Physical magnetic sensor · works without GPS
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Product / Coordination & setup / Magnetic compass
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The device's magnetometer, at the service of the rider.

Use your phone's physical magnetic sensor. It works without needing movement, without GPS active, and without excessive battery drain. Useful when you're stationary, scouting a trail on foot, or when you've temporarily lost GPS signal.

BRÚJULA MAGNÉTICA N S W E NE SE SW NW 045° NE
How it works

Three steps to use the compass.

From opening full-screen mode to orienting yourself with true north. Designed to work the first time without a tutorial.
1

Open compass mode

Direct button on the map screen. The compass takes up the whole screen with a large dial, cardinal letters, and numerical heading in degrees. Easy reading from a distance.

2

Calibrate by moving in a figure 8

The first time (and occasionally when there's interference), the app asks you to move the phone in a figure 8 for a few seconds. It recalibrates the magnetometer for optimal accuracy.

3

Orient yourself with true north

The compass applies magnetic declination based on your geographical location — the north you see is true north, not raw magnetic north. Useful for crossing with topographic maps.

What's included

Details of the magnetic compass mode.

Sensor magnético físico

Usa el magnetómetro de tres ejes del teléfono — el mismo sensor de hardware que las apps de brújula del sistema. Lectura física, no calculada desde GPS.

Calibración rápida

Cuando detecta deriva o interferencia, te avisa para recalibrar. La calibración toma unos segundos moviendo el teléfono en figura 8 — no requiere recursos externos ni internet.

Modo full-screen

Dial grande, letras cardinales bien marcadas, rumbo numérico en grados. Diseñado para que se vea desde lejos, con guantes puestos y sin sacar el celular del soporte.

Declinación por ubicación

Aplica automáticamente la corrección de declinación magnética según dónde estés en el mundo. El norte que ves es norte verdadero — coincide con los mapas topográficos.

Bajo consumo de batería

El magnetómetro consume mucho menos que el GPS continuo. Útil en travesías largas donde cada % de batería cuenta. La brújula se mantiene mientras dura el teléfono.

No need for movement

Unlike the heading derived from GPS (which only works when you're moving), the magnetic compass gives heading even when completely stationary. Useful for orienting yourself before you start.

Cuándo magnética, cuándo híbrida

Dos modos para dos situaciones distintas.

La brújula magnética sola es el modo ideal cuando estás parado, caminando lento, o cuando perdiste señal GPS — el sensor no necesita movimiento ni satélites para funcionar. La brújula híbrida (otra feature) fusiona magnetómetro con GPS y es mejor cuando estás manejando: el GPS corrige inestabilidad y el magnetómetro mantiene la orientación cuando frenás.

  • Magnética sola: parado, hiking, sin GPS
  • Híbrida: manejando, alta velocidad
  • Switch entre modos con un tap
  • El modo activo se indica claramente
MAGNÉTICA SOLA N Parado · hiking · sin GPS Sensor físico únicamente ★ Bajo consumo HÍBRIDA N Manejando · alta velocidad GPS + magnetómetro fusionados ★ Estable en movimiento
When to use it

Situations where the magnetic compass shines.

Cruce sin señal GPS

El GPS se cortó momentáneamente (cañón cerrado, bosque denso, cueva). La brújula magnética sigue funcionando porque no depende de satélites. Te orientás hasta recuperar señal.

Hiking pesquisando ruta

Bajaste del vehículo para reconocer un trail a pie. Caminás lento, te detenés a observar. La brújula magnética te da rumbo aun parado — el GPS por sí solo no podría.

Orient the camera for a photo

You want to take a photo of the sunrise facing east, or document a waypoint looking north. The compass tells you exactly where the phone is pointing.

Frequently asked questions

What you need to know about the magnetic compass.

What is a magnetometer?
It's a physical sensor built into most modern smartphones. It measures the Earth's magnetic field along three axes and, by combining that information, determines where the phone is pointing relative to magnetic north. It's the same principle as a traditional compass, in chip form.
How is it calibrated?
The first time you use compass mode (or when it detects drift due to interference), an indicator appears asking you to move the phone in a figure 8 in the air for 5-10 seconds. This recalibrates the sensor. It's quick and doesn't require any external connection or resources.
Does the vehicle interfere with the reading?
Yes, there can be interference if the phone is stuck to the metal chassis or near strong magnets. For maximum accuracy, it's best to keep the phone in a mount away from magnetic sources. If you notice erratic readings, recalibrate with the figure 8 — it usually fixes it.
What accuracy does it have?
With good calibration and no significant magnetic interference, the typical accuracy is ±3-5°. Enough for general orientation and off-road navigation. It's not a precision topographic instrument — for critical measurements (e.g., survey bearings), use dedicated equipment.
Does it consume a lot of battery?
The magnetometer consumes much less than continuous GPS or keeping the screen on. In compass mode with the screen active, the main drain is the screen, not the sensor. If you leave it running in the background with the screen off, the consumption is minimal.
Does it work on any phone?
It works on any modern smartphone with a magnetometer — the vast majority of iOS and Android models since 2015 include it. If your phone doesn't have a magnetometer (some budget models), the app will notify you and disable this feature, offering the GPS-derived compass as a fallback.
Related features

Other navigation tools.

The sensor that's always there

True north, stopped or moving.

The magnetic compass is active by default in the free plan. Creating an account takes a minute.