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User profile for user: Rational Beef
Rational Beef Author
User level: Level 1
17 points

Compass on Watch is pointing wrong direction

A new Apple Watch 5 (well, new to me).


Has the silcone sport band on (not magnetic fastenings at all)


Sometimes, the compass is correct and pointing North when the top of the watch is facing North and the bottom of the watch is facing my body.


Then, moments later (as the watch goes into 'standby' with the dimmed face showing, it is roughly 180 degrees out.


I've gone to Settings > System Services but ALL options are greyed out (Apple Pay, Chrono-Core Framework, Compass Calibration, Device Management, Emergency Calls & SOS,Location-based Alerts, Motion Calibration & Distance, Networking & Wireless, Regulatory Domain, Setting Time Zone, Share My Location, System Customisation). Only 'Significant Locations' is able to be changed and is currently set to 'OFF'.


I'm puzzled, help required please.


RB

Apple Watch Series 5

Posted on Jun 26, 2023 1:05 PM

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User profile for user: javaliga
javaliga
User level: Level 10
119,851 points

Posted on Jun 26, 2023 1:35 PM

The first (and simplest) thing to try if something isn’t working right is to restart your Apple Watch and its paired iPhone. If necessary (device not responding), try a forced restart. Both methods can be found here:

How to restart your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Restart your iPhone - Apple Support


If that doesn't help, the next steps would be to unpair and pair your watch again and restore from the backup just created. This should result in no loss of data. It deletes all temp and corrupted files and re-indexes the file system.

Unpair and erase your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Set up your Apple Watch - Apple Support


As a last resort, follow the above procedure for unpairing and pairing the watch, but do not restore the backup. Set the watch up as new instead. There should be no loss of Fitness data or Awards since those are stored on the paired iPhone, not the watch.


If all else fails, your best option may be to make an appointment at the Genius Bar in an Apple Store near you and let them look at it:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple


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User profile for user: javaliga
javaliga
User level: Level 10
119,851 points

Jun 26, 2023 1:35 PM in response to Rational Beef

The first (and simplest) thing to try if something isn’t working right is to restart your Apple Watch and its paired iPhone. If necessary (device not responding), try a forced restart. Both methods can be found here:

How to restart your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Restart your iPhone - Apple Support


If that doesn't help, the next steps would be to unpair and pair your watch again and restore from the backup just created. This should result in no loss of data. It deletes all temp and corrupted files and re-indexes the file system.

Unpair and erase your Apple Watch - Apple Support

Set up your Apple Watch - Apple Support


As a last resort, follow the above procedure for unpairing and pairing the watch, but do not restore the backup. Set the watch up as new instead. There should be no loss of Fitness data or Awards since those are stored on the paired iPhone, not the watch.


If all else fails, your best option may be to make an appointment at the Genius Bar in an Apple Store near you and let them look at it:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple


Reply

Compass on Watch is pointing wrong direction

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