Have you ever noticed that your Xiaomi sometimes sends SMS- messages without your knowledge? or the mysterious “SMS- Positioning” item that is turned on by default appears in the security settings? It’s not a system bug or a virus — it’s a little-known feature that can both save lives in an emergency and become a potential leak of sensitive data. In this article, we’ll look at what SMS- Positioning on Xiaomi is, how it works at the MIUI 14/15 firmware level, and why it doesn’t make that feature.
The SMS- positioning concept is rooted in the 3GPP mobile standards, which provides a mechanism for transmitting device coordinates via the SMS- channel. At Xiaomi, this technology is integrated into system services and is closely related to the Emergency Location Service module (ELS). However, unlike the classic GPS or A-GPS, it uses a different data exchange protocol – and this imposes its limitations and features. You will see what models it needs to do to disable for its privacy.
What is it? SMS-Positioning and why it is needed
SMS- Positioning is a device location technology by exchanging SMS- service messages with cell towers. Unlike GPS, which requires satellite line of sight, or Wi-Fi positioning dependent on access points, this method works even in poor signal conditions or indoors.
- 🚨 Emergency calls: When you call emergency services (112, 911), the operator may request your coordinates via SMS if GPS is unavailable.
- 📡 Roaming and geolocation: Operators use this technology to refine your location as they move between networks.
- 🔒 Anti-theft: In some regions (e.g. China), SMS- positioning helps block stolen devices.
- 📱 System Services: MIUI may use this data to optimize geo-dependent functions (e.g., weather or notifications).
It's important to understand that this is not the same as sending SMS coordinates manually, it's at the level of the RIL module (Radio Interface Layer) and it doesn't show up in the message log. Moreover, in Xiaomi, this feature is often activated by default, even if you never consented to it. Why? Because it's governed not only by the settings of the smartphone, but also by the policies of the mobile operator.
How it works SMS-Positioning on Xiaomi: technical details
The SMS- positioning mechanism on Xiaomi is based on the LPP (LTE Positioning Protocol) standard and the SUPL (Secure User Plane Location) protocol. When a system or external service requests your location, the following happens:
- Request Initiation: An operator server or application (such as Mi Cloud) sends a special SMS-PP (Positioning Protocol) packet to your smartphone.
- On-device processing: ModemProcessor module in Xiaomi analyzes the request and, if permitted, collects data from: 📶 Cell-ID, TA — Timing Advance] 🛰️ GPS/ GLONASS (if available) 📡 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (MAC- addresses of nearby devices)
Formation of response
Xiaomi's feature is that it can work even when the GPS is off and the internet is off, for example, if you're lost in the woods without a connection, but there's a cell tower nearby, rescue services can theoretically request your location via the SMS- channel.
| Parameter | GPS | SMS-positioning |
|---|---|---|
| precision | 3-10 meters | 50–500,000 meters |
| Working without the Internet | Yes. | Yes. |
| Energy consumption | High. | Low. |
| Visibility to the user | Yeah (in the panel icon) | No. |
| Dependence on operator | No. | Yes. |
In Xiaomi models on the Snapdragon processor (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro+), SMS-positioning is implemented through the proprietary module Qualcomm Location Services, which can send data even when the screen is locked. On devices with MediaTek chips (for example, POCO X5), the built-in MTK Location Suite software, which is less accurate but more energy efficient, is responsible for this.
Where to find the SMS- positioning settings in MIUI
Unlike GPS or Wi-Fi, the SMS- positioning options are hidden deep in the system menu, and their location depends on the MIUI version and the firmware region.
For MIUI 14/15 (Global/EU):
- Open Settings → Passport MI → Privacy.
- Scroll down to System Services and select Application Permissions.
- Slip on three dots in the upper right corner and select Show System.
- Find the SMS Positioning Service or Emergency Location.
For MIUI China:
- Go to Settings → Further → Privacy.
- Select Special Access → Location Access.
- Turn on the system applications display and find (literally, “SMS- Positioning Service”).
To disable the function:
- Go to the settings as described in the previous section.
- Find SMS Positioning Service and turn off location permission.
- To completely shut down, you will need a ADB- command: adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.qualcomm.location (for Snapdragon) or adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.mediatek.location (for MediaTek).
⚠️ Warning: Disabling system services via ADB may cause GPS, mobile internet or calls to be unstable. On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 12T), this also blocks access to the Mi Cloud.
An alternative way is to use a firewall (e.g., NetGuard) to block network access from the com.qualcomm.location application. However, this does not guarantee 100% protection, since SMS- positioning can work through a modem module that bypasses Android restrictions.
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If you travel frequently, check your roaming settings: some carriers (such as China Mobile) automatically enable your roaming settings. SMS-positioning for tourists "for security purposes." This can be disabled via USSD-request #4636## →"Phone information" →"Shut down. ELS".
Differences between SMS- positioning from GPS, A-GPS and other technologies
Many users confuse SMS- positioning with other methods of location determination.
| Technology | Source of data | precision | Working without the Internet | Energy consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMS-positioning | Cellular towers + GPS (optional) | Low (up to 5 km) | Yes. | Very low. |
| GPS | Satellites | Tall (3-10 m) | Yes. | High. |
| A-GPS | Satellites + network data | Average (5-50 m) | No (we need the internet) | Average. |
| Wi-Fi positioning | MAC- Access Point Addresses | Tall (10-100 m) | No. | Low. |
The main advantage of the SMS- positioning is to work in the absence of a GPS- signal.
- 🏙️ In urban canyons, where satellite signals are screened by buildings.
- 🏔️ In mountains or forests where the internet is weak but there is coverage 2G/3G.
- 🚇 In subway or underground parking lots (if there is support LTE-M).
However, the technology has critical shortcomings:
- 🎯 Low accuracy: Coordinates can point to an entire block rather than a specific building.
- ⏱️ Delays: Sending and processing SMS takes 5–30 seconds.
- 🔒 Vulnerability: SMS- messages can be intercepted or spoofed (attacks SMS).
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SMS- Positioning is an emergency geolocation method that is not intended for everyday use, but serves as a backup channel for emergency or system needs.
Problems and errors of SMS- positioning on Xiaomi
Despite its usefulness, a function often becomes a source of problems, and here are the most common errors and their causes:
| Symptoms. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous SMS to +12345 | Qualcomm Location Services | Clear the cache of the com.qualcomm.location application |
| Quick battery discharge in standby mode | Background activity of the LPP module | Disable SMS- Positioning in Settings |
| The "SMS-PP failed" error in the logs | Blocking by operator or incompatible SIM- card | Call the operator or change the SIM |
| It is impossible to disable the function in the settings | Operator policy (e.g. in China) | Use ADB or change firmware to Global |
One of the most frustrating things is when Xiaomi starts sending SMS messages for no apparent reason, and it can be because of:
- 🔄 Cyclical coordinate request by the operator (e.g., roaming).
- 📲 Failure in firmware, especially after the MIUI update.
- 🕵️ Spyware masquerading as a system service.
⚠️ Warning: If your Xiaomi sends SMS to short numbers like #LOC or *141# more than 1 time per hour, this is an excuse to check the device for viruses using Malwarebytes or reset the settings to factory. In 2023, a CVE-2023-24567 vulnerability was identified that allows attackers to obtain IMEI and SIM- map data via SMS- positioning.
To diagnose the problem:
- Install the Network Signal Guru app and check the LPP module activity.
- Enter in the dialer: ##4636## → Phone Information →LPP Status If Active status, then the function is working.
- Check the log of system events via ADB: adb logcat | grep -i"lpp\|sms-pp"
SMS- Positioning in different Xiaomi models: what has changed in the 2026 year
With the release of MIUI 15 and new models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro+), there have been changes in the implementation of SMS-positioning.
- 🔒 More control: MIUI 15 has a separate switch for Emergency Location via SMS in the security settings.
- 📡 Support 5G: New models use the 5G LPP protocol, which is 30-40% more accurate.
- 🌍 Regional restrictions: In the EU, the default feature is disabled due to GDPR, in China it is mandatory.
- 🔋 Battery Optimization: In Xiaomi 14 SMS- positioning is activated only at low signal level GPS.
Model comparison:
| Model | Support SMS-positioning | precision | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13/13 Pro | Yeah (Qualcomm) | 100–1000 m | It works with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. |
| Redmi Note 12 | Yes (MediaTek) | 200–2,000 m | Less energy consumption but less accuracy |
| POCO F5 | Yeah (Qualcomm) | 50–800 m | Supports LPP over 5G |
| Redmi A2 | No. | — | Budget models lack this function |
In 2026, Xiaomi also began testing hybrid positioning, which combines data from SMS, GPS and Wi-Fi 6E. This technology will be available in MIUI 16 and promises accuracy up to 20 meters even indoors.
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If you have a Xiaomi 12T or newer, check for an update for the Qualcomm Location module via Settings → About Phone → Software Update → Additional Updates. New versions reduce delays when SMS- is positioned from 30 to 5 seconds.