WiFi only iPAD using cellular GPS

There is another way to get the current location on a WiFi-only iPad, though it only works in the (default) mapping app. You need another phone whose location you can share via Find My with yourself. The tethered iPad will receive a notification that somebody shared their location and can display that location on a map.

All iPad models are available in two basic variants - WiFi+Cellular, or WiFi Only - the latter (cheaper) model having no built-in Cellular or GPS capabilities.

In more detail, you need to understand that only WiFi+Cellular models of iPad have GNSS/GPS capabilities - this being a function of the iPad Cellular chipset. WiFi Only models of iPad have no GNSS/GPS capabilities with which iPad Location Services can derive location. This fundamental difference may significantly impact your ability to use mapping Apps, or other Apps that have reliance upon precise location or real-time positioning (e.g., a moving map).

When using a device hotspot, such an an iPhone or WiFi+Cellular iPad with an active Cellular connection, the device providing the hotspot connection does not share GPS information derived from its own positioning capabilities.

WiFi Only iPad models can only “infer” their location from a database lookup of neighbouring WiFi networks for which the geographic location is known, or the geographic location of its public IP address - as derived from the hosting network to which it ultimately connects. For static applications in urban locations, where the location of IP public IP addresses and WiFi networks are known, an “inferred” location can be relatively accurate. However, in rural locations, or when using a Cellular/Satellite/VPN connection, location accuracy of an inferred location [if it works at all] may be very inaccurate. 

All this has significant implications for non-static mapping applications. If you need to have moving maps, or have future flexibility to do so, you may need to consider a WiFi+Cellular model of iPad. Choosing a cellular model does not commit you to adding a cellular service plan for the iPad, but ensures that you have immediate access to GPS/GNSS positioning services.

As is, if you have a WiFi Only iPad and require precise location, your available options are:

• Substitute your WiFi Only iPad for a WiFi+Cellular model; this does not commit you to provisioning Cellular service for your iPad, but does provide the needed GPS functionality for the iPad.
• Add an external GPS receiver to your WiFi Only iPad. These are often used in marine, aviation and vehicular applications - and can be either directly connected via Lightning or via Bluetooth. Their are various third-party manufacturers, of which two are BadElf and Garmin Glo.