Getting my router on the map

Richard53

OK, I'm thick, but I always assumed my iPad 3 had a GPS chip as it always correctly identified where I was using the maps app etc. Recently we were upgraded to fibre and given a new router by EE. Since then, the iPad can't locate itself. I did a bit of research and found that the device finds its location by the identity of nearby routers. There is an Apple database that contains the MAC addresses of known routers and their physical location and the device uses this information to locate itself. My new router is clearly not in this database, hence no location services on the iPad.


The information from Apple support is that link between the MAC addresses and the location is provided by GPS-enabled iPhones that see the router and provide the physical location. There is no way to manually enter this information into the database.

Bottom line: Your Router is probably not yet in the Apple location database. It hasn't been seen yet and added to the database.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5660435?tstart=0


The word 'yet' here suggests that the link will be made eventually, but I have an iPhone as well, and it is in the house and in range of the router probably 12 hours in every 24. We've had the new router 2-3 weeks and the iPad still can't determine my location. Is there anything I need to do, or can do, to speed this up, or should I just be patient? In that case, how long do these things usually take? I've been around computers for many years (as a user, not a techie) but this is completely new to me. Thanks for any help.

GunJack

buy something with gps chip in it....

...like an android phone/tab

bob_a_builder

buy something with gps chip in it....

What like the iPhone they already own, maybe ?

OP -
Is the iPhone connected to your own wireless ?
are location services enabled on the iPhone ?

GunJack

bob_a_builder wrote: »

What like the iPhone they already own, maybe ?

OP -
Is the iPhone connected to your own wireless ?
are location services enabled on the iPhone ?

...but obviously the pad doesn't

agrinnall

GunJack wrote: »

...but obviously the pad doesn't

Your answers weren't really relevant to the question though, although the smilies are a nice touch .

I suspect it'll just be a question of waiting, I hadn't heard of Apple doing this but it could be that it takes a few weeks for newly recognised routers to make their way through the system.

Richard53

bob_a_builder wrote: »

OP -
Is the iPhone connected to your own wireless ?
are location services enabled on the iPhone ?

Yes, and yes.

GunJack wrote: »

...but obviously the pad doesn't

Yes. First thing I checked.

agrinnall wrote: »

I suspect it'll just be a question of waiting, I hadn't heard of Apple doing this but it could be that it takes a few weeks for newly recognised routers to make their way through the system.

Thanks for that. I suspected it might be just a matter of waiting for things to sort themselves out. I've found a link to the Skyhook database (apparently what Apple uses) and it seems there is a way to input a location manually. Now I am home for a few days I will try that.

Thanks all for the suggestions. Will update if successful.

Richard53

Rather frustrating. I've been to

http://www.skyhookwireless.com/submit-access-point

and put it my router MAC address and lat/long co-ordinates, but now I can't get past the Captcha to submit. Tried four times, no luck. Guess I'll just have to wait for the phone to do its thing.

Richard53

Just to update ... a month later and the problem has resolved itself. Without my doing anything, my maps app works fine and the iPad knows where it is again. Presumably the phone has reported the link between the GPS co-ordinates and the router and the database has been updated.


Thanks for the assistance.

AndyPix

This all seems bizarre to me ..


You are actually looking forward to the time when apple scan the mac address of your none apple kit and link that to your physical location and add that to their massive database that they definitely only keep for warm fluffy intentions ?


Does privacy mean nothing to you ?


Do you not already know where you are when you are at home ?

kwikbreaks

No good getting adverts for takeaways in the next town is it?

AndyPix

You want to be fed targeted ads ?


You are unable to perform your own search for takeaways in your town ?