Compass 

 

The compass app uses the built-in magnetic field sensor in your cell phone to display your bearing.  This is useful when GPS is down, this can happen in bad weather, usually when you need it most.  Also, GPS compass bearing only works when you are moving.  The magnetic compass also works when you are stationary. The magnetic compass does have one caveat though, it may need to be calibrated from time to time.  This can be done by doing figure eight patterns with cell phone in hand.  To check the compass, simply do a 360 degree turn holding the cell phone straight out ahead of you.  It the compass needle moves around 360 degrees; the compass is calibrated.  If not, repeat the figure 8 pattern and try again.

 

 

To use the compass hold your cell phone straight out in front of you in portrait mode.  North will always be at the top and south will always be at the bottom.  The red direction arrow shows you your actual bearing.  So if you are walking straight ahead holding the phone straight out in front of you, the direction you are actually walking is shown by the red arrow.  One nice thing about the compass ,  it always works, no matter the weather, no matter whether you have GPS signal or not.