GPS on the iPad - the most important facts

"Where am I?" - You can find out exactly with the iPad and the GPS function. GPS (Global Positiong System) is a global system for location location. In the following you will find the most important information about iPad and GPS.

iPad 3G model and GPS

"Real" GPS is built into the iPad version with 3G module. That means it has a GPS module. Like an iPhone, the GPS on the iPad 3G locates your exact location thanks to satellite support. It doesn't matter whether you are on a mountain or in a city.

iPad WiFi model and GPS

On the iPad with WiFi, a database of WiFi hotspots is used to calculate the approximate location. This iPad version has no real GPS. This may sound like a high degree of inaccuracy, but it is not. In the test, very good results were achieved, for example when taking pictures with GPS tagging. The iPad 3G model is still more accurate.

iPad and location services: change and check settings

How to find out which apps use GPS or the WiFi hotspot database of the iPad and can make changes if necessary:

1. Open the "Settings" app.
2. Go to "Data protection".
3. Select "Location Services". All apps that access the GPS or the WiFi hotspot database are displayed here.
4. You can now either allow the individual apps to carry out localization or prevent it.
5. Below the app listing, you are explained what the arrows next to mean for the apps. Here you can find out whether an app has recently used your location (purple arrow). The gray arrow symbol indicates whether GPS or the WiFi hotspot database has been used within the last 24 hours. The half-gray arrow indicates whether the "geofence function" is used. A geofence is like an imaginary fence that delimits an area. Within this location area, the function reminds you, for example, of location-dependent calendar entries.

The tip refers to an iPad 4.