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Setting up Tractor GPS – Field Guidance in the cab

Short answer

You need an iPhone, or an iPad with cellular, running iOS 17 or later, a solid mount where the device can see the sky, and a charger. A Wi-Fi-only iPad has no GPS chip, so it needs an iPhone nearby sharing its position over GPS Relay, or an external receiver.

Updated · Oran Dynamics

iPhone or iPad?

DeviceGPS built in?Notes
iPhone (iOS 17 or later)YesThe simplest setup. Any recent iPhone works
iPad with cellular (Wi-Fi + Cellular)YesBigger screen, own GPS. A SIM isn't needed for GPS
Wi-Fi-only iPadNoUse GPS Relay: an iPhone running the app shares its position with the iPad. Or use an external receiver paired in iOS

One subscription covers every iPhone and iPad signed in with the same Apple ID, and your fields, implements and work logs sync between them through your own iCloud.

GPS Relay (iPhone to iPad)

Run the app on both devices on the same network (for example the iPhone's hotspot). In Settings → GPS Relay, the iPhone sends its position and the iPad drives on it, so you get the big screen with the phone's GPS.

Mounting

  • Solid and within reach. A suction or clamp mount that doesn't shake. A vibrating phone makes the position wander.
  • Sky view. The GPS needs to see the sky. High on the windscreen or a side window is usually better than low on the dash. Some heated or coated windscreens weaken the signal.
  • Centre line. If you can't mount on the tractor's centre line, set Mount Position in Settings; it shifts where coverage is drawn.

Power

GPS plus an always-on screen drains a battery in a few hours. Keep the device on a 12 V or USB charger whenever you drive. The Drive screen stays on while it's open.

Permissions

  • Location: allow While Using the App at least. During an active job, recording keeps going with the screen locked (iOS shows the blue location indicator).
  • Notifications: used for the trial reminder and session alerts.

Before the first job

  1. Open the app a minute or two before you need it so the GPS settles.
  2. Set up your implement (width and offset). See working width.
  3. If a field has no mobile signal, save it and download its offline image at home (No Reception Mode).

Try Tractor GPS on your iPhone

A–B guidance, live coverage mapping and field boundaries — using the phone you already own.

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