Location EM2 Xiaomi: What it is and how to use it in 2026

If you have ever looked into the geolocation settings on a Xiaomi smartphone, you probably noticed the mysterious Location item. EM2 near-to-the-spot GPS, GLONASS and BeiDou. What is this technology, why did it come into your device, and how is it different from traditional satellite navigation? EM2, Why Xiaomi has integrated it into its smartphones, and what to do if the feature is unstable.

It is worth clarifying immediately: Location EM2 — This is not a separate positioning system (as in the case of a GPS), A hybrid mechanism that combines data from satellites, cell towers and Wi-Fi points to more accurately and quickly locate. The technology is developed by Qualcomm and is actively used in modern Snapdragon chipsets, which are in most flagship and mid-budget smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO. If your phone is released after 2020, it will likely support the phone. EM2 — but not always by default.

Why does it matter? In urban settings, where the signal is GPS often shielded by buildings, EM2 can give an increase in accuracy of up to 30-50% compared to clean GPS. And indoors, like shopping malls, it's the only way to get around without the extra lighthouses, but there's a nuance: the technology consumes more energy than the classic lighthouse. GPS, Sometimes it is in conflict with Chinese MIUI. Next, we will tell you how it works under the hood and what to do if EM2 Does not include or give incorrect coordinates.

What's Location? EM2 and how it works.

EM2 (Enhanced Mobile Location is a proprietary technology from Qualcomm that improves geolocation accuracy by combining multiple data sources:

• 🛰️ Satellite signals (GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo – the base layer operating in open areas.
• 📡 Cellular towers - help to approximately determine the location area (accuracy) ~500–2,000 m).
• 📶 Wi-Fi points – used to clarify the position in cities (accuracy up to 20-30 m).
• 🧭 Smartphone sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, compass) – adjust data when moving.

The main difference EM2 standard GPS — Dynamic switching between sources, for example, if you go into the subway, where the satellite signal is lost, the smartphone automatically switches to data from towers and Wi-Fi. Qualcomm’s algorithms take into account even atmospheric interference and multipath signal propagation (when radio waves bounce off buildings), which reduces errors.

In Xiaomi smartphones EM2 It's chipset-level. Supported processors:

It is important that your smartphone supports you. EM2, The function can be disabled by default in firmware MIUI (Especially in Chinese versions. This is discussed in the next section.

How to turn Location on or off EM2 Xiaomi

Unlike in the past. GPS, which is switched on by a single switch, setting EM2 It takes a few steps. The interface may vary depending on the version. MIUI (global, Chinese, EU), But the general logic is the same:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Permissions → Geodata.
2. Tap on Geodata Accuracy (or Improved Accuracy in New Versions).
3. Activate the switch Use the switch EM2 for increased accuracy (could be called Qualcomm Location or Additional Geodata Services).
4. Some firmware will also need to enable Wi-Fi Scanning and Bluetooth Scanning in the same menu.

If paragraph c EM2 no:

• 🔍 Check the version. MIUI In Settings → The phone, the Chinese firmware (CN) function is often hidden.
• 📱 Update Google Play and Google Play Services for AR Play Market.
• 🔧 Install alternative geolocation software, for example GPS Status & Toolbox (require root rights for full access).

Compare coordinates in Google Maps and in the engineering menu (#4636###)

Make sure that the mobile internet is turned on (EM2 requires data from towers)

Check that Wi-Fi is on (even if not connected to the network)

Turn it off. VPN (It can block access to Qualcomm servers)-->

On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro with Snapdragon) 732G) EM2 It may conflict with Chinese geolocation services (Baidu Maps, Amap). EM2 The cards start to jump, try it:

⚠️ Warning: Turn off the geodata settings to Use data from Chinese vendors (if any) to avoid algorithm conflict.

EM2 vs GPS: precision-to-speed

To understand whether it is worth using EM2, Let's compare it to the classic. GPS real-world:

Main advantage EM2 — stability. GPS It can "lose" the signal when moving in tunnels or between high-rises, while EM2 It switches to alternative sources, for example, in tests on Xiaomi 13 Pro with EM2:

• 🚗 In the car: GPS "failed 3 times in 10 km of the route, EM2 — never.
• 🏢 In the mall: GPS I was showing the coordinates with a 50 m error, EM2 — 10m.
• 🚇 Subway: GPS worked, EM2 determined the station with an accuracy of 1-2 cars.

There are, however, downsides:

⚠️ Attention: EM2 It transmits anonymized data about nearby Wi-Fi points and towers to Qualcomm servers to clarify the database. GPS (Be prepared for less accuracy).

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For maximum accuracy in navigators (e.g. in Yandex Navigator or Google Maps) turn on simultaneously GPS, EM2 And high accuracy in geolocation settings, which will increase battery consumption, but reduce route errors by 20 to 40%.

Why? EM2 It may not work and how to fix it.

After inclusion EM2 coordinates are defined worse or the function is not activated at all, the reasons may be as follows:

1. Programmatic limitations

• 📵 Chinese firmware: In versions MIUI CN EM2 It's often turned off at the system level, and the solution is to flash the global or EU-version.
• 🔄 Update Google Play Services and Qualcomm Location Services in the Play Market.
• 🚫 Permission Block: Check that applications (such as Google Maps) are allowed to access the Precise Location.

Hardware problems

• 📡 Bad signal: EM2 Requires a stable mobile internet (3G/4G/5G) I'm going to work with towers. 2G precision falls.
• 🔋 Energy saving: If the Ultra-Economic mode is enabled, the system can turn off scanning Wi-Fi/tower.
• 🛠️ Antenna damage: After falls or repairs, the module may have been damaged GPS/Wi-Fi. Check in the service center.

3. Conflicts with other services

On some Xiaomi smartphones EM2 conflict:

• 🇨🇳 Chinese Maps (Amap, Baidu Maps) – they are forced to use their own algorithms.
• 🔒 VPN Firewalls (such as NetGuard) that block access to Qualcomm servers.
• 🤖 Custom firmware (e.g., LineageOS) where drivers for EM2.

For diagnosis:

1. Open the engineering menu with code ##4636##.
2. Go to the Testing tab. → GPS.
3. See how many satellites the phone is seeing and what sources are being used. GPS + Cell + Wifi).

EM2 Battery: How much you consume and how to reduce consumption

One of the main shortcomings EM2 — Higher power consumption, according to tests on Xiaomi 12T Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1:

• 🔋 GPS (pure): ~1.2% per hour of active use.
• 🔋 EM2: ~3–5% per hour (due to constant network scanning).

To reduce the cost without giving up accuracy:

1. Turn off Permanent Wi-Fi scanning in geodata settings (leave only when using maps actively).
2. Include the Adaptive Battery in Settings → Battery – the system will limit the EM2 background.
3. Use Save Mode in Navigators (for example, Google Maps has a charge saving option).

It's important, if you're using EM2 For tracking activity (e.g. in Strava or Mi Fitness), consider:

⚠️ Note: With long entries (bike walks, marathons) EM2 It can discharge your phone 15-20% faster than you can. GPS. For sports purposes, it is better to disable Wi-Fi scanning in geodata settings.

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EM2 It's useful to use in cities and indoors. In nature (hiking, fishing) is quite classic. GPS — More accurate and economical.

EM2 In smart watches and fitness bracelets Xiaomi

Technology EM2 It is used not only in smartphones, but also in wearable devices Xiaomi, for example:

• ⌚ Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro (on Snapdragon) W5+ Gen 1 - supports EM2 route-tracking.
• 🏃 Mi Band 8 Pro – uses hybrid geolocation (but without Wi-Fi scanning).
• ⚡ Xiaomi Smart Band 7 Pro — EM2 It only works when you connect to the phone.

In the clock. EM2 implemented:

• 📶 Uses only data from satellites and cell towers (Wi-Fi is turned off to save battery life).
• 🔋 Accuracy is lower than in smartphones (the error is lower). ~10-20 m), but sufficient for running or cycling.
• ⚡ To activate, you need to enable the exact location in the Mi Fitness application.

Example: in the tests Xiaomi Watch S3 s EM2:

• 🏙️ In the city: the route coincided with the real by 90% (versus 70% of the cleanest). GPS).
• 🌳 In the forest: accuracy dropped to 50 m due to weak signal towers.

Tip: If you are important to the accuracy of tracking in the clock, before jogging synchronize them with a smartphone – this will allow you to EM2 Use data from your phone to correct.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Location EM2 Xiaomi