GPS issue on my iPad Air (Wi-Fi)

Hi! There was a problem with the iPad Air 5 (Wi-Fi). Geolocation is not detected by anyapp. It doesn't automatically detect the time, doesn't display the weather, and it can't be viewed on maps. Wi-Fi works, but you can only see it in the "Locator" app.



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPad Air

Posted on Mar 30, 2025 4:52 AM

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Posted on Mar 30, 2025 6:38 AM

Only WiFi+Cellular models of iPad have GNSS/GPS capabilities - 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 ability to use mapping or other Apps that require accurate/precise location data - in particular if real-time positioning (e.g., a moving map) is required.


WiFi Only iPad 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 Satellite internet systems, such as Starlink, the public IP Address of the internet gateway through which your internet traffic is routed may be in a completely different country/region to your actual location. Where your iPad is using this location to infer its location, you will observe an incorrect derived location.


As is, your available options are:

  • Substitute your WiFi Only iPad for a WiFi+Cellular model; this does not commit you to provisioning Cellular service for your iPad, but does provide the GNSS/GPS functionality required for accurate determination of your location.
  • Add an external GPS receiver to your WiFi Only iPad. These are often used in marine, aviation and vehicular applications - and can be either directly connected via Lightning or via Bluetooth. There are various third-party manufacturers, of which two are BadElf and Garmin GLO.


As for time services reliant upon NTP (Network Time Protocol) - and other international online services - these may be similarly impacted by traffic filtering employed in your region/country.


[Edited by Moderator]

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2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 30, 2025 6:38 AM in response to agstbtch

Only WiFi+Cellular models of iPad have GNSS/GPS capabilities - 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 ability to use mapping or other Apps that require accurate/precise location data - in particular if real-time positioning (e.g., a moving map) is required.


WiFi Only iPad 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 Satellite internet systems, such as Starlink, the public IP Address of the internet gateway through which your internet traffic is routed may be in a completely different country/region to your actual location. Where your iPad is using this location to infer its location, you will observe an incorrect derived location.


As is, your available options are:

  • Substitute your WiFi Only iPad for a WiFi+Cellular model; this does not commit you to provisioning Cellular service for your iPad, but does provide the GNSS/GPS functionality required for accurate determination of your location.
  • Add an external GPS receiver to your WiFi Only iPad. These are often used in marine, aviation and vehicular applications - and can be either directly connected via Lightning or via Bluetooth. There are various third-party manufacturers, of which two are BadElf and Garmin GLO.


As for time services reliant upon NTP (Network Time Protocol) - and other international online services - these may be similarly impacted by traffic filtering employed in your region/country.


[Edited by Moderator]

Mar 30, 2025 7:56 AM in response to agstbtch

GNSS and ISM radio systems may be unreliable is some circumstances, in particular due to jamming - which is becoming increasingly commonplace throughout mid/eastern Europe, Baltic States, the Mediterranean and Middle East.  


In addition to combatants employing signal jamming, some nation agencies periodically test their regional denial of service capabilities - in particular in periods of heightened international tensions.

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GPS issue on my iPad Air (Wi-Fi)

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