iPad Air 4 frequently loses GPS fix

For marine and aviation applications, use of a dedicated GPS receiver is often recommended. While WiFi+Cellular models of iPad incorporate a GNSS receiver within the Cellular chipset - providing accurate position and velocity measurement for a moving iPad - we see occasional complaint similar to your own. Consider that while some users experience difficulties, there are possibly considerably more that experience trouble-free operation; it follows that there will always be some variation in antenna location and individual application.

Occasional signal loss can be caused by many contributory factors. Boat construction (wood or composite - some composites, such as carbon fibre - can block signals), deck fittings (signal blocking - or multipath interference) and other electrical/radio devices (signal interference) combined with sub-optimal GNSS antenna location can all combine to cause loss of signal lock. Even a film of water on a surface that covers/shades the iPad can block GNSS signals.

For critical and below-deck marine applications, you would be best advised to consider use of an external GNSS receiver or repeater - as this allows the GNSS antenna/receiver to be placed in a better location. There are many from which to choose - wired or wireless (Bluetooth) are available; BadElf, Garmin GLO and GNS3000 have good reputation.

As already mentioned, we have seen some reports of issues with some models of iPad and recent versions of iPadOS where GNSS position fixes cease at low speeds or when stationary. Whether this is a hardware or software issue is unknown, but is clearly a major issue if using the iPad to warn of anchor drag etc.

Interestingly, the complaint of intermittent GNSS loss appears to be most common with Navionics users - this perhaps being due to Navionics being a popular navigation App amongst our sailing community.

If using your iPad for critical navigation and ultra-reliable position fix, I strongly recommend that you use an external GNSS receiver - whether or not you have a WiFi+Cellular iPad (that has does have built-in GNSS capability) or a WiFi Only iPad (that does not have any native GNSS capabilities at all).

For marine and General Aviation applications (I have interest in both), a reliable a cost effective solution is the GNS3000 - which, usefully, also maintains an internal tracklog.

For the benefit of other readers, who may encounter this thread when searching for solutions to similar difficulties, 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 the 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 the device's 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.

Corollary

Don't forget that if the iPad screen locks and dims/sleeps, the internal GNSS receiver and other hardware may effectively enter a "sleep state" to extend battery autonomy.

Notwithstanding any iPadOS-related behaviours, if you need to keep the iPad's GNSS receiver active (such as when using the iPad to detect and provide anchor-drag alarms), ensure that the iPad is:

a) connected to an external power source, and

b) you have disabled the iPad's Auto Lock function in iPad settings:

Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock - select Never

Disabling Auto Lock does, of course, have implications for the security of an unattended device.

Forgive this stupid question, you sound like you know what you're doing but -- here goes. Is your iPad a WiFi + Cellular version? Only the cellular versions have a GPS receiver - and hence GPS accuracy. The WiFi-only iPads use WiFi signals to estimate position and if yours is WiFi only it's possible that the local WiFi has changed and Apple's database on location has been degraded.

Assuming you've got a Cellular iPad then the other things I can think of are:

Get hold of another device - e.g. Garmin watch, bike Nav device, etc (not Apple) and see if that too loses position like your iPad.

The iPad's developed a problem with the GPS receiver. This is the most likely. The above test might help. I did a quick web search and couldn't find any tools to evaluate an iDevice's GPS performance (e.g. figure of merit) but it might be worth a more careful search.

Like many modern external GNSS receivers, the GNS3000 does indeed use Bluetooth. That said, your iPad (and the GNSS3000 if required) will support simultaneous connection to multiple Bluetooth devices - including your hearing aids. As such, use of additional Bluetooth accessories in conjunction with Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids should not be problem.

Per my initial reply, multiple reports have been seen concerning some iPad's non-continuous GNSS position-fix at low or zero velocity. As to whether this is a "feature" of recent iPad models internal chipset, power saving, or a flaw associated with recent versions of iPadOS, is unknown at this time.

You might be best advised to seek assistance directly from Apple Support. You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page. Alternatively you can initiate and manage your support cases using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed on your iPad, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044

You might also consider submitting a bug report to Apple via its Product Feedback portal.

It might be in your own best interests to submit a Bug Report to Apple via its Product Feedback portal. For iPad and iPadOS:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

Every Bug Report counts - as Apple might not assign resources to investigate and resolve the problem until a sufficient number of reports have been received,

When submitting a Bug Report, ensure that you include details of your iPad model and installed version of iPadOS within the body-text of your report. Don't rely upon the pick-list alone - as this rarely includes the current versions.

Other than the above, I have no other suggestions to offer. Offered as a constructive observation, a prudent mariner or aviator will never rely upon a single device for critical navigation. Sorry, but I'm fresh out of ideas. 🙁