Is there any way to force a compass recalibration?

[MikeLip]

I launched an app that uses the compass yesterday and it said that compass accuracy was +/-15 degrees. Then it started the calibration routine and it finished even without me moving the phone at all. It was supposed to be moved in a large figure 8. Then the phone returned to telling me my accuracy was +/-15 degrees. I can't help wondering if it had actually done the calibration if it would be better. I'd like to force a recalibration but while there SHOULD be one (based on what makes sense in design, not necessarily reality) I sure don't find any way.

 

[sinime]

I could be wrong, but I believe just waving the phone in the figure 8 pattern will calibrate the compass... My PIP app has a button to calibrate the compass, but all it realy does is show your current accuracy. waving the phone around will narrow it down to a point while doing that, but I've never had it go below 7.

 

[hopmedic]

I've never noticed an app that said what the accuracy of the compass was. Interesting. I've also wondered how in the world a figure 8 was supposed to calibrate a compass.... :straight:

 

[sinime]

On my app, it pops up if the accuracy is too far off, but if you hit callibrate, here is a pic of what pops up on my app...

I've also wondered how in the world a figure 8 was supposed to calibrate a compass.... :straight:

It's magic!

 

[hopmedic]

It's magic!

I KNEW IT! I should have been saying, "Abracadabra," all along!

 

[sinime]

LOL, I don't know why it works either. Must be something to do with receiving the magnetic north reading from various positions.