Incorrect geolocation on MacBook Pro M1 Pro and iPad M4 in Russia

Question

Level 1

4 points

Incorrect geolocation on MacBook Pro M1 Pro and iPad M4 in Russia

I live in Russia and have encountered a problem with incorrect geolocation on my MacBook Pro M1 Pro and iPad M4 (no SIM). On the MacBook, the geolocation is displayed in South Africa (the time zone has changed, the weather app, the geolocation in maps). On the iPad, the same situation with the time zone and weather, but in maps my geo does not work at all. The region of the device and Apple ID is Russia. VPN is disabled. I can't understand what this is connected with, because there is no such thing on the iPhone (apparently the presence of a SIM solves it). Tell me what to do in such a situation?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Incorrect geolocation

iPad Pro, iPadOS 18

Posted on Sep 2, 2025 08:43 AM

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Answer 1

Phil0124

Level 10

214,477 points

Sep 2, 2025 09:53 AM in response to edexmple

On Macs and non-cellular iPads, geo-location is based on your IP address. If you are using a VPN this can change the IP address and the geolocation would beset to whatever the IP address calculates to.

Turn of or remove any VPNs you may have installed, or set the VPN to your location instead.

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Answer 2

Sep 2, 2025 10:11 AM in response to edexmple

In view of your location, it is very likely that you will encounter difficulties with any form GNSS or network-based geolocation.

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 GPS capabilities with which iPad Location Services can derive location. This fundamental difference may significantly impact your ability to use mapping or other Apps that require accurate/precise location data - in particular if real-time positioning (e.g., a moving map) is required.

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 your public IP address. 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.

If you do have a WiFi+Cellular model iPad, your location will be relevant. GNSS/GPS jamming has become a regular issue in some parts of the world - such as Russia, Eastern Mediterranean, Baltics and the Middle East. If you are located in one of these regions, you must anticipate seeing issues.

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