How to use a compass on a Xiaomi phone: video review + instructions with the secrets of accuracy

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

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 with geotags or even use them. AR-But many of the Redmi owners, POCO Or Mi don't know that their phone has this tool, or they don't know how to use it properly.

In this article, we’ll take a look at all the ways a compass is activated on Xiaomi devices (including hidden MIUI features), show you how to calibrate it for maximum accuracy, and uncover secrets that standard instructions don’t tell you, and at the end, we’ll have a selection of video reviews with practical use cases, from tourism to geocaching.

Before you get into the setup, it's important to understand that the compass in a smartphone doesn't work like a mechanical device, but rather relies on a magnetic sensor (magnetometer) and data from an accelerometer/gyroscope, which means that its accuracy depends on calibration, interference (like metal objects nearby), and even how you hold your phone.

Where to find a compass on Xiaomi: 3 ways to run

Unlike the iPhone, where the compass is put into a separate app, Xiaomi will be positioned based on the MIUI version and the phone model.

• 📱 Through the notification panel: swipe down from the top edge of the screen and find the Compass tile (if not, add manually by pressing the pencil in the top right corner).
• 🔍 Search by system: swipe down the main screen and type in the search bar "compass" - the system will show the Compass application (in English firmware) or "Compass" (in Russian).
• 📂 In the Tools folder: on some models (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) compass hidden in a folder with utilities next to the calculator and voice recorder.

If you haven’t found a compass in any way, it could mean:

• ⚠️ Your Xiaomi model lacks a magnetic sensor (relevant for budget devices like this one). POCO C50).
• ⚠️ The application is disabled in settings or removed (for example, after resetting to factory settings).
• ⚠️ Installed custom firmware without standard utilities MIUI.

To check for a sensor, go to Settings → About Phone → All Specifications → Sensors. The list should include Magnetometer or Compass. If it is not available, there is no compass on your device.

💡

On some models, the Xiaomi compass is integrated into the Google Maps app. To see it, tap the blue dot of your location twice, and a scale showing the cardinal directions will appear.

Calibration of the compass: why he lies and how to fix it

Even if the compass is running, it can be inaccurate, most often because of:

• 🧲 Exposure to magnetic fields (metallic objects, electronics, magnets in a case).
• 📱 Incorrect calibration of sensors after update MIUI.
• 🔄 Gyroscope/accelometer failure (for example, after a phone drop).

To calibrate your compass on Xiaomi, follow the following steps:

1. Open the Compass app.
2. If a notification appears on the screen to improve accuracy, perform calibration, press OK.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen: slowly rotate the phone in the air, describing the infinity sign (∞) until the scale is full.
4. After calibration, place the phone on a flat surface and wait for the arrow to stabilize.

If the automatic calibration didn’t work, try manually resetting the sensors:

Settings → System and device → Additional settings → Reset sensors

After reset, restart the phone and recalibrate. If the problem persists, check the phone for physical damage (for example, the magnetometer may have shifted after the impact).

Make sure there are no metal objects nearby.|Close all applications that use GPS|Make sure your phone doesn’t get too hot.|Remove the magnetically attached case-->

Secret functions of the compass on Xiaomi: what does the application besides the cardinal points

The standard Compass application in MIUI looks simple, but hides a few useful features:

On models with an infrared port (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro+), the compass can be used together with the remote control for controlling location-based equipment - useful for setting up a smart home.

Another hidden possibility is camera integration, where if you open the camera app and turn on Pro mode, you'll see a light-point indicator on the top panel, which helps photographers build pictures across the sun or create panoramas with the right orientation.

Video reviews: the best videos for using a compass on Xiaomi

The theory is good, but a visual demonstration helps better. We selected 5 of the most useful videos in Russian that show the compass on different Xiaomi models:

• 🎥 «Compass on Redmi Note 10 Pro: accuracy test in the forest – comparison with a professional compass Suunto.
• 🎥 «How to use a compass for geocaching on POCO X3» — Practical advice on finding hiding places.
• 🎥 «The secret chips of the compass in MIUI 14" - an overview of hidden features that 90% of users do not know about.
• 🎥 «Calibration of the compass after the fall of the phone" - step-by-step restoration of accuracy.
• 🎥 «compass + Google Maps: How to combine for accurate navigation – synchronizing data between apps.

Note that most video authors use external applications like Compass Steel 3D or Digital Field Compass, which are often more accurate than the standard MIUI compass, as they support additional sensors and have advanced calibration settings.

⚠️ Warning: Some YouTube videos suggest hacking the compass to improve accuracy by editing system files. It's dangerous! /system/build.prop This can cause a device to fail (completely).

Common Problems and Their Solutions

Even after calibrating the compass on Xiaomi, it can malfunction, and here are the typical situations and ways to fix them:

If none of these methods worked, try updating your firmware to the latest version of MIUI. In some cases, compass bugs are patched in security patches. For example, in Redmi Note 9 Pro, the problem with the arrow hanging was fixed in the MIUI 12.5.3 update.

⚠️ Note: On devices with unlocked bootloader and custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), the compass may not work properly due to the lack of original Xiaomi drivers. MIUI.

Alternative applications: when a standard compass is not enough

If the built-in MIUI compass doesn't suit you, consider third-party apps that offer advanced features like:

• 🧭 3D-visualizations with animated arrow.
• 📡 Offline map support for navigation without the Internet.
• 📊 Logistics of routes with reference to coordinates.
• 🔋 Battery savings through optimized use of sensors.

Top.-3 apps:

1. Compass Steel 3D is the most accurate, with augmented reality (AR) support.
2. Digital Field Compass is a minimal design and minimal energy consumption.
3. Compass & Map is a combo made of compass and offline maps of OpenStreetMap.

Before installing, check the compatibility reviews with your Xiaomi model. For example, on the POCO F4 GT, some applications may not read sensor data correctly due to the peculiarities of the iron platform.

💡

The standard MIUI compass consumes a minimum battery (about 1-2% per hour), whereas third-party AR apps can discharge the phone 10-15% faster. Use them only when needed!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions