How to turn on and configure a compass on your Xiaomi phone: instructions with pictures

The compass on Xiaomi smartphones is a useful tool for orienting the ground that often goes unnoticed by users, many of whom do not even realize that their device is equipped with a magnetic sensor that can detect the directions of the world to several degrees. However, the mere presence of a sensor does not guarantee correct operation: accurate determination of direction requires the correct calibration and configuration of the software.

In this article, we will analyze all ways to activate the compass on Xiaomi devices - from budget Redmi to flagship Mi and Xiaomi devices. POCO. You will learn how to check for a sensor in your phone where the built-in compass is located. MIUI And HyperOS, and how to fix the typical problems with its work, and we'll focus on calibration, without which the readings can differ from the real ones. 30-40°. The instructions are relevant for all modern models, including Xiaomi. 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and POCO F6.

Checking the presence of a magnetic sensor in Xiaomi

Before you try to turn on a compass, make sure your smartphone is equipped with one. Most Xiaomi models have a magnetometer starting in 2018, but in ultra-budget devices (for example, the Redmi A1 or the POCO C50), it may not be present.

• 🔍 From the engineering menu: enter the code ##4636## in the phone app, select Sensors, and search for the Magnetic field or Compass string. If it's not there, there's no sensor in the device.
• 📱 Using the application: install Sensor Box from Google Play or CPU-Z — They'll show you all the sensors available.
• 🛒 By model specifications: check the specifications on the official Xiaomi website or in the store where you bought the phone (look for the line “Sensors” or “Sensors»).

If the sensor is not available, alternatives will be compass applications that use GPS and a gyroscope (such as Compass Galaxy or Digital Compass), but their accuracy will be lower – the error can reach 10-15 ° versus 2-3 ° for a magnetic compass.

Where is the built-in compass in MIUI and HyperOS

Depending on the firmware version, the path to the built-in compass may differ: in recent versions of MIUI 14 and HyperOS, developers have made it easier to access the tool, but in older builds (for example, MIUI 12), it has to be searched in the depths of the menu.

Here are the current paths for different versions:

If the compass is not on the menu, try:

1. Update the firmware to the latest version through Settings → About Phone → System Update.
2. Install the branded Mi Compass app from GetApps (the official Xiaomi store).
3. Use alternative apps from Google Play, such as Compass 360 Pro.

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If the compass is not calibrated, its arrow will jump randomly. Calibration can be started manually, rotating the phone in the air on the figure of eight 3-4 times.

Step-by-step instructions for turning on a compass

Consider a universal compass activation method that works on 90% of Xiaomi devices, and the instructions are suitable for phones with MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS:

Make sure GPS is on (settings → Location)

Turn off the power saving mode (settings → Battery)

Check that there are no magnetic interference nearby (columns, headphones, magnet cases)

Update Google Services (Play Market) → My apps)-->

1. Open Settings and go to Additional (HyperOS) or System and Device (MIUI 14).
2. Find the Compass. If you don't have one, search by settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner).
3. Activate the "Enable Compass" or "Magnetic Sensor" slider. Some models will require proof of location access.
4. Start calibration: Follow the hints on the screen (usually you need to rotate the phone in different planes).
5. Check the work: Open any compass application (like Google Maps in street view mode) and compare the readings with a hand compass.

If after turning on the compass needle behaves unstable:

• 🧲 Make sure there are no sources of magnetic interference (speakers, chargers, metal objects) nearby).
• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes the sensor “wilts” after a long work.
• 📲 Update the firmware: in older versions MIUI There were magnetometer bugs (especially on the Redmi 9 and the Redmi). POCO X3).

Calibration of the compass: why it is important and how to do it correctly

Incorrect calibration is the reason 80% Even if the sensor is working, without the right setup, its readings can differ from the real ones. 20-40°. Calibration is needed to compensate for the effects of the phone’s metal parts and external magnetic fields.

The calibration process on Xiaomi consists of two stages:

1. Rough setting: the phone asks you to rotate it in the air in a figure of eight or describe circles. This removes gross errors.
2. Fine tuning: you put the device on a flat surface and slowly rotate around its axis, and this step corrects for small deviations.

How to check if the calibration has been successful:

• 📱 Open the compass application and compare the readings with a mechanical compass (the error should not exceed the error). 3-5°).
• 🌍 In Google Maps, turn on street view mode (2 fingers up on the screen) – the blue dot should clearly follow the turns of the phone.
• 🧭 Use test applications like Sensor Kinetics to see raw sensor data (X, Y, Z should change smoothly as you rotate).

⚠️ Attention: If the compass needle is “frozen” or spins randomly after calibrating, this may indicate a hardware fault in the sensor, especially after a phone drop or moisture hit.

The Best Compass Apps for Xiaomi

Built-in compass in MIUI HyperOS and often lacks functionality – no route saving, offline operation or additional tools (e.g., slope measurement).-5 Alternative applications optimized for Xiaomi devices:

For hiking or orienteering, we recommend the Compass 360 Pro, which supports the preservation of route points and works without the Internet. If you want minimalism, Digital Compass with a widget on the home screen will suit.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Compass Galaxy) request access to the camera for the purpose of AR-If you don't plan to use additional functions, deny this permission -- it's not necessary for the basic operation of the compass.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after setting up the compass correctly, Xiaomi may not work properly. Consider typical faults and ways to fix them:

• 🔄 The compass needle rotates randomly Cause: calibration failure or magnetic interference Solution: recalibrate the sensor away from metal objects. If it doesn't work, reset the sensor settings through the engineering menu (#4636##).
• 📵 Compass is not turned on Reason: location is disabled or sensor is damaged Solution: check permissions in Settings → Annexes → compass → Permissions. If the sensor is physically defective, contact the service.
• 🌍 Accumulation greater than 10° Reason: poor calibration or the effect of a metal cover. Solution: remove the case and recalibrate. Use the app. GPS Status for fine-tuning.
• 🔋 Compass only works with charging Reason: Power saving mode activated which turns off sensors Solution: add compass application to battery exclusions (Settings) → Battery → Optimizing the battery).

If the problem persists after all the manipulations, check the phone for hardware damage, for example, after a fall, the sensor plume may break off or its position relative to the board will shift, in which case only repairs at the service center will help.

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On Xiaomi models with a metal body (such as the Mi 11 Ultra), the compass accuracy may be lower due to interference. GPS-correction.

How to use a compass to navigate without the Internet

One of the key advantages of a magnetic compass is that it can navigate without a network connection, which is especially useful in hiking, where GPS can lose signal and mobile Internet is not available. Here's how to set up offline navigation on Xiaomi:

1. Download offline maps to Google Maps or OSMAnd: In Google Maps: open profile → Offline Maps → select region. In OSMAnd: Settings → Maps → Download maps.
2. Activate the compass in settings (as described above) and calibrate it.
3. Use an offline-based app, such as Compass 360 Pro, which stores the coordinates of the points. OSMAnd, which shows your location on an offline map with a compass link. Locus Map, a professional tool for tourists with track support.

Combine compass and GPS data: In the app settings, enable GPS Adjustment (if any) to reduce the error with weak satellite signal.

To improve accuracy in weak conditions GPS-signal (e.g. in a forest or mountain):

• 📍 Periodically update the coordinates manually (in OSMAnd this is done with a long tap on the map).
• 🧭 Use a compass to determine azimuth, and a map to link to the terrain.
• 🔋 Turn off the power saving mode so that the sensors work without interruption.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions