This problem began about 6 months ago. Everything worked fine up until then. I assume it has to do with one of the iCloud updates but I'm not sure which one.
The location isn't as much wrong as it is offset. If I zoom the map out completely, the dot is off by probably 5 miles. If I zoom the map in completely it's off by about 100 yards. The offset always remains in the same direction.
I get the same result when tracking a cellular iPad (with WiFi turned off) and an iPhone 6+ (WiFi turned off). I also get the same result with an iPod Touch and MBA on WiFi.
I also use the Glympse tracking app on both the iPad and iPhone. It's accurate to probably within 5 feet, so the problem is not with the GPS hardware, it's strictly a Windows iCloud issue. With Glympse running, in a moving car driven by someone else, I can see an exact location of both on Glympse but Find My iPhone is showing a completely offset location.
I should note that I see the same problem when using Chrome, IE10, Opera or Firefox.
For temporary tracking, Glympse is great but it only runs for 4 hours and has to be activated in advance. The entire point of Find My iPhone is to locate a lost or stolen device. If 100 yards is the best accuracy available then it's almost useless.
However, the problem is very specific to Windows browsers. When I use Safari on any of my Apple devices, the locations of all devices are dead accurate to within a few feet.
I'm curious if anyone else has noted a similar problem? I've reported it a couple of times to Apple but didn't get any response. I use Windows much of the time so it's frustrating to have to remember to fire up Safari to get an accurate location of the device I'm tracking or looking for.
edit: further research said to try to change Chrome page settings to 100% zoom and reload page. That does seem to correct the problem.
The location isn't as much wrong as it is offset. If I zoom the map out completely, the dot is off by probably 5 miles. If I zoom the map in completely it's off by about 100 yards. The offset always remains in the same direction.
I get the same result when tracking a cellular iPad (with WiFi turned off) and an iPhone 6+ (WiFi turned off). I also get the same result with an iPod Touch and MBA on WiFi.
I also use the Glympse tracking app on both the iPad and iPhone. It's accurate to probably within 5 feet, so the problem is not with the GPS hardware, it's strictly a Windows iCloud issue. With Glympse running, in a moving car driven by someone else, I can see an exact location of both on Glympse but Find My iPhone is showing a completely offset location.
I should note that I see the same problem when using Chrome, IE10, Opera or Firefox.
For temporary tracking, Glympse is great but it only runs for 4 hours and has to be activated in advance. The entire point of Find My iPhone is to locate a lost or stolen device. If 100 yards is the best accuracy available then it's almost useless.
However, the problem is very specific to Windows browsers. When I use Safari on any of my Apple devices, the locations of all devices are dead accurate to within a few feet.
I'm curious if anyone else has noted a similar problem? I've reported it a couple of times to Apple but didn't get any response. I use Windows much of the time so it's frustrating to have to remember to fire up Safari to get an accurate location of the device I'm tracking or looking for.
edit: further research said to try to change Chrome page settings to 100% zoom and reload page. That does seem to correct the problem.
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