Modern people use gadgets to the fullest — the Internet, communication, photography, music, and a considerable number of functions. But many forget about the essential purposes, like having a compass. Almost every state-of-art phone has this sensor, but how to use your Android phone as a compass and navigate it easily?
If you know the approximate location of a settlement or a specific object, this device will help you find it. Although an outdated device, the compass is still an up-to-date and proven way of determining a location.
Of course, it is not always convenient to carry a compass with you in the usual sense, so smartphone developers have implemented a corresponding sensor in their devices. The compass function is available in pre-installed applications on many Android devices and works through GPS technology and geomagnetic sensors.
Does my phone have a compass?
The answer to this question is — most likely, there is a compass on your phone. Most Android smartphones have it. Even if you have an old or cheap model, there is probably a magnetometer inside it. And many apps use it to display a digital compass on your phone screen.
Now phones of big brands have a built-in application. For example, Samsung has a Quick Tools bar with a built-in phone compass widget. Major Chinese manufacturers Huawei and Xiaomi have added their Compass applications to their phones. The easiest way to find it is to tap on the Google search widget on your home screen and type in compass.
If there is no such application, do not be discouraged! There are numerous compass apps in the Play Store.
Best Android Compass Apps
In addition to the pre-installed programs, you can use the compass by installing one of the free applications on Google Play. Here are the most popular and stable ones.
Compass Galaxy
Compass Galaxy is one of the most popular solutions for this phone model. This application is considered the most used among Android users. The main features of the application:
- nice interface;
- simple navigation;
- does not contain ads;
- all the most essential and straightforward compass functions.
However, there are some drawbacks here. Many users point out that it would be helpful if the compass in this application showed the user’s directions when the phone is in an upright position. However, if turning is not a priority, the compass app is the perfect solution for all needs.
Just a Compass
Just a Compass is the next item in the line of good apps. It is an excellent utility for hiking and camping. Simple interface, interesting additional functions — what else do you need to be happy?
The compass app for android also shows the altitude, latitude, and longitude. Also, the sunrise and sunset times will be helpful for many travelers.
Smart Compass
It is a free Android application included in the popular Smart Tools toolbox. With it, you can find out the direction of the cardinal points. It is incredibly convenient to do this if you use a mobile device camera combined with a compass. The utility is also capable of measuring azimuth. The application requires a magnetic sensor installed in the phone to work successfully. The main features of Smart Compass are:
- Simplicity and convenience of the interface.
- Working with Google Maps.
- Magnetic field strength test.
- The ability to take pictures and save photos with the coordinates of the area in the smartphone’s memory.
The smartphone does not detect location. What to do? If you wish, you can install a paid version of this application — Smart Compass PRO, which provides additional features: no advertising, the ability to determine your coordinates using GPS satellites and send them by SMS, horizontal and vertical axes for ease of orientation.
Compass by R. Apps
An equally exciting option for lovers of modern technology is the Compass by R. Apps. This compass app android has a more minimalist design, fewer colors. However, the functionality is not rich here either.
The application has a relatively modest set of functions. In addition to the main directions, magnetic and true north can be determined. The application supports multiple languages, is easy to calibrate, and does not require an internet connection. Like most similar applications, a magnetic sensor is required in the device for proper operation.
How to calibrate a compass on Android
For the digital android compass to work correctly, you need to calibrate it. You can do it in the application itself. Instructions:
- Step 1. Install any compass on your phone. For example, you can work with the Just a Compass application. It can be downloaded for free to your smartphone via the Play Store.
- Step 2. Run the application and give it access to location data. To do this, click «Allow». Then accept the user agreements by clicking the «Continue» button.
- Step 3. Click «Settings» to go to settings. You can see a list of available parameters, manually calibrate the azimuth, enable or disable GPS, select true north instead of magnetic north.
- Step 4. Return to the home screen and start calibration. To do this, it is enough to place the device horizontally (for example, put it on a table) and make several turns around the axis. Then place it vertically and again make some circular motions.
This completes the calibration, and you can start using the compass. For more accurate operation, it is recommended to fully calibrate all sensors on the smartphone (especially the accelerometer and magnetometer).
One of the sensors built into mobile devices is a compass. It helps out even when GPS does not display actual data and is simply irreplaceable if you need to determine the cardinal points or get out of unfamiliar places outside the settlements.
In the navigation application, settings can be lost, due to which it becomes difficult to determine the right direction. At the same time, the compass on the phone may point in the wrong direction, rotate, or standstill. It is not difficult to fix the problem by reconfiguring, and even an inexperienced user can cope with the task by following the instructions.
