An iPad can be tracked, but only if you allow it using a feature called Location Services. This feature uses the iPad's built-in GPS, cellular or Wi-Fi connection to broadcast its whereabouts to Apple's servers and a variety of apps that need your geographic location to function conveniently or comprehensively. You control Location Services for apps individually to maximize privacy while enjoying special location-based capabilities.
Main Location Services Switch
Tap "Settings" on an iPad's home screen, followed by "Privacy" and then "Location Services" to get to the feature's main switch. Toggle the Location Services switch to "On" for the iPad to broadcast its whereabouts in real time. When turned off, you must manually enter your location each time you use certain directional apps, such as Maps or Yelp, that help you find and navigate to specific locations or nearby establishments.
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Individual App Switches
When Location Services is enabled, its settings pane lists all the installed iPad apps that would track your location if you let them. Each app has its own switch that you can toggle on or off. When turned on, you permit an app to automatically track your whereabouts, add geographic information to its files and -- with additional permission -- broadcast your location to others. For instance, the Camera app would start saving the location where each photo is taken, the Find My Friends app would let specific people follow you everywhere over a specific period of time, and the Twitter app would display your location within tweets.
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Track iPad for Security
Location Services can help you find a stolen or misplaced iPad that you've registered on iCloud. Visit iCloud.com on any computer or Apple mobile device. Log in to your account with your Apple ID and click the "Find My iPhone" icon. If the device is turned on and connected to the Internet via a Wi-Fi or cellular network, Apple displays the lost iPad's location on a detailed map.
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Track iPad for Reminders
On some iPads with Wi-Fi and cellular capabilities, Location Services makes location-based reminders possible. For instance, you can instruct the Reminders app to prompt you to do something when you arrive home or leave the office. Tap the directional arrow beside a reminder that you've created and toggle its "Remind Me at a Location" switch to "On." You can also verbally command Siri to do the same if you toggle its Location Services switch to "On" in the settings pane.
