Apple Watch 9 - compass is way off

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Level 1

25 points

Apple Watch 9 - compass is way off

I have a problem with my Apple Watch 9, for weeks and weeks. The compass is 60 - 180 degrees off. Nothing I read in this unsurpassed forum worked to get it right.

Then I got the the new update on my watch today, i.e. version 10.4. What do you guess? Problem solved ... for just 30 minutes or so, the direction of north was right. And now I'm back with a deviation of ± 160 - 170 degrees. Even without the leather band and outside in the open, the compass is very inaccurate.

Is there a way to calibrate the compass in the watch?
Is there a workaround?

Please let me know.

Theo.

Posted on Mar 11, 2024 10:28 AM

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Answer 1

TheDan69 Author

Level 1

25 points

Mar 12, 2024 7:44 AM in response to Chattanoogan

Thanks @Chattanoogan

I did try that. It was mentioned on this forum. No luck !

I spoke extensively with Apple Support today about the large deviation of the compass on the Apple Watch 9. The AS employees were patient; it was considered at various levels of expertise. However, no defect was found, even after screen sharing and remedial diagnoses. They have arranged for UPS to pick up my AW9 one of these days for further inspection, repair or exchange.

I have now put my old Apple Watch 5 back into use. When restoring the backup that I automatically made today when I disconnected my AW9, everything went wrong. I then selected the backup that was made when I disconnected the Apple Watch 5. That worked. And the compass on the AW5 works fine.

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Answer 2

GeeZ06

Level 4

3,228 points

Mar 11, 2024 7:34 PM in response to TheDan69

Hello TheDan69, The calibration is done on the iPhone > Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services ON > Compass > While Using. Here is a Apple Support Page in case you have not seen it;

Use the Compass app on Apple Watch - Apple Support

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Answer 3

GeeZ06

Level 4

3,228 points

Mar 12, 2024 7:28 AM in response to TheDan69

Hello TheDan69, Have you tried using TRUE NORTH setting instead of Magnetic Compass setting?

Use true north

To use true north rather than magnetic north, do the following:

Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
Tap Compass, then turn on Use True North.

You can also choose a grid system—DMS, decimal degrees, MGRS/USNG or UTM—on the Compass settings screen.

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Answer 4

Mar 12, 2024 7:43 AM in response to TheDan69

Ive used this method on numerous fluxgate compasses.

Caveat: While I don’t own an AppleWatch, I supect that it might help you too.

It sounds kinda silly but it has always worked for me.

Stand in an area clear of known or obvious magnetic influences. Outdoors is generally best.

Holding your watch with the face “up an horizontal” slowly make 2x complete turns clockwise.

Then slowly make 2x complete turns counter-clockwise.

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Answer 5

Mar 18, 2024 10:52 AM in response to TheDan69

🫣

We didn’t discuss previously … but are you displaying in “Magnetic” (vice “True”) ?

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Answer 6

TheDan69 Author

Level 1

25 points

Mar 18, 2024 10:46 AM in response to TheDan69

An update: I got my Apple Watch 9 back from Apple Support within an unlikely 48 hours. It came with a standard brochure stating that they had done all kinds of things and had not found the error. All was well.

I then connected the AW9 again and within 15 minutes I got compass deviations of 20 - 90 degrees again, also outdoors. My old AW5 and my iPhone do not suffer from any deviations. In short: Apple has not repaired my AW9.

I'm really really disappointed in Apple Support.

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Answer 7

Mar 12, 2024 7:52 AM in response to TheDan69

Good report.

Sorry to hear that the +720 and -720 rotations didn’t help.

I trust that it will all be “made right” for you.

Best of luck. 👋

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Apple Watch 9 - compass is way off

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