How to use this test
- Hold your phone flat horizontally in your palm.
- Rotate your body slowly in a circle.
- Observe the compass needle and degree counter update in real time.
- If heading seems erratic, calibrate your phone by moving it in a figure-8 motion.
How to understand your result
Looks good: Compass needle rotated smoothly and aligned with physical orientation.
Unable to test: Device lacks a hardware magnetometer sensor or permission was not granted.
Troubleshooting: what to try next
- Move away from large metal objects, speakers, or magnetic phone wallet cases.
- Calibrate magnetometer by waving phone in a gentle figure-8 motion.
What this test cannot tell you
Requires hardware magnetometer chip. Magnetic interference from cases can distort readings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Laptops and desktop computers rarely contain magnetometer sensors; this hardware is typically exclusive to smartphones and tablets.
EP
Tested & Reviewed by [REAL AUTHOR NAME - OWNER TO COMPLETE]
Last Reviewed: 2026-10-17 • Test Method: deviceorientationabsolute and deviceorientation event alpha heading listener • How We Test