---
title: "Compass basics guides — Online Compass"
description: "Use a phone compass, check calibration and permissions, and understand magnetic versus true north before trusting a heading."
canonical: "https://onlinecompass.lol/blog/category/compass-basics"
---

# Compass basics

 

Use a phone compass, check calibration and permissions, and understand magnetic versus true north before trusting a heading.

 

## Articles

 

[![Illustration of a phone beside a laptop and a separate charging accessory.](https://onlinecompass.lol/images/blog/phone-compass-not-working-480.webp)](https://onlinecompass.lol/blog/phone-compass-not-working) 

[Compass basics](https://onlinecompass.lol/blog/category/compass-basics) · Oct 3, 2026

 

## [Phone compass not working? Checks to try](https://onlinecompass.lol/blog/phone-compass-not-working)

 

Troubleshoot denied motion access, unsupported sensors, relative-only rotation, stale readings and an unavailable True North correction.

 

[![Illustration of an analog compass beside a rolled contour map on blue slate.](https://onlinecompass.lol/images/blog/magnetic-and-true-north-480.webp)](https://onlinecompass.lol/blog/magnetic-and-true-north) 

[Compass basics](https://onlinecompass.lol/blog/category/compass-basics) · Oct 3, 2026

 

## [Magnetic north vs. true north](https://onlinecompass.lol/blog/magnetic-and-true-north)

 

Separate a phone heading from a geographic route bearing before comparing their numbers.

 

[![Illustration of a phone, magnetic case and keys spaced apart on a stone table.](https://onlinecompass.lol/images/blog/calibrate-phone-compass-480.webp)](https://onlinecompass.lol/blog/calibrate-phone-compass) 

[Compass basics](https://onlinecompass.lol/blog/category/compass-basics) · Oct 3, 2026

 

## [Calibrate your phone compass](https://onlinecompass.lol/blog/calibrate-phone-compass)

 

Check interference, permission and freshness before trusting a drifting phone heading.

 

[![Illustration of a hand holding a dark-screen phone beside a mountain trail.](https://onlinecompass.lol/images/blog/use-a-phone-compass-480.webp)](https://onlinecompass.lol/blog/use-a-phone-compass) 

[Compass basics](https://onlinecompass.lol/blog/category/compass-basics) · Oct 3, 2026

 

## [Use a phone compass in your browser](https://onlinecompass.lol/blog/use-a-phone-compass)

 

Start a browser compass, read its north reference and accuracy, and handle permission or sensor failures.