Calibrate Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+ or S20 Ultra Compass - Solution

The top smartphones Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+ or S20 Ultra all have a so-called magnetic sensor integrated as hardware. With this sensor it is possible to detect magnetic fields, which is why this type of sensor is ideally suited to use a compass function on the smartphone.

 

However, the earth's magnetic field is very weak and so external influences can cause the compass to no longer show the correct cardinal point within an app such as Google Maps.

There is only one option left: the calibration of the sensor. In the following we will explain step by step how the magnetic sensor of the Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+ or S20 Ultra can be calibrated so that the compass shows the right direction again.

Method 1: Performing compass calibration on the Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+ or S20 Ultra

1. When you are on the home screen, open the phone app.

2. Select the keypad to enter numbers manually.

3. Enter the following code next:

  • *#0*#

You will now see the service menu of the smartphone, which provides different tests via various tiles.

4. Select "Sensor".

Scroll down to "Magnetic Sensor". You will see a circle with a line and a number behind it. It has the following meaning:

  • Red line with a 0 = The compass sensor must be calibrated
  • Blue line with a 3 = The magnetic sensor is calibrated

To calibrate the compass, the Samsung Galaxy S20 rotates once around all three axes and swivels the device in the shape of a horizontal eight in front of you. Do this until the circle shows a blue line and a 3.

Method 2: Calibrating the compass with Google Maps

1. Open the "Google Maps" app on the Samsung Galaxy S20

2. Activate the location information (GPS) so that you yourself are shown as a blue point on the Google Maps map

3. Select yourself (blue point) on the map

4. The button "Calibrate compass" will appear, click on it.

5. You will then see a pop-up window showing you the compass accuracy.

6. If it says "LOW" in red, then you are swinging the Samsung Galaxy S20 in the shape of an eight.

7. Repeat the process until the status is set to "HIGH".

You now know how to calibrate the compass or magnetic sensor of the Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+ or S20 Ultra so that it will again display the correct cardinal point.

About the Author

Manuel Solvemix Team small

Manuel has been involved with technology for more than 15 years, especially with mobile phones, smartphones and PC systems and shares his passion here in this blog. If he can help someone with a technical problem, he is especially happy about it.