How to turn on GPS in Xiaomi: all ways + error solving

Geolocation has become an integral part of modern smartphones, from navigation in Google Maps to taxi services and geotagging in social networks. Owners of Xiaomi devices (including sub-brands Redmi, POCO and Black Shark) sometimes face questions about how to activate GPS, especially after resetting or updating MIUI. In this article, we will analyze all the available ways to enable geolocation, nuances for different versions of firmware and typical errors that interfere with accurate positioning.

It is important to understand that GPS-Xiaomi module works in conjunction with other positioning systems: A-GPS (So just turning on the switchboard in the settings doesn't always guarantee stable performance. We're going to look at not only the basic steps, but also the hidden parameters that will help improve accuracy, like setting up the switchboard. EPO (Extended Prediction Orbit for a quick cold start.

If you notice that navigation is unstable — you're looking for satellites, you're showing incorrect coordinates, you're not even able to locate them — you'll find a checklist to diagnose the problem, and for owners of devices with MIUI 14 and later, we've added up-to-date screenshots and accounted for changes in the interface that often confuse users.

1. Basic method: enable GPS through the notification panel

The fastest way to activate geolocation is to use the Quick Settings Panel, which is suitable for all Xiaomi models, regardless of MIUI or Android version.

• 📱 Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
• 🔍 Find the Location icon** (usually stylized as a navigator icon or arrow) If it's not there, swipe left to deploy the full panel.
• 🔘 Stick the badge once if it lights up (usually blue or green) — GPS included.

Please note that on some devices (for example, POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12) when you first turn on, you may request permission to access geodata for system applications.

⚠️ Note: If the Location icon on the panel is gray and inactive, it may mean that GPS It's disabled at the system level, so you can move to the next section with the settings through the settings menu.

2. enable GPS through system settings

If fast access didn't work or you need to adjust geolocation options more flexibly, use the settings menu. This method is universal and works even on older versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 12).

1. Open the Settings app** (cog icon).
2. Go to Memory and Geoposition (newer versions) or Additional → Geoposition (older versions).
3. Activate the location accuracy slider** at the top of the screen.
4. Below, select the mode of operation: 📡 «High accuracy - it is used GPS, Wi-Fi, mobile networks and sensors: optimal for navigation, but consumes more battery. 📶 «Charge savings** – determines location by towers and Wi-Fi, GPS It's rare, it's good for geotags on social media. 🔄 «Only by device.** Only by device. GPS-The most accurate, but slow and energy-intensive module.

On devices with MIUI 14+, there may be no Memory and Geo-Position section, in which case the path will be: Settings → Applications → Permissions → Geo-Position. Here you can also configure access for individual applications (for example, prevent TikTok from using your location).

Make sure your smartphone is not in energy saving mode

Check your internet connection (required for A-GPS)

Update your firmware to the latest version of MIUI

Turn it off. VPN (can block geodata)-->

3. Hidden GPS settings: Developer Mode and EPO

If standard methods don't give you a stable signal, you should look into the hidden settings, which allow you to manually update EPO data, which speeds up the cold start of GPS, or change the parameters of GPS.conf for better reception in your region.

First, activate the developer mode:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version (you will be notified “You became a developer”).
3. Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.

⚠️ Note: Changing the GPS.conf file without knowing the parameters can cause the module to be completely inoperable. If you are not sure, use standard settings or contact the service center.

4.GPS problems on Xiaomi: causes and solutions

If GPS is not on or is not working properly, the reasons may be both software and hardware. Below is a table with typical problems and ways to fix them:

The MIUI aggressively optimizes background processes, which can shut down GPS after 5-10 minutes without active use.

1. Find your navigation app (like Google Maps) and set it to “No Limits.”

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If GPS Not working after the update MIUI, Try resetting your network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Reset network settings. This will remove stored Wi-Fi and cellular settings, but often solves geolocation problems.

Verification of GPS operation: test applications

To make sure that the module is working correctly, use specialized utilities that show the number of satellites caught, the accuracy of the signal and the speed of updating coordinates.

• 📊 GPSTest (from Chartcross Limited) – displays signals from all satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo).
• 🔍 AndroSensor – shows raw data from sensors, including GPS.

How to check:

1. Install one of the apps (such as GPSTest) from Google Play.
2. Open it and wait until the smartphone finds satellites (in open areas, it takes 30-60 seconds).
3. Pay attention to this: 📶 Number of satellites (optimum 8)+ positioning). 🎯 Accuracy (should be less than 10 meters). ⚡ Time to first fix (TTFF). Normal, up to 30 seconds.

If the app shows 0 satellites for more than 5 minutes in open terrain, it is a sign of hardware malfunction. GPS-In this case, a diagnosis is required at the service center.

6. features of GPS on different models Xiaomi

Productivity GPS-The module depends on the model of the smartphone and the version of the chipset, for example, devices on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or X-ray). POCO F5 Pro) supports all modern satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS), Budget models (e.g. Redmi) 10A) They can only be limited. GPS GLONASS.

Below is a comparison of GPS capabilities in popular lines:

For owners of devices with MediaTek (for example, Redmi Note 12 4G) it is worth considering that these chipsets sometimes work worse with GLONASS than Snapdragon. If you notice that navigation “floats” – try manually disabling GLONASS in the GPS.conf settings (root required).

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Xiaomi’s flagship models (12/13/14) use dual-band GPS (L1 + L5), which more accurately determines coordinates in urban conditions and reduces the error to 1-3 meters.

7 Energy Saving and GPS: How to Save Battery

Continuing work GPS-For example, 2 hours of active navigation in Google Maps can eat up to 30-40% of the charge:

• 🔋 Use Charge Saving mode** in geoposition settings unless high accuracy is required.
• 📴 Turn it off. GPS, When not needed (for example, after the trip is over).
• 🔄 In Google Maps, activate the “Only when used” option** in the app permissions.
• 📡 Download offline maps in advance to reduce your mobile internet usage (which also consumes battery life).

On devices with MIUI 14+, the Adaptive Battery feature** (Settings → Battery → Adaptive Battery) has been introduced, which automatically limits the background activity of applications, including those using GPS. If you notice that geolocation stops working after a few minutes without active use, add the desired application to the exceptions:

1. Select All applications → find yours (for example, Yandex.Navigator).
2. Slip it and select "No Limits"**.

FAQ: Frequent questions about GPS on Xiaomi