Problems with Iphone compass and magnetic phone cases

[Deez Nutz]

I've been having what seams like magnetic interference with the compass on my Iphone 14 from what I assume are the magnets in my phone cases. I have one case which I cannot currently remember the brand of and it has a magnet built into it and my onx compass and phone app compass are super wonky when I use that case but I just dealt with it. Then I got an ollin "system" which also has a magnet in the case and it does the same thing. My phone compass and onx headings seam to be accurate when I do not have a case on my phone. I have seen threads about magnetic bino harnesses interfering with the compass but not magnetic phone cases. I'm just wondering if I'm the only one who is seeing this? Always used phone skope previously and there are no magnets involved.

Just seams weird to have a hunting item (ollin) with a magnet in the case that would be incompatible with a widely used hunting/navigation app (onx). I understand magview and how it only has the metal plate on the phone which theoretically shouldn't interfere unless it is attached to the magnet on the optic. I must be missing something. Please educate me.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Magnet shouldnt influence gps.....

 

[Deez Nutz]

Maybe I misunderstand how it works but I thought gps told you your position and compass tells you the direction. My position hasn’t been in question, just the direction.

 

[Khunter]

From Onx website

“Keep in mind that magnets affect the accuracy of any compass, including Compass Mode. If your bino harness or phone case has magnets in it, you may experience issues with Compass Mode accurately reflecting your orientation.”

Deez I am seeing same issue. Normally I leave my phone in am Ollin case al oat all of the time. It does seem to mess up the bearing Onx gives me to navigate with.

Other info on the topic found on the web

“How magnets interfere with your phone's compass

• Magnetometer sensors:
  Your smartphone has magnetic field sensors that detect Earth's magnetic field to determine Magnetic North.
  
  
• Disruption:
  Magnets create their own magnetic fields, which can overpower and disrupt the phone's natural magnetic field sensors, causing inaccurate readings. “

 

[rjthehunter]

Get a phone case with the steel part. Mine has a steel plate that gets used as something for the magnet to grab on to.

 

[Khunter]

Get a phone case with the steel part. Mine has a steel plate that gets used as something for the magnet to grab on to.

specifics? not following exactly what you suggest.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

From Onx website

“Keep in mind that magnets affect the accuracy of any compass, including Compass Mode. If your bino harness or phone case has magnets in it, you may experience issues with Compass Mode accurately reflecting your orientation.”

Deez I am seeing same issue. Normally I leave my phone in am Ollin case al oat all of the time. It does seem to mess up the bearing Onx gives me to navigate with.

Other info on the topic found on the web

“How magnets interfere with your phone's compass

• Magnetometer sensors:
  Your smartphone has magnetic field sensors that detect Earth's magnetic field to determine Magnetic North.
  
  
• Disruption:
  Magnets create their own magnetic fields, which can overpower and disrupt the phone's natural magnetic field sensors, causing inaccurate readings. “

Do you know if this applies to MagSafe phone cases??

 

[Deez Nutz]

specifics? not following exactly what you suggest.

I think he is referring the Magview. It is a magnetic attachment system but the magnet is not on the case, it’s on the scope.

 

[Khunter]

Do you know if this applies to MagSafe phone cases??

According to Onx the answer is yes.

https://support.onxmaps.com/hc/en-us/articles/7856196717837-My-compass-is-inaccurate-or-not-working-at-all#:~:text=Your%20mobile%20device%20has%20a,to%20improve%20your%20compass'%20accuracy

I also suspect it applies based on recent experience in the field when bearings were off when using MAgSafe case from what I knew to be correct bearing? Yes.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

According to Onx the answer is yes.

https://support.onxmaps.com/hc/en-us/articles/7856196717837-My-compass-is-inaccurate-or-not-working-at-all#:~:text=Your%20mobile%20device%20has%20a,to%20improve%20your%20compass'%20accuracy

I also suspect it applies based on recent experience in the field when bearings were off when using MAgSafe case from what I knew to be correct bearing? Yes.

This explains my issues. Interesting. Thanks!

 

[Khunter]

This explains my issues. Interesting. Thanks!

indeed. I was disappointingly slow to realize it was messing me up too. No big harm as i knew the directions suggested were off at the time but in certain situations it could've been a BIG safety and other problem.

 

[Gynaroo]

I was on a bear hunt this spring and was using OnX and realized the gps was going to take me the wrong direction. If in my marsupial case it’s all messed up. If in my pant pocket the gps is spot on.

 

[Potsie]

I’ve had issues with the magnet on my bino harness making OnX wonky, but haven’t had any issues with my Ollin phone case doing so. Maybe they changed designs because on my system I believe the magnet is on the ring (spotter mount) and the phone case has the steel plate.

 

[chevyman181]

@Twobyfour

 

[bpurtz]

Maybe I misunderstand how it works but I thought gps told you your position and compass tells you the direction. My position hasn’t been in question, just the direction.

I do believe magnets can affect the phone compass direction...not just iphone - android as well.

I have a couple Marsupial bino cases with magnetic closure - it definitely causes wonky directional readings.

 

[Deez Nutz]

It’s annoying to me that nothing is mentioned by the manufacturer that it affects navigation apps. And I’m sure regular compasses as well.

 

[Forkyfinder]

@onX Hunt - might put a warning/email/notification out for folks.

 

[rjthehunter]

I'm considering switching bino harnesses to go to one without magnetic closure. I have the eberlestock one right now, but have been eyeing up the kuiu 3rd gen one now.

I've always been able to hold my phone a little further from my harness and it works fine then.