reach apps are a must if you are an outdoorsy person and like to travel a draw . They become particularly useful when hike or on wild forest trips where the signaling is often low or non - existent . While you’re able to always acheap compassfrom Amazon , why not use your smartphone ’s accelerometer and gaussmeter instead ?
The modest gaussmeter fitted in your smartphone is strong enough to detect Mother Earth ’s magnetic field . This is how the gimmick lie with in which direction the North dwell . Your smartphone will then use the accelerometer sensor to determine it ’s position in space . All this entropy is collected in material time and used to provide cardinal direction to you . Cardinal focussing is nothing but the four focusing which are North , East , West , South . I believe this is how the discussion ‘ news ’ was formed because it means you get to know what ’s happening in every direction around you . Or is it News , Events , Weather , and Sports ? Go figure .
Here are some vantage and disadvantages of using reach apps compare to physical reach and GPS machine .
Advantages
Disadvantages
Let ’s take a look at some of the best orbit apps for Android and iOS smartphones now .
Also Read : Now you could Share Your Real - Time Location with Google Maps
Check if you already have one
If your smartphone has a gaussmeter , chances are that your OEM has included a canonic range . All the major OEMs like Huawei , Xiaomi , Samsung ( flagship Galaxy devices ) , and even iOS have a Compass app work up in . Just search for the app with the name ‘ Compass ’ . Android smartphones with stock Android UI skip this feature and therefore you need the apps below .
1. Compass
The first app in the list is anopen source and costless Compass appwhich would check all the necessary boxes . It is simple to use makes use of national Magnetometer . It has a clean UI with a huge telephone dial in the middle of the screen . Not only it shows you the accurate magnetized position but exact geographical coordinate as well . you could use it to hide your potential plunder and never lose the location .
The app is great if you ’re look for a simple and clean app . It is not useable on the Play Store , therefore you would have to download it from F - Droid for Android .
InstallCompass
2. Commander Compass Pro
For some reason , the developer has decided to name the same app otherwise on the App Store and Play Store . On the later , it is promise Spyglass . The app will let you spare your current position so you could track back to where you began . rescue point is easy . you could not only pull through multiple points but also cut across them at the same time with distance , direction , and elevation info .
In the sometime Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , our ascendent used the position of the stars at night and the direction of the sunshine during day prison term to navigate and discover their way across forests and comeupance . Most of us do n’t know anything about stars except that they are beautiful . Commander Compass Pro track the posture of moon and star to calibrate compass for max truth .
The pro variant will cost you $ 7 but add feature like the power to overlie orbit maps to envision , track the solar system , and build with military conformation .
Download Commander Compass Go : Android|iOS
3. Compass Coordinate
Most of us apply Google Maps as our default navigation app when in the urban center or on the main road . Compass Coordinate works with Google Maps which makes it easier to use and work with . you may also retrieve the coordinates of a specific location on the map . utile for sharing with others . Because it uses Google Maps , the name of the position is pull from Google Maps too .
Also Read : equate 4 good Offline Maps Apps for Smartphones
Compass coordinate comes with dissimilar themes and map layout to choose from . you may keep the screen on while using the app , zoom or push marker , and customize text , unit , and even color . you’re able to remove ads with an in - app leverage .
Download Compass Coordinate : Android
4. Speaking Compass
The only reason Speaking Compass made the list is because it is also the only compass app for Android that is built for users who are visually afflicted . As you’re able to opine , the app will speak the directions out aloud avail you make a better call on when you twist .
The directions like East 45 or 97 degrees Northwest will be announced several times so that if you leave out it the first time , you’re able to listen to it once again . The app takes a minimalist approach with no fancy features anything . This is obvious because it is point towards those who have difficulty viewing . There are no in - app purchases or advert , the later one make good sense , plainly .
Download utter Compass : Android
5. Compass Galaxy
Not everyone postulate a feature rich compass app . Not everyone like to give too many permissions just to know their location on a map . Compass Galaxy is a very popular compass app for Android that does not ask for unnecessary permissions . There is no in - app leverage either .
found the app to know your exact position on a digital compass with degree and guidance . Enough for some the great unwashed , I imagine get wind so many citizenry recommending the app everywhere . The app come with ads but there is no way to withdraw them .
take down that you will have to draw an 8 while the app is open to calibrate the app . When done , you should see 3 green bars at the bottom of the screen . For some reasonableness , the developer forgot to include this instruction .
Download Compass Galaxy : Android
6. Digital Compass
If you are an explorer and an adventurer at heart and looking for something more , this is it . Digital Compass not only point the North but also plots it on a map with the commission that you have decided to go towards on it . In fact , some large and medium cities from across the Earth are readily accessible through a pearl - down menu .
Read : How to Predict Traffic on Google Maps for Android
With more than 10 different compass options , the only drawback is that Digital Compass is only useable for iOS devices . On the plus side , it is a really upright app for navigation , map , and orientation . The app is free to apply but come with ads which you may remove with an in - app leverage of $ 1.99 .
Download Digital Compass : iOS
7. Compass Steel 3D
Compass Steel 3-D is exactly what you think it is . A blade color reach that works in 3D surround that demonstrate you direction and orientation . aside from the charismatic North , you may also view unfeigned North . Like others , it tracks the position and focal point of the Sun , Moon , and indicate meter of break of the day and moonrise .
Compass Steel 3D ’s excogitation was inspired by the marine . It kind of makes the compass float in mid - air which gives it a nice look and makes it aesthetically pleasing . The grasp app for Android is free from ad and there are no in - app purchases whatsoever . The only thing you want to keep in mind is that you may need to calibrate it oftentimes .
Download Compass Steel 3D : Android
8. Compass
Compass does forth with not only fancy names but also fancy layout . In fact , the app is so minimalist , you will like it directly . After you have calibrated the app by quarter an 8 figure by moving your Mobile River , you will see nothing but a letter in large big baptistry display the commission . Below the directional letter , you will see the grade in a small case . That ’s it .
Download Compass : iOS
9. Marine Compass
Another reach app for Android smartphone owner who love 3D effects . This compass will always stay parallel to the floor no matter in which focal point you move your machine . There are a number of themes to select from but my deary is the grim one on a white background . Looks classic and well-to-do to view in the shadow .
It also follow with GPS support so you could pinpoint your exact position on a map . What ’s more ? GPS means the compass will offer more exact feedback than other compass apps that entirely rely on the gaussmeter and accelerometer sensors . They have been recognize to be inaccurate at multiplication when compared to physical reach .
The good affair about this app is that it is totally costless with no ads and does not postulate for unnecessary permissions .
Download Marine Compass : Android
Compass Apps for Android and iOS
So these were some of the best ambit apps for Android and iOS smartphones . As noted , these apps are really effective but if you are looking for accuracy , I would suggest one that also uses GPS of your phone , just in sheath . Also , mark that no app can be as exact as a strong-arm compass social unit which is the most accurate .
Android 16 Bubble Bar: 7 Things Google Could Add To…
Google Accidentally Reveals Material 3 Expressive: Android’s Future and it…
5 Features We Hope to See in Google’s Desktop Mode…
Small Phones Are Making a Big Comeback: Why Now?
The Great Android Exodus: Chinese Smartphone Makers Plan To Build…
12 Underrated iOS Apps You Should Download Now (May 2025)
13 Surprisingly Useful Underrated Android Apps (May 2025)
How to use Gboard’s New “Browse” Feature for Emoji Kitchen…
How to Find Clipboard on iPhone and Android (Including Samsung)
Android Auto Icons and Symbols Meaning – Complete Guide
