I own a 2018 iPad Pro 12.9” (256GB, WiFi only) and it is never able to detect my location on Maps (says location unavailable) though my location services are ON and connected to mobile hotspot via WiFi. It always fails to load weather widget saying location unavailable. I guess GPS is supported only on cellular models, but WiFi models should fetch location via WiFi too...any opinions? Help!?
iPad Pro, iPadOS 13
You may not have a fault.
As you correctly observe, WiFi Only models do not have any GPS location capability - and as such are completely reliant upon their network connection to infer an approximate location.
Your approximate geographic location would be estimated from a “database lookup” of (a) your WiFi Network Name (SSID) or detected neighbouring WiFi networks - and (b) the “public” IP Address provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
If the mapped WiFi network name or IP Address are not available within the applicable databases, or if this information substantially differs between sources, then your approximate location may not be computed. This situation often occurs if you are in a remote/rural location where neighbouring WiFi networks are scarce - or if connecting over satellite or VPN connections.
Network IP Addresses and WiFi networks are frequently mapped in urban and cosmopolitan areas (including “crowd source” techniques) and as such approximation of your location from lookup against these databases can be provide relatively high accuracy. At population and network density diminishes, this mechanism becomes progressively less reliable.
If you can, perhaps try connecting to a different WiFi network - be it private, public or your telephone WiFi hotspot.
I hope this explanation as to possible cause is helpful.
You may not have a fault.
As you correctly observe, WiFi Only models do not have any GPS location capability - and as such are completely reliant upon their network connection to infer an approximate location.
Your approximate geographic location would be estimated from a “database lookup” of (a) your WiFi Network Name (SSID) or detected neighbouring WiFi networks - and (b) the “public” IP Address provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
If the mapped WiFi network name or IP Address are not available within the applicable databases, or if this information substantially differs between sources, then your approximate location may not be computed. This situation often occurs if you are in a remote/rural location where neighbouring WiFi networks are scarce - or if connecting over satellite or VPN connections.
Network IP Addresses and WiFi networks are frequently mapped in urban and cosmopolitan areas (including “crowd source” techniques) and as such approximation of your location from lookup against these databases can be provide relatively high accuracy. At population and network density diminishes, this mechanism becomes progressively less reliable.
If you can, perhaps try connecting to a different WiFi network - be it private, public or your telephone WiFi hotspot.
I hope this explanation as to possible cause is helpful.
Thanks a lot, i was a little worried earlier but your answer relieved me.
iPad Pro location not working in Maps, Weather,etc.
