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JLH1017

Q: If there is no service and cell data is off and wifi is off how can iPad still be able to determine your location

IIf there is no cell service and wifi is off and cell data turned off how can iPad still determine your location

iPad 2, iOS 6.0.1

Posted on Jul 26, 2016 9:33 AM

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Q: If there is no service and cell data is off and wifi is off how can iPad still be able to determine your location

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  • Helpful answers

  • by KiltedTim,

    KiltedTim KiltedTim Jul 26, 2016 9:35 AM in response to JLH1017
    Level 9 (55,021 points)
    iPhone
    Jul 26, 2016 9:35 AM in response to JLH1017

    Cellular data is not required for the cellular radio to triangulate a location based on available cell towers. If it were in Airplane mode, the cellular radio would be completely disabled, meaning it could not determine a location.

  • by Michael Black,

    Michael Black Michael Black Jul 27, 2016 3:19 AM in response to JLH1017
    Level 7 (24,146 points)
    Jul 27, 2016 3:19 AM in response to JLH1017

    A cellular iPad has a fully functional GPS system. The GPS system does not need any data connection at all to determine its position although a data connection can speed up the process of computing a location. But a cellular iPad or iPhone GPS system works just fine without any data connection at all as long as the device has an unobstructed view of the sky.

     

    All iDevices can also use BlueTooth microbeacons if they are available within range and the device has BT enabled.