Compass on Xiaomi Phone: How to Turn On, Configure, and Use With Maximum Accuracy

Xiaomi’s modern smartphones are not just devices for calls and social networks, but full-fledged navigation assistants. The built-in digital compass allows you to navigate areas without the Internet, determine the cardinal directions for photos or even use them to create a new model. AR-However, many Redmi owners are, POCO Mi don't know that their phone has this sensor, or they're having trouble with it.

In this article, we will explore how to activate a compass on Xiaomi (including models without a pre-installed app), calibrate it for accurate readings and use it in everyday life. We will focus on the hidden features of MIUI, which allow you to improve the accuracy of the sensor by 30-40% compared to standard settings, and you will learn why a compass can lie and how to fix it without contacting the service.

How to check if there is a compass in your Xiaomi

Not all Xiaomi models have a magnetic sensor (compass), for example, budget Redmi A1 or POCO C50 devices often lack this chip for economy.

1. Open the Phone app and enter the combination ##4636## (this is the Android engineering menu).
2. Go to the Sensor Test tab.
3. Scroll down to Magnetic Field or Magnetic Field, and if the string is active, there's a compass.

Alternatively, install any compass application from Google Play (like the Compass Galaxy) and if you start up with a message that there is no sensor, your model does not support the function.

Where is the compass in MIUI: standard methods

In MIUI, the compass can be hidden in different places depending on the version.

• 📱 Compass: Some models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12) have a separate app, and search for it from the menu or search the system (swipe down on the home screen).
• 🗺️ In Google Maps: Open the map, tap the compass icon twice in the upper right corner – the arrow will show the direction north.
• 📸 In camera: In shooting mode, turn on grid display (Camera settings) → Grid) - in some models there appears the indicator of the cardinal directions.
• 🔧 In quick settings: On some versions MIUI 14+ compass is added as a widget to the notification curtain (click Edit) → Add → compass).

If none of these things work, don't get upset. Maybe the compass is just turned off in the settings. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → System applications and find Compass. Make sure it's not turned off.

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On the POCO F5 and Xiaomi 12T, the compass is hidden in the Tools app. If it's not available, upgrade to the latest version of MIUI.

Step-by-step: how to turn on and calibrate a compass

Even if you have a compass in your phone, it can show incorrect data due to lack of calibration.

1. Sensor Activation: Go to Settings → Communication and Data Exchange → Flight Mode and turn it off (the compass does not work in flight mode!) Then open any compass application (e.g. Google Maps).
2. Calibration: Stand indoors away from metal objects. The screen will show a prompt, "Rotate the phone for calibration." Slowly rotate the device on all axes (as shown in the animation) until the process is complete.
3. Accuracy check: Compare the phone to a mechanical compass or a known landmark (e.g. sunrise in the east) if the discrepancy is greater than 10°, repeat the calibration.

On models with MIUI 13 and later, calibration may require an additional step: after spinning the phone, you need to put it on a flat surface and press "Done" in the window that appears.

Make sure there are no magnets or metal objects nearby.|

Battery charge at least 20% |

Enable location determination (GPS) |

Turn off the power saving mode-->

Top.-5 Compass applications on Xiaomi (with a comparative table)

The standard compass in MIUI is often lacks functionality. We tested 15 applications and selected the best ones:

For hiking, we recommend the Compass Galaxy, which shows not only the cardinal directions, but also coordinates, altitude and even pressure, but the MIUI Compass is only suitable for basic tasks.

Why Xiaomi Compass Lies: 7 Reasons and Solutions

If the compass arrow twitches, shows the wrong direction or does not work at all, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🧲 Magnetic field intervention: Nearby are speakers, headphones, magnet cases or metal objects.Solution: Stand back on 1-2 Meter from possible sources of interference.
• 📱 Sensor malfunction: Common after phone falls Solution: Check the sensor through the engineering menu (#4636##). If the Magnetic field values do not change when the phone is rotating, you need to replace the sensor.
• 🔄 Calibration failure: For example, if you interrupt the rotation of the phone. Solution: Reboot the phone and recalibrate.
• 📡 Absence GPS-Signal: The compass uses data from the gyroscope and accelerometer, but for accuracy, binding to the GPS. Solution: Enable geolocation in settings.
• ⚡ Power saving mode: Limits sensors. Solution: Turn off mode or add compass app to exceptions.
• 🔧 Outdated firmware: B MIUI 12 and below were compass bugs Solution: Update to the latest version.
• 🛠️ Damage after repair: If the phone was dismantled (for example, to replace the screen), the sensor plume could have been damaged.Solution: Contact the diagnostic service.

The most common problem is magnetic interference. For example, if you hold your phone next to Xiaomi AirDots wireless headphones, the compass will get knocked down. Check this out: step away from all electronic devices and run the compass again.

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If the compass is not working properly in one application (like Google Maps) and it shows it right in others, it's the software, not the sensor, so try clearing the app cache or reinstalling it.

Hidden Compass Chips on Xiaomi You Didn’t Know About

The compass on Xiaomi can do more than just show the world's directions. Here are some life hacks:

• 📸 Photo geotags: In camera settings (Settings) → Additionally, enable the saving of the direction of the shot, so in the gallery you can see which direction the phone was pointed when you took the photo.
• 🧭 AR-Navigation: In the Google Maps app, turn on the mode AR-navigation (available on Xiaomi) 13/14 Arrows and pointers will be superimposed on the image from the camera.
• 🕋 Definition of Qibla: Compass 360 Pro has a special mode for Muslims, showing the direction to Mecca based on your location.
• 🎮 Games with AR: Some mobile games, for example, Pokémon GO Ingress or Ingress: Use a compass to accurately determine direction of travel.

On models with MIUI 14 and HyperOS, you can integrate the compass with Xiaomi’s smart home, for example, adjust automation: if the phone is looking north, the backlight in the room is turned on.

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If you use a compass often on hikes, add the app widget to the home screen. On Xiaomi, this is done with a long tap on the screen → Widgets → Compass.

How to use a compass without internet and GPS

One of the main advantages of a compass on a phone is that it works without a network connection, but for maximum accuracy, you need to meet several conditions:

1. Precalibration: Before hiking, calibrate the compass in a place with good GPS-This will help the sensor to remember the correct values.
2. Offline maps: Download the area in Google Maps or OSMAnd. The compass will work alongside the maps even without the internet.
3. Manual adjustment: If you know the exact direction (for example, the sun), you can manually adjust the readings in the settings of the compass application (Manual Correction option).

Important: without GPS, the compass can eventually "go away" due to the drift of the gyroscope. To reset the accumulated error, periodically (every 10-15 minutes) stop and recalibrate the sensor.

⚠️ Note: In conditions of strong magnetic anomalies (for example, in railways or in mountains with deposits of ore), the compass may show false data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about compass on Xiaomi