iPad mini Mini and GPS question

[Richard8655]

Took my new Mini 5 (WiFi only) for a local road trip today to see how mapping might work without a cellular data connection. Pleasantly surprised that Google maps always showed my location on the map accurately, with the blue location dot moving exactly in sync whenever and wherever I moved.

My assumption was that only the cellular version of the Mini (or really any iPad) comes with the GPS chip. A little reading indicates that iPad location tracking without GPS uses local WiFi networks to navigate and determine location without having to connect to those networks. But I'm not completely sure. Anyone have more background on this?

But am pleased I can use my non-cellular Mini for accurate mapping and location tracking when traveling.

 

[Richard8655]

Oh well, no one seems to know. I'll just be happy that GPS-like behavior works on my non-cellular Mini 5.

 

[akash.nu]

It won’t work if you go on a road trip where you’re driving through miles of open road without any residential area around.

Here’s the basics of AGPS.

Assisted GNSS - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Since your device doesn’t have cellular radio, if you aren’t in a WiFi dense area then it won’t work anymore.

 

[muzzy996]

What if it was tethered with an iPhone to provide data? Would location from the phone be shared with the iPad ?

 

[AutomaticApple]

What if it was tethered with an iPhone to provide data?

Or if you used a personal hotspot?

 

[Richard8655]

It won’t work if you go on a road trip where you’re driving through miles of open road without any residential area around.

Here’s the basics of AGPS.

Assisted GNSS - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Since your device doesn’t have cellular radio, if you aren’t in a WiFi dense area then it won’t work anymore.

Yes thanks, I think that is what's going on. But according to that link, "A-GPS is extensively used with GPS-capable cellular phones..." My non-cellular version Mini has no GPS functionality in the specs according to Apple. But I think non-cellular iPads (at lest the Mini 5) must have some kind of WiFi location functionality as it definitely does work that way. And yes, you're right about leaving dense areas. I did that today for a bit while driving and lost location tracking in Google maps.

But then it does state that "An A-GPS-capable device can connect to these servers and download this information using mobile-network radio bearers such as GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE or even using other radio bearers such as Wi-Fi or LoRa". So A-GPS is likely built into WiFi-only iPads.
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What if it was tethered with an iPhone to provide data? Would location from the phone be shared with the iPad ?

Or if you used a personal hotspot?

Absolutely, I'm sure those would work (tethering and hotspot). I was hoping, though, that the Mini could somehow track location by itself, which looks like to a limited degree it can. But yes, those 2 methods look to be more reliable.

 

[pshufd]

I have an iPad Mini 2 Cellular and an iPad Mini 5. If I want to navigate, I use the iPad Mini 2. I sometimes think that I should have bought the iPad Mini 5 Cellular but it is a lot of expense just for GPS.

 

[Richard8655]

I have an iPad Mini 2 Cellular and an iPad Mini 5. If I want to navigate, I use the iPad Mini 2. I sometimes think that I should have bought the iPad Mini 5 Cellular but it is a lot of expense just for GPS.

EDIT: As mentioned, the Mini 5 non-cellular has some GPS ability. (misunderstood your post)

 

[pshufd]

The Mini 2 should already come with GPS.

yes because it’s cellular. That’s why I use it. It’s just really slow now

 

[bobsamm]

I always buy iPads with 4g as can share data on my plan and for the gps, my mini 5 though was such good buy would of cost me $250AUD more so just got the wifi, i mainly used to see maps on bigger screen but now i have CarPlay and iPhone 11 pro not needed really.

 

[pshufd]

I always buy iPads with 4g as can share data on my plan and for the gps, my mini 5 though was such good buy would of cost me $250AUD more so just got the wifi, i mainly used to see maps on bigger screen but now i have CarPlay and iPhone 11 pro not needed really.

I don't use cellular data so the cellular part would be a waste for me.

 

[Richard8655]

In my opinion, there are enough free WiFi hotspots all over the place that cellular isn't worth it for me either. Google Voice phone via WiFi connects for free anywhere in US or Canada. In addition, the WiFi Mini 5 version has AGPS (thanks Akash) that works relatively well in populated areas for GPS tracking.