How to set up geolocation on Xiaomi: GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile networks

Have you just bought a new Xiaomi and noticed that maps detect your location with a few kilometers of error? Or apps like Yandex.Navigator and Google Maps constantly lose signal? The problem lies in the wrong geolocation settings - a system that combines data with GPS, Wi-Fi and cell towers. In this article, we will discuss how to enable and optimize geolocation on any Xiaomi smartphone (including Redmi, POCO and Mi), and solve typical errors: from slow satellite search to complete lack of signal.

It’s important to understand that geolocation on Xiaomi works differently than on iPhone or Samsung, and there are some nuances: for example, energy-saving mode can block background positioning, and Chinese firmware (MIUI China) sometimes restrict access to GPS for foreign services. We will look at universal solutions for all versions of MIUI (12 to 14), as well as some tips for popular models like the Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13T.

What is geolocation and how does it work for Xiaomi

Geolocation is a technology for determining the exact location of a device using a combination of several sources:

• 🛰️ GPS/GLONASS: satellite signals (the most accurate method, but requires direct sky visibility).
• 📶 Mobile networks: triangulation on cell towers (less accurate, but works indoors).
• 📡 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: determining the nearest access points (useful in cities).
• 🧭 Sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope and compass specify movement (used in navigators).

Xiaomi is responsible for this Location Services module, which is managed through system settings. Unlike Android in its pure form, MIUI adds its optimization layers — for example, the function "Battery Saving" can turn off GPS in the background, and "Performance Mode" — on the contrary, accelerate the search for satellites. Also, the accuracy is affected by the firmware version: MIUI 14 improved the location algorithms compared to MIUI 12.

Xiaomi smartphones with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) They usually catch satellites faster than models on MediaTek. POCO M5). This is due to hardware support for technology. A-GPS (Assisted GPS), which accelerates the cold start" GPS-module.

How to enable geolocation in MIUI settings

The basic geolocation setting takes less than a minute.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the Privacy section → Permits → geodata.
3. Activate the slider "Geodata" (should turn blue).
4. Click Accuracy Mode and select: High accuracy (uses GPS + Wi-Fi + mobile networks) is the best option for navigation; Charge saving (wi-fi only and mobile networks) is suitable for urban conditions; Only the device (GPS only) is the slowest, but accurate way.

After turning on, wait until the icon appears in the status bar (upper right corner). 📍 — that means GPS-If the icon is not available, check to see if the In-Air mode is disabled (it blocks all wireless modules, including the one on the plane). GPS).

Plane mode is off.

Mobile Internet or Wi-Fi enabled

Updated MIUI firmware to the latest version

VPNs and proxy servers are disabled

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⚠️ Note: On some models (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite) after upgrading to MIUI 14 reset geolocation settings if the upgrade is missing GPS, Reset network settings in Settings → Memory. → Resetting settings → Resetting network settings.

Setup of permissions for applications

Even if geolocation is enabled at the system level, individual applications (such as Google Maps or 2GIS) may not have access to your coordinates.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the desired application (for example, Yandex.Maps).
3. Press Permissions. → geodata.
4. Set one of the values: Allow all the time for the navigators; Allow only during use for social networks; Ban if the app doesn't need coordinates.

For Google Maps, it is also recommended to enable Location History (if you use the route tracking feature).

1. Open Google Maps → click on the profile avatar → Your chronicle → Settings chronicle.
2. Activate Location History and Web and Application Activity.

On models with MIUI China (for example, imported Xiaomi 13 Ultra) may not have access to Google services, in which case use alternatives: Baidu Maps or Amu Maps (they work through Chinese geolocation servers).

Accelerating Satellite Search (A-GPS and Other Tricks)

If your Xiaomi GPS has been catching satellites for a long time (over 30 seconds), the problem may be with outdated A-GPS (Assisted GPS) data, which helps the module to determine your location faster, but it needs to be updated periodically.

1. Install the GPS Status & Toolbox app from Google Play.
2. Open it and press A-GPS Management → Reset.
3. Then click Download – this will update the data from the satellites.
4. Reboot your smartphone.

Conflict with energy-saving regimes

Battery Optimization in MIUI can block GPS background work.

1. Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Optimization.
2. Find the application (for example, Yandex.Navigator) and select "No restrictions".

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI China geolocation may not work for Google services due to Chinese government restrictions.Solution - firmware MIUI Global or use VPN servers in the United States (but this will reduce accuracy).

💡

If you use your navigator in your car often, add it to AutoRun (Settings → Applications → AutoRun) to prevent the program from being closed by MIUI background optimization.

Features of geolocation on different models Xiaomi

Not all Xiaomi smartphones work equally well with GPS.

📱 Flagships (Xiaomi) 12/13 series, Mix)

They use dual-band. GPS-module (L1 + L5), which ensures accuracy to 1–3 They support Galileo and BeiDou in addition to the standard canyons. GPS/GLONASS.

📱 Mid-segment (Redmi Note) 11/12, POCO F/X)

The accuracy is 5-10 meters. On Snapdragon chips (such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro+), GPS is more stable than on MediaTek (POCO M5), the latter can lose signal in subways or underground parking lots.

📱 Budget models (Redmi) 10A, POCO C50)

Precision: 15 to 30 meters. Often used stripped down. GPS-modules without support L5. In such cases, the combination with Wi-Fi and mobile networks helps.

To check the accuracy of GPS on your model, install the GPSTest app and compare the number of satellites visible to the reference values from the table above.

How to turn off geolocation to save battery

If you don't use a navigator, GPS can cut battery life by 15 to 25 percent, so you can turn off geolocation.

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Geodata.
2. Deactivate the geodata slider.
3. For individual apps (such as Instagram), set the permission to "Disallow" or "During Use Only".

An alternative way is to use “Power Saving Mode” in geolocation settings (it turns off GPS, leaving only Wi-Fi and mobile networks), and you can set up automatic GPS shutdown on a schedule using the MacroDroid or Tasker app.

⚠️ Note: Some system applications (such as Mi Cloud or Find Device) require access to geodata to run the Find Device function. If you turn off geolocation completely, you will not be able to track your smartphone in the event of a theft.

💡

For maximum battery savings, turn off geolocation manually after using the navigator. Automatic modes (e.g., "Adaptive Battery" in the "Adaptive Battery" MIUI) not always properly managed GPS-module.

FAQ: Frequent questions about geolocation on Xiaomi