My lpad location is in a different country

My wife and I are currently on our boat in the UK connecting to the web using our 4g router which has a SIM installed. We noticed today that both our IPads are suddenly showing their location as in Pakistan. Our iPhones, connected to exactly the same router however are showing the correct location. We do use a VPN but turning that off does not cure the problem. I also tried resetting location services on my iPad but to no avail. Google maps is also showing the wrong location.


If we connect using a different WiFi network the problem goes away.


We’ve used our 4g router for a couple of years without any issues. Why could this be happening now?

iPad, iPadOS 17

Posted on Mar 20, 2024 12:35 PM

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3 replies

Mar 20, 2024 4:10 PM in response to Caderfaner

Presumably you have WiFi Only models of iPad. If so, unlike your iPhone(s), your WiFi Only iPads have no GNSS/GPS capability with which to determine precise location.


In more detail...


Only WiFi+Cellular models of iPad have GPS - this being a function of the iPad Cellular chipset. WiFi Only models of iPad have no GPS capabilities with which iPad Location Services can derive location. This fundamental difference may significantly impact your iPad's ability to determine location - which may significantly impact the use mapping or other Apps/services where accurate or real-time location data is needed.


WiFi Only models can only “infer” their location from a database lookup of neighbouring WiFi networks for which the geographic location is known, or the geographic location of your public IP address. For static applications in urban locations, where the location of IP public IP addresses and WiFi networks are known, an “inferred” location can be relatively accurate. However, in rural locations, or when using a Cellular/Satellite/VPN connection, location accuracy of an inferred location [if it works at all] may be very inaccurate.


When using Cellular or VPN services, your Cellular Carrier or VPN Operators point-of-presence where your traffic is delivered to the internet may be a considerable distance from your true location - possibly in a different country.




Mar 21, 2024 2:59 AM in response to Caderfaner

You're very welcome. I hope you gained some useful insight.


Many users choose a WiFi+Cellular iPad (in preference to cheaper WiFi Only models) so as to benefit from GNSS/GPS functions - with no immediate intention or need to use Cellular service directly from their iPad. Doing so provides additional functionality and retains flexibility to set-up and use Cellular service at a future date should the need arise. A short service plan can be activated using the built-in eSIM, directly from an iPad, will just a few taps in iPad settings.

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My lpad location is in a different country

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