Modern smartphones Xiaomi, running a shell MIUI or a new one HyperOS, offer users a wide range of functions that depend on precise location determination. From navigating in an unfamiliar city to finding a lost device, all these services require the activation of the corresponding modules. However, the interface of Chinese manufacturers often differs from the stock one, which can cause difficulties for beginners when finding the necessary switches. Android, which can cause difficulty for beginners when finding the right switches.
Enabling geolocation is not just activating a single button, but a complex setting that affects the operation of maps, weather widgets and security services. Incorrect configuration can lead to rapid battery drain or, conversely, to inaccurate coordinate determination. In this article, we will look in detail at all the ways to activate GPS, configure energy saving modes, and grant permissions to specific applications.
Please note that the menu location may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and model of your device. However, the logic of the system remains the same for the entire ecosystem. We will look at both quick activation methods through the notification curtain and deep settings in the system menu that will help solve problems with the “jumping” cursor on the map.
Quick activation through the notification panel
The easiest and fastest way to enable location detection is to use the quick settings panel, known as the “curtain”. To do this, just swipe your finger down from the very top edge of the screen. On some models, you need to swipe twice to open the full list of icons.
Among the many buttons for controlling brightness, flashlight and Bluetooth, you need to find the icon designated as Location or GPS. It usually looks like an upside down blob or pin of a card. If you don't see this icon on the first screen, swipe right or click on the edit button (pencil) to add it to the active zone.
Tapping on an icon changes its status: the active state is usually highlighted in blue or green, while the disabled state remains gray. Once activated, a small satellite or pin icon may appear in the status bar to indicate that the module has begun searching for signals. This action instantly starts the location service for all applications that have the appropriate rights.
⚠️ Attention: Quick activation through the curtain activates the “By network coordinates” or “By all sources” mode, depending on the previous settings. For maximum accuracy in navigation, it is recommended to check additional parameters in the settings menu.
Deep configuration in the system menu
If you require a more subtle configuration, for example, selecting a mode for determining coordinates or disabling movement history, you need to go to the main settings menu. The path may vary slightly, but the standard algorithm for Xiaomi looks like this: open the application Settings and find the section Privacy or Passwords and security.
Inside this section, you should select the item Access control or immediately go to the subsection Location. Here the user gets full control over the operation of the module. You will see the main switch at the top of the screen, as well as a list of applications that have recently requested access to your coordinates or have ongoing access.
Particular attention should be paid to the item Mode (or Location Sources). The system offers several operating options, each of which balances accuracy and energy consumption. Selecting the right mode is critical for long trips or walks without recharging.
If you can't find the Location section in the menu, use the search bar at the top of the settings screen. Just enter the word “GPS” or “Geolocation”, and the system will immediately redirect you to the desired section.
The function Improving GPS accuracyis available in the same menu. It allows you to use Wi-Fi and cell tower data to speed up the cold start of the satellite module. Without this feature, the phone may take several minutes to first determine coordinates in an open area.
Location modes and their differences
Understanding the differences between GPS operating modes will help you optimize the autonomy of your smartphone. In modern versions MIUI there are usually three main options available, which use the device's hardware resources differently.
The first mode is Only by device. In this case, the smartphone uses exclusively the signal from GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou or Galileo satellites. This is the most energy-intensive option, which also requires a clear line of sight to the sky. Indoors or among high-rise buildings, accuracy may drop sharply, and the satellite search time may increase.
The second option is Battery saving. It uses exclusively data from cell towers and Wi-Fi networks. The satellite module is turned off completely. The accuracy of this method is low (the error can reach several hundred meters), but the battery consumption is minimal. This mode is suitable for general services, such as the weather forecast in your city.
The third and most recommended mode is High accuracy. The smartphone intelligently combines data from satellites, cell towers and Wi-Fi hotspots. This ensures quick determination of coordinates even in difficult urban conditions (“canyons” of buildings) and when moving in transport.
| Operating mode | Used sources | Accuracy | Consumption batteries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Device only | Satellites (GPS/GLONASS) | High (outdoors) | High |
| Battery saving | Wi-Fi and mobile network | Low | Minimum |
| High accuracy | All sources | Maximum | Medium/High |
| Wi-Fi only | Scan networks | Medium (indoors) | Low |
For navigation in a car or When hiking, always select the High Accuracy mode to avoid signal loss in a forest or tunnel.
Manage app permissions
Even with the global geolocation switch turned on, a specific app may not have permission to access your coordinates. The system Android on smartphones Xiaomi offers a flexible permission system that allows you to control who sees your location and when.
Go to the settings of the application you want to configure (for example, Yandex.Maps or Telegram). In the section Permissions find the item Location. Here you will be offered several options for system behavior:
- 📍 Allow only while in use: the application accesses coordinates only when it is open on the screen. This is the optimal choice for navigators and delivery services.
- 🕵️ Deny: The application will not be able to access GPS under any circumstances. This is useful for games or utilities that don't need to know where you are.
- 🔓 Always allow: Grants access even in the background. Use this option with caution as it can significantly increase battery drain.
- 🛡️ Approximate location: A new security feature that provides apps with coordinates with an error of up to several kilometers.
It is important to regularly review the list of apps that have access "Always". Often social networks or stores require such access without good reason. Limiting the rights of background applications is one of the effective ways to extend the life of the battery.
⚠️ Attention: If you deny access to geolocation to the system application "Search for Device", you will not be able to track your lost phone through the service Find My Device or account Mi Cloud.
☑️ Checking access rights
Calibrating the compass and troubleshooting problems with GPS
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where geolocation is turned on, but the arrow on the map rotates in an arbitrary direction or the coordinates are not updated. This may indicate the need to calibrate the magnetic sensor or a malfunction in the map cache.
To calibrate the compass, open the application Google Maps. Click on the blue dot indicating your current location and select the option Calibrate compass. Follow the instructions on the screen: usually you need to rotate the phone in space, drawing the number “8” with it. This action helps the system understand the orientation of the device relative to the cardinal directions.
If the problem persists, try clearing Google Play services data. Go to Settings → Applications → All applications, find Google Play Services and click Clear → Clear all data. Do not be afraid of this operation: it will not delete your personal files, but it will reset the synchronization settings and geolocation cache, which often solves problems with “sticking” points on the map.
Secret code for checking GPS
The engineering menu works on some Xiaomi models. Enter the code ##6484## in your phone and select GPS. There you can see the number of visible satellites and the signal strength in real time without installing third-party apps.
It is also worth checking whether airplane mode is turned on. Although GPS is usually disabled in this mode, on some firmware it is possible that the module goes into an incorrect state when switching communication modes. A complete reboot of the device often helps restore normal operation of all radio modules.
The impact of power saving on GPS operation
The shell MIUI is known for its aggressive power saving policy, which can inadvertently block geolocation from working in the background. If the navigator stops getting directions when the screen is off, the problem most likely lies in the battery settings.
You need to go to the battery settings and find the section Activity control or Autostart. Find your navigation application in the list and make sure it has a limit No restrictions. The standard Smart Restriction mode can kill the navigation process as soon as the screen goes dark.
Also, check if the global mode is activated Ultra Battery Saver (Ultra-economy mode). In this state, the system disables most background processes, including precise location detection, to extend the phone's life for several days in an emergency. For full operation of the cards, this mode must be turned off.
⚠️ Attention: The battery menu interface may vary depending on the Android version and regional firmware (Global, China, EEA). If you do not find the described items, check the current section names in the help of your version of MIUI.
Add the navigation application to the “Pinned” list in the multitasking menu (swipe up and hold, then lock). This will prevent the system from unloading it from RAM.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Why does geolocation quickly drain the battery on my Xiaomi?
Constantly polling satellites in high-precision mode requires significant processor and radio module resources. To reduce consumption, use the “Battery Saver” mode indoors or allow access to coordinates only when using applications.
Is it possible to fake the location on a smartphone?
Yes, there are special applications for this from Google Play (for example, Fake GPS). However, for them to work, you need to activate the “For Developers” mode and select a fictitious application in the “Select a fictitious location” item.
What to do if the phone does not see satellites outdoors?
Make sure that you are in an open area and not in a room or tunnel. Check whether the camera block is covered with a metal case, which could shield the signal. Rebooting the phone or resetting A-GPS data through special utilities will also help.
How to track a lost phone without the Internet?
It is impossible to transmit coordinates without an active connection to the network. However, if the Find Device function was turned on in advance, the phone will send its location to the server as soon as there is at least some connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
Does turning on Wi-Fi affect GPS accuracy?
Yes, positively. Even if you are not connected to a specific network, scanning surrounding Wi-Fi hotspots helps the phone quickly determine its location in urban environments using Google's geolocation database.