How to use a compass on a Xiaomi phone: video, configuration and secrets of accuracy

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

Today’s Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with a magnetic field sensor that allows you to use the device as a full-fledged compass — from orientation to shooting video with the overlay of direction. But many users are not even aware of this feature or face problems with accuracy. In this article, we will learn how to properly configure and use a compass on Redmi, POCO or Mi-series, including shooting video with mapping of the world’s sides.

The compass in the phone is powered by a magnetometer, a microchip that measures the strength of the Earth's magnetic field, but it can be distorted by metal objects, electronics, or even a magnetically-mounted case, and we'll show you how to minimize errors and achieve maximum accuracy, and where to find the hidden functions of the compass in MIUI firmware.

We'll focus on capturing compass overlay videos, which are useful for tourists, fishermen or content creators, and you'll learn which apps support this feature, how to customize the display and save the recording without artifacts, and at the end of this article, a selection of video instructions from official Xiaomi channels and enthusiasts.

Where to find a compass on Xiaomi: standard and hidden ways

In most models, the compass is built into the Compass app, but its location depends on the version of MIUI. On new devices (for example, Xiaomi 13 or Redmi Note 12), the icon can be hidden in the Tools folder or not at all in the menu.

🔍 Search by system: Swipe down the main screen and type "Compass" in the search bar. The system will show the application even if it does not appear in the menu.
📱 Tools folder: Some firmwares have a compass hidden with a flashlight, a voice recorder and a calculator. Check this folder on your desktop.
⚙️ Settings → Appendices: Open Settings → Annexes → Manage applications and type "Compass" into the search. If the application is disabled, turn it on.
🌍 Google Maps: Turn on the compass in Google Maps (twice tap the location icon) → A northerly arrow will appear).

If the standard app is not available, it can be installed from Google Play. the official application from Xiaomi is called Mi Compass, but any high-rated analogue (for example, Compass Galaxy or Digital Compass) will do.

⚠️ Note: On budget models (e.g. Redmi) A1 or POCO C50) The magnetometer may be physically absent. Check the specifications of your model on the official Xiaomi website by model number (you can find it in Settings). → The phone).

📊 How often do you use a compass on your smartphone?

Never tried.

Only on the hikes.

Regularly for navigation

I use it to make videos.

Another option

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

Even if the compass is showing direction, it can be inaccurate due to miscalibration or external interference.

🧲 Metal objects near the phone (keys, coins, magnet case).
📶 Electromagnetic fields from other devices (laptop, router, speakers).
🚗 Traffic in transport (especially in the subway or trains).
📱 Uncalibrated sensor after update MIUI.

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

Open the Compass app.
If the arrow twitches chaotically, a notification Requires calibration (in English firmware - Calibrate compass) will appear.
Follow the hints on the screen: usually rotate the phone in space, describing it as an eight, or tilt it from different angles.
After successful calibration, the arrow stabilizes and the accuracy increases to ±2°.

If the automatic calibration doesn’t work, try manual resetting:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Compass → Storage → Clear data

Remove metal objects within a radius of 1 meter |

Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi|

Find an open space (better on the street)|

Hold the phone horizontally with your palm |

Recalibrate the calibration. 2-3 time-in-time-->

Shooting video with a compass on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

One of the most useful features of the compass on Xiaomi is the ability to superimpose the direction of the cardinal points directly on the video, which is indispensable for tourists, hunters or bloggers who film routes, but not all Xiaomi cameras support this feature out of the box.

Method 1: Built-in camera (for supported models)

Open the standard Camera app.
Switch to Video Mode.
Touch the icons ⚙️ (setting) → Additionally. → Show me a compass.
A translucent scale will appear on the screen indicating north (N), south (S) and current azimuth.
Start shooting - the direction will be recorded over the video.

Method 2: Third-party applications

If your model (POCO X3, Redmi 9, etc.) does not have an option built in, use:

🎥 Open Camera (free, with compass overlay support and free of charge) GPS-coordinate).
🧭 Compass Camera (specialized application for shooting with a compass).
🗺️ OSMAnd (for recording tracks with video binding).

Important: When shooting with a compass, turn off stabilization (if it is on), as it can distort the sensor readings, and make sure that the phone does not overheat, this increases the error of the magnetometer.

💡

If the compass on the video is too small, zoom in on the font settings of the camera app. In Open Camera, this is done in Settings → Screen → Text Size

Table: Compass compatibility with Xiaomi models (2020–2026)

Model	Presence of magnetometer	Built-in compass in the cell	Accuracy (inaccuracy)
Xiaomi 13/13 Pro	✅ Yes.	✅ Yes. MIUI 14)	±1–2°
Redmi Note 12 Pro+	✅ Yes.	❌ No (third party software required)	±3°
POCO F5	✅ Yes.	✅ Yes)	±2°
Redmi A2	❌ No.	❌ No.	—
Xiaomi Mix Fold 3	✅ Yes.	✅ Yes (with additional sensors)	± 0.5° (high accuracy)

Important: On foldable models (for example, Mix Fold), the compass may show incorrect data when bending the screen - this is due to a change in the position of the magnetometer relative to the body.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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

⚠️ Note: If after the update MIUI The compass stopped working, check if the sensor is turned off in Settings → Special facilities → Sensors. Sometimes resets reset and magnetometer resolutions.

🔄 Gun spins chaoticly: Problem is iron jamming. Get the phone off the metal, turn off the metal NFC and recalibrate.
📉 The readings "float" when moving: The culprit is a gyroscope. Turn off the auto-turn screen in the notification curtain.
🌡️ Compass warms and lags: CPU overheating affects sensors. close background apps and let phone cool.
🚫 The compass app won't open: Permissions are likely lost. Go to Settings → Annexes → compass → Permits and enable access to Location and Sensors.

If nothing helps, try resetting the sensor settings:

Settings → About phone → All specs → Core → Sensors → Reset

This path may vary depending on the model, and some devices will need to enter the code ##4636## and select Sensor Test.

What if the compass shows the wrong direction in Google Maps?

In Google Maps, compass works through GPS If the arrow is lying, 1. Enable High-precision positioning in geodata settings. 2. Update the data. AGPS: install the app GPS Status & Toolbox and press Manage A-GPS state → Reset. 3. Reboot your phone - sometimes cache resetting helps GPS-module.

Video Instructions: Compass training videos on Xiaomi

For clarity, we have selected the best videos with instructions for using the compass on Xiaomi. All videos are checked and relevant for MIUI 12-14:

📹 Xiaomi official channel: "How to use a compass on Redmi Note 11" (link) Talk about calibration and shooting of video.
🧭 Canal MIUI Tips: "Hidden Compass Functions in the MIUI 14" (link) Shows how to turn on latitude/longitude mapping.
🎬 Review from TechnoLike: “Shooting a video with a compass on POCO F4» (Compare the built-in camera and the Open Camera.

If you want a specific model instruction, type in a YouTube search for a query like: compass for [your model] video instruction, for example: compass on Xiaomi 12T about video instruction.

Pay attention to the date of the video publication – in old videos (until 2022), the MIUI interface can be very different from the current one.

💡

Combine compass data with GPS for maximum accuracy. In applications like Google Earth or OSMAnd, you can check the direction of satellites, which reduces the error to ±0.5°.

FAQ: Frequent questions about compass on Xiaomi

Can I use a compass on Xiaomi without the internet?

Yes, the compass works offline because it uses magnetometer data rather than GPS, but for maps to be accurately linked (like Google Maps), the Internet will be required to download map data.

Why does the compass show the wrong direction in the car?

In a car, the compass readings are influenced by the metal body, electronics and movement. GPS-Navigator or Google Maps in the mode Follow the route - there the direction is determined by satellites, not by the magnetic field.

How to save a video with a compass so that the direction does not disappear when viewing?

The overlay of the compass is written directly into the video file, so when you view it on any device, the direction will remain. However, if you cut the video in the editor, the scale may shift. To avoid this, use programs that support metadata storage (for example, CapCut or KineMaster).

Are there alternatives to the standard compass on Xiaomi?

If the built-in app doesn’t suit you, try: Compass 3D Pro - with augmented reality and 3D-Digital Field Compass - for professional use (with support for maps). GPS Essentials – Combining a compass, GPS And the altimeter. All of them are available on Google Play.

Can I calibrate the compass without special applications?

Yes, in most cases, standard tools are enough: Open the Compass app. If you get a calibration notification, follow the instructions on the screen. If not, rotate the phone in space, describing it as an eight, or put it on a flat surface and rotate around its axis. For deep calibration, you can use an engineering menu (code # #4636#), but this requires caution.