Compass requires constant calibration? - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshootin

Anyone else notice this about the compass? If I open a compass app (tried many) the compass is either erratic or stuck, but if I calibrate it with GPS Status app, it is fine until next use. I am stock rom and rooted.
Just a weird annoying issue.
I don't remember having this issue on other phones.

alphadog00 said:
Anyone else notice this about the compass? If I open a compass app (tried many) the compass is either erratic or stuck, but if I calibrate it with GPS Status app, it is fine until next use. I am stock rom and rooted.
Just a weird annoying issue.
I don't remember having this issue on other phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is already a thread about this in the General section.

OK, i see it now - but it is a month old, and it really doesn't answer my question. And since this is the Q&A, help/troubleshooting area - it seems an appropriate place to ask.
I still have to calibrate my compass every time i use it. Does anyone else have this issue?

Related

EB13 Magnetometer / Accelerometer issues

Hey Everybody I have experienced and corrected the compass / magnetometer issue in the epic by calibrating the unit upside down.
I am curious of a few things.
Does your Magnetometer work correctly without calibration in EB13?
If you calibrate with your screen facing up does it cause the Magnetometer to display erratic results EB13?
If you calibrate the unit while the screen is facing down does it solve the issues?
What Hardware revision are you on?
_____________________________________
::My Results::
Used exe from Samsung to update
Compass didn't work right after the flash.
Calibrated display upside down.
Used compass calibration tool.
Now it works great.
GPS is great.
EB13 is better than DK28 but still has issues....
Hardware Revision
D700.0.5
My old man updated OTA. his compass was fine. Never rooted or flashed.
Mine was messed up by flashing dk28. horribly.
Rooting and running "/system/bin/sensorcalibutil_yamaha" face-up fixed the erratic behavior.
"Settings>display>calibrate" face-down fixed the backwards reading.
Works great now.
EB13 has a calibrate option where I don't recall seeing it in 18?
Hey all,
I am just curious if there is a corrilation between hardware revision and sensor issues. What hardware version are you guys?
Thank you!!!
I noticed issues with the accelerometer mainly when playing Words With Friends. It was damn near impossible for me to not have the words constantly shuffling. This was after having calibrated with the phone face up. I just recalibrated with the phone held upside-down on a door frame and now have no letter shuffling issues in Words With Friends...
gremlyn1 said:
I noticed issues with the accelerometer mainly when playing Words With Friends. It was damn near impossible for me to not have the words constantly shuffling. This was after having calibrated with the phone face up. I just recalibrated with the phone held upside-down on a door frame and now have no letter shuffling issues in Words With Friends...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did it how you did it and.now I have no more rotation lag. Thanks
mindinfiltrator said:
Hey Everybody I have experienced and corrected the compass / magnetometer issue in the epic by calibrating the unit upside down.
I am curious of a few things.
Does your Magnetometer work correctly without calibration in EB13?
If you calibrate with your screen facing up does it cause the Magnetometer to display erratic results EB13?
If you calibrate the unit while the screen is facing down does it solve the issues?
What Hardware revision are you on?
_____________________________________
::My Results::
Used exe from Samsung to update
Compass didn't work right after the flash.
Calibrated display upside down.
Used compass calibration tool.
Now it works great.
GPS is great.
EB13 is better than DK28 but still has issues....
Hardware Revision
D700.0.5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you so much! I was on the verge of returning my handset due to the compass not working, I figured the unit was broken. I could not find any info anywhere, and this fixed everything. Now CDompass works, as does Google Sky Chart. Yeah! Thank you!
using bonsai 3.0.0 rom and kernel
both sensors working great no need to calibrate.
i could be wrong but i think everyone has the same hardware version unless somehow you were part of a beta test and have the beta hardware.
i have the same hardware as you.
Unfortunately for me, none of the tips provided here or elsewhere worked. My hardware revision is same as the others here: D700.0.5
I have calibrated the phone facing up, facing down, facing sideways. Ran the sensorcalibutil_yamaha util. Nothing. On a flat surface, the phone points North where West should be. If I rotate the phone a little, it changes its mind completely and thinks East is where West should be.
It has done this with all the various official and unofficial ROMS I have installed on this thing. Is there anybody else in the same boat as I? Is my phone broken and would Samsung fix this under warranty?
Thanks.

How to fix magnetometer

I just fixed the magnetometer on my Vibrant, using advice found on another site. It took me a long time to find it, so I thought I should post it here to help other Vibrant users find it more easily. There is similar advice in forums for other Galaxy S variants, but nothing here.
About a week ago, I noticed that my phone was no longer sensing its position. The screen would not rotate, and the compass was not working. I ran the sensor test using the *#0*# code, and both the accelerometer and magnetic sensor were stuck on one reading regardless of phone position. Rebooting had no effect.
I found the following procedure on a different site. I would post the link to give proper credit, but I don't have sufficient forum privileges because this is my first post. It was on the dp.nonoo.hu blog.
Your Samsung Galaxy S phone’s compass is not working? Auto rotation is faulty? Check your hardware by dialing *#0*# – this is a factory test app for the phone.
If the compass is broken there too, here’s how you can fix it: delete /data/system/ms3c_yamaha.cfg, and if there’s a backup file, delete it too, then reboot.
If it won’t help, make sure the files are deleted and then run /system/bin/sensorcalibutil_yamaha from a root shell, follow the instructions and then reboot your phone.​
I deleted the file using RootExplorer and rebooted. The accelerometer and magnetic sensor were working perfectly.
Lol I fixed mine by simply flipping the phone a few times. Basically I first downloaded and installed the compass app from the market. Then in the app, I calibrate it normally (wave in a figure 8 pattern) a few times. It will still be pointing incorrectly so next all I do it flip the phone on it's vertical axis a few times then repeat with the horizontal axis. Then it will be correct. This always works for my phone, I do it every time after a factory reset since it uncalibrates the magnetometer every time. I've never had problems with the accelerometer though, only the magnetometer. It would always be out of whack no matter what until I figured out what to do.
Cheers Blue,
This fixed it for me.
I cannot find neither the .cfg fila and or the configuration app.
+1
These files do not exist in ICS AOKP on my Vibrant and my magnetometer still points in the wrong direction lol.
Trying everything I can find on the Internet.
Edit: Removing the battery does not work even after 15 minutes. However, flipping the phone end over end worked immediately. Seems strange that this is not mentioned by any of the Compass apps yet they tell you to draw figure 8's in the air which does nothing on my Vibrant. lol
Thanks to the individual who shared that tip.
same here, a few vertical and horizontal flips did the trick for me. (on ics passion)
Didn't find the "/data/system/ms3c_yamaha.cfg" on my GalaxyS running Slim ICS 3.2. Seems like ICS doesn't have this file. And some vertical/horizontal flips almost did the trick. Now the compass is moving, before it wasn't moving at all. It not showing very good direction like it used to when I first purchased the device almost 15 months ago.
And one more question, does anyone know, what is the testing code for ICS? Because *#0*# isn't working on ICS. I used this code while on gingerbread and it worked before. I thought this code is universal, but now it seems like, its not.
blueguitarbob said:
I deleted the file using RootExplorer and rebooted. The accelerometer and magnetic sensor were working perfectly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Doest it still work when the phone is:
- touched with a little magnet like in a standard vertical flip-case (with little magnet) or
- travelling by car/bus/train or
- plugged in headphones
In the one I had (I don't have it any more) while plugging in headphones, or travelling by car/bus/train, or putting it in an flip-case with a little magnet the arrow In Google Maps pointing the direction which a device is currently facing simply freezes. Compass app also freezes at the same time. The app called Android Sensor Box in the scale for magnetometer reaches its maximum level. While moving the little magnet, from mentioned before filp-case, around a phone the arrow travels with it. Move it away and it freezes. It simply won't move. While sticking S4 to the metal part of laptop table the arrow immediately points opposite direction. Only making 8s in the air helps but only for a bit. Neither S3 9305 nor S5 have this problem. Even when stuck with a magnet their arrows in GM works just fine.
2. Does deleting the file fixes the GM's arrow issue also?
Danstek said:
Lol I fixed mine by simply flipping the phone a few times. Basically I first downloaded and installed the compass app from the market. Then in the app, I calibrate it normally (wave in a figure 8 pattern) a few times. It will still be pointing incorrectly so next all I do it flip the phone on it's vertical axis a few times then repeat with the horizontal axis. Then it will be correct. This always works for my phone, I do it every time after a factory reset since it uncalibrates the magnetometer every time. I've never had problems with the accelerometer though, only the magnetometer. It would always be out of whack no matter what until I figured out what to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
**** this worked

[Q] Compass not working in GPS Status

I got my N10 about a week ago. Updated to 4.3, unlocked & rooted, still running stock ROM. When I run GPS Status, it gets a GPS lock pretty quickly however the compass doesn't work. It just points forward with no orientation or pitch/roll. I installed another compass app that I've used before & that doesn't work either. Is this happening for anyone else? I'm concerned it could be a hardware issue, but I did notice that when I use Google Maps, the compass seems to work and the orientation is fairly accurate. Google Sky Map works as well.
I've restarted the device several times. I've uninstalled/reinstalled GPS Status. I've wiped cache/dalvik. I want to assume it's just a app bug, but I haven't seen anyone else reporting it. And the app was updated just last week.
Anyone else have this issue? Any suggestion on other ways to test my N10 to rule out that it's a hardware issue?
Gps status
sharksfan7 said:
I got my N10 about a week ago. Updated to 4.3, unlocked & rooted, still running stock ROM. When I run GPS Status, it gets a GPS lock pretty quickly however the compass doesn't work. It just points forward with no orientation or pitch/roll. I installed another compass app that I've used before & that doesn't work either. Is this happening for anyone else? I'm concerned it could be a hardware issue, but I did notice that when I use Google Maps, the compass seems to work and the orientation is fairly accurate. Google Sky Map works as well.
I've restarted the device several times. I've uninstalled/reinstalled GPS Status. I've wiped cache/dalvik. I want to assume it's just a app bug, but I haven't seen anyone else reporting it. And the app was updated just last week.
Anyone else have this issue? Any suggestion on other ways to test my N10 to rule out that it's a hardware issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the same problem on my Nexus 10. Upgraded to 4.3, device not rooted just stock. Have you found an answer?
southtynesider said:
I have the same problem on my Nexus 10. Upgraded to 4.3, device not rooted just stock. Have you found an answer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I haven't. Even emailed the developer but never got a reply. However I discovered that if I go to Menu > Radar, the compass will release & rotate. Switch back to Status & it continues to work, at least until you close and restart the app. Hopefully if enough people report this, an update will fix it.
Gps status
sharksfan7 said:
No I haven't. Even emailed the developer but never got a reply. However I discovered that if I go to Menu > Radar, the compass will release & rotate. Switch back to Status & it continues to work, at least until you close and restart the app. Hopefully if enough people report this, an update will fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your help. That works OK until you restart the app or reboot. At least I have a working fix and I'll put a comment on the developers web site. The app works fine on my Samsung S4 - maybe its a 4.3 related problem.
Thanks again.

[BUG] Compass not aligning properly [VIDEO ADDED]

Anyone else who has an N900W8 have weird compass issues? It sometimes doesn't rotate or does not align properly.
Strange issue on my Note 2's compass too, sometimes does not calibrate properly, AND is running 4.3 but on AOSP. Is there a build problem/Samsung problem? Or is it hardware and I have to get it changed?
VIDEO: http://youtu.be/T1U5qlPABRo
Nope, after a day of usage, it just locks into a position when I rotate my phone on a horizontal plane. If i tilt my phone left right forward and backwards the compass moves.
To calibrate it, I have to shake my device hard and spin it like I am opening a door knob many times. Then the compass will work perfectly.
Anyone have this issue? N900W8. Is this normal to calibrate a device? Is this a recurrent issue amongst users?
No one has this problem? Will I have to take it back for a replacement? It still works, after a rigorous shake, but is this calibration abnormal or not? Will there be a possibility that a software update could fix this?
I have kinda a similar problem, in maps if I'm using navigation the arrow doesn't align correctly to the direction I'm going, not much of a problem.don't know if it's related to the GPS or the compass in my case
Sent from my SM-N900 using xda app-developers app
*GalaxyDev* said:
I have kinda a similar problem, in maps if I'm using navigation the arrow doesn't align correctly to the direction I'm going, not much of a problem.don't know if it's related to the GPS or the compass in my case
Sent from my SM-N900 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I safe to say that there is an existing Compass Bug in the software and not have to replace it? I will be uploading a video soon.
Posted Video!
Hello,
I have had the same problem. The solution is so simple:
1- dial *#0*#
2- choose sensor
3- here you will find that the status of your magnetic sensor is: "need to calibrate". So you wave your note 3 in 8 patterns for one or two times
4- and here we go, the sensor status now is calibrated and your problem is solved
P.S.: if you have a problem with *#0*# you can use any compass application or google maps, and then you continue with 3 and 4.
Hope that it helps you
Hi Kaderoid,
That's not really a calibration method, but thanks for your help. My device just spins and spins and spins no matter how I much I try to calibrate it. The only way I can fix it is by rebooting.
That's the difference, and plus magnetic interference happens too often it seems like it's a hardware issue.
Sent from my fingers to your face using my Samsung Galaxy Note 3!
So, do we have a solution or a fix to this issue? My Note 3 has the same issue.
I had the same problems, display didn't rotate, after a couple of days it seems fixed, but now doesn't rotate again.
I'm Italian, I'm hope that the English is enough good
Hello,
I had some issues with my Compass. When using GMaps it was not pointing in the right direction. I changed my device and the new device has the same issue unless I calibrate it. Once calibrated it works perfectly. I guess your device is having a hardware issue. Get a replacement.
I have the same issue on 2 Notes 3. I also had it on 2 of my previous HTCs. I think it happened after GMap update a few months back.
Sent from my SM-N900V using xda app-developers app
when you enter *#0*# and compass arrow is red just do some spins with phone. It turns green and compass works proper
This is calibration method
I did this, and my whole screen went green for a bit and the phone vibrated, the compass however has a blue line with 3 under it.
Heyallo said:
I did this, and my whole screen went green for a bit and the phone vibrated, the compass however has a blue line with 3 under it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it went green your phone's proximity sensor was triggered either by an object close to the top of your phone.
3 means it is calibrated at sensor level 3
I have a similar issue. If I restart my phone I have to recalibrate the compass. Once calibrated it works fine though.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
I have the exact same issue. Sometimes I will calibrate it and it will fix it. If the phone has to reboot it will not work again.
Using GPS Status & Toolbox, the compass was "locked" in the wrong direction.
So I rotated around and as soon as North indicator was actually pointing North, it seemed to lock-on and was working fine (without performing a calibration).
Weird and I hope it gets fixed in the next update.

compass wont work with any ROM

Hi, I have a problem with the compass on my UMI zero. When I use google maps or any compass app the direction pointed by the arrow is always the same whatever direction i rotate my smartphone at. Only sometimes it points in the right direction but slowly rotating to the same wrong one. What's going on? I tried to install different ROM but the problem was never solved, and at the beginning it was working, i cannot say flawlessly but at least acceptably.
Compass problem
i was facing the same issues as you are with UMI Zero's compass especially on its stock firmware (update 3.10), but i went ahead and got the rom from this thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/and...-miumizero-miuiv6-umi-zero-t3050090?nocache=1
and installed the firmware available on it.
i also made sure that all GPS settings were on before using the compass because without it (try using it with the data on for the first few trys), it kept telling me to wave the phone in the shape of an 8 to recalibrate it. it works now much better than before but it is still not completely accurate. i think the problem is within the hardware rather than the software.

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