Compass on Xiaomi Redmi: how to configure, calibrate and troubleshoot

Why you need a compass in a smartphone and how it works

Modern Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are equipped not only with GPS, but also with a built-in magnetic compass (magnetometer) that determines the direction north to within a few degrees. This sensor is used not only in navigation applications like Google Maps or Yandex.Maps, but also in games with augmented reality (AR), fitness trackers and even when shooting panoramic photos. Without the correct operation of the compass, the arrow on the map can “jump”, and the route can be laid with errors.

The principle of operation is based on the interaction of the sensor with the Earth's magnetic field. However, over time or after a smartphone falls, the compass can begin to "lie" - show the wrong direction due to demagnetization or software failures. This is especially true for the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/13C and other budget lines, where the sensors are less protected from external influences. In this article, we will discuss how to check, calibrate and configure the compass on Xiaomi Redmi of any versions of MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS).

Before you start setting up, make sure that the problem is in the compass, not in the compass. GPS. For example, if you're not exactly positioned on a map, but the directional arrow is rotating randomly, it's the magnetometer's fault. If the position is floating, but the arrow is behaving appropriately, the problem is that the arrow is not moving. GPS-module.

How to check the compass on Xiaomi Redmi

Before calibrating, you need to make sure that the sensor is functioning at all, and there are several ways to do this:

• 📱 Built-in Compass: Most Redmis have a standard Compass app pre-installed, and launch it and see how the arrow behaves. If it is spinning randomly or showing a clearly wrong direction (for example, north where it can not be) – the compass requires adjustment.
• 🔍 Sensor test via engineering menu: Enter the code in the phone dialer ##4636##, Choose Testing → Sensors and find the Magnetic field string. X/Y/Z Do not change when the phone is rotating – the sensor is faulty.
• 📊 Third-party apps: Install Sensor Box-type utilities from Google Play or GPS They'll show raw magnetometer data and help diagnose the problem.

If the sensor doesn't respond at all (0.0 in all axes), it may be physically damaged, in which case only the service center will help, and if there are indications, but they are unstable, move to calibration.

⚠️ Warning: Do not test near sources of strong magnetic fields (dynamics, microwaves, metal structures) and this will distort the test results.

Step-by-step calibration of the compass on Xiaomi Redmi

Calibration is the process of learning the sensor to correctly detect magnetic fields. On Xiaomi Redmi, this is done through hidden settings or third-party utilities. Let's look at both.

Method 1: Through the Engineering Menu (without root)

This method works for most Redmi models with MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS:

1. Open the Phone app and enter the code ##6484## (some firmware may not work, then use the alternative code ##4636##).
2. In the menu that appears, select MTK Engineer Mode → MTK Settings → Sensors (for MediaTek processors) or Qualcomm Settings → Sensor Test (for Snapdragon).
3. Find the Magnetic Sensor and press Calibration.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen: usually rotate the phone slowly in the air, describing the “eight”, for 20-30 seconds.

After calibration, restart your smartphone. If the engineering menu is not available (for example, on the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with HyperOS), use the second method.

Method 2: Using the GPS Status app

Download the GPS Status & Toolbox app from Google Play (or analogues: Compass Galaxy, Sensor Kinetics).

1. Open the app and go to the Compass or Calibration tab.
2. Press the Calibrate button (which can be called Reset or Clear Calibration).
3. Rotate your phone in different planes (as shown in the animation in the app) before the message Calibration successful.

Some applications (such as GPS Test) show interference as a percentage, and if it is above 30%, there is a source of magnetic interference nearby (such as a magnet case or metal objects).

Remove the cover and accessories from the phone |

Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi|

Find an open space without metal objects |

Charge your phone at least 50 times%-->

Configure compass in Google Maps and other navigators

Even after the sensor has been calibrated, the arrow on the map may not behave properly, because it's related to the settings of specific applications, and let's look at how to configure the compass in the most popular services.

Google Maps

In Google Maps, the compass arrow (blue tag with direction) is turned on automatically, but it can be turned off or reset:

1. Open Google Maps and tap the blue dot of your location.
2. In the window that appears, press the Calibration of the compass.
3. Follow the instructions: Move your phone along a trajectory similar to the infinity sign (∞) until the accuracy is high.

If the arrow still "jumps", check the settings:

• 📍 Enable Exact Location in Android Settings (Settings) → Confidentiality → Permits → geodata).
• 🔄 Update map data: Go to Settings on Google Maps → About the programme → Update.

Yandex.Maps and 2GIS

In Yandex.Maps and 2GIS, the compass is activated when the navigation mode is turned on.

• 🗺️ In Yandex.Maps, tap the compass icon in the upper right corner to reset orientation.
• 🔄 V 2GIS Go to Settings. → Map. → Reset your position.
• 📶 Make sure High Precision Mode is enabled in Android geolocation settings.

If the problem persists, try clearing the app's cache (Settings → Apps → [Card Name] → Memory → Clear the cache).

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If the compass in the navigator only curls in motion (for example, in a car), the problem may be in the metal body of the car. GPS-receiver.

Frequent Compass Errors and How to Fix Them

Even after calibrating the compass on Xiaomi Redmi, it may not work properly.

If none of these methods worked, it may be the firmware problem: Update MIUI to the latest version (Settings → Phone → System Update) or reset to factory settings (: this will delete all data!).

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or Redmi 8) the magnetometer may not be physically present, and you can check this in the specifications of the device or through the application. AIDA64 (sensors).

How to protect your compass from future failures

To ensure that the magnetometer on your Xiaomi Redmi works stably, follow these recommendations:

• 🧲 Avoid magnetic fields: Do not place your phone near speakers, magnet charges, metal objects (keys, coins) Even magnetically-mounted cases can demagnetize the sensor over time.
• 🔋 Watch battery power: At charge levels below 15%, sensors may not work smoothly due to energy savings. calibration is best done when charged >50%.
• 📱 Update the firmware: In new versions MIUI HyperOS often fixes sensor errors. Check for updates to Settings regularly. → The phone.
• 🔄 Recalibrate periodically: It is enough to do this every 2-3 months or after a phone drop.

If you use navigation frequently on hiking or traveling, install specialized applications like Compass Steel 3D or Digital Field Compass, which allow you to manually adjust the magnetic declination (the difference between true and magnetic north), which increases accuracy.

Alternative ways to determine direction without compass

If the magnetometer on your Redmi is out of order, but you need to quickly orient yourself, use these methods:

• 🌞 Sun: In the northern hemisphere at noon, the sun is in the south.The shadow from a vertical object (such as a stick) will point north.
• ⭐ At night, find the North Star (the last in the “handle” of the Big Dipper’s Bucket) – it points to the north.
• 📡 Po Po Po GPS In Google Maps, turn on Save Maps and watch the blue dot movement – the trajectory will indicate the direction.
• 📱 Using an accelerometer: Applications like Sensor Kinetics can approximate gyro orientation, but with a large margin of error.

For accurate navigation without a compass, it is better to use an external one. GPS-receiver (e.g. Garmin) GLO 2), which connects via Bluetooth and does not depend on the sensors of the smartphone.

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A compass on a smartphone is a tool to assist you. For serious tasks (hiking, orienteering in the forest), always bring a mechanical compass and a map!

FAQ: Frequent questions about the compass on Xiaomi Redmi