GPS does not work on Android: what to do owners Xiaomi in 2026

If your Xiaomi smartphone has stopped pinpointing its location, shows incorrect coordinates, or does not find satellites at all, the problem can be in software failures and hardware malfunctions, especially for the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Mi 11 models, where users often encounter floating GPS after MIUI updates or mechanical damage.

In this article, we'll look at 10 proven ways to make GPS work, from basic settings to deep diagnostics. Importantly, some methods require root rights or special tools (like the MTK Engineering Mode for Mediatek chips), but most solutions are available without technical skills.

1. Check basic GPS settings on Xiaomi

Before you commit to hardware breakdowns, make sure that the problem is not in the disabled options. On Xiaomi smartphones, three components are responsible for the navigation work:

• 📍 Location mode – “High accuracy” must be enabled (uses) GPS + Wi-Fi + mobile).
• 🔄 Synchronization of date and time – with incorrect data GPS It will not be able to connect to satellites.
• 📶 Mobile data – even if you use offline maps, background network connectivity speeds up satellite search.

How to check:

1. Open Settings → Apps → Permissions → Autorun and make sure that autorun is enabled for Google Play Services and Google Maps.
2. Go to Settings → Additional → Privacy → Permissions → Location and enable access for mapping applications.
3. In Settings → System → Date and time activate automatic synchronization (if the option is disabled, GPS may not work correctly).

If the GPS still doesn't work after this manipulation, move on to the next step. Note that on some MIUI 14+ firmware, the path to settings may be different - use menu search (Settings → Search).

2. reset GPS settings and navigation data cache

GPS malfunctions are often associated with a damaged cache of Google Play Services or GPS Test apps. Clearing the cache and data can return functionality without resetting the phone to factory settings.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Google Play Services (or Google Play Services), click Storage → Clear cache.
3. Do the same for Google Maps and GPS Test applications (if installed).
4. Restart your phone and check the GPS in the Google Maps or Yandex.Maps app.

If the cache reset didn’t work, try resetting the AGPS (Assisted GPS) settings, which will speed up the first location determination after the reboot.

1. Install the GPS Status & Toolbox app from Google Play.
2. Open it and press A-GPS Management → Reset.
3. Wait 5-10 minutes and restart navigation.

Clear the cache of Google Play Services|

Clear the data of Google Maps|

Reset AGPS via GPS Status|

Reboot the phone-->

3. Update of firmware and GPS modules

Manufacturers regularly release patches to fix GPS bugs, especially after major MIUI updates. If your Xiaomi is running an outdated firmware version, this could be causing a problem.

How to update:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click Check Updates and install available patches.
3. If there are no updates, check out the Google Play Services version on Google Play – it should be up to date.

Models running Qualcomm chips (such as the POCO F4 or Redmi K50) may require an update to the GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) module, which is done via the Fastboot or MIUI bootloader, but requires caution - incorrect actions will lead to a loss of warranty.

After the update GPS It's still not working, it could be regional settings, some of Xiaomi's firmware is country-specific, and it's turned off GLONASS or Galileo, so you can change the region to India or Europe in your settings. SIM-map.

4. Hardware Component Verification: Antenna and GPS Chip

If software methods didn't work, it could be physical damage to the GPS antenna or its contacts, which is true after a fall, moisture or disassembly of the phone.

How to diagnose:

• 🔍 Check if it works. GPS in safe mode (press the power button) → Safe Mode? If yes, third-party applications are a problem.
• 📱 Install the GPSTest app and look at the signal graph. If the satellites are not caught at all (icon) 0/12) — Possible antenna failure.
• 🛠️ Disassemble the phone (only if you have experience!) and check the integrity of the antenna plume. GPS (It is usually located next to the main camera).

On Xiaomi’s metal-body models (Mi 10, Mi 11), the GPS antenna is often integrated into the top of the frame, and can move away from the board when hit hard, requiring soldering or replacement.

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If the phone fell or got wet, do not rush to disassemble it yourself. In Xiaomi service centers, the diagnostics of the GPS antenna costs from 500 rubles, and repairs - from 1500 rubles (depending on the model).

5.Use of the Engineering Menu for GPS Diagnostics

An engineering mode can be used to test GPS deeply, which is suitable for advanced users, as the wrong settings can make the phone work worse.

Instructions for Mediatek chips (e.g. Redmi 9, POCO M3):

1. Install the MTK Engineering Mode app from Google Play.
2. Open it and go to Location → GPS.
3. Press Start and wait for the app to find the satellites. If there are no Fix errors in the log, it's a hardware problem.

For Qualcomm chips (e.g. POCO X3 Pro, Redmi K40):

1. Enter the dialer code ##4636##.
2. Select Testing → GPS.
3. If the status indicates No satellites, try resetting to factory settings.

The engineering menu also allows you to force support for GLONASS or BeiDou satellites if they are disabled by default, but beware - changing the parameters of NMEA or AGPS can lead to a complete loss of signal.

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The engineering menu is a powerful tool, but it's dangerous to change the settings without understanding the consequences. If you're not sure, you better go to the service.

6. Alternative methods: firmware rollback and custom solutions

If GPS stopped working after the MIUI update, sometimes a rollback to the previous firmware version helps, this is true for models where the navigation bugs are confirmed by other users (for example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro on MIUI 14.0.3).

How to roll back:

1. Download the stable firmware version from miuirom.xiaomi.com (select Global or EEA region).
2. Use the MI Flash Tool to run through Fastboot (instructions are available on the 4PDA forum).
3. After the firmware, reset the settings (Settings → Additional → Resetting).

For advanced users, there is another way to install a custom core with a fixed GPS driver, such as the FrancoKernel kernel for the POCO F1, and the Perseus for the Redmi Note 9 Pro, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and root rights, which voids the warranty.

Warning: rolling back firmware or installing custom solutions can result in data loss or phone locking.Before the procedure, make a backup via Mi Cloud or TWRP.

7. When to contact the service: signs of hardware breakdown

If none of these methods worked, the problem is likely to be the hardware, and here are the key signs that the phone needs repair:

In service centers Xiaomi diagnostics takes 1-2 days. If the phone warranty, repair will be free (provided that the breakdown is not caused by mechanical damage). For models older than 2 years, replacing the GPS antenna will cost 1,500-3,500 rubles depending on the complexity of the work.

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Before visiting the service, make a backup of data through Mi Cloud or Google Account - during repairs, the phone can be reset to factory settings.

8.Preventing GPS problems on Xiaomi

To avoid future GPS problems, follow these guidelines:

• 📱 Update your firmware and Google Play Services regularly.
• 🔋 Avoid 0% discharge of the phone – it can damage the module GPS.
• 🌡️ Do not use navigation when your phone overheats (above 45).°C).
• 🛡️ Install a case without metal inserts - they screen the signal.
• 🚫 Do not drop the phone and avoid moisture in the upper part of the case (where the antenna is located).

It is also useful to periodically test GPS with GPS Test or GPSTest applications to notice the signal deterioration in time. If you travel often, turn on support for all available satellite systems (GPS + GLONASS + Galileo + BeiDou) in the settings.

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On Xiaomi models with Mediatek chipsets (like the Redmi 10), GPS may perform worse in cold weather.

FAQ: Frequent questions about GPS on Xiaomi