iPhone Compass Not Working? Showing Wrong Directions? Fix

BySerhat Kurt Posted on Reading Time: 5 minutes

Several users have reported that The iPhone Compass app is not working properly. These are common users reported problems:

  • Compass freezes or points in the wrong direction.
  • Compass is behaving strangely.
  • Compass is unable to find the location or elevation data.

This article explains how you can fix when Compass is not working properly.

Compass is a very useful app. Using Compass, your iPhone can be used for finding direction and location.

Table of Contents

Magnetic interference

Your Compass app may show the wrong direction because of magnetic interference. Compass is very sensitive to interference. Magnetic interference can be caused by electronic objects. You may be experiencing interference from a nearby power line, a microwave oven, or another electrical device. Here is what you can do:

  • Do not use accessories that use magnets or magnetic metal.
  • Keep your iPhone a safe distance away from other devices (at least 3 feet) that can cause interference.

Check your settings

Please review these settings and ensure that they are correctly set:

  • Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and ensure that Location Services is enabled and Compass is set to While Using the App. You can also change this setting by going to Settings > Compass > Location.
Compass Location
  • Tap Settings > General > Date & Time and ensure that the date, time, and time zone are set correctly. You may also want to turn on Set Automatically.
Date and Time
  • Go to Settings > Cellular or Mobile Data and then ensure that Use Cellular Data is on for Compass. If not, turn on Compass.  
Compass Cellular
  • Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > and scroll down and tap System Services and then turn on Compass Calibration.
Compass Calibration
  • Go to Settings > Compass and turn on Use True North.
Use True North

Third-party compass app

Are you having issues with a third-party compass app? If this is the case, here is what you can do:

Restart the app

Restart the Compass app and then try again. Here is how:

  • Swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone screen, or double-press the Home button (if your device has a Home button).
  • Swipe side-to-side through the open apps until you find Compass.
  • Swipe up on it.
  • Then open Compass again and test again.
Restart Compass

Delete, reinstall and calibrate the compass

Remove the app from your iPhone and then reinstall. Then calibrate the Compass app. Since Compass is digital, you may need calibration. Here is how:

  • On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, find Compass and tap Delete App and tap Delete App again.
Delete Compass
  • Now open the App Store app on your iPhone and find the Compass app and download and install.
Download Compass
  • Open Compass.
  • Try to hold your phone flat.
  • You will be prompted to calibrate.
  • Follow the onscreen instructions.

Restart

This might sound too obvious, but this may fix your problem. Restarting will clear up your RAM and other cache files. Here is how:

  • iPhone X and later: Press and hold the power button and the volume up (or down) button together until the power off screen appears. Drag the slider. Wait for your iPhone to turn off. Then press and hold the power button again to turn on your device.
  • Other iPhone models: Press and hold the power button (side or top) until you see the power off slider. Then drag the slider. Wait for your device to turn off. Press and hold the power button until you see the Apple logo.

Update your iPhone

Update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS. This is also very easy. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

Reset Location Data

Resetting your location settings to the factory default may fix your compass problem. Go to Settings > General > Reset and tap Reset Location & Privacy and follow the onscreen instructions.

Reset Location and Privacy

After resetting, you may have to adjust your location settings.

Contact Apple

If you are still having issues, contact Apple. Your iPhone includes a built-in magnetic field sensor to give compass readings. It is possible that this sensor is not working. Contact Apple to fix it. You may want to get a Genius Bar reservation.

See also

Dr. Serhat Kurt worked as a Senior Technology Director specializing in Apple solutions for small and medium-sized educational institutions. He holds a doctoral degree (or doctorate) from the University of Illinois at Urbana / Champaign and a master’s degree from Purdue University. He is a former faculty member. Here is his LinkedIn profile and Google Scholar profile. Email Serhat Kurt.

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