Modern smartphones, including the Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro, feature a variety of sensors, including a digital compass that can be useful not only for tourists or sightseers, but also in everyday life – for example, to determine the direction of movement in an unfamiliar city or check the correct installation of a satellite antenna.
In this article, we will discuss how to activate and configure the compass on the Redmi 8 Pro, calibrate it to improve accuracy, and solve common errors such as incorrect readings or lack of response to device turns. We will pay special attention to the nuances associated with this model - from the features MIUI hardware-limited.
Where is the compass in Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro and how to turn it on
Unlike specialized navigation devices, the compass in a smartphone doesn't have a separate physical button, but instead it's integrated into software and uses data from a magnetometer, a sensor that measures the Earth's magnetic field, and to use it, you need to know where it's hidden in the MIUI interface.
There are two main ways to access the compass:
- 📱 The standard Compass app (if installed) is usually in the Tools folder or on the main screen, and if you don't have one, you'll have to install it separately from Google Play.
- 🗺️ Google Maps, turn on navigation mode, and in the upper right corner, you'll see a compass icon (an arrow with the letter N). Click on it to activate the mapping of the cardinal points.
If you prefer to use third-party apps, we recommend you pay attention to Compass Galaxy or Digital Compass – they often show more stable results than standard MIUI tools.
⚠️ Note: On the Redmi 8 Pro, a compass may not be listed in the application list if the magnetometer sensor is disabled in the system settings. → The phone. → All characteristics → Sensors.
How to check if the compass is working on your phone
Before you use a compass, make sure it works at all. On the Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro, there are several ways to do this:
- Test through the engineering menu: Open the Phone app and enter the combination ##6484##. Select the Magnetic Sensor Test. Turn the phone in different planes. If the values in the graph change, the sensor works.
- Check through the CPU-Z app: Install CPU-Z from Google Play. Go to the Sensors tab. Find the Magnetic field bar — if the numbers are updated when the phone is spinning, the sensor is working.
If the tests show zero values or errors, the problem may be:
- 🔧 Hardware malfunction of the sensor (solved only in the service center).
- 📱 Software failure (will help reset settings or flashing the firmware).
- 🛡️ Metallic or magnetic fields (remove the phone from sources of interference).
Step-by-step instructions for calibrating the compass
Even if the sensor is working, the compass can show incorrect data due to lack of calibration. On the Redmi 8 Pro, this is especially true, since the budget hardware is more prone to interference. Calibration helps the smartphone "understand" where the north is and correct the readings.
Follow this algorithm:
Open the Compass app (or Google Maps in navigation mode)
Wait for the hint to be calibrated (usually pops up automatically)
Rotate the phone in the air, describing the infinity sign (∞) until the scale is full.
Repeat the movement in other planes (for example, tilt the phone back and forth)
Close and reopen the app to make the changes effective-->
If no automatic prompts appear, try the forced calibration:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the Compass (or Google Maps) and clear the cache.
- Run the application again – the system should offer calibration.
⚠️ Attention: Calibration is best done in open areas, away from metal structures, power lines and other sources of magnetic interference. Indoor accuracy can decrease by 20-30%.
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If the compass after calibration still rotates chaotically, try calibrating it horizontally: place the phone on a flat surface and slowly rotate it in a circle.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Redmi 8 Pro users often face several common problems when working with a compass, and consider these and how to solve them:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The compass shows the wrong direction | Incorrect calibration or interference | Recalibrate the sensor in open areas |
| The compass arrow doesn't move. | Sensor turned off in settings | Check the settings → Additional Sensors → |
| Compass app flies out | Conflict with other programmes | Clear the cache or reinstall the app |
| Indications "jump" when turning | Effect of metal cover | Remove the cover and repeat the calibration |
One of the most insidious mistakes is to shift the readings because of magnetic fields, for example, if you're near speakers, microwaves, or even some powerbank models, the compass can show north where there isn't.
- Turn on the compass and remember the current direction.
- Step 5-10 meters away from the potential source of interference.
- Compare the readings – if they have changed significantly (by more than 10-15 °), the problem is external factors.
Why does the compass on Xiaomi rotate backwards?
Comparison of the Redmi 8 Pro Compass Accuracy with Other Devices
Compass accuracy depends on the quality of the magnetometer, data processing algorithms and interference level. Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro is equipped with the sensor AK09918 from Asahi Kasei Microdevices, which belongs to the middle price segment. For comparison, flagship models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro) use more advanced sensors AK09975, which are less susceptible to drift.
Let's do a comparative analysis:
| Model phone | Type of sensor | Accuracy (deviation, °) | Resistance to disturbances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi 8 Pro | AK09918 | ±3–5° | Medium |
| Poco X3 Pro | AK09918 | ±4–6° | Low. |
| Mi 11 Ultra | AK09975 | ±1–2° | Tall. |
| iPhone 13 Pro | Custom (Apple) | ±1° | Very high. |
The accuracy of the Redmi 8 Pro compass is strongly affected by the presence of a metal case or a magnetically fastened case. For example, using auto-open cases (with a magnet) can increase the error by up to 20-30°.
If you want maximum accuracy, we recommend:
- 📵 Remove the cover before using the compass.
- 🌍 Use professional applications with manual declination adjustment.
- 🔄 Regularly recalibrate the sensor (once every 1-2 weeks).
Advanced Features: Compass + GPS for Precise Navigation
The compass in a smartphone becomes a really useful tool when its data is combined with information from GPS and a gyroscope. On the Redmi 8 Pro, this is implemented through:
- 🗺️ Google Maps: In navigation mode, the compass helps you determine the direction of movement even without the help of the compass. GPS-signal (e.g. in a tunnel).
- 🚶 Tracking apps: Osmand or Locus Map use a compass to adjust the route in real time.
- 🎮 AR-games, for example, Pokémon GO Ingress uses a compass to determine orientation in space.
To enable the compass and GPS to work together:
- Activate High Accuracy in Location Settings (Settings → Security & Privacy → Location → Mode).
- In the Google Maps app, enable the compass arrow in the navigation settings.
- For trekking applications, allow access to motion sensors and geodata.
⚠️ Attention: Shared use GPS And the compass greatly increases battery consumption. On the Redmi 8 Pro with a 4500 mAh battery, this can reduce battery life by 15-20 percent.
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The compass in a smartphone is most accurate when combined with GPS, but use it only when needed to save charge.
Alternative ways to determine the cardinal points without a compass
If the compass on your Redmi 8 Pro fails or shows incorrect data, you can use alternative methods:
- ☀️ Sun: In the northern hemisphere, at noon, the sun is in the south. Put a stick in the ground, the shadow will point north (the method works with error). ±10°).
- ⭐ By star: Find the North Star (the last in the handle of the Big Dipper's bucket) and it points north with a margin of error of no more than 1.°.
By natural signs:
- Moss in trees usually grows from the north side.
- Anthrops are often located south of the trees.
For digital alternatives, suitable:
- 📡 GPS-Navigators: Glonass or Galileo (more precisely, a compass, but require an Internet or satellite signal).
- 📱 AR-Google Lens in Map Search can determine the orientation of surrounding objects.