The internal compass of your phone is a very useful tool. Unfortunately, it is very easy for the compass to become unaligned, particularly when indoors. The following are a few solutions to help improve the compass accuracy of your Android device.
Most Android devices contain a Magnetometer that is used by the internal compass. Any interference from a nearby magnetic source may affect the compass readings. Make sure to remove any nearby magnets. Keep in mind phone cases and pop sockets often have magnetic parts built in. If your device becomes unaligned due to the magnet then removing the source will help but you may need to restart your device.
One of the calibration methods your compass utilizes includes motion over time, whether you are walking around or pulling your phone out of your pocket. One trick to help re-align the compass is to rotate your phone in a large figure eight motion. For a small misalignment this will often help fine-tune the accuracy of your compass.
Some Android devices have the option to enable a High Accuracy mode. High Accuracy mode relies on a combination of Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth to further improve location accuracy.
The Google Maps app can help determine your phone’s location accuracy as well as provide tools to properly calibrate your compass.
If your device’s compass or location is still inaccurate after following these steps, please refer to this guide provided by Google Maps.
Refreshing Location services can help your device clear any GPS errors from previous readings. Another trick to improve compass accuracy is to simply disable and re-enable Location services.
When your compass becomes misaligned, sometimes the fastest method of realignment is to simply restart your device. This may seem tedious, but it is the quickest and most reliable method for restoring your compass to provide optimal readings. For most Android phones, restarting can be achieved by following these steps.
Hopefully some of these tips help you attain accurate compass readings from your device. If your device continues to have issues, there may be additional software or hardware problems with the phone itself. Please refer to your phone’s manufacturer for information on calibrating your compass or to determine if your device may need repair.