Mark72658

Q: GPS data not available to apps after iOS 8.3 update

I'm using a Wi-Fi only iPad with remote GPS connected via bluetooth (Bad Elf GPS Pro).  Following update to 8.3, the GPS position data from the Bad Elf receiver is not available to other apps on the iPad that require it (in particular, Seattle Avionics FlyQ efb).  Bad Elf bluetooth connection is good, and the GPS position data is displayed on the iPad using the Bad Elf accessory app, but it appears to not be available to the FlyQ app.  Spent hours with tech support and other paths trying to fix this problem, including reloading iOS 8.3 update and applications, and even bought a new Bad Elf GPS receiver.  I think this is a fairly common hardware/software combination (Wi-Fi only iPad, Bad Elf GPS, FlyQ app) for private aircraft pilots, so would expect others to be seeing the same problem (unless they were smarter than I was, and delayed updating their OS).  Have others experienced this problem or found a solution?  Quite frustrating, as navigation is the primary use for my iPad.

iPad (4th gen) Wi-Fi, iOS 8.3

Posted on Apr 12, 2015 5:31 PM

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Q: GPS data not available to apps after iOS 8.3 update

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  • by Hansvg,

    Hansvg Hansvg Apr 25, 2015 2:05 AM in response to AeroSteve
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 25, 2015 2:05 AM in response to AeroSteve

    Garmin Glo updating is easy. Indeed, no direct USB connection (only).

    Install Garmin Webupdater and connect Glo. Works great.

  • by AeroSteve,

    AeroSteve AeroSteve Apr 25, 2015 5:54 AM in response to Mark72658
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 25, 2015 5:54 AM in response to Mark72658

    In reply to Hansvg 

    Thank you for your post. I'm not sure whether you are suggesting that I update my GLO via Bluetooth? I was on the 'phone to Garmin yesterday concerning the loss of service following the IOS8.3 update, and at the same time we discussed my problem with updating my GLO software. I had already downloaded the WebUpdater software (as you suggested) and connected my GLO to my PC (via the USB cable), but whilst it charged the GLO without a problem there was no other communication between my PC and my GLO. Garmin walked me through checking my PC Device Manager to no effect and declared that they could not help me any further, although they did offer to update my software if I sent my GLO to their Southampton office. It is the same on my Windows 7 PC and my Windows 8 laptop. Given that a software update would not solve my iPad communication problem, there seemed little point in taking this any further, although should a future software update provide significant benefits I still have the option of asking Garmin to update my device. Unless, that it, you have a fix that neither Garmin nor I have yet found ...............?

  • by Vulcanpilot,

    Vulcanpilot Vulcanpilot Apr 25, 2015 9:00 AM in response to AeroSteve
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 25, 2015 9:00 AM in response to AeroSteve

    Not ALL Bluetooth GPS are affected.

     

    I use a Bad Elf Pro+ which is still working fine. It's just the earlier versions that are caught in this mess. I flew on Thursday on a GA ferry flight and my Pro+ and iPad Mini3 on 8.3 using SkyDemon worked flawlessly.

  • by louisfromvaudreuil-dorion,

    louisfromvaudreuil-dorion louisfromvaudreuil-dorion Apr 25, 2015 9:20 AM in response to Vulcanpilot
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 25, 2015 9:20 AM in response to Vulcanpilot

    Your IPAD mini probability has an internal GPS (cell phone capable) and more likely runs using it,  instead of your external  one.

     

    LL.

     

    <Edited By Host>

  • by Pierre J.,

    Pierre J. Pierre J. Apr 25, 2015 9:39 AM in response to louisfromvaudreuil-dorion
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Apr 25, 2015 9:39 AM in response to louisfromvaudreuil-dorion

    You're wrong on this one.

    The Bad Elf pro PLUS is not affected by the iOS 8.3 bug.

    Those who own them are the lucky ones

     

    As for me, I think Apple takes so long because they haven't figured out the problem yet without scrapping something else in the iOS.

  • by Hansvg,

    Hansvg Hansvg Apr 25, 2015 9:52 AM in response to AeroSteve
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 25, 2015 9:52 AM in response to AeroSteve

    Try a (very) short USB cable. Works for me on various equipment.

    Longer cables tend to charge the device (not only Glo but also Cactus flash trigger), whereas only short USB cables recognise the device for FW upload.

  • by Vulcanpilot,

    Vulcanpilot Vulcanpilot Apr 25, 2015 2:12 PM in response to louisfromvaudreuil-dorion
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 25, 2015 2:12 PM in response to louisfromvaudreuil-dorion

    Nope. Definitely works with the external one. Very easy to check by switching on flight mode and then enabling just Bluetooth. Not exactly Phd level computer science

     

    However it does throw up a bit of a point that why is it the newer BT GPS units still work and the older types don't. Surely it's still the same GPS data, or is it down to the type of BT 'service' they use?

  • by Ziatron,

    Ziatron Ziatron Apr 25, 2015 2:34 PM in response to firemediclex
    Level 4 (3,930 points)
    Apple Watch
    Apr 25, 2015 2:34 PM in response to firemediclex
    Pilots do not use internal phone GPS's, because we know that they are crappy and unreliable (or at least not accurate enough for aviation).

     

    I have been doing just that for years.  I'm using an iPad mini and the internal GPS.  The GPS locks on in about 30 seconds and works perfectly throughout my entire flight.  Accurate to within about 10 feet.  Zero issues.  Zero problems.

     

    I appreciate your frustrations with this bug.  I would be surprised if Apple corrects this "rapidly".   If you cannot live with a 3 or 4 month delay, an Android device may be your answer.

  • by Pierre J.,

    Pierre J. Pierre J. Apr 25, 2015 3:09 PM in response to Hansvg
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Apr 25, 2015 3:09 PM in response to Hansvg

    No, 2.70 on Garmin Glo doesn't fix anything.

  • by PilotDon,

    PilotDon PilotDon Apr 25, 2015 6:44 PM in response to Pierre J.
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 25, 2015 6:44 PM in response to Pierre J.

    Let's all understand this is *not* a Garmin, Dual, Bad Elf, etc., issue. These devices successfully communicated by BT with our iPads and stopped working when Apple changed something in 8.3 The BT devices worked with a multitude of Apps for years - And now they don't.

    I expect Apple will eventually restore this functionality and hopefully soon. But, Apple better realise that they have a real Quality Assurance problem. BT is one thing but the WiFi issue affects everyone. And Apple had better realise it is tarnishing its reputation and doing harm to a previously extremely successful business. Apple had over the years built up a cult like following bit, cults come and go often with great speed.

  • by petermac87,

    petermac87 petermac87 Apr 25, 2015 6:46 PM in response to PilotDon
    Level 5 (7,402 points)
    Apr 25, 2015 6:46 PM in response to PilotDon

    You need to tell Apple. We can do nothing for you.

     

    Feedback

     

    Pete

  • by Ziatron,

    Ziatron Ziatron Apr 25, 2015 8:09 PM in response to PilotDon
    Level 4 (3,930 points)
    Apple Watch
    Apr 25, 2015 8:09 PM in response to PilotDon
    Apple had over the years built up a cult like following bit, cults come and go often with great speed.

     

    I have been an Apple customer since 1979. Mostly I love them, but sometimes, .

     

    I have seen this many times with iOS in many different products.  An update, BREAKS SOMETHING.   A simple solution would be an EASY method to go back to the previous version.  That way, people using iOS 8.3 could go back to 8.2 until the bug gets fixed.

     

    So, why doesn't Apple do this?  The reason is largely because they want to move forward, and it puts pressure on all parties to make the fix.   But it would be nice to give the customer an option.

  • by Hansvg,

    Hansvg Hansvg Apr 25, 2015 11:44 PM in response to firemediclex
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 25, 2015 11:44 PM in response to firemediclex

    What I understand is that it is not "broken".

    Bluetooth has different variations on their protocol.

    Apple decided to implement the latest version with iOS 8.3

    This already had been adapted by some GPS producers, hence the fact that some latest models do work or a FW update solves the issue.

    Although I would like to have seen backwards compatibility, I do not think the blame is solely on Apple.

    If the GPS communicates with the latest protocol it works.

  • by PilotDon,

    PilotDon PilotDon Apr 26, 2015 3:22 AM in response to Hansvg
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 26, 2015 3:22 AM in response to Hansvg

    All Apple had to do was flag the change to its users *before* making the change. At least I wouldn't have spent hours trying to figure out what had happened To something that was working very well. It seems to me that nobody was aware of the change or its implications for safe aerial navigation. Not the GPS device makers nor the App producers and certainly not the Apple Customers. I was taught in Marketing at University that, in markets, the Golden Rule is the paramount guide. The Golden Rule? He who has the gold (the customer) Rukes. Apparently, the Golden Ruke does not apply to Apple and they prefer the Old English Law epithet "Caveat Emptor".

     

    Like my teachers used to write on my School Reports "with more effort, could have done better". Apple, more and effort required.

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