Where in the phone Xiaomi is GLONASS and how to turn it on: the full guide

You bought a new Xiaomi smartphone and noticed that geolocation is inaccurate or takes a long time to determine the coordinates? Perhaps it is the disconnected GLONASS system, a Russian alternative to GPS, which significantly improves the accuracy of navigation in cities and in open areas. Unlike the American GPS, GLONASS satellites “see” better in the northern latitudes, which is especially important for users in Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

In this article, we will look at where the GLONASS setting is located in the Xiaomi phone, how to turn it on, check its performance and what to do if satellites are not caught. The instructions are suitable for all modern models of the brand, from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. You will also learn which models support GLONASS out of the box, and where you may need manual adjustment.

What is GLONASS and why it is needed in the smartphone Xiaomi

GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System) is a Russian satellite navigation system, analogous to the American GPS, European Galileo and Chinese BeiDou. In Xiaomi smartphones, it works in conjunction with other systems to improve the accuracy of location.

Advantages of using GLONASS in the phone:

• 📍 Quick determination of coordinates in urban areas (where the signal is GPS can be shielded).
• 🌍 Best coverage in the northern latitudes (Russia, Scandinavia, Canada).
• 🚗 Smooth operation of navigators (Yandex.Navigator, Google Maps, 2GIS).
• 🔄 Reservation: if GPS It doesn’t work, the phone can use GLONASS.

Most modern Xiaomi smartphones support GLONASS at the hardware level, but by default the system can be turned off in settings, especially for models sold outside Russia, where the manufacturer often turns off Russian satellites to save energy.

What Xiaomi models support GLONASS?

Almost all Xiaomi smartphones released after 2018 support GLONASS at the hardware level.

• 📱 Flagship models (Xiaomi) 13/14, Mi 11, Black Shark – Full support for all navigation systems (GPS + GLONASS + Galileo + BeiDou).
• 💰 Mid-size segment (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 12T) — GLONASS is there, but can be turned off by default.
• 🧩 Budget models (Redmi) A2, POCO M5) — Support depends on the region of sale (in Russian versions of GLONASS is usually included).
• ⚠️ Older models (until 2018) – can only support GPS.

To find out exactly whether your Xiaomi GLONASS supports, check the specifications on the official website or use applications for testing satellites (we will discuss them below).

⚠️ Note: If you bought Xiaomi abroad (e.g. China or Europe), GLONASS can be disabled in the firmware, in which case it can be activated manually – read about this in the next section.

Where in the settings Xiaomi is GLONASS

Unlike GPS, which is automatically enabled when using maps, GLONASS requires manual activation in settings. The path to the menu may vary depending on the version of MIUI, but the general scheme is as follows:

Open Settings → Connections and Sharing (or Network and Internet) → Location.

1. Slip on location accuracy (or location mode).
2. Select High Accuracy (sometimes called GPS + GLONASS + BeiDou).
3. If there is no such item, click Additional → Satellite systems and turn on GLONASS manually.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global), the path may look different:

Settings → Applications → Resolutions → Location → Cog sign (settings) → Accuracy mode → High accuracy

If your phone doesn't explicitly mention GLONASS, it doesn't mean it doesn't. It may be that the system automatically connects when you select High Accuracy mode.

1. Open Settings → Location

Select "High accuracy" mode

3. Check the presence of the item "GLONASS" in additional settings

4. Install a satellite testing application (GPS Test)

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How to check if GLONASS works on Xiaomi

Turning on GLONASS in the settings is not enough - you need to make sure that the phone really catches signals from Russian satellites.

1. Install the GPS test app: GPS Test (shows the number of satellites visible and their type), GPSTest (displays the GLONASS signal separately from GPS), AndroGPS (lets you filter satellites by system).

Open the app and wait for the phone to determine the location.

• 🛰️ GPS — American satellites (numbers begin with the SVN).
• 🇷🇺 GLONASS - Russian satellites (numbers begin with R, for example, R01, R24).
• 🇪🇺 Galileo - European (numbers with E).

If you have satellites with an R prefix on the list (e.g. R03, R14) GLONASS works. If you don't have one, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📶 Enable flight mode for 30 seconds, then turn off.
• 📱 Update the firmware (sometimes bugs) MIUI block out satellites).

Important: On some Xiaomi models (e.g., POCO F3), GLONASS may not be displayed in test applications, but still run in the background. To check its impact accurately, compare the accuracy of the determination of coordinates with the “High Accuracy” mode on and off.

Why GLONASS may not work and how to fix it

If you have turned on GLONASS, but the phone still does not determine the location well, the reasons may be as follows:

The most common problem is the GLONASS-free firmware, for example, on the Chinese versions of Xiaomi (with China ROM firmware), Russian satellites are often disabled.

1. Install MIUI Russia or EU ROM (instructions are available on the 4PDA forums).
2. Use the GPS Config patch (requires root rights).
3. Update your phone to the latest version of MIUI via Settings → About Phone → System Update.

⚠️ Note: If you install custom firmware to activate GLONASS, make sure it is compatible with your model.Incorrect firmware can lead to loss IMEI or problems with the mobile network.

How to improve the work of GLONASS and GPS on Xiaomi

Even if GLONASS is on, it depends on many factors, from firmware to environmental conditions, and here are a few ways to improve navigation accuracy:

• 📶 Update the data AGPS: AGPS (Assisted GPS) It speeds up the search for satellites. You can update the data through the app. GPS Status & Toolbox (Manage) A-GPS state → Reset → Download).
• 🔋 Turn off battery saving for navigation apps: Go to Settings → Battery → Selection of applications and set for Yandex.Navigator or Google Maps mode Without restrictions.
• 📱 Use an external antenna (for car navigators): If the phone is used frequently in the car, connect an external one. GPS-antenna OTG-This will greatly improve the reception of the signal.
• 🌐 Set up regional settings: Some firmwares need to manually specify the region. → Additionally. → Region Choose Russia.

Useful Lifehack: If you use your navigator in your car often, turn on the developer settings to “Do not turn off the screen while charging” and prevent GPS from being turned off on long trips.

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Before you go to nature or to an unfamiliar city, download offline maps in Yandex.Maps or Google Maps in advance. This will speed up location determination and save traffic.

Frequent questions about GLONASS in Xiaomi phones

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GLONASS in Xiaomi is enabled through location settings (High Accuracy mode). If the satellites are not caught, check the firmware, update the AGPS or install custom MIUI with support for Russian satellites.