Xiaomi’s smartphone geolocation is not just a feature for maps; it’s a function that depends on food delivery, taxis, fitness trackers, banking apps, and even some games. The Redmi Note 8 Pro, despite its age, is still a popular device, but owners often face problems: GPS searches for satellites for a long time, applications do not see the location, the battery lands due to background geolocation. This article provides step-by-step instructions for turning on and fine-tuning geoservices, as well as ways to fix typical errors that are not described in the official documentation.
Many users mistakenly think that it is enough to move the slider in the settings, but in fact, for stable geolocation on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, you need to consider the power saving mode, application permissions, and sometimes firmware updates. We will analyze all the nuances from the basic activation to the hidden developer parameters, which increase the accuracy of positioning by 2-3 times.
1. Basic activation of geolocation through settings
To start with, the simplest way is to turn on your GPS through a standard menu, which is 90% of the time, but it doesn't guarantee maximum accuracy. If you just want Yandex.Maps or Uber to locate you, follow the instructions:
Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen) and follow the steps:
- Go to the Memory and Geo-position section → Geoposition.
- Activate the main switch at the top of the screen (it will turn blue).
- Select Precision Mode (High accuracy is recommended for the best signal).
After that, the smartphone will start using GPS, GLONASS, Wi-Fi networks and cell towers to determine the coordinates. Note: the first time you turn on, the system may request confirmation for individual applications (for example, Google Maps or 2GIS).
Geoposition slider activated (blue)
Selected "High accuracy" mode
Applications granted permission to access location
Smartphone is not in energy saving mode
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2. Setup of permissions for applications
Even if the geolocation is enabled at the system level, individual programs may not see it, and this is due to individual permissions that are reset after updates or firmware changes, to verify and configure access:
Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management. Select the desired application (for example, Yandex.Navigator) and:
- 📍 Click on the Permissions item.
- 🔍 Find the Location line and set the value Allow All Time (for navigators) or Allow only during use (for social networks).
- 🔄 If the option is blocked, check if Special Permissions are disabled in the same menu.
An important nuance: some applications (e.g. banking) require precise location, not approximate. If the app settings have the option of location accuracy, select High.
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If the app doesn’t request geolocation access, try reinstalling it or clearing the cache in the app’s settings.
3. Geolocation problems: why GPS doesn't work
If the Redmi Note 8 Pro does not determine the coordinates after the geolocation is turned on, the reasons may be as follows:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| GPS has been searching for satellites for a long time | Weak signal in a room or in a city with tall buildings | Go out into the open or use high precision mode with Wi-Fi |
| Apps don't see location | No permits or energy saving mode enabled | Check permits and disable energy saving for geoservices |
| Coordinates are determined with a large error | Only GPS without GLONASS or Wi-Fi is used | Enable High Accuracy and Update AGPS Data |
| The geolocation shuts down on its own. | Battery optimization kills background processes | Add geolocation applications to optimisation exceptions |
A critical feature of the Redmi Note 8 Pro is that it uses the MediaTek Helio G90T chip, which sometimes conflicts with the GPS module when power saving mode is activated. If you notice that geolocation disappears after 5-10 minutes of inactivity, turn off battery optimization for Google Play services and navigation applications.
How to update AGPS data to speed up satellite search?
4. Hidden developer settings for precise geolocation
If standard methods don't give you the accuracy you need, you can activate the developer mode and manually adjust the GPS settings.
- 🚗 Taxi drivers and couriers who need accuracy up to 5 meters.
- 🏃♂️ Athletes using trackers to run or bike.
- 📡 Users in weak signal conditions (forests, mountains).
To open the developer menu:
- Go to Settings. → The phone.
- Find the MIUI version and click on it 7 times in a row. You will be notified of becoming a developer!
- Go back to the main settings menu and open a new section for developers.
Now find and activate the following options:
- Turn on GPS-logger (to write coordinates into a file).
- Use GPS only (without internet) – disable this option if you want maximum accuracy.
- Debugging by USB → Disable permissions USB — It may interfere with the work of geo-services.
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Turning on the developer mode does not void the warranty, but changing some parameters can lead to unstable operation of the smartphone.
5 Energy Saving vs. Geolocation: How to Find Balance
One of the main reasons why GPS suddenly shuts down on the Redmi Note 8 Pro is the aggressive battery optimization in MIUI firmware. The system automatically pauses background processes, including geoservices, to save charge.
Go to Settings → Battery and Performance → Battery Optimization.
- 🔋 Find applications that need constant access to geolocation (for example, Yandex.Navigator or Google Maps).
- 🔄 Click on the app and select Without restrictions.
- 📵 Turn off Automatic Optimization for Critical Services.
Also check the settings of the Power Saving Mode:
- If Super Energy Saving is enabled, geolocation will shut down after 1-2 minutes of inactivity.
- In Balanced GPS mode, it is more stable, but the battery goes down faster.
- For maximum accuracy, choose Performance, but be prepared for increased charge consumption.
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If you only need geolocation periodically (for example, for traffic jams in the navigator), turn on Power Saving mode and manually start updating the coordinates in the application. This will save up to 30% of the battery.
6. Update firmware and reset settings
If none of the methods worked, the problem could be in outdated firmware or system file conflict.The Redmi Note 8 Pro has received upgrades to MIUI 13, but many users still use older versions where GPS is not working properly.
To update the firmware:
- Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
- Click Check Updates and wait for the latest version to download.
- If the update is not found, download the firmware manually from the Xiaomi Firmware site and install through System Update → Three dots → Select a firmware file.
If the problem persists, reset your network settings:
- Go to Settings → Memory and geoposition → Reset.
- Select Network Settings Reset (this will delete stored Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices, but will not affect personal data).
- Reboot your smartphone and re-set the geolocation.
Warning: A complete factory reset (Reset all data) should be a last resort, as it will delete all apps, photos and accounts.Be sure to back up through Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset before doing so.
7. Alternative methods of positioning
If GPS on the Redmi Note 8 Pro has not worked, you can use alternative geolocation methods, albeit with less accuracy:
- 📡 Cellular towers: works even without GPS, but determines the location with an error of 1-2 km. It is turned on automatically when selecting the mode Saving battery charge in geoposition settings.
- 📶 Wi-Fi: Smartphone scans the nearest access points and determines the coordinates from their databases. Accuracy - 50-200 meters).
- 🌐 Po Po Po IP-address: the most inaccurate method (accuracy up to 10-50 km), but it works always if there is Internet.
To force the GPS to be turned off and use only the network:
- Go to Settings → Geoposition → Accuracy mode.
- Select Networks Only (saves battery but reduces accuracy).
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In urban settings, the combination of Wi-Fi and cell towers often produces a more stable result than pure GPS, especially indoors or with weak satellite signal.