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I recently acquired two NS phones, one for wife, one for me. After playing them for a few days, I found the compass is not working for both of them,even after the calibration. They point to everywhere but the right direction.
I came from Samsung Vibrant, the reason I switched was because Vibrant has bad GPS and defective compass, which really bothered me. Now after the jumping, I found NS has the similar compass problem...
Can Samsung really make a working phone?
Maybe you got a bad one, I came from the vibrant a month ago and I'm hooked. Everything works and never going back to a non nexus phone ever. GPS works perfectly and locks in less than ten seconds. My first one was a dud so I got exchanged. If you're not happy than demand to be satisfied. Do it!!
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
I gave up on my compass, too. It rotates with the phone... Not completely anyway, but the display is nearly completely independent from magnetic north. I think the sensor value may be computed by something like
Code:
north = sha1(/dev/urandom + /dev/accelerometer);
On a more serious side note: We have some metal parts in our phones. If one close to the magnetometer sensor is only slightly magnetized, that would likely seriously impact compass performance. Unfortunately, there is neither a (simple) way to find out, whether it is so, nor a (simple) way to fix it.
since I acquired the two NS phones from two independent channels, now both of them showing bad compass, I'd suspect this is something systematic.
I'm surprised to see so little echo on this issue...
coolmib said:
since I acquired the two NS phones from two independent channels, now both of them showing bad compass, I'd suspect this is something systematic.
I'm surprised to see so little echo on this issue...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just checked my compass on my NS and it seems to be real close to pointing north.
I had a G1 before and the compass would occasionally get stuck and give inaccurate readings. To fix that I would shake the phone vigorously like I was trying to take the fizz from a soda bottle and that would make the compass work properly. However I don't think that that is a problem with the NS.
The compass points wherever the point of gravity is. North is always facing down for me for some reason but gps status seems to work, but not entirely accurate.
Is there still no fix for this issue?
I often have to do the figure 8 when I want the compass to point north. Normally this works for me.
Seems like it was a rom issue. I had the newest cm rc1 and north was pointing wherever the ground was. I just returned it back to rooted 2.3.4 stock and seems to work fine, except it's shaky now.
EDIT: There is the "Compass" app that still points down, but google map and the other compass apps works somewhat fine (still shaky and about 10-15 degrees off or so)
I wonder is it pointing TRUE north or MAGNETIC north? Where I live there is almost no declination however some areas are +-15 degrees.
For my case in the original post, both phones are running the stock ROM of 2.3.4 (unrooted). I tried several compass Apps from the Market, none of them pointing to the right direction.....I wonder if it's a hardware problem.
coolmib said:
For my case in the original post, both phones are running the stock ROM of 2.3.4 (unrooted). I tried several compass Apps from the Market, none of them pointing to the right direction.....I wonder if it's a hardware problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try using "Smart Compass" if you search for "Compass" in the market, it's usually the second one from the top.
koyanishi said:
I just checked my compass on my NS and it seems to be real close to pointing north.
I had a G1 before and the compass would occasionally get stuck and give inaccurate readings. To fix that I would shake the phone vigorously like I was trying to take the fizz from a soda bottle and that would make the compass work properly. However I don't think that that is a problem with the NS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have experimented a bit more with NS compass and have to agree that its accuracy is random - occasionally it will point north but more often it will be off by 10 to 20 degrees.
SovereigN7 said:
Try using "Smart Compass" if you search for "Compass" in the market, it's usually the second one from the top.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just downloaded and installed "Smart Compass"。 Same problems persist...
try the compass built into the mapping app Locus. Best compass i've found yet.
coolmib said:
For my case in the original post, both phones are running the stock ROM of 2.3.4 (unrooted). I tried several compass Apps from the Market, none of them pointing to the right direction.....I wonder if it's a hardware problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I think it is a hardware problem.
While researching a problem I have with NFC reading tags I cam upon this gem from this tread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=905512&highlight=nfc+-reading+tags
And chadrockey had this to say in post # 1 of that tread.
chadrockey said:
So I've been noticing that my compass would always misbehave (in terms of accuracy, not stability a la Sky Maps). I would get a pretty large static error (30 to 40 degrees obviously not declination); rotations would not be consistent (IE, a 180 degree turn would yield 100 degrees change.); and the magnitude of raw measurements was not like that of the magnetometer I got from Sparkfun.
Turns out the neodymium magnets I had near my desk actually latched onto my phone and magnetized the NFC antenna. I tested this by removing the cover and putting the magnet near the antenna and it sticks. Without the cover on, the compass worked much better.
I've mostly demagnetized my NFC antenna now by doing some magnet sweeps and leaving it near the heater, but I've learned to keep the magnets away.
If anyone is having problems with the compass overall accuracy, removing the back cover may help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now I never, as far as I know, have had strong magnets near the nfc antenna, but the nfc app does not read nfc tags so it could be that it is magnetized.
But if I take the back cover off my NS as chadrockey recommends, then the compass reading will be spot on.
oh, and btw, the best compass app that I know comes from swiss army knife which is one app containing a number of other neat apps
I have the same problem with my nexus s compass, north is not accurate ever and augmented reality application like streetview defect because the compass seems to vibrate, even if I have my hand stable the screen vibrates like I'm shacking the phone...
walker7373 said:
I have the same problem with my nexus s compass, north is not accurate ever and augmented reality application like streetview defect because the compass seems to vibrate, even if I have my hand stable the screen vibrates like I'm shacking the phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you try using the compass without the case back cover?
tried removing the back case, compass still not working
I gave up my compass a couple of weeks after i got the phone. Shakes like a drug addict and the accuracy is worse than a blind guy trying out sharp shooting for the first time.
Ive removed the back cover, tried different apps and "calibrated" the compass multiple times but to no avail.
Join the club. The compass is a failure and google is not fixing, or not able to fix it.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
I have been having strange issues with my compass while running Ingress. If I have the app open when the phone is in the car dock, the compass either gets stuck (it thinks I'm always facing a certain direction) or twitches erratically. The compass works perfectly fine in Google maps while in the dock so I'm not sure I can blame that, and I haven't heard of anyone else having this issue with the app.
Does anyone have any ideas on what could be causing this??
I have no idea what's causing this either but it happens with my phone too. I've used both TW roms and AOSP roms.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Yeah same here. I thought my compass or gyroscope was broken but looks like it's a common problem.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Further experimentation results seem to point to interference from the engine (em interference?). The compass works perfectly fine even when sitting in the dock as long as the engine is not running. And moving the phone further back into the cabin away from the engine seems to reduce this effect. I'm going to try to re-mount my dock so that the dash is between the phone and the engine and see if that helps.
Google maps seems to counter this effect by taking the roads and vehicle movement into account. Ingress is more like google maps in walking directions mode, so I imagine that it does not include the same correction methods.
Just a heads up with the compass on the S4. I noticed that the compass on my S4 wasn't working. I tried it with several apps including ISS Detector, Mobile Observatory, and GPS status. It just sat there, not showing the correct direction. I then used "GPS Status and Toolbox" (available in the Play store) to calibrate the compass. I just followed the directions and it worked. I now have a working and accurate compass. I would have figured it should have worked fine out of the box and was about to return it when I tried this. I also would have thought they would include an internal means to calibrate it...but I guess not. So you might want to check and see if your compass is actually working out of the box or if you need to calibrate it.
never notice this , i will try it later.:laugh:
Yup. Mine was way off. Thanks for the heads up.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2
Mine was constantly pointing northwest before I calibrated, thanks
I had the same problem when I tested mine. Tried the app you recommended and it calibrated successfully and now works. Thanks!
Yea my came out fine. Thanks for the tip!
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S4
Wow I never realized mine did not work. Thanks for the tip, it works great now!
For other people, when it says to rotate it on three of it's axis, I flipped the phone horizontally a few times, then in the vertical direction, then I put it on my palm and spun it in a circle a few times. Works great now!
GS3 had compass issues too; this fixed those as well. my old Atrix 4G you had to rotate the phone in all 3 dimensions repeatedly, but it was DEAD on.
Can't find this app in the play store...
Is it listed under something else?
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium
switters1 said:
Can't find this app in the play store...
Is it listed under something else?
Sent from my GT-I9505 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This one?
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eclipsim.gpsstatus2&hl=en
Mine was way off, too. Thanks for the help!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
Yup, mine was stuck too. Fixed in an instant. Thanks.:laugh:
odinfire said:
Yup, mine was stuck too. Fixed in an instant. Thanks.:laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, thank you! This issue was upsetting me, and this fixed it straight away!
Is it normal to need the compass recalibrating every day? Seems every time I fire up a compass application, ir is out of whack!
Is there a permanent solution?
Aitch said:
Is it normal to need the compass recalibrating every day? Seems every time I fire up a compass application, ir is out of whack!
Is there a permanent solution?
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Click to collapse
I've had to calibrate mine several times. I haven't found a permanent solution. As long as I calibrate it when it acts whacky, it works fine. It only takes a few seconds. Sometimes I have to do it a couple of times per week, and sometimes I only need to do it once a month or so. I guess it depends on how often you use functions that involve the compass. Regardless, apps like Maps and Navigation work just fine even when the compass isn't calibrated. I guess they get their directions and data in a different way. It's not a huge problem, I guess the compass in the S4 just isn't very strong.
scott14719 said:
I've had to calibrate mine several times. I haven't found a permanent solution. As long as I calibrate it when it acts whacky, it works fine. It only takes a few seconds. Sometimes I have to do it a couple of times per week, and sometimes I only need to do it once a month or so. I guess it depends on how often you use functions that involve the compass. Regardless, apps like Maps and Navigation work just fine even when the compass isn't calibrated. I guess they get their directions and data in a different way. It's not a huge problem, I guess the compass in the S4 just isn't very strong.
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Click to collapse
Are all S4's like this? I used to have a case with magnets (which I don't use now) so could that have messed up the compass?
There's something wrong with the compass in google maps.
When google maps is 2d mode where maps are displayed with north at the top on the phone, the arrow on the blue dot is suppose to point to north but I find things seem to be 'doubled'. If I slowly rotate the phone, the arrow rotates doubled by the amount rotated. Example rotate the phone by 90 degrees, the arrow rotates by 180 degrees instead.
But google maps in compass mode, compass seem to work fine as it is displayed correctly.
This tool doesn't change anything here.
I think it's more likely to be (somewhat) accurate when the GPS has the optimal satellite visibility configuration, but most of the time it's just plain random. Always has been on all devices I could check.
UPDATE - if this forum thingy allows me to
Realized the cover was using a magnet to keep closed, it's a really silly design flaw! Now it's behaving better (if not very accurate but that's to be expected).
Bit of help here: check with *#0*#0 then Sensors to see whether your compass needs calibrating or not. If it does, it's written in the small black compass view, in the magnetic sensor area.
Compas fix
Nice one thanks! Compass was totally inoperative until I used app to calibrate. Works perfect now! Galaxy S4 9505
My compass constantly needs recalibration... So frustrating. And it doesn't recalibrate correctly even though I have tried to do it both via GPS Status and *#0*#. I just look stupid for a long amount of time with my hands and arms getting tired because of this inadequate compass in my S4. Never had this problem with my three previous HTCs. Quite like Samsung to give me a bad phone among hundreds of batches.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
Hello,
After clean install Android 5.0 on Nexus 5 I have lost all sensors.
Do you have similar problem?
Is there any solution to fix it?
What app are you using? This looks like a bug in an app, than in Android itself.
I had this problem even before installed any apps. In android l developer preview I didn't have sensors also, so after installed final version of lollipop the first thing I made was check sensors. On kitkat everything worked perfect.
Wysłane z mojego Nexus 5 przy użyciu Tapatalka
i don't have light and proximity sensors too...
i did full wipe and flash stock OTA
hope they will fix it soon
Since upgrading to Lollipop my proximity and light sensor also stops working after a few minutes. It works again after a restart, but only for a few minutes.
I have flashed 4.4.4 again and the problem is not present there. After upgrading to 5.0 again the problem came back.
the apps are the issue here gentlemen.
1.On call as you bring your phone to ear, screen turns off?Proximity working
2.Adaptive brightness enable and use the phone on same brightness settings in bright and dim areas, screen brightness intensity change?Light sensor working.
3.Screen rotates views?Accelerometer working.
4.Play asphalt or any other motion requiring game, car turns?Gyro working.
5.Open maps, get pointing direction?compass working.
6.Use pedometer, counter change?step counter working.
gamer.11 said:
the apps are the issue here gentlemen.
1.On call as you bring your phone to ear, screen turns off?Proximity working
2.Adaptive brightness enable and use the phone on same brightness settings in bright and dim areas, screen brightness intensity change?Light sensor working.
3.Screen rotates views?Accelerometer working.
4.Play asphalt or any other motion requiring game, car turns?Gyro working.
5.Open maps, get pointing direction?compass working.
6.Use pedometer, counter change?step counter working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No sir, it's definitely not the apps in my case. After a restart the light and proximity sensors work as expected, but a few minutes later they stop working. I could confirm this with the Sensor Box app as well as with no's 1&2 in your post.
I noticed it first because my adaptive brightness did not work and the screen did not switch of in call. I only installed Sensor Box to see if the sensors still work, this confirmed that they actually stop working and that it is not a calibration issue because Sensor Box shows no reading from these sensors.
This is definitely an issue with Lollipop because I flashed 4.4.4 again and everything worked fine confirming that it is not hardware, but after once again upgrading to 5.0 the sensors stop working few minutes after the phone starts up.
m4nic4ndroid said:
No sir, it's definitely not the apps in my case. After a restart the light and proximity sensors work as expected, but a few minutes later they stop working. I could confirm this with the Sensor Box app as well as with no's 1&2 in your post.
I noticed it first because my adaptive brightness did not work and the screen did not switch of in call. I only installed Sensor Box to see if the sensors still work, this confirmed that they actually stop working and that it is not a calibration issue because Sensor Box shows no reading from these sensors.
This is definitely an issue with Lollipop because I flashed 4.4.4 again and everything worked fine confirming that it is not hardware, but after once again upgrading to 5.0 the sensors stop working few minutes after the phone starts up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's interesting, have you tried any other custom roms or kernels based on lollipop? I know that is a long shot or even that best advice but could you, or have you checked on other roms?
SO only your Proximity and light sensor the issue? Or all the other sensors a bust?
gamer.11 said:
That's interesting, have you tried any other custom roms or kernels based on lollipop? I know that is a long shot or even that best advice but could you, or have you checked on other roms?
SO only your Proximity and light sensor the issue? Or all the other sensors a bust?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't tried any other Lollipop ROMs, I thought about it and I might actually give it a go to see if the problem persists on other ROMs as well, but I would prefer to have stock Android running on my phone, so I'm really hoping for a fix from Google. I'm on few other threads about the same issue, so I know there's a lot of people with the same problem. I had this on the dev preview as well.
gamer.11 said:
That's interesting, have you tried any other custom roms or kernels based on lollipop? I know that is a long shot or even that best advice but could you, or have you checked on other roms?
SO only your Proximity and light sensor the issue? Or all the other sensors a bust?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have tried Code-Blue kernel as I have heard it's a good one, but the problem is still there. I might try a different ROM in the near future.
For me it is only the Light and Proximity sensors, all other sensors work 100%
Light Sensor & Proximity Sensor Error
m4nic4ndroid said:
I have tried Code-Blue kernel as I have heard it's a good one, but the problem is still there. I might try a different ROM in the near future.
For me it is only the Light and Proximity sensors, all other sensors work 100%
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Click to collapse
The Same Problem For Me As Well, My Light Sensor & Proximity Sensor Arent Working. I have downloaded the Final Image from Google Website for 5.0 hammerhead. But still the problem persists.
Nyk
After I got the Play services (with secure locations) update two days ago my light and proximity sensors are gone too. They will work for a while after reboot, but eventually they die.
All other sensors are working fine and only other updates have been to Skype, SwiftKey and TuneIn Radio.
Edit: I'm on stock OTA, no root and never unlocked the bootloader.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
So uninstalling the play services update resolve the issue? I'm back to KitKat as without light sensor I find uncomfortable to use the phone. Will await the fix before moving to lollipop..
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
"Clean install" using factory images? I did, no issues here.
It seems to be working until I get a phone call, after that the sensors will die.
Have uninstalled the Play services update now and the phone has been up and working 100% for a little more than 4 hours now. Will try to make a phone call to see if it still works after that.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Did you reboot after disabling update?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
rawimage said:
It seems to be working until I get a phone call, after that the sensors will die.
Have uninstalled the Play services update now and the phone has been up and working 100% for a little more than 4 hours now. Will try to make a phone call to see if it still works after that.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uninstalling Play Services and Play Store update made no difference here. Problem still persists.
michalnied said:
Hello,
After clean install Android 5.0 on Nexus 5 I have lost all sensors.
Do you have similar problem?
Is there any solution to fix it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi I have the same problems . Sensors are working after restarting my phone random time. Also you can read here
Uninstalling Play services didn't do it for me either. Sensors work for approximately 4-5 hours then they die.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Installed Play services update again after a few days and now my phone has been running fine for 50 hours with all sensors working 100%.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
I have tried reinstalling the os, root and unroot. Before the newest update I could get into the debug menu, *#808#, there I could see that the accelerometer is giving faulty data. After the update I can't even get into that menu again.
Seems to be a faulty sensor and something with the software. My facking phone is 2 days old........
Anyone else having this problem? Any ideas?
Yeah autorotate sucks for me. Anytime I'm on YouTube and try to watch in landscape it's hit amd miss and i have to keep moving phone to get it to work
hallo dare said:
Yeah autorotate sucks for me. Anytime I'm on YouTube and try to watch in landscape it's hit amd miss and i have to keep moving phone to get it to work
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Click to collapse
Damn. Sounds bad too.
I noticed this while playing Asphalt8 using the accelerometer to steer. It would work for a bit then get stuck trying to drive me into the side of the road!!!
Thinking it may be a bug in the game, I looked at the raw sensor data using Physics Toolbox Suite and saw the same thing. The sensor outputs sensible data for several seconds, maybe even a couple of minutes. Then the values stop changing for about 12 seconds. The length of time the sensor works for is random but the 'dead time' is always about 12 seconds!
Has anyone found a solution to this? Even a hint as to whether it's a software or hardware problem so I can decide if I should send the phone back or wait for an update.
Thanks
Okay thank God someone else has the same issue. I was wondering what was so wrong for the longest time ?
Extremely annoying issue.
It's a software issue. Confirmed.
When I reboot the phone the issue dissapears. Meaning there is something wrong in the OS that tilts the gyroscope readings. At least there is a workaround... Hope OP fixes it soon
I used an OnePlus 5 for 2 years. Now I bought a 7 Pro. I'm wondering doing a downgrade due to this issue. Incredible how a company like oneplus and a premium phone has a software bug like this and there's still no update yet. Months without an update...
The fingerprint sensor also has a bug... Sometimes it simply doesn't work. The touch stops...
OnePlus! Where are you?