GPS on my iPad Wi-Fi does not work!

Question

GPS on my iPad Wi-Fi does not work!

I have a good strong Wi-Fi connection with my home network and am standing under a clear cloudless sky. My iPad says it cannot determine my location!

How do I get it to work?

By the way, I live in the country and have no access to any Wi-Fi network but my own.

24" iMac 3.06GHz/500GB/4GB RAM/8800 GS, Mac OS X (10.6), Rogers Mobile Internet, 60g iPod (colour), 16GB iPod Touch

Posted on Jun 8, 2010 2:13 PM

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Answer 1

enderx

Level 1

85 points

Jun 8, 2010 2:15 PM in response to Merged Content 1

There is no GPS in the WiFi only iPad. It uses the nearby wifi networks to try to determine where you are. If google maps does not have your network on file then it won't be able to determine where you are.

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Answer 2

Jun 8, 2010 2:30 PM in response to enderx

Well that is upsetting! Apple claims in the specs that it uses "Assisted GPS." Apparently this claim is not totally true. If it was using assisted GPS, it would have a GPS receiver built in that would be independent of the use of Wi-Fi altogether.

I guess this means I can't use the iPad as a GPS device which is a use I envisioned when I bought it.

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Answer 3

Jun 8, 2010 2:44 PM in response to Merged Content 1

Read the specs again, more carefully this time:

Location
Wi-Fi
Digital compass
Assisted GPS (Wi-Fi + 3G model)
Cellular (Wi-Fi + 3G model)

Notice that Assisted GPS and Cellular are only available on the Wi-Fi+3G model.

http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/

Your mistake NOT Apple's

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Answer 4

Jun 8, 2010 2:46 PM in response to Merged Content 1

Even if it did have GPS, how did you expect to download the Maps without a WiFi connection?
The maps are not installed on the device, they are downloaded from Google Maps as required.

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Answer 5

gdgmacguy

Level 7

21,885 points

Jun 8, 2010 2:47 PM in response to Ian Parkinson

Course, it's always easier to blame someone else, isn't it?

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Answer 6

Jun 8, 2010 3:02 PM in response to gdgmacguy

Was that a pop at me or the OP?

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Answer 7

gdgmacguy

Level 7

21,885 points

Jun 8, 2010 3:45 PM in response to Ian Parkinson

OP.

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Answer 8

Jun 9, 2010 3:38 PM in response to Merged Content 1

How do I get it to work?

Submit your own access point:

http://www.skyhookwireless.com/howitworks/submit_ap.php

-Doug

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Answer 9

Jun 13, 2010 8:42 AM in response to Douglas McLaughlin

Cool - I was wondering how my WiFi only iPad is quicker at getting my location than my devices that actually claim they have GPS - I had only tried it at home and in office.

It really is going to get confused by mobile WiFi cells, like the one I have in my campervan!

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Answer 10

Jun 13, 2010 8:49 AM in response to Douglas McLaughlin

Douglas McLaughlin wrote:

How do I get it to work?

Submit your own access point:

http://www.skyhookwireless.com/howitworks/submit_ap.php

-Doug

I wished this worked, but it doesn't. I had already done this. Oddly, my ipod touch with the wifi on finds me with no problem. My ipad does not.

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Answer 11

Jun 13, 2010 9:36 AM in response to Merged Content 1

Griff, Griff, Griff

WiFi+3G, in the tech specs for iPad, often creates confusion over which features are in which device. WiFi+3G denotes devices with BOTH WiFi and 3G, versus WiFi only. That said, WiFi only iPads do not have a GPS chip, and are only able to navigate via Skyhook WiFi data. As mentioned by others, there is not a map data respository on your iPad, as Google Maps data updates as it goes via network connection. If using your iPad with a MiFi type device for 3G/4G, your device will be able to update map data, but will still rely on Skyhook location data.

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Answer 12

Jun 14, 2010 2:40 PM in response to Craig Brady

Right! I just confirmed this yesterday in the local Best Buy store parking lot. The BB Wi-Fi network was able to supply a location immediately. The only problem is that the whole newly erected shopping complex in which the BB store is located has not made it on to Google maps yet, so it put me in the middle of a farmer's field that used to be there! ;o)

Unfortunately I can't seem to be able to register my Wi-Fi network on Skyhook. Like the new shopping centre, my house, although 30 years old, has not made it to the Google Maps either. So my address is rejected every time I try (they call it an incorrect address - GRRRR!!!)

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Answer 13

Jul 22, 2010 5:58 PM in response to Merged Content 1

So how does it work on my WiFi 16gb iPad but not on my WiFi 64gb iPad????

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Answer 14

Jul 29, 2011 12:54 AM in response to gdgmacguy

Not sure if you work for Apple but, it's alright quoting the spec off the side of the box, there is no doubt in my mind that it is not clear that there is no gps on the ipad., As good as it is, it is definitely misleading, obviously easy to sell when people think there is a gps onboard.

As for needing wifi for mapping? There are plenty if apps that let you download mapping so that you don't need wifi with locating apps when away from your network

So it is easy to blame someone for being misleading

I doubt this will get passed the moderator, not good for image and sales, you see?

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Answer 15

KentOKC

Level 1

0 points

Oct 15, 2011 3:59 PM in response to Ian Parkinson

Map data should be available from my portable hotspot. Besides this, what about third party apps, like garmin, etc. I bought this thinking I would have a 10" gps as well if i so chose to use it. I knew how the built in maps app worked but coupled with my portable hotspot, this wouldn't hv been an issue.

This is enough reason for me to return it...I have a crappy Vizio tablet WiFi only that has a gps chip...#fail

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