Both my and my wife have ipads, on seperate Apple ids, which think they are in Abergavenny. I have been told this is a router issue, but we have two routers in the house,one on a plusnet account, the other bt, and changing from one to the other does not seem to make any difference. I am intrigued by this, rather than worried!
iPad 2, iOS 8.3
Not all iPads have built in GPS.
Cellular models usually have a GPS controller that gets accurate positioning data from satellites (when in clear view of the sky). It can take 12.5 minutes for satellites to give an accurate lock so iOS uses Assisted GPS…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_GPS
That means cellular towers, wifi access points, bluetooth and GPS may be combined to give a 'best guess location' - apps can ask request levels of accuracy which is an attempt to reduce battery usage.
Devices without GPS use wifi geolocation (I suspect Bluetooth LE is used too), this is less accurate…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi_positioning_system
The wifi access point location, ID & MAC address is saved in databases at Apple & Google (for example). Your iPad scans for any visible networks & then reports the signal strengths & ID info to Apple/Google. They provide a location based on that. If access points move it can cause issues with old data. Some access points may also use random or cloned MAC addresses, which can cause issues too.
Apple collect this data via the 'Settings > General > Diagnostics and usage'. I think this may under in Privacy on iOS 8? If you have that enabled on other iOS devices it may lead to Apple or Google correcting the visible network info in your area which could eventually lead to you seeing the correct results.
P.S. Some web services will simply use your external IP address for a location - which may point at where your ISP is located or it may point at the telephone exchange etc.
Tools like this can show that info…
Part of the difference is that cellular models also have GPS, that will give better accuracy than wifi alone. GPS comes from satellites so a clear view of the sky helps it work metal roofs can block reception.
It looks like the service in question is using the same IP look up method as what's my IP.
Where are you seeing the location issue? Is it in an app or within a webpage?
You may want to check the Location services settings for apps (in the Settings app) make sure that is enabled, Safari will also need to be allowed to access your location - that should let it to request a position from the GPS receiver to supply to websites.
As a genera test see if Apple maps can locate you correctly, give it time to get a fix (12.5 mins is the maximum time for enough satellites come into view).
When you have no SIM fitted I expect the device does not use cellular towers for helping with the location data. It is unclear to me if this is actually the case, because telephones can still make emergency called without a valid SIM, I'm not sure if tablets still connect & use cellular towers to help with location services without a SIM. If you have a SIM that fits it may be worth trying as a quick test, just avoid enabling cellular data incase your carrier charges for that on a phone plan.
Both our iPads are cellular models, though neither has a sim fitted. Dio you mean that there is a fundmental difference to wifi only models, sim or no?
Interestingly, that geolocator also thinks we are in Wales.Which is a long way from the Shetland Islands!
my ipad thinks i am in wales
