Why a phone compass can show an unstable Qibla direction
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
- 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.
- Hold the phone flat and steady. Apple’s compass guidance recommends aligning the on-screen crosshairs before reading a bearing.
- Open the operating system location settings and confirm that Tevazu has location access. Where available, compare the result with Precise Location enabled.
- 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.
- If the direction remains inconsistent, contact support with device model, operating-system version, city/location and screenshots from two interference-free positions.
Primary sources
For a persistent difference, send the device model, location and interference-free comparison screenshots to support. Support
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