Follow the steps below to resolve a problem with an external Bluetooth GPS receiver not working.
STEP 1: Check that Location Services is enabled for ForeFlight in the iPad Settings.
Are Location Services enabled for ForeFlight? To see:
- Open the Settings app.
- Select Privacy & Security.
- Tap Location Services.
- Ensure Location Services is turned On.
- Scroll to the ForeFlight app and confirm it is set to Always.
- No: Enable Location Services for ForeFlight.
- Yes: Continue to step 2.
STEP 2: Check that Precise Location is enabled for ForeFlight in the iPad Settings.
Is Precise Location enabled for ForeFlight in the iPad Settings? To see:
- Open the Settings app.
- Select Privacy & Security.
- Tap Location Services.
- Tap the ForeFlight app.
- Toggle Precise Location ON.
- No: Enable Precise Location for ForeFlight.
- Yes: Continue to step 3.
STEP 3: Check that Enable Ownship is set to Always in ForeFlight Mobile.
Is Enable Ownship set to Always in ForeFlight Mobile? To see:
- In ForeFlight, go to More > Settings.
- Scroll down and confirm Enable Ownship is set to Always.
- No: Set Enable Ownship to Always.
- Yes: Continue to step 4.
STEP 4: Check that Airplane Mode is turned off.
Is Airplane Mode turned off? To see:
- Open the iPad Settings app.
- Confirm that Airplane Mode is turned Off.
- No: Turn Airplane Mode Off in Settings.
- Yes: Continue to step 5.
STEP 5: Check that Bluetooth is enabled.
Is Bluetooth turned on? To see:
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
- Ensure Bluetooth is On.
- No: Turn Bluetooth On.
- Yes: Continue to step 6.
STEP 6: Check that the Bluetooth GPS receiver is connected.
Is the Bluetooth GPS receiver connected? To see:
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
- Check if the GPS receiver shows as Connected.
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No: Connect the GPS receiver. If there’s trouble connecting:
- Verify compatibility.
- Power the GPS receiver off and on.
- If listed but not connected, tap (i), select “Forget This Device,” and reconnect.
- Update the GPS receiver firmware.
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Yes: Continue to step 7.
STEP 7: Check to see if the GPS position shows on Apple Maps.
Does GPS position show on Apple Maps? To see:
- Turn off Wi-Fi and Cellular.
- Open Apple Maps.
- No: Continue to step 8.
- Yes: GPS is working. Proceed to step 9.
STEP 8: Check that the GPS receiver has a clear view of the sky.
Does the GPS receiver have a clear view of the sky?
- No: Move the receiver to a location with an unobstructed view of the sky.
- Yes: Continue to step 9.
STEP 9: Restart ForeFlight Mobile.
Does restarting ForeFlight Mobile solve the problem? To see:
- Exit ForeFlight.
- Swipe ForeFlight Mobile off the screen to close the app.
- Reopen ForeFlight.
- No: Continue to step 10.
- Yes: Stop here.
STEP 10: Perform a hard reboot of the iPad.
Does rebooting the iPad solve the problem? See this article on how to reboot an iPad: Apple - Restart your iPad.
- No: Contact the GPS manufacturer for assistance.
- Yes: Stop here.
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