the feature can increase traffic consumption (albeit marginally) and in rare cases slow down the phone if the operator processes requests for too long.In addition, some users fear that location data may be shared with third parties — although Xiaomi claims that the information is only used for technical purposes.

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If you travel abroad frequently, turn it off. SMS-roaming positioning: some operators may charge for service exchange SMS, Even if they are not visible to the user.

How to check if it is included SMS-Positioning on your Xiaomi?

There are two ways to know the status of a function: through the phone's settings or through the engineering menu. Let's look at both.

Method 1: Using standard MIUI settings

The instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14 (may differ slightly on older versions):

1. Open Settings → SIM cards and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several).
3. Go to SIM-card Settings → Additional settings.
4. Find the Activation item. SMS-Positioning (or Allow Positioning to be Permitted by the SMS).

If there is no point, then your operator does not support this function, or it is hidden in deep settings.

Method 2: Engineering menu (for advanced users)

This method is suitable for checking detailed information about the operation of the positioning module:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code:
   ##4636##


2. Go to the section "Telephone Information".




3. Scroll down to the "Cellular Network" block - there may be data about the current Cell ID and signal level.

Note: the engineering menu may differ from one Xiaomi model to another (e.g., the POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12).

Does it affect? SMS-Battery positioning and performance?

One of the biggest fears users have is that it could drain the battery or slow down the phone, and let's see if those concerns are valid.

In practice, the impact on the battery is almost imperceptible on modern Xiaomi models (for example, Xiaomi 13T or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), but on older smartphones (for example, Redmi 5 or Mi A1) with a weak processor, short-term hangings can be observed with active geolocation use.

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If you notice that the battery is discharged faster after activation SMS-positioning, check if its background apps are using it (such as maps or fitness trackers).

How to turn off SMS-Positioning on Xiaomi (step-by-step instructions)

If you decide you don't need a feature, you can turn it off. Here's the general guide for most models:

Open "Settings" → "SIM cards and mobile networks"|Choose yours. SIM-map|Go to "Additional settings"|Find the item "Activation" SMS-positioning and disable the slider|Restart the phone (optional)

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If the item is not on the menu, try alternative methods:

• 📱 Through the Security app: sometimes the option is hidden in Settings → Annexes → Permits → geodata.
• 🔧 Reset Network Settings: Go to Settings → System system → Resetting settings → Reset mobile network settings. This will disable all network functions, including positioning.
• 🛠️ Use of the ADB (Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell settings put global cell_broadcast_enabled 0 Note: This method may disable other network functions!

After the shutdown, check to see if the navigation apps have deteriorated, and in most cases, the difference will be minimal, especially in a city with good GPS coverage.

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If you use offline cards frequently (for example, in Osmand or in the Internet). 2GIS), SMS-Positioning can be left on – it will help to quickly “catch” the signal after leaving the subway.

Security and privacy: should we be concerned?

One of the most common questions is, can someone track my location through the Internet? SMS-Positioning? Theoretically, yes, but in practice, it's unlikely. Here's what you need to know:

• 🔒 The data is only transmitted to the operator. Xiaomi does not have access to your location information obtained through the operator. SMS.
• 📜 Data storage: Operators are required to store location logs for a certain time (up to 6 months in Russia), but only law enforcement agencies have access to them upon request.
• 🕵️ Leakage risk: In theory, data can be intercepted when an attack on an operator's infrastructure is launched, but this requires a high level of access.

For additional protection:

• Turn it off. SMS-Positioning if you do not use geo-services.
• Check the application permissions in Settings → Apps → Permissions → Geodata.
• Use a VPN to encrypt traffic (although this doesn’t affect SMS).

⚠️ Warning: If you suspect your phone is being tracked, SMS-Positioning is not the main threat, it's likely that it uses specialized software (e.g. mSpy or Cerberus) and check your phone for spy apps.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Sometimes. SMS-Positioning doesn't work properly. Here are the most common problems and how to fix them:

If after the shutdown SMS-Positioning has stopped some functions (e.g., emergency calls or navigation), try:

1. Turn on the function back and restart the phone.
2. Update the firmware to the latest version of MIUI.
3. Reset network settings (Settings → System → Resetting).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi 11 Ultra or other models) POCO X3 Pro) disconnection SMS-Positioning can lead to failures in the module GPS. If after deactivation of the navigation function, the navigation stops working, reset the location settings (Settings) → Location → Three points. → Reset).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions