iPhone has a hidden Compass that can be added in Apple Maps. If this appears interesting, you can find below the steps to Show Compass in Apple Maps on iPhone.
Show Compass in Apple Maps on iPhone
While it is easy to follow the directions provided by the Maps App on iPhone, adding a Compass to Apple’s Maps can help in developing and improving your sense of direction.
Even if you do not find the idea of Showing Compass in Apple Maps useful, you might be interested in knowing the steps to Enable Compass in Apple Maps for educational and recreational use.
You need to be aware that the accuracy of Compass in Apple Maps can be influenced by surrounding magnetic interferences, including Magnets in your AirPods and other devices around you.
1. Enable Compass in Apple Maps On iPhone or iPad
Follow the steps below to Show Compass in Apple Maps on iPhone or iPad.
1. Open Settings on your iPhone > go to Maps > scroll down and tap on Driving tab, located under “Directions” section.
2. On the next screen, move the toggle next to Compass to ON position.
While this step enables the Compass for the Maps App, you still need to follow the next step to Show Compass in Apple Maps.
2. Show Compass in Apple Maps
Once Compass is enabled for Apple Maps, you can Show the Compass in Maps by double-tapping on the Direction Icon in Apple Maps.
Open Maps App on your iPhone and double-tap on Location Arrow icon to activate the Compass in Apple Maps.
Once you tap twice on Location Arrow, you will immediately see the Compass Icon appearing in Apple Maps.
You can dismiss or remove the Compass from Apple Maps by tapping once on the Location Arrow.
Does the Compass App Show True North or Magnetic North?
The Compass in Apple Maps can be configured to show both True North and Magnetic North directions.
True North: Is also known as “Geodetic North” and it points directions along the Earth’s surface towards Geographic North Pole.
Magnetic North: Points directions towards the Magnetic North Pole on your iPhone’s Compass. Magnetic North Pole can be defined as a point in the Northern Hemisphere at which Earth’s Magnetic Field points vertically downwards.
Also, True North differs a bit (few Arc seconds) from Astronomical True North due to the local gravity not always pointing to the exact rotational axis of the Earth.
If this sounds complicated, you just need to know that it is recommended to set iPhone to use True North and not Magnetic North.
Open Settings > scroll down and tap on Compass > On the next screen, move the toggle next to Use True North to ON position.
Although, it is recommended to use True North Setting on iPhone, the GPS on iPhone will still be accurate, even if you decide to use Magnetic North.
