How to Calibrate the Compass on Google Maps on iPhone or iPad

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Learn how to improve location accuracy on Google Maps on iOS

Written by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: August 3, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Enabling Compass Calibration
|
• Enabling Precise Location
|
• Calibrating in Google Maps
|
• Improving Location Accuracy
|
• Video

|Show more |Show less

Is your location wrong in Google Maps? You can calibrate your iPhone or iPad’s compass and improve location accuracy in Google Maps using the system settings or within the Google Maps app. Here's how to calibrate the compass on Google Maps on iPhone or iPad.

Quick Steps

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Privacy & Security.
3. Tap Location Services.
4. Tap System Services.
5. Toggle on Compass Calibration.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

Enabling Compass Calibration

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1. 1
   Open your iPhone or iPad’s Settings

   

   . It's the gray gear icon on your home screen or app library.

   • Compass Calibration will help improve your location accuracy in all areas of Google Maps.
2. 2
   Scroll down and tap Privacy & Security. You can find this underneath Battery.
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3. 3
   Tap Location Services. It’s at the top of the list.

   • If the "Location Services" switch at the top is disabled, tap the switch to enable Location Services now.
4. 4
   Tap System Services. This is at the bottom of the app list.
5. 5
   Toggle on

   

   "Compass Calibration". You can find this underneath Call Network Search.
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Section 2 of 4:

Enabling Precise Location

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1. 1
   Open your iPhone or iPad’s Settings

   

   . It's the gray gear icon on your home screen or app library.

   • Compass Calibration will help improve your location accuracy in all areas of Google Maps.
2. 2
   Scroll down and tap Privacy & Security. You can find this underneath Battery.
3. 3
   Tap Location Services. It’s at the top of the list.

   • If the "Location Services" switch at the top is disabled, tap the switch to enable Location Services now.
4. 4
   Tap Google Maps. You can find this in the list of apps.
5. 5
   Toggle on

   

   "Precise Location". The switch will turn green.

   • If you don't see this option, make sure you have location access set to Ask Next Time Or When I Share or While Using the App.
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Section 3 of 4:

Calibrating in Google Maps

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1. 1
   Open Google Maps on your iPhone or iPad. It's the multicolored pin icon.

   • You need to use your camera to calibrate your location accuracy.
   • If you haven’t yet enabled Compass Calibration, do so now.
2. 2
   Tap your current location. It's the blue circle surrounded by a white circle. A menu will expand.

   • If the menu is at the bottom of the screen, swipe up to expand it.
3. 3
   Tap Calibrate. This is towards the top of the menu.
4. 4
   Read the warning and tap Start. The warning just advises you to pay attention to your surroundings and obey the law.

   • You may be asked to allow access to your device's camera. Tap Allow to approve it.
5. 5
   Point your camera at buildings, signs, and stores. Move the camera around to cover as much of what you see as possible. Once you've captured enough information, you'll see "Done!" at the bottom of the screen, which will bring you back to the map.

   • You'll notice a blue shaded beam emanating outward from the dot that represents you on the map.
   • If Maps can't figure out your location, you'll be asked to point the camera at buildings, stores, and/or signs around you again. If that doesn't work, move to a different location and tap Try again to give it another shot.
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Section 4 of 4:

Improving Location Accuracy

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1. 1
   Connect to Wi-Fi when possible. In addition to GPS/the compass, Google Maps can also use Wi-Fi and local cell towers to find your location. For the most accurate results, connect to Wi-Fi if possible.

   • Your cellular data network can also help improve your location, but it's only accurate up to a few thousand meters. Using your GPS with Wi-Fi produces the most accurate results.
2. 2
   Toggle off and on Location Services. If you're having trouble calibrating your device, turn Location Services off and then turn it on again. This should update any old data.
3. 3
   Restart your device. Sometimes, a quick restart is needed to get your iPhone or iPad working properly again.
4. 4
   Update your device. Updates provide the latest fixes to software bugs and issues. They can also improve existing features, such as GPS and location data.
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