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Repair information and guides for the iPhone 6 Plus that was released on September 19, 2014. Model: A1522, A1524

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Sensors defective? Compass doesn't work.

Hello, I'm using an iPhone 6 Plus 64GB which I bought 2 Years ago. I installed iOS 10.0.1 and 10.0.2 recently.

As I recognized now, the tilting sensor doesn't work anymore. The compass needle is pointing to north and doesn't rotate. I can't even calibrate the compass. Playing games with tilt controlling doesn't work. It's possible that this is broken since few weeks, I didn't used it for weeks.

Sometimes it works for a few minutes after a reboot.

I tried resetting the phone completely, setup as new phone and tested the compass. It still shows the same problems.

GPS is working fine, as well rotating the screen. It got never any water damage at all. I dropped it about 1 year ago, but nothing was damaged after this except a bigger scratch at the corner.

Which sensor is affected? Gyroscope? Accelerometer? Magnetometer?

Thanks for any support.

Answer this question I have this problem too

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Upgrade to 12.2 fixed my SE. No idea why the compass and compass-related apps started acting up in the first place, but seemed to be software issue here.

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The compass won’t work if your iPhone is in a case with a magnetic flap!

The magnet freezes the needle!

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The phone wasn't inside a case.

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Correct. Thanks!

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Worked for me. Thanks!

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Exactly what happened!

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Amazing, you’re a legend! Thank you, the magnetic case was the cause, took case off and it’s working fine again

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My compass never worked. After trying a few things I finally went into the compass app settings. I turned off the "True North" feature and now the compass works just fine.

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Never got a worse answer.

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That actually helped me. Thanks Tom Jones.

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Nice, thanks, this setting was the problem for me as well.

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Thanks a lot! My compass moved but my north felt wrong, turned out to depend on having ”geographical north” in Compass Settings activated. Turn it off!

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Same here... turning off true north made the app work again. Thanks.

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Had the same issue........Go to settings then to privacy then location services then to system services and turn on compass calibration.

Check the compass and it should be working.

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I just got a brand new 6s to replace an old 6, Had the same problem on that phone as well as this one out of the box. I followed your instructions and now it works...

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Thanks, worked after going DEEP into the settings like you instructed. Why does one have to go that deep in order to turn on the compass?? How would one know to do this with an App that comes with your iPhone in the first place? I think I used it when I first got my iPhone 6, but maybe after all the updates since new it has buried this setting now?

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Thanks, worked for me.

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I had this problem too. I literally just gave my iphone a hearty whack to the palm of my other hand and the compass fixed instantly.

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Excellent diagnostic tool. It read W / whacked / read N as it should and then when I opened MAPS it went wonky again.

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It wouldn't work in the case, so took it out but still wouldn't go, gave it a whack and its working, thank you.

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Try swiping left on the compass app to display the surface leveling tool.

Turn the phone on its edge to display the edge leveling tool.

Swipe right to return to the compass to, hopefully, see an unfrozen compass.

Worked for my iPhone 6 running iOS 11.2.

Probably a software bug.

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Worked on my 6 but not on my 6s, removed 6s from case & works, Thanx.

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I had the same issue. It was the magnet on the back of my case.

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Otter box case, no magnet.

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Sounds like you did the logical steps... I'd put the iPhone in DFU mode and restore it(different from iTunes restore).

This would rule out possible software issues..

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Didn't know that DFU is still a thing in 2016. Will try this today. A downgrade to 9.3.5 is also possible I think, will try this as well to exclude an iOS 10 problem with my phone.

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DFU has always been a thing since iPhone 3G haha. Yep you can go back from iOS 10 to 9.3.5 as apple is still signing the ipsw firmware for that.

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Tried an DFU Restore of iOS 10, same issue. After a RESTORE it worked for a few seconds, maybe a minute, but then the compass stopped working. If I shut it down and leave it off for few minutes and then starting it up, the compass works as well for a minute or so, but then stops working. Even with 9.3.5 I get the same problem. Both without the backup. Any ideas? Probably a temperature issue?

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It happens with Touch Disease...It's on/same area of logic board that control touch. I disassembled my phone 4 times and put a shim where the solder joints loosen (known Apple issue) and you need to get it 'just right' or everything will work except the compass (can still rotate phone, etc).

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I did something weird but it worked; since the problem is probably a magnetic needle I tried to rub a strong magnet at the back of my iPhone 6 after I tried every other option (except the DFU) and the only thing that worked is turning off the true north (which is unsatisfying cause I Shouldn’t need it in a perfectly well phone), so I rubbed the magnet real good and completely turned off the compass app and turned it back on and as I expected the compass was working but heading to the wrong direction until the ball in the circle appeared and after doing the recalibration it worked perfectly with the true north on !!!

  • I’m a bit of a chatty so I’m sorry if that was a long explanation, but I really hope it helps

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Update: it didn’t last long.

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This is a different problem.

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It is the same issue/fix as the touch disease problem. You need to take the logic board out and put some folded up electrical tape on the chip that the solder joints come loose over time. I went nuts researching this issue and figured it out when I had to fix the touch disease issue. My compass worked again but I need to put more tape on the chip as the touch works fine but the compass died on me again.

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I tried all of the above but nothing worked. So, with the compass app open I gave my phone a really vigorous shake ….. hey presto, it works fine now

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I just shook my phone (with magnetic cover on), and now the compass works! Go figure....

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Changing the front camera flex is the last answer.

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Still have this issue. It’s definitely software. Occasionally it goes away after an update but usually comes back with the next update. I can clear the glitch sometimes by rebooting phone with SIM card removed. It will also , oddly enough, clear up after taking a plane to another geographical area.

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Added a Gotit magnet and it messed with all gyro features, compass, measuring and level. Remove from magnet and power off/on. Works again

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lordimac will be eternally grateful.
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