Bad Elf Flex: Verifying iOS Is Receiving Location Data from a Bad Elf Flex Receiver

Bad Elf Flex: Verifying iOS Is Receiving Location Data from a Bad Elf Flex Receiver

Overview

This article explains how to verify that your iPhone or iPad is receiving location data from a Bad Elf Flex or Flex Mini receiver using iOS location services. These steps help confirm whether the receiver is functioning correctly before troubleshooting third-party apps.

What You’ll Need

  • A Bad Elf Flex, Bad Elf Flex Mini, or Bad Elf Flex Mini Extreme

  • An iPhone or iPad with Bluetooth enabled

  • The Bad Elf Flex App installed

Step-by-Step Verification

1. Confirm live position data in the Bad Elf Flex App

Open the Bad Elf Flex App while the receiver is powered on and connected.
Verify that latitude, longitude, and accuracy values are updating.

If live position data appears here, the receiver is functioning and iOS is receiving location data from the Flex.

2. Perform a static location test

Place the Bad Elf Flex receiver in a fixed location with clear sky view.
With the receiver stationary, move your iPhone or iPad several feet while watching the position indicator in the app.

If the position does not move with the phone, iOS is using the external receiver rather than the internal GPS.

3. Test a third-party app

Open the third-party app you are using (for example, a GIS or mapping app).
If the app supports it, explicitly select the Bad Elf Flex as the location provider in the app’s settings.

If position data appears in the Bad Elf Flex App but not in the third-party app, the issue is related to app configuration rather than the receiver.

How to interpret the results

  • Position updates in the Flex App:
    The receiver is working and iOS location services are receiving data.

  • Position updates in the Flex App but not in another app:
    The third-party app is not configured to use the external GNSS receiver or does not support it.

  • No position data in the Flex App:
    Check sky visibility, Bluetooth connection, and firmware version before continuing troubleshooting.

Next steps

If you confirm that iOS is receiving location data from the Bad Elf Flex App but a third-party app is not showing position data, refer to the setup guide for that app to ensure the external GNSS receiver is selected correctly.

If you continue to experience issues, open a support ticket and include:

  • Your Bad Elf device model

  • Firmware version

  • iOS version

  • The app you are using

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