How to calibrate/fix the compass in Android/G1
In brief: pointing your Android phone in every direction calibrates the compass. So start whatever app you’re using, then wave your phone around in figures of eight in the air for best results.
Every time I go to demonstrate the fantastic Street View mode in Google Maps on my new G1 handset, I find that it never knows which way it should be facing. This was also true when using the Wikitude application (which is also very cool). So – how to fix this? I’ve found a method on the internet which works every time for me.
All you have to spin the phone pretty quickly in your hands, obviously keeping a firm grip on your expensive handset, but flipping it fairly agrressively in all sorts of directions. For example, rolling it over and over in your hands is how I usually do it. And that’s all you need to do to calibrate the T-Mobile G1/Android handset’s compass feature, and the fix only takes a few seconds!
Now I can show people the Eiffel Tower and scenes around New York whenever I like. I hope this works for everyone else too.
UPDATE: Of course this also works on all the other Android handsets too. I now have an HTC Desire and this calibrates the compass perfectly.
Thank you so much for the info. I thought I would have to take my phone in or replace it. You my friend, are the man.
You are the man!! I have been thinking my phone was broken and even reset it and lost most of my stuff to get this to work. It works like a champ now, thanks.
I’m on my G1 now and I tried doing that, but I still got nothin. Trying to show off to my dad, but so far not going to well. Lol.
-Thomas