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GPS data not available to apps after iOS 8.3 update

I'm using a Wi-Fi only iPad with remote GPS connected via bluetooth (Bad Elf GPS Pro). Following update to 8.3, the GPS position data from the Bad Elf receiver is not available to other apps on the iPad that require it (in particular, Seattle Avionics FlyQ efb). Bad Elf bluetooth connection is good, and the GPS position data is displayed on the iPad using the Bad Elf accessory app, but it appears to not be available to the FlyQ app. Spent hours with tech support and other paths trying to fix this problem, including reloading iOS 8.3 update and applications, and even bought a new Bad Elf GPS receiver. I think this is a fairly common hardware/software combination (Wi-Fi only iPad, Bad Elf GPS, FlyQ app) for private aircraft pilots, so would expect others to be seeing the same problem (unless they were smarter than I was, and delayed updating their OS). Have others experienced this problem or found a solution? Quite frustrating, as navigation is the primary use for my iPad.

iPad (4th gen) Wi-Fi, iOS 8.3

Posted on Apr 12, 2015 5:31 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 12, 2015 5:57 PM

Actually, it's a bug on all bluetooth GPS devices since iOS 8.3 !

I personally use Garmin Glo and Dual Electronics 150 & 160 and the trouble remains the same.


Bad Elf blog suggest that Apple is aware of the problem and will correct it very soon.

I will believe it when i'll see it...

249 replies

Apr 26, 2015 8:22 AM in response to Fricotin123

I too had same problem on my Garmin Glo, with iPad running Skydemon, when I updated to 8.3. I went to Garmin website and downloaded their WebUpdater, and got the latest software update for the Glo from there. Connect your Glo and let PC find the driver before you run the updater. I had a couple of goes to get the Bluetooth to reconnect, and now all seems back to normal. Found out about this from pprune - best source of info on aviation related matters imho.

Apr 26, 2015 11:49 AM in response to Mark72658

In reply to Hansvg

Thank you for your post. I'm not sure whether you are suggesting that I update my GLO via Bluetooth? I was on the 'phone to Garmin yesterday concerning the loss of service following the IOS8.3 update, and at the same time we discussed my problem with updating my GLO software. I had already downloaded the WebUpdater software (as you suggested) and connected my GLO to my PC (via the USB cable), but whilst it charged the GLO without a problem there was no other communication between my PC and my GLO. Garmin walked me through checking my PC Device Manager to no effect and declared that they could not help me any further, although they did offer to update my software if I sent my GLO to their Southampton office. It is the same on my Windows 7 PC and my Windows Given that a software update would not solve my iPad communication problem, there seemed little point in taking this any further, although should a future software update provide significant benefits I still have the option of asking Garmin to update my device. Unless, that it, you have a fix that neither Garmin nor I have yet found ...............?

Apr 26, 2015 11:54 AM in response to AeroSteve

If only my PC would "see" my GLO I could try a software update. My lead is only about 30 cm long and neither my PC nor my laptop see it. So, despite downloading the Webupdater software I remain firmly stuck in the mud awaiting an Apple fix. I have also tried 2 other leads. So I guess that it's off to the Flightstore website to order a Bad Elf Pro Plus 2300 then!

Apr 26, 2015 11:57 AM in response to AeroSteve

Aerosteve,

All I can say, it works for me. I have negative experience with long USB cables. The shorter the better (pref 30cm=12 inch).

Also some other equipment seemed to have contact (charging etc) but did not update until I used short usb cables. Just my experience, your mileage may vary.

The update to 2.70 seems to have done the job, with me and others.

Apr 26, 2015 12:12 PM in response to Hansvg

I've done some tests with the Garmin Glo with its latest 2.70 firmware update.

The GPS works perfectly well on my iPhone 5c and my iPad mini 3.

I tried it also on an old iPad 2 of mine without success.


The logical conclusion is the compatibility depends on how recent the iDevice is.

I am also lead to believe the solution to this whole mess depends on Bluetooth GPS manufacturers updating their firmwares (Bad Elf, Dual), not Apple patching their iOS.

Apr 27, 2015 8:13 AM in response to Mark72658

well, I finally got tired of waiting for a solution. I broke down and bough a GPS reciever with a direct lightning connector (no Bluetooth). http://bad-elf.com/products/be-gps-1008

this "bug" just cost me $100 to "fix". Not happy, but I am tired of flying without GPS. I feel like Orville Wright using paper charts. 😠


NOT a happy customer right now.

Apr 27, 2015 9:32 AM in response to ChazMills

YYou are correct. I downgraded to 8.2 the other day and it did fix the issue...However, I kept finding erroneous files under storage under "manage storage" in settings afterwards. These files have no graphical icon and are listed as "documents and data". If I delete them, they always reappear. I don't have these in any other iOS. This link appears to be a quasi-jailbreak. For security reasons, I wiped the iPad and reinstalled 8.3. From Apple. If someone else wants to jailbreak, go for it. It's just not my cup of tea.

Apr 27, 2015 9:50 AM in response to firemediclex

I have not experienced that error, or any others, since reverting to 8.2 about 10 days ago. But if you are uncomfortable with the effect, don't do it. For me, I like the effect of de-bricking my XGPS170.


There has been been some discussion, which has some credibility, that the fault is with hardware makes not bringing their firmware up to developer standards. Pointing fingers is a time-honored tradition in the hardware/software game. Eventually the smoke will clear. Meantime Apple is honoring the Great Sphynix strategy of transparency first pioneered by Microsoft.


I will enjoy how this plays out while having an XPGS170 that talks to my IPad Air and FlyQ. I wonder if there has been much chatter about this at sun 'n fun?

Apr 27, 2015 11:23 AM in response to firemediclex

I wouldn’t dream of Jail Breaking my Apple anything, this is
not jail breaking! If it were and I had done it do you think I would put it on
here where I am registered. No problem with my 2 iPads or my wife’s since going
back to 8.2.

Apple don’t want to help so I’m helping myself. If you have
money to burn then go ahead and buy another GPS that works! I don’t! Retired!

Apr 27, 2015 1:46 PM in response to ChazMills

Easy Tiger..... I wasn't dropping a dime on anyone here. Whoa!!!!


In a nutshell.... I am not saying that this IS a jailbreak. I am saying that there are qualities about this that seem a bit off. To quote myself from my original post...

...This link appears to be a quasi-jailbreak. For security reasons, I wiped the iPad and reinstalled 8.3. From Apple. If someone else wants to jailbreak, go for it. It's just not my cup of tea...

I used the term "quasi" jailbreak... quasi = resembling, seeming, virtual, but not actual

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/quasi?s=t


I didn't like what I was seeing in the storage manager. Very odd files.


I was basically saying that it looks like poop, and smells like poop, and I am not sure if it's "poop".


I didn't want someone to unintentionally download something that they didn't intend to get, IF it actually was NOT legit.


Hence my statement "It's not my cup of tea"


Meaning I didn't like what I saw. I Was NOT accusing you of INTENTIONALLY jailbreaking. Was just trying to warn others of the possibility of accidentally doing so, inadvertently.


Also I am not "burning" money. I am purchasing a product that I believe will be safer and better functioning.

Apr 27, 2015 3:46 PM in response to firemediclex

Looks like this problem is not going to go away any time soon. Fingers seem to be pointing both ways between Apple and the external GPS companies. As with all these things, I suspect that they share the blame. Yes it was Apple's IOS 8.3 that we are all shouting about, but if other external GPS units are still working, it rather suggests that there is aLeo a device software problem too. Meanwhile, whilst Apple et al are sitting and glaring at each other, we customers all sit here and fume. Somehow rolling back an update doesn't feel right. Most of us use our Apple devices for many other things in addition to flying, and if Apple issue an update then it has to be for a reason and not updating or rolling back means that we miss out on those benefits. If the update is just to keep Apple Watch owners happy, then I don't need it. But if it has other benefits, including security fixes, then I want it. And if the Microsoft and Apple geeks can screw up an update, and we know that they certainly can, then I for one can easily screw up a roll back. Moreover, I doubt that the eggheads at Apple ever thought that we mere mortals might ever roll back an update, so heaven knows what junk we might pick up in doing so. I am also more than capable of messing up my computer without the help of ugly roll back files in my registry. The option of updating my GLO firmware is also denied to me because my GLO refuses to talk to the Garmin WebUpdater. I've tried it on my Windows 7 PC and laptop and on my Windows 8 laptop, but whilst it charges nicely, my computers refuse to "See" it. So that leaves me with my Bad Elf Plug In, which I bought in case I had a Bluetooth problem with my GLO And which is working perfectly. A very wise purchase as it turns out. But, even though it wasn't cheap, it seemed good risk mitigation and excellent value considering the benefits of having GPS in the cockpit and, compared to an hour's flying, it has proven to be money (very) well spent. The alternative would be to revert to map and stopwatch, which we are all supposed to be proficient at using, but the UK airspace is very crowded and it is all too easy to unintentionally infringe controlled airspace. So £100 to stay safe is well worth it. Nevertheless, when I look at my expensive GLO just sitting there impotent in my Nav Bag, I do wonder how Apple and Garmin can get away with it. They are probably protected by pages of 3pt small print, but I would gladly chip in a few pounds if a lawyer would dust down their volume of Consumer Rights and make these companies more accountable to their customers.

Apr 27, 2015 5:19 PM in response to AeroSteve

I sent an email to Dual's Customer Service who promptly replied. I had asked them straight out whether this was a problem caused by Dual not updating their hardware (firmware) to allow for Apple changes in 8.3 that had been previously advised to developers. This is the response that I got:


"Apple has acknowledged to us [DUAL] that Bluetooth GPS support in iOS 8.3 is broken."


This report may only be from one side but Apple has been deafeningly quiet on the matter, To my way of thinking, if it really wasn't broken (by Apple), I'm sure they'd be shouting from the rooftops rather than cop the abuse they are copping (online) from a great number of very frustrated customers.


I've been in computing since the mid 1960's and have seen it all.Due to the veil of secrecy Apple operates with I won't attempt a rollback to 8.2 and will wait, very impatiently, for 8.3.1 or whatever it is that they come up with to fix this mess.

I can afford to do that as I have two iPads one WiFi only and the other WiFi + Cell (and an iPhone that can run my Nav App) . I went to that extreme level of redundancy because I don't believe a solo pilot should have his head in a map while at altitude. And the thought of drawing lines and stuffing about with a ruler and a wizz wheel is my idea of situational awareness abandoned. I still take a paper copy of my flight plan and can fly by the (crappy) compass and timer but it is a very second rate substitute to a functioning GPS - especially if you are in an area with multiple control zones and steps and you need to be super accurate with your navigation.

GPS data not available to apps after iOS 8.3 update

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