Geolocation on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is not just a navigation feature; it depends on maps, weather forecasts, photo geotags, and even security (for example, Find a Device service). However, many users face problems: GPS does not detect location, applications do not access geodata, or the battery quickly drains due to the background activity of the module. In this article, we will discuss all ways to enable and configure geolocation on Redmi (relevant for MIUI 14/15 and later), and also explain how to optimize GPS without losing accuracy.
If you've never geolocated or suddenly stopped getting coordinates, don't be quick to blame the iron. 80 percent of the time, the problem is with misconfigured MIUI settings, permission conflicts, or energy-saving modes. We've tested all the methods on the Redmi Note 12/13 Pro, Redmi 10/11, and POCO X5 models, and the instructions are universal across the line.
Before you start, make sure you have:
- 📱 Xiaomi Redmi smartphone with version MIUI 12 or later (check in Settings) → The phone).
- 🌐 Stable connection to a mobile network or Wi-Fi (to speed up the first coordinate determination).
- 🔋 Battery charge of at least 20% (at low charge, the system can block background geolocation).
1. Basic GPS activation on Xiaomi Redmi
The first step is to turn on the GPS/GLONASS module itself. On Xiaomi, this is done through a quick settings panel or a settings menu. Note: simply enabling geolocation does not guarantee that applications will be able to use it - this requires additional permissions (we will discuss them in the next section).
How to turn on GPS:
- Swipe down from the top edge of the screen to open the notification bar.
- Find the Location icon (an arrow or pin icon) and tap it. If there's no icon, click on the pencil (Edit) and add it to the panel.
- Hold your finger on the Location icon to get into the advanced settings.
Alternative way through the menu:
- Open Settings → Communication and Network → Location.
- Translate the slider "Location" in the position "On".
- Select the accuracy mode: 🎯 «High accuracy – uses GPS, Wi-Fi, mobile networks and sensors (maximum accuracy but increased battery consumption). 📡 «Charge savings – Wi-Fi and mobile networks only (accuracy) ~500 meters, suitable for urban conditions). 📍 «Only the device" - "only GPS (The most accurate in the field, but more slowly determines the coordinates in the room).
⚠️ Attention: If, after activation, GPS The location icon in the notification bar flashes gray, meaning that no application requests geodata. Check the permissions for the right programs (see Section 2).
2. Setup of permissions for applications
Turn on GPS is half the battle. Every application that needs geodata (like Google Maps, Yandex.Maps, Uber or 2GIS) needs to get a separate permission. On MIUI, these settings are hidden deeper than on pure Android, so many users miss them.
How to access geodata:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Select the application you want (such as Google Maps).
- Slip on the Permits. → Location.
- Choose one of the options: 🔘 «Allow all time" - for navigators and trackers (for example, Strava or Endomondo). 🔘 «Allow only during use – for maps and weather widgets. 🔘 «Disallow – if the app does not need coordinates (e.g. TikTok or games).
MIUI 14+ has introduced Special Access, which allows applications to get geodata even in the background, which is useful for fitness trackers or taxi services, but can reduce battery life.
- In the application resolution settings, tap on Special Access.
- Activate the option “Allow background location”.
🗺️ Is permission open for Google? Maps/Yandex. Map.
🔄 Special access for navigators is included
📶 Selected "High Accuracy" mode in settings GPS
🔋 Is the power saving mode turned off for geolocated applications?-->
3. Optimizing GPS accuracy on Xiaomi Redmi
If GPS detects your location with a large margin of error (for example, it shows not your house, but the next block), the problem may be:
- 📵 Weak signal - in premises or underground parking lots GPS worse.
- 🔄 Obsolete data A-GPS — satellite support system to accelerate satellite search.
- 🛠️ Firmware problems – some Redmi models (for example, Note 9 Pro) have bugs with the geolocation module.
How to improve accuracy:
- Update your A-GPS data: Install the GPS Status & Toolbox app from Google Play. Open it and click A-GPS Management → Reset. Then select Download (web required).
- Calibration of the compass: In the same app (GPS Status), go to the Compass tab. Spin the phone in the air, describing the infinity sign (∞), until the accuracy reaches "High".
Resetting network settings:
→ SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network resetThis will remove stored Wi-Fi and cellular settings, but often helps with geolocation issues.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| GPS can't find satellites | No Internet (required for A-GPS) | Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile network |
| Coordinates "jump" | Weak signal in the city (multiple reflection) | Use the "Device Only" mode. |
| Geolocation only works on the street. | GPS signal is blocked in the room | Enable High Accuracy Mode (with Wi-Fi) |
| Apps don't see GPS | No permits or energy saving | Check the permissions and turn off battery optimization |
Daily (navigator, tracking)
Several times a week
Only on trips.
Very rarely.
I don't use it at all.-->
Energy saving and geolocation: how to combine?
One of the biggest complaints of Xiaomi Redmi users is that the battery runs fast when GPS is turned on, and that’s because of the aggressive energy-saving algorithms in MIUI that can block background geolocation, for example, if you use a fitness tracker to record a jog and your phone goes to sleep, data can be lost.
How to reduce battery consumption without losing functionality:
- 🔋 Turn off power saving for critical applications: Go to Settings → Battery and productivity → Control battery consumption. Select an app (e.g. Google Maps) and set "No restrictions».
Use the charge saving mode for GPS:
If you don’t want maximum accuracy (for example, for a weather widget), select the Charge Savings mode in your location settings.
Limit background activity:
In Settings → Applications → Application Management, disable Auto Start and Background Activity for unnecessary programs.
⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Note 8 Pro) activate Ultrasaving mode in battery settings GPS It turns off completely, even if the icon in the notification bar is green!
💡
If you use your navigator frequently in your car, connect your smartphone to charge via the original cable – this will prevent overheating and GPS failures due to MIUI limitations at high temperatures.
5. Solving common geolocation problems
Even when properly configured, GPS can malfunction, and here are the typical situations and solutions.
Problem 1: GPS is turned on but does not find satellites (the icon flashes, but the coordinates are not updated).
- 🔹 Check if flight mode is on (it blocks all wireless modules, including the flight mode). GPS).
- 🔹 Reboot your phone – sometimes resetting the geolocation module helps.
- 🔹 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (the old firmware had bugs with the GPS-chip).
Problem 2: Apps (e.g. Uber or Yandex.Taxi) write “Not Location Impossible” even though GPS is enabled.
- 🔹 Remove the cache and application data in Settings → Annexes → [Title of the annex] → Warehouse.
- 🔹 Check if antivirus (e.g. Mi Security) blocks access to geodata.
- 🔹 Try using another app (e.g. Google Maps instead of 2GIS) – the problem may be on the software side.
Problem 3: Geolocation works, but the coordinates are jumping or showing the wrong place.
- 🔹 Turn it off. VPN Proxies – They can replace your location.
- 🔹 In the settings GPS (Settings → Location → Select Device Only (without Wi-Fi and mobile networks).
- 🔹 If you use custom ROM (For example, LineageOS, check if your firmware supports yours. GPS-chip.
What if GPS doesn’t work after MIUI update?
Geodata and security: what you need to know
Transferring geodata is not only a convenience, but also a potential privacy risk. For example, if you share photos on social networks with your geotag enabled, attackers can determine your location. At Xiaomi Redmi, there are several ways to control what data is being transferred and where.
How to protect your geolocation:
- 🔒 Turn off geotags in the camera: Open the camera app. ⚙️ «Settings» → «Location and turn off the option.
Limit access to geodata for social networks:
In Settings → Privacy → Permissions → Location, deny access to Facebook, Instagram, VK and other apps.
Use the “False Location” (root required):
With applications like Fake GPS Location, you can emulate other coordinates, useful for testing or circumventing regional constraints.
On Xiaomi models with a MediaTek processor (such as the Redmi 9A or Redmi 10A), the False Location feature may not work due to the limitations of the chipset, in which case only replacing the firmware with AOSP will help.
💡
Always check which apps request access to geodata. Even a flashlight or calculator can collect your location to show targeted ads.
7. Alternative methods of positioning
If your Redmi GPS is permanently broken (for example, after falling or getting moisture), alternative geolocation methods can be used, which are less accurate, but will be suitable for basic tasks:
- 📡 Cellular towers: Mobile operators can locate you by the nearest towers, 500 meters to 2 km accurate, even without the help of the mobile phone. GPS.
- 📶 Over Wi-Fi: Google and Apple are building a database of Wi-Fi hotspots with their coordinates, and if you're connected to the network, the phone can pinpoint your location to within 50 to 100 meters.
- 🧭 Po Po Po IP-The most inaccurate method (accuracy up to 20 to 50 km), but it always works.