Why a phone compass can show an unstable Qibla direction
Written and reviewed by the Tevazu Team
- iPhone
- Android
Short answer
A phone’s digital compass is affected by magnetic and environmental interference, so the displayed Qibla direction can move indoors or near magnets, metal and electronics. Move to a clearer area, remove magnetic accessories and hold the phone flat. Then confirm that Tevazu can use the correct location. A compass is a navigation aid, not a precision surveying instrument.
Applies to: Phones with a digital compass; sensor quality and available location controls vary by device.
Check the environment and settings
- Magnetic accessories and electronics. Remove magnetic cases, rings, mounts or accessories. Move away from speakers, large metal furniture, electrical panels and other electronics that can disturb the magnetic field.
- Phone position. Hold the phone flat and steady. Apple’s compass guidance recommends aligning the on-screen crosshairs before reading a bearing.
- Location access. Open the operating system location settings and confirm that Tevazu has location access. Where available, compare the result with Precise Location enabled.
- Compare in an open area. Move outdoors or to another open area and compare again. A large change after moving points to local magnetic interference rather than a changed Qibla calculation.
- Report it. If the direction remains inconsistent, contact support with device model, operating-system version, city/location and screenshots from two interference-free positions.
Primary sources
- Apple: Use the compass on iPhone (opens in a new tab) support.apple.com
- Apple: Turn Location Services and GPS on or off (opens in a new tab) support.apple.com
