iPad as a GPS device

I think you are asking about using the iPhone as a hotspot so the iPad can go on the internet and use the various mapping apps, such as Apple Maps.

On the iPhone, go to Settings and make sure WiFi is on and not connected to any network. Then go to Settings/Personal Hotspot, and turn on "allow others to join." Underneath that you will see the password you will need to enter on the iPad in order to join the network you are about to create on the iPhone. Finally, go to the iPad and hit Settings, and again turn on WiFi, this time connect to the iPhone using the password the iPhone showed you.

You can also hook up to the iPhone via Bluetooth, so your phone could connect to another wifi network, but that would be silly.

An iPhone is not sufficient? Too small?

I use the phone direct.

Genie has a Verizon phone. When we travel, she uses it just like a GPS - I think? She just Googles where we want to go, or asks it for specific subjects - like a CG or Restaurant, and it shows. And then she looks it up. Then as we get close to whatever it is, it just shows larger and larger on her phone screen until we arrive.

I'm not sure how different or how much more info you get on GPS as we've never used a GPS on any of our many coast to coast or shorter trips. The phone has always been sufficient for anything we need.

I don't think the WiFi iPad has a built-in GPS chip. Instead, search how to mirror (or cast) your iPhone to your iPad. There's too much to explain here.

Basically, you use your iPhone w/GPS app and wirelessly mirror the screen to your iPad.

Wifi only iPads do not contain the GPS hardware to allow them to act as a standalone GPS. The OP is wanting to know if the iPhone can somehow share it's GPS info with the iPad. I don't believe simply using the iPhone as a hotspot will work for that. It would be easy to test, though.

The answer is yes. but since I do not have an IOS device I'm a tad weak on the how... I DO. however. use Pi-star Radio hotspots and thus belong to the pi-star facebook group.. I do not know if you can read it without joining.

You need to open the Mobile hotspot application on the I-phone and make sure you have it "Discoverable" By the I-pad... then connect to it and enter the SSID as you would your home router.

What I do not know is can you then close the app on the phone

Also you will have to open the hotspot app on the phone EVERY TIME you turn on the I-pad if it works like the Pi-Star's.

Two alternative solutions
One ... Android phone (Not as hard to connect to) since you are an IOS user this is likely not your best option

Spend the 10 to 20 bucks a month for a "2nd line" "My-Fi" type device.. small box that has a phone number but all it does is data. Cellular to Wi-Fi. your cell phone provider can supply This is what I'd recommend since odds are you will need to Re-connect on the road and with the My-Fi type devices (NOTE one provider calls them that the others should know what you are talking about). the I-pad should auto-connect. Good luck.

Jackathan wrote:
Wifi only iPads do not contain the GPS hardware to allow them to act as a standalone GPS. The OP is wanting to know if the iPhone can somehow share it's GPS info with the iPad. I don't believe simply using the iPhone as a hotspot will work for that. It would be easy to test, though.

Yes, maybe I need to clarify my OP. I already know how to how to tether via Bluetooth and WiFi, and use as a hotspot. Since the iPad has no built-in GPS, I want to use the iPhone's capabilities, and also because of the larger monitor on the iPad.

I've tried it before on another older iPad with marginal success. There was considerable lag time between the GPS reading on the Pad and that of the phone.

The only way I know is to swipe up on the bottom (down from the top on some versions) of your iphone to find the screen where you can turn on airplane mode or adjust the volume. On that screen click on the mirroring button and see if your ipad shows up. It won't be perfect, but it will be larger than the iphone screen.

I do not know if the I-pad can read the phone's GPS however

Can you get a GPS Dongle for the I-Pad. most of them are designed to plug into USB-2 or 3 but you might be able to find one for the pad. This will be WIRED however (plugs in) I have one for a radio I use that I've yet to install (Need better weather and a few parts) Once that's done my radio will know where it is all the time... (some of them do now but this is the one in my car so it moves)

If the pad has a standard USB port look at the Garmin GPS-18X The one I have does NOT have a USB connector but they make it with.