If iFly EFB displays a “No GPS Lock” message, the app is not currently receiving a reliable GPS position.
This does not necessarily mean there is a problem with iFly EFB. GPS reception can be affected by your device, aircraft, surroundings, app permissions, or the GPS source you are using.
This article explains the most common causes and the recommended ways to improve GPS reliability in the cockpit.
GPS receivers determine your position by receiving very weak radio signals from satellites orbiting the Earth. Anything that reduces the receiver's view of the sky can make it more difficult to obtain or maintain a position.
Common causes include:
Being indoors. Buildings can block satellite signals almost completely.
Aircraft structure. Metal roofs, instrument panels, and other parts of the airframe can obstruct satellite signals.
Poor receiver placement. A tablet mounted low in the cockpit may have a much poorer satellite view than a receiver placed near a windshield.
Tall buildings, hangars, mountains, or other obstructions.
RF interference. Electronics, charging equipment, radios, and other equipment can sometimes create radio-frequency interference that affects GPS reception.
Certain windshields. Some heated, coated, or metallized windshields can reduce satellite reception.
A tablet that works normally in your car or outdoors may therefore behave differently once installed in an aircraft cockpit.
If you are testing GPS reception on the ground, we recommend testing outside with a clear view of the sky rather than inside a house, office, or hangar. Give the receiver a few minutes to establish its initial satellite lock.
For regular cockpit use, an ADS-B In receiver that includes its own GPS receiver is generally the preferred solution.
Many aviation ADS-B receivers contain dedicated GPS/GNSS hardware designed for use in the cockpit. This can provide a more reliable position source than relying only on the GPS antenna inside a phone or tablet.
When iFly EFB has a suitable external GPS source available, it can use that position information instead of relying solely on the tablet's internal GPS.
An ADS-B In receiver can also provide additional information such as:
ADS-B traffic
FIS-B weather
GPS position
AHRS/attitude information on supported models
Not every ADS-B receiver provides GPS position information.
Some supported receivers provide traffic and weather but do not include their own GPS receiver. If you are purchasing an ADS-B device specifically to solve a GPS reception problem, make sure GPS is included in that model.
iFly EFB supports a wide range of portable and installed ADS-B receivers that communicate using compatible Wi-Fi or Bluetooth data formats.
View the iFly EFB Supported ADS-B Receivers guide
For most pilots, an ADS-B In receiver with GPS provides the best combination of reliable positioning and additional in-flight information.
If an ADS-B In receiver is outside your budget, a Bluetooth external GPS receiver is another good option.
These devices are dedicated to supplying position information to a phone or tablet. They do not provide ADS-B traffic or weather, but they can significantly improve GPS reception and allow devices without an internal GPS receiver to obtain a reliable position.
Two commonly available options are:
Typical U.S. price: Approximately $119.99 as of September 2026. Retail pricing can change. Multiple U.S. aviation and electronics retailers currently list the GLO 2 at this price.
The Garmin GLO 2:
Receives both GPS and GLONASS satellite signals
Connects to compatible devices using Bluetooth
Works with iPhone, iPad, and Android devices
Provides position updates up to 10 times per second
Has up to approximately 13 hours of battery life
Can provide GPS position to tablets that do not have their own GPS receiver
Garmin specifies approximately 3-meter positioning accuracy under appropriate conditions.
Garmin GLO 2 product information
Manufacturer price: $179.99 as of September 2026.
The Dual XGPS160 SkyPro:
Receives GPS and GLONASS
Includes WAAS/SBAS support
Provides up to 10 position updates per second
Connects through Bluetooth
Can connect to as many as five devices simultaneously
Has approximately 10 hours of battery life
Includes a non-slip dashboard pad
Is rated by Dual at approximately ±2.5 meters accuracy under appropriate conditions
The ability to connect several devices can be useful when more than one tablet or phone is being used in the aircraft.
Dual XGPS160 SkyPro product information
Note for Android users: Dual provides its SkyPro GPS Status Tool and specific Android setup guidance for the XGPS160. Follow the manufacturer's current instructions when configuring the receiver with an Android device.
Placement can make a significant difference.
The receiver should have the widest practical view of the sky through the aircraft windows or windshield.
Common arrangements include:
On the glare shield near the windshield
On a non-slip pad on top of the instrument panel
Secured near a side window
Attached using suction or mounting system
Positioned elsewhere in the cabin where the receiver has a substantially better view of the sky than the tablet
For example, a tablet may remain mounted on the yoke or kneeboard while a small Bluetooth GPS receiver sits on the glare shield. Because the GPS communicates wirelessly, the tablet itself does not have to be in the best location for satellite reception.
This is particularly important if you plan to use iFly EFB without an external GPS or ADS-B receiver.
Not every tablet contains a satellite GPS/GNSS receiver.
Apple handles GPS differently between iPhones and iPads.
iPhones include GPS/GNSS capability and can provide location information directly to iFly EFB when the appropriate permissions are enabled. Apple also uses Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular information as additional location aids.
For iPads, the distinction is important:
Wi-Fi + Cellular iPads include GPS/GNSS hardware.
Wi-Fi-only iPads do not include built-in GPS/GNSS hardware. Apple lists GPS/GNSS specifically as a feature of its Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad models.
You do not need to maintain an active cellular data subscription simply because you want the GPS-equipped version of an iPad. The important part is purchasing the Wi-Fi + Cellular hardware model, because that is the version containing the GPS/GNSS receiver.
If you have a Wi-Fi-only iPad, use an ADS-B receiver with GPS or a compatible external GPS receiver.
Android hardware varies considerably by manufacturer and model.
Many Android phones contain GPS/GNSS receivers, but you should not assume that every Android tablet does, particularly lower-cost or Wi-Fi-only tablets.
Before purchasing an Android tablet for standalone use with iFly EFB, check the manufacturer's specifications for terms such as:
GPS
GNSS
Galileo
GLONASS
BeiDou
If GPS or GNSS is not listed in the specifications, plan to use an external GPS source.
Android itself also notes that some devices, including some Wi-Fi-only tablets, do not have GPS hardware.
The dedicated iFly X7 and Original iFly Aviation Tablet both include an internal GPS receiver.
An external ADS-B or GPS receiver may still improve cockpit reception depending on the aircraft and installation, but an external receiver is not required simply to add GPS capability to these devices.
When iFly EFB is opened for the first time, your device may ask whether the app can access features such as your location, Bluetooth devices, or nearby network devices.
If Don't Allow or a similar option was selected accidentally, iFly may be unable to obtain your position or communicate with an external receiver.
These settings can be changed later.
Before checking individual app permissions, also make sure:
Airplane Mode is turned off
Location Services are turned on
Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is turned on if your ADS-B or external GPS receiver requires it
Airplane Mode does not necessarily mean that your device's internal GPS receiver is unavailable. However, it can turn off or affect the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections used by many external GPS and ADS-B receivers. For troubleshooting, we recommend turning Airplane Mode off until a reliable GPS connection has been confirmed.
Menu names can vary slightly depending on the version of iOS or iPadOS.
Open the Control Center or:
Settings → Airplane Mode
Make sure Airplane Mode is turned off while troubleshooting GPS or an external receiver.
This is especially important when using an ADS-B receiver connected through Wi-Fi or an external GPS receiver connected through Bluetooth.
Open:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services
Make sure Location Services is turned on.
Find iFly EFB in the list and allow location access.
For normal navigation use, select at least:
While Using the App
If your device provides a Precise Location option, make sure Precise Location is enabled.
Apple allows location permissions to be reviewed and changed at any time from this menu.
If you are connecting to a Bluetooth GPS or other compatible Bluetooth receiver, open:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Bluetooth
Make sure iFly EFB is enabled if it appears in the list.
Apple requires apps to receive permission before accessing certain Bluetooth functions.
Also check:
Settings → Bluetooth
Make sure Bluetooth itself is turned on and that your receiver is paired if the manufacturer requires normal Bluetooth pairing.
Many ADS-B receivers communicate with the tablet by creating their own Wi-Fi network.
Open:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network
Make sure iFly EFB is enabled.
Without Local Network permission, iFly may be connected to the ADS-B receiver's Wi-Fi network but still be unable to communicate with the receiver. Apple requires this permission for apps that communicate with devices on a local network.
If your ADS-B receiver creates a Wi-Fi network, also open:
Settings → Wi-Fi
and confirm that the iPad or iPhone is connected to the receiver's network.
Android menu names can vary between Samsung, Google Pixel, Lenovo, and other manufacturers, but the general procedure is similar.
Before checking individual permissions, verify that Airplane Mode is turned off and that the device's main Location setting is enabled.
Open:
Settings → Apps → iFly EFB → Permissions
Select Location and choose:
Allow only while using the app
Also make sure Use precise location is enabled if your device provides that option.
Google documents that Android apps can be allowed precise or approximate location independently.
You should also verify that the device's main Location setting is enabled:
Settings → Location → Use Location: On
If Use Location is turned off, iFly EFB may not receive position information from the device even if the app itself has previously been granted Location permission.
If Nearby devices appears in the permissions list, select it and choose Allow.
Android uses this permission for apps that need to find or communicate with nearby Bluetooth and, on newer versions of Android, certain Wi-Fi devices.
On older versions of Android, some Bluetooth or Wi-Fi discovery functions may instead depend on the Location permission.
For Bluetooth receivers:
Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
Pair the receiver according to its manufacturer's instructions.
For Wi-Fi ADS-B receivers:
Open the tablet's Wi-Fi settings.
Connect to the Wi-Fi network created by the ADS-B receiver.
If Airplane Mode was previously enabled, double-check Wi-Fi and Bluetooth after turning it off to make sure the connection to your receiver has been restored.
Because Android manufacturers customize their settings menus, the wording on your tablet may be slightly different.
For most pilots, we recommend the following order:
Best overall:
Use a compatible ADS-B In receiver that includes GPS. This provides reliable external GPS along with useful aviation information such as traffic and weather.
Good lower-cost option:
Use a dedicated external Bluetooth GPS such as the Garmin GLO 2 or Dual XGPS160 SkyPro.
Tablet only:
Make sure the tablet itself contains a real GPS/GNSS receiver and that iFly EFB has permission to use it.
For Apple users, remember that a Wi-Fi-only iPad does not contain built-in GPS. Choose a Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad or use an external GPS source.
For Android users, check the exact tablet specifications before purchasing, because GPS hardware varies by model.
Still having trouble? Work through each item below one at a time:
I am outside or in the aircraft with a clear view of the sky.
Airplane Mode is turned off.
Location Services are turned on.
iFly EFB has permission to use my location.
Precise Location is enabled, if my device has that option.
My tablet or phone has a built-in GPS receiver, or I am using an external GPS source.
My ADS-B or external GPS receiver is powered on.
Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is turned on, if my receiver requires it.
My tablet is connected to the correct ADS-B Wi-Fi network or Bluetooth GPS receiver.
iFly EFB has Bluetooth, Nearby Devices, or Local Network permission when required.
My ADS-B receiver actually includes GPS capability.
My GPS or ADS-B receiver is positioned near a window or windshield with a good view of the sky.
I have given the GPS receiver a few minutes to acquire satellites.
I have restarted iFly EFB and reconnected my external receiver if needed.
If you have checked each item above and iFly EFB still displays “No GPS Lock,” contact iFly EFB Support for additional assistance.