Status of iOS 8.3 and External GPS Receivers
Greetings from the warm and muggy Sun 'n Fun air show in Lakeland, FL! We've enjoyed catching up with new and existing Bad Elf customers over the last 4 days. The first air show of the year is always special and motivates us going into the busy spring and summer flying seasons.
As of this morning, we still don't have any official updates re: the iOS 8.3 issue with external GPS receivers. As we've said before: please do not upgrade to iOS 8.3 if possible! We have heard rumors the issue has been fixed internally by Apple, but don't know when this fix will be released to the public. We're hoping for a 8.3.1 release, although it could also be released as part of the iOS 8.4 beta program.
As soon as we have any significant updates, we will quickly notify everyone via email, blog, Twitter, and Facebook. We are standing by to quickly test any iOS updates as soon as they are available.
If this issue is negatively impacting you, please contact us via email to support@bad-elf.com and we’ll see what we can do to help.
Update (28-April): Apple released an iOS 8.4 beta 2 update to developers and beta testers yesterday. Unfortunately, due to the confidentiality requirements of these programs, we’re not allowed to disclose any non-public information about this beta software — including how it affects the iOS 8.3 bug affecting external GPS receivers like ours.
Several sources including iLounge and MacRumors have posted articles about this release.
If you’d like to join Apple’s Beta Software Program, you can learn more and sign up on Apple’s site. Please make sure that you fully understand the risks associated with beta software before taking this path.
We still have our fingers crossed that this GPS issue will be fixed ASAP in a public (non-beta) iOS 8.3.1 update. We are also exploring multiple workaround options until this is resolved one way or another.
37 Responses
Steve
this isn’t totally unexpected, the iPad isn’t purpose built for external gps marine or aviation and should never be a primary device for navigation. It’s great when it works though.
FCB
This could be a life threatening glitch. I sail offshore, latest trip was 400 miles from Tortola to St Lucia. I did rely in the past on iNavx paired with a Dual XGPS150A. Out of wifi reception gps location ceased. We have paper charts, handheld units, so no issue. BUT it could have been otherwise. Question: why wasn’t there any notification from external gps providers concerning this 8.3 update issue???
Nick Campbell
Really disappointed about this, I have spent hundreds on this system to use once a year for a big fishing trip coming up this weekend. Very irritated with apple and bad elf, this is completely unacceptable that no fix has been available for months. Will stop recommending these systems to everyone from now on.
bked
Just found this link an information after trying to use our bad elf with the Navionics app. Worked perfectly last year. Should have gone for the Garmin Chartplotter originally. At least that doesn’t stop working after updates. This is a ridiculous length of time to still not have a fix.
Ray
I can’t believe Apple would not do some thing fast as thier reputation is hurting
Ed Russell
My second post….Only been two months….come on throw us a bone. Fore flight just had an update….maybe you want to partner with them? All of us bought your product in good faith….return the respect, please.
John Geddes
Another frustrated sailor, and feeling foolish. Bought Bad Elf 30-pin on amazon, where there was no indication of a possible issue. Only after trying it and it repeatedly not working did I read about this issue. Call me foolish, but if a website says “Apple-approved” and “compatible with iPhone 4S”, I expect it to be.
Bwall
I can confirm that the iOS 8.4 beta 3 fixed the external bluetooth GPS bug. I have personally used Bad Elf products as well as other external GPS units from other manufacturers that were also effected by the 8.3 update. The only other question is when the update will be publicly released.
Best of luck!
Tom
For some reason, your statement “due to the confidentiality requirements of these programs, we’re not allowed to disclose any non-public information about this beta software” leaves me with a bad feeling that the GPS issue is not fixed in the update. I think if it was fixed you would be able to say that.
Pierre Jessop
According to the latest Apple related forums, it appears that iOS 8.4 will be delayed from the 8th of June to the end of the month.
No reasons is specifically given but it seems to have something to do with the new music stream functionality.
Meanwhile, us Bluetooth GPS users are stuck.
Jim Reid
Hi. Sailing season just starting and the Bad Elf and Apple combination for no use. Out quite a bit of money with the map apps. etc, are Apple not making enough money. Can we expect a result soon?
Jim
Matt
Any news, Bad Elf? Or is the NDA still preventing you from telling us if the next OS update will fix the problem? Also, you stated you were working on workarounds. Status????
J. David Rinehart
Use my 2200 with Galileo app. Early in the iOS 8.3 update, Galileo would not “lay a track” but would show location. Now it will not even show location – any clues as to what changed?
BBC
But will 8.4 fix the problem? Has Apple even acknowledged the problem? I have read posts of conversations with Apple people that state it is not an iOS problem, its a Bad Elf problem.
And its not just a Bluetooth issue. My Bad Elf GPS unit is an external 30 pin connector. It is working on the Bad Elf app pages, but nothing is communicated with third party apps like Polar Navy charting or Google Maps.
Dazworld
Well June does not do me any good losing money because of this
Pierre Jessop
According to some forums, iOS 8.4 should come out around June 8th.
Not long after, it will be iOS 9 ’s turn.
The way Apple delt with the Bluetooth GPS problem is quite disappointing.
David Fenn
The Apple update is extremely frustrating! My Fore Flight is basically useless now without the GPS.
It has been a month now. The Fore Flight subscription is not free. Should I just cancel the subscription? Pull out the old paper maps again. Toss the iPad into the Trash?
Or, should I buy a $899.00 Stratus GPS…. Also, purchase a Garmin for a back up. Couple more Bad Elfs, and keeps 8 others on hand just incase Apple comes out with an update???
I used to brag about my iPad with the Fore Flight on it. Now, it just looks nice but is actually quite useless to me.
Dave
Angry Customer
Are we just out of luck with the 8.3 issue? Meaning we have to buy something something else that does work? Sitting around waiting for an update from Apple isn’t really a good option. Been too long for zero solutions.
B E
Any progress yet? Planning a big cross country this summer and am hesitant to drop $300 on another, newer Bad Elf only to see that it will be obsolete and blown out of the water with some future Apple update… I guess it’s back to paper maps and IFR – (I Follow Roads)
Edman
Any news yet about a fix on the iOS 8.3 and GPS problem?
Ken Jeffries
Like others, my Bad Elf Pro / iPad 2 combination stopped working when I updated the iPad to 8.3. I read that the Pro+ might work so I got one of those as a work around. No such luck. Then yesterday I read in another blog that the problem seemed to be associated with 30-pin iOS devices (the old, pre-lightning, connector. I also have a iPhone 6 Plus, a lightning connector device, so I did a little more experimenting. It turns out that, for me in limited testing, the Pro+ does work with the 6 Plus but not with the iPad 2 but the Pro does not work with either the iPad 2 or the 6 Plus. Go figure! I don’t have a lightning connector iPad but I’d sure like to try one.
Daz world
I use Navionics with Bad Elf for fishing and boating and now can’t even roll back to iOS 8.2 ver on the IPad to get things working again, now have to wait for someone in Apple with some balls to fix this.
Claus
We are currently sailing in the San Juans – and the fact that Apple still has not fixed this issue is indeed vexing, to say the least. Perhaps iPads are becoming toys, especially since the main feature of the 8.3 update was to add additional “cute” emoticons…
Luckily for me, I still have one of the first gen IPads, and that works with software dating back to ver. 5.1
Ralph Newman
Apple had a beta testing program for iOS 8.3 for several months before releasing it to the public. As a company with products so dependent on bluetooth connectivity with Apple products why didn’t you have the foresight to try the beta versions and see if any problems were apparent? I’ve been without the use of my GPS Pro for a month now since I updated four phones and iPads immediately after release of 8.3. A couple of days later you advised of the problem. Are you testing iOS beta 8.4 or do we have to again just wait and see if it works?
Chris @ Bad Elf
Ed Russell — I understand your frustration. As of right now, we still do not have an update on the situation. We are hoping to have a resolution soon, however we do not have any visibility into Apple’s iOS update process.
Apple released an iOS 8.4 beta 3 update to developers and beta testers today. Unfortunately, (as mentioned above for the 8.3b3 update) due to the confidentiality requirements of these programs, we’re not allowed to disclose any non-public information about this beta software — including how it affects the iOS 8.3 bug affecting external GPS receivers like ours.
Ed Russell
Can we have an update please? I’m sorry my patience is growing thin.
Bill Hawthorn
My issue with the GPS came after my iPad was replaced under warranty for the second time. I found out there was a problem when I wanted to sail in an area with lots of hidden sand bars. I was not amused! iOS 8.3 also has a problem of shutting down in the middle of a web search and then rebooting. Come on Apple get it sorted
Adam
hope something comes out soon to fix this.. i just did a long cross country (coast to coast across Australia) and found out on day 1 at height that this was a problem – of course I checked it out at home first, but it worked probably because i had wifi turned on, thus masking the problem. That made it a VERY long trip having to use the maps etc. That’s one way to really make me appreciate my bad elf and ipad!!
Thomas
so dies 8.4 beta 2 fix it? How do we get it.
Timo
“Apple released an iOS 8.4 beta 2 update to developers and beta testers yesterday. Unfortunately, due to the confidentiality requirements of these programs, we’re not allowed to disclose any non-public information about this beta software — including how it affects the iOS 8.3 bug affecting external GPS receivers like ours.”
I “love” Apple… There are so many devices affected by these problems and still they forbit the producers to communicate new infos to their clients. No matter if there is a solution in the update or not.
I don’t use a Bad Elf but my device, which I use in my Mercedes / Drive Kit Plus, also doesn’t work anymore.
I have got to say thanks to Bad Elf for communicating updates about this problem in iOS 8.3 even if it’s not caused by them. Apple and Mercedes don’t do that like you.
Go on with that!
Jock Wijnants
Ik heb problemen met navigatie met mijn ipad na update van iOS 8.3
De eens prima werkende GSN navigatie kan nu zijn werk niet meer doen door deze update.
Openlijk repareerd appel dit gauw
Chris
The new Beta2 IOS8.4 should fix it, see details:
https://developer.apple.com/library/prerelease/ios/releasenotes/General/RN-iOSSDK-8.4/index.html
Timo
iOS 8.4 Beta 2 is out… Do the problems still appear?
Brett @ Bad Elf
Lonzo — I understand your frustration. My guess is that the 8.3.1 update may have been delayed due to the Apple Watch release, but it’s just a guess. Unfortunately we don’t have any visibility into iOS update process.
Solo - Glad to hear you are up and running with your GLO. We’ve verified with our GLO test unit that their firmware update brings the GLO up to the same level as our GPS Pro+ and GPS for Lightning dongle - all of which work ONLY with iOS devices with the Lightning port. 30-pin iOS devices running iOS 8.3 are still out of luck with any external GPS receiver.
I’m hoping we’ll some updates with good news sometime this week.
Lonzo
This is taking a very long time!!
Solo
I too was affected by the 8.3 update on my wifi iPad mini 2, what I use is a Garmin Glo. The way I solved my issue was go to Garmin WebUpdater plugged in my garmin glo to Mac and updated the firmware on my garmin glo and everything is working fine.
Robert Price
after updating to 8.3 with my iPhone 5s i have had no issues with my 2300 running Gaia GPS maps. I’ll let you know if anything pops up of concern.
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