Location services

On the basis of the cited model number, MR7F2LL/A, these are Apple iPad 9.7” 32GB Space Grey WiFi only.

Sorry to disappoint, but as these devices are not Cellular models, they also do not have any built-in GPS capabilities.

Please don’t confuse the Location Services icon (the little triangle at top-right on your screen) as a GPS indicator - because this icon simply exists to indicate that Location Services have or are being been accessed by the iPad.

If Location Services cannot determine your location, here are some useful help documents:

https://tekeye.uk/hardware/location-service-issues-on-ipads

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT203080

Check also that your Privacy Settings are set correctly: Settings > Privacy > Location Services > System Services - set all services to ON

Check that each App that you use is also set to permit access to Location Services: Settings > Privacy > Location Services > [App Name] - set to “While Using” or “Always” as appropriate.

You mention that your iPad is a WiFi model. WiFi-only models have no built-in GPS capabilities and are entirely dependent upon network-based methods (such as your public IP Address) to determine a rough location.

WiFi & Cellular models of iPad include “aGPS” (Assisted GPS) features. Precise position information can be determined from both GPS and Cellular Towers. Obviously, location information from Cellular towers may not be available in some rural locations, but will greatly inprove accuracy in urban or indoor locations.

As such, determination of location and the accuracy are highly dependent of the iPad model.

You also state that your wife’s iPad “works just fine”. To be able to offer additional comment in this regard, you will need to quantify this assessment. If you can identify the actual iPad model number for each device (from Settings > General > About) we may be able to offer additional explantion.

Hello Davdofva,

Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. It's my understanding that Location Services don't work as expected when using your iPad indoors. I can definitely see how this could be concerning. I'm happy to help.

If you haven't already, turn Location Services off and on again in Settings > Privacy > Location Services. Also, try restarting your iPad. Restarting can resolve many unexpected behaviors.

Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

If the issue persists, reset your Location Services in Settings > General > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy. This will remove previous locations and apps will stop using your location until you grant them permission. Take a look at the links below for more information on Location Services:

Turn Location Services and GPS on or off on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

About privacy and Location Services in iOS 8 and later

Let us know the results. Please include specific error messages and any other troubleshooting steps you may have tried.

Have a great day!

Davdofva,

Thank you for trying the recommended steps and following up. An Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider can assist you even though your iPad wasn't purchased directly from Apple. Please remember to schedule a Genius Bar appointment if you're visiting an Apple Store and to backup your device prior to your visit.

Find Locations

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Cheers!

You can safely leave items in the “Product Improvement” catagory within System Services un-ticked if you wish - but the other items should ar this stage be left enabled.

Have you verified that each of the Apps that you wish to use are permitted to use Location Services?

As for comparing with a device running iOS 11.0/12.0, it is very possible that this will have some signficance - however, we are not seeing a vast number of complaints from other WiFi-only device owners. As to your final point, your original posts indicated that your wife’s device is running iOS 11, not iOS 12.

Other than suggesting that you update your wife’s iPad to iOS 12.1.4 - so as to compare performance of identical devices in the same physical location - assuming that you have verified correct settings and have force-restarted your iPad - you should perhaps entertain seeking help directly from Apple. You can either visit your nearest Apple Store as was suggested earlier in this conversation, or you can contact Apple Support using the Contact Support link at top-right of this page.

Best of luck resolving your issue. Do let us know how you get on.

I hope this helps you reach a satisfactory solution.

LP