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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.
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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.
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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
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:
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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?
Click to expand...
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
Ok I have a question to you, xperia m2 owners. It is about the orientation sensor I guess.
Here is what I am facing. When you are in Google maps, there is a tiny arrow that indicates which way you are facing. In my case, that arrow is not stable and basically moves randomly..
Is this because our phone does not have the proper sensor or is it a fault only present in my phone?
Can it be fixed by some software mod?
I would greatly appreciate it if you guys test this. As I use Google maps often to find my way around, I strongly depend on that arrow showing the right direction.
Thanks in advance for your answers.
Sorry guys, in case I offend anyone. But mine has the same prob + level a few degrees off on pics. I think Sony has done it too far with this phone. This is cheapest China inside. I tried to befriend this phone, but now I just ordered an Asus Zenfone for abt the same price.
Do you have GPS on High accuracy? mine is workin fine.
Dzepar said:
Do you have GPS on High accuracy? mine is workin fine.
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Click to collapse
High accuracy means that it uses wifi, mobile data and gps data all at the same time.
peter-k said:
High accuracy means that it uses wifi, mobile data and gps data all at the same time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
High accuracy is related to the exact position and has nothing to do with direction. Maybe the sensors need a good calibration....
Edit: I installed a compass app and did the calibration suggested within the app and now the phone seems to behave better when it comes to direction. I will have to wait and see how long this lasts...
Calibration is the solution here. You just turn the phone over it's three axes for a few times. This completely resolved the problem at my M2 (JB 4.3).
I have also the problem
I am happy with the phone, but I have the problem with the orientation sensor. I Have tried the movement but not luck.
If I enter in the secret menu with this combination in the phone pad.
#*#*7378423*#*#
The orientation sensor, the "yaw" one, doesn't work.
Any clue?
Thanks.
Hi
I think the last Nexus I've owned with a good compass was the Galaxy Nexus. I owned 3 LG Nexus after that with terrible compass.
So I'd like know how is the compass in the Pixel..Have you had to calibrate the compass sometime during the day after opening Google maps? (After trying in different locations, etc?)
As some reference I'm talking about issues like this one:
https://productforums.google.com/forum/m/#!topic/nexus/SK7gbrV5MhU
Thanks!
Sent from my Nexus 5X
Any news on this? Nobody has used this yet?
I have to calibrate all the time. It's terrible. Tried several cities and environments. Wife's iPhone worked great. It's a shame for Google.
I'm also having exactly this problem with my Pixel. I have to calibrate the compass every time I open Google Maps. And it also puts the blue dot at a random point distant from my real location, with a giant blue circle around it, and then takes some seconds to calculate my real location. It's very annoying.
It must be a bug.
So the pixel is still terrible in Maps like all the other Nexus I had before?
When is Google finally fix the compass? Its a shame that the old iPhone 5S (work phone) im using right now (because my 5X is in LG warranty) has a perfect maps walking navigation. Specially in narrow neighborhoods historic downtowns.
I thought they finally fixed this in the Pixel now I think I'll stick with the 5X or just get a GM 6 Android one (for the extra GB of RAM). And wait for the 2017 Pixel...Maybe they fix this.
vinicius.rodsilva said:
I'm also having exactly this problem with my Pixel. I have to calibrate the compass every time I open Google Maps. And it also puts the blue dot at a random point distant from my real location, with a giant blue circle around it, and then takes some seconds to calculate my real location. It's very annoying.
It must be a bug.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm thinking this is a country thing..
I've never had Google maps not know where I am pretty much as soon as I open it. I do keep GPS on all the time as it doesn't seem to effect battery much on my phone(s) the Nexus 5x and now the Pixel. It doesn't matter where I am in the country (US), in what state etc...
As for the compass, that really is something different. GPS tracks where you are and when you move apps like Google Maps will know you moved, how fast you went and what direction you went.
The compass is pretty much just a compass. I have to calibrate it sometimes but most of the time it is close enough in the general direction correct.
The GPS coordinates are always withing 4m or less in accuracy unless I am in a building or under a mountain.
Yeah but was expecting the Pixel to have a polished compass experience and seems to be the same experience as with the previous generations
I've never been able to use Maps in Cities' historic downtowns (where I need it most, for walking directions, since it's like a labyritnth with lots of hidden streets, restaurants, shops, etc).
https://www.google.com/maps/search/born+barcelona/@41.3842691,2.1802357,19.25z
But now, with the backup iPhone that I'm using temporarily, for the first time I was able to trust the compass with a 95%-100% accuracy for a 20 minutes walking trip, and constantly opening/closing maps.
With Google devices, every time I open maps, at different locations, the compass calibration randomly changes.
thesebastian said:
With Google devices, every time I open maps, at different locations, the compass calibration randomly changes.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What mode do you have locations services set to on your phone?
High Accuracy
Battery Saving
Device Only
I tried to use mine in the UK and Amsterdam and it pointed me in the opposite direction to where I was facing. Calibration doesn't do anything. Might exchange it.
Jonathan-H said:
I tried to use mine in the UK and Amsterdam and it pointed me in the opposite direction to where I was facing. Calibration doesn't do anything. Might exchange it.
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Click to collapse
I think it's a software problem within the Nexus and Pixels binaries. Sometimes you open maps in one location and then you re open maps and calibration is lost.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
I think it's a general android issue.
I have owned a galaxy s7,s6,s4 and note 2 before getting a pixel and always the walking navigation was terrible.
I thought pixel would be better but I am disappointed.
Compass is never reliable on Android phones.
Somehow iPhones do this miles better.
see full
youtu.be/CSYt8nI_UWw[/url]
mukhtar.patel1 said:
I think it's a general android issue.
I have owned a galaxy s7,s6,s4 and note 2 before getting a pixel and always the walking navigation was terrible.
I thought pixel would be better but I am disappointed.
Compass is never reliable on Android phones.
Somehow iPhones do this miles better.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The wierd thing is that the compass with Maps in iOS works flawlessly
Sent from my Nexus 6P
thesebastian said:
The wierd thing is that the compass with Maps in iOS works flawlessly
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Click to collapse
Somehow due to such issues people consider iPhones and iOS to be better than Android.
mukhtar.patel1 said:
Somehow due to such issues people consider iPhones and iOS to be better than Android.
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Click to collapse
Yeah but I think I had a phone with good compass accuracy in the past...Maybe the S3 or the Galaxy Nexus...Or a Moto G...
Certainly not the Nexus 4…5...5X and now 6P.
Anyway... I've just sent feedback about this using the Settings menu.
The funny thing is that Maps slowly fix this when you are traveling on a train etc
But if you're walking and turning frequently there is no way it can anticipate that and there is where you noticed that it has no idea about the compass situation.
The only answer that Google always gives is "start swinging you phone like a fuc*ing Jedi"
It's ok to do that once every......6 months...But come on....You have to do this every time you change your location.
Sent from my Nexus 6P
Jonathan-H said:
I tried to use mine in the UK and Amsterdam and it pointed me in the opposite direction to where I was facing. Calibration doesn't do anything. Might exchange it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same in Germany, Compass is just 180° off...
Juli112 said:
Same in Germany, Compass is just 180° off...
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Click to collapse
Now Google Maps is patched to autocorrect your compass sight when you're moving... yesterday I was on a bus seated perpendicularly pointing to the exit door but Maps was pointing where the bus was pointing (I was in the main view of Maps...without using Directions or Navigation).
This is embarrassing I hope Google put a good compass in 2017 Pixels...any old iPhone compass is better than this
Sent from my Nexus 6P
thesebastian said:
Now Google Maps is patched to autocorrect your compass sight when you're moving... yesterday I was on a bus seated perpendicularly pointing to the exit door but Maps was pointing where the bus was pointing (I was in the main view of Maps...without using Directions or Navigation).
This is embarrassing I hope Google put a good compass in 2017 Pixels...any old iPhone compass is better than this
Sent from my Nexus 6P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@thesebastian - I use GPS Status (free from Play Store) to fix my position, update satellite positions, and calibrate my compass. It's the best thing out there and absolutely should help with your issues. Give it a shot and see if that helps.
Jank4AU said:
@thesebastian - I use GPS Status (free from Play Store) to fix my position, update satellite positions, and calibrate my compass. It's the best thing out there and absolutely should help with your issues. Give it a shot and see if that helps.
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Click to collapse
The problem is that, my compass is calibrated. But then walk 15 meters, I open google maps, and it's not calibrated anymore (i could fix this just shaking the phone most of the times, but it's fatiguing and humiliating), maybe I decide to close map, walk another 15 meters, and it's calibrated again.
I had this issue with many devices.
I can calibrate the compass and have perfect calibration in all my home, then I take the tube/subway, and calibration might be ok or wrong again when I open maps again.
What is your location mode set to? It should be set to high accuracy of it isn't. If it is then I'm not really sure what else you can do...
I have been using my OP7 PRO for less than a month and I have moticed something weird.
When navigating with google maps the GPS is able to locate my location extremely well (better than the Redmi devices I've had before)
but the direction of the blue dot on the maps is off a lot, I mean it sometimes points in the opposite direction.
I tried factory reseting my device and it didn't affect it at all.
compass apps show direction the same way as every other phone I've had but not google.
Does anyone else experience this issue?
Thanks for everyone in advance
Yes me too. Did the figure of eight a few times and left it flat for a bit and it eventually sorts itself out
nikc0069 said:
Yes me too. Did the figure of eight a few times and left it flat for a bit and it eventually sorts itself out
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it work properly now? mine works kinda well until i press the location button again and points to the same direction no matter where I am.
If you are in a car or something that produces a magnetic field you may have to calibrate again
Shaul_Kriheli said:
Does it work properly now? mine works kinda well until i press the location button again and points to the same direction no matter where I am.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems to be yea
I'm having the same issue with the 7T. Did you find a permanent fix? I'm tired of having to continuously recalibrate the compass multiple times a day.
Same here. This phone must just have a crappy compass that's very prone to interference, since with a certain car it always glitches out
SD845/SD855/SD855+ all have crappy GPS modules. Took me a super long time and careful, extensive research to dig this down.
Huawei's Kirin, Samsung's Exynos are both way superior in terms of GPS/compass accuracy and precision. I mean, don't take my word for it. Install a simple GPS app on your SD855 or whatever phone and compare it with a P30 Pro or a Mate series, or an S10+, etc. They will blow your phone out of the water in terms of signal strength.
For example.
OP 7 Pro [ SD 855 ]: Dark red/orange ~30%.
Pixel 3a XL [ SD 670 ]: Yellow/almost-green, ~60%.
Note9 [ Exynos ]: Bright green signal: 90-95%.
Galaxy S7 Edge [ Exynos ]: Green signal: ~80-85%
Trust me I had my fair share of trouble and headache because of the inaccuracy on the OnePlus phones. It's super frustrating too, especially if I am in a hurry and on foot and it just won't get a lock. Want me to break the phone in half. Hell I purchased a secondary phone ever since buying an OP just for the GPS.. it's that bad sometimes. An old Galaxy has was better reception. But you can just buy a Huawei or whatever as well, they are all very affordable. I just wish Snapdildo would fix their GPS module.
Hi. I have a compass issue as well.. But mine doesn't work at all..
I am using lineage os. Version attachment..
Op7pro..
Screenshot now