I’m not connected to a vpn or a WiFi. Flat out using my data. Trying to pass time while doing laundry. On a casino app I play all the time and it says restricted location MI. And I can certainly confirm I am in Ohio haven’t been to Michigan since 2014 so why am I only able to do it on Wi-Fi? Why can’t I do it on my data?
① The service (e.g. app) will likely be trying to guess your location from your IP address, with a process called internet geolocation. The IP address will be different for connecting through cellular versus connecting through your home network Wi-Fi (or store/school/business Wi-Fi), as that uses different infrastructure to connect to the internet.
The service (e.g. app) will use a remote database of IP addresses and ‘known’ locations, which may or may not be accurate. Unfortunately, the end user has no influence over which database is used by the service. Also, some IP addresses are from a block that may be used in two or more states. This can cause inaccuracies with geolocation. For home networks, user may ask their ISP to update the ‘external’ IP address lease to a different IP with better geolocation.
② Mobile apps may also request a geolocation from GPS in your smart phone. If granted, this would always be more accurate than the former method. Depending on your settings, you may or may not have allowed this use. iPhone apps would do that step through Apple’s Location Services. Turn Location Services and GPS on or off on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
① The service (e.g. app) will likely be trying to guess your location from your IP address, with a process called internet geolocation. The IP address will be different for connecting through cellular versus connecting through your home network Wi-Fi (or store/school/business Wi-Fi), as that uses different infrastructure to connect to the internet.
The service (e.g. app) will use a remote database of IP addresses and ‘known’ locations, which may or may not be accurate. Unfortunately, the end user has no influence over which database is used by the service. Also, some IP addresses are from a block that may be used in two or more states. This can cause inaccuracies with geolocation. For home networks, user may ask their ISP to update the ‘external’ IP address lease to a different IP with better geolocation.
② Mobile apps may also request a geolocation from GPS in your smart phone. If granted, this would always be more accurate than the former method. Depending on your settings, you may or may not have allowed this use. iPhone apps would do that step through Apple’s Location Services. Turn Location Services and GPS on or off on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
What Apple device? What operating system is it running?
I has seen location errors personally when a museum where I volunteer was using a now-defunct low-cost tower-based internet connection. It was pretty bad, and they appeared to be leasing infrastructure. Although the museum is within 100 miles of Spokane WA, that service showed us in New Jersey!
B_alvey87 wrote:
I’m not connected to a vpn or a WiFi. Flat out using my data. Trying to pass time while doing laundry. On a casino app I play all the time and it says restricted location MI. And I can certainly confirm I am in Ohio haven’t been to Michigan since 2014 so why am I only able to do it on Wi-Fi? Why can’t I do it on my data?
What do you mean by "data" in this context?
Any Apple device that doesn't have built-in GPS needs some other way to find your location. If you use WiFI, Apple has a fairly extensive database of WiFi access points and can triangulate your location to an amazing level of accuracy. But if you are using any other kind of connection, especially wired Ethernet, then your location can be based on whatever company owns the other end of your Ethernet cable. That can easily be in a different state.
Location not where you are
