iPhone 5s accelerometer/gyroscope/compass values incorrect

[atseng]

So did you get a new phone? If so did it act the same way?

At the moment I'm thinking to use the 'wait and see' approach, if it isn't resolved by the next software update I'll take it to the genius bar for a replacement.

No I did not get the new phone yet. I am still waiting for Best Buy to contact me when they get their pre-order in. I think they are probably #3 or worse in terms of Apple fulfilling their orders (Apple store prob #1, then online order/AT&T/VZ/Sprint Orders #2, Best Buy/Target #3.)

If they don't get it in the 14 day return period, I'd probably rather return the phone and go back to my iPhone 4s (ugh!) until they get the shipment in.

The genius bar is terrible at this time (especially during new iPhone launches) as the wait time is quite long. Being in NYC, I went to the 5th Ave store, and opted for 2pm appt (mistake), they were over 1.25hr behind. So I would definitely avoid the genius bar, unless you can go during early morning, which seems to be the best time.

 

[AceMason]

Mine shows -3

 

[sclawis300]

As stated in the other thread, I get a -5 on the long edge and a 0 on the short. And to the individual who thinks it isn't noticeable and doesn't matter, hold your phone up at -5 five degrees and then get back to me.

 

[Lucille Carter]

This problem is not the end of the world. Lets give Apple some time to address it. No way to get the phone replaced right now as all the phones have the same problem.

 

[jabingla2810]

Hopefully this can be fixed via software.

 

[Italianblend]

Hopefully this can be fixed via software.

Can you imagine what would happen if Apple said it can't be fixed with software updates and every 5S owner would have to turn their phone in for a recall?

 

[FrankB1191]

Has anyone installed a third party compass app? My wife just left with my 5S (don't ask ), but I just put 3 different compass apps on my iPad. Two are in agreement, but WAY off, and the third is closer to my $200 Vion handheld compass, but only of you consider an 8 degree difference closer. The object I'm pointing the iPad and compass at is 170*, and that's awfully close to what my 5S was reading on Saturday. I won't be seeing my 5S until 10pm, so that'll have to wait. A compass is a funny thing, and Apple does recommend calibrating them. I had my iPad on a completely non-ferrous wooden table while typing this, and moved a dumb cell phone around the iPad from a distance of around 2 inches. I was able to swing the compass 20* or more with that motion, so be careful what you have next to your phone. Any ferrous object, battery, computer, etc will play havoc with a compass, even a digital compass. I'm experimenting as I type this, and just moved a AA battery around the iPad. The area most effected by the battery was directly on top of the power button, and the area along the home button least effected.

 

[Lucille Carter]

Can you imagine what would happen if Apple said it can't be fixed with software updates and every 5S owner would have to turn their phone in for a recall?

If I were Apple I would issue an update and REMOVE that part of the app!

 

[Jman13]

Mine's at -2. Do hope it's a simple software fix.

 

[iBighouse]

Mine's at -2. Do hope it's a simple software fix.

I hope so too! I do have to wonder, though, how it could be a simple software update when everyone has different values for the amount out of level. Their software update, or app, should allow for a global, persistent calibration setting that allows users to place the phone on a known level surface and lock that setting in for the gyro and be persistent for all apps.

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www.apple.com/feedback

Please report this issue to Apple as a bug. The squeaky wheel gets the grease!

 

[atseng]

If I were Apple I would issue an update and REMOVE that part of the app!

Lol... that would mean they need to remove every game that uses the accelerometer.....

Realistically, I would think they can install some kind of OS bootup code and put some kind of global calibration override to tell the OS to pass along -4 (or whatever the offset is) as 0 to all the applications that calls for the accelerometer/gyroscope function.

I would imagine that would require each user to bring the phone into Apple Genius bar as each phone's offset is different (unless they can create an app for people to do that themselves).

 

[Steviejobz]

Has anyone tried the iHandy surface level or is this only with Apple's stock app?

 

[ABC5S]

Read the manual and found this if you guys have not noticed it yet. Just a bit of information.

 

[atseng]

Has anyone tried the iHandy surface level or is this only with Apple's stock app?

I tried it with:
Compass
iHandy Level
Dual Level
A Free Level
Bubble Level Free

Bottom line is, the accelerometer/gyroscope is either crooked inside the phone, or the value is miscalibrated when they calibrated level for these phones (e.g. they calibrated 0 degree on a non-flat surface).

Using iHandy Level, you can "reset" the bubbles to "flat" by putting it on a true flat surface. However, if you quit the app, and come back in, the bubble becomes off-center again. Also, doing this doesn't help you with other apps (say other games or applications that uses the level function). e.g. A racing game will keep turning towards the side of the home button.

 

[BJonson]

-2

 

[tharepairguy]

Just got a call from apple. This is a recommended solution for this problem. I will be trying this before going to sleep this evening. If others want to give it a go today, please update with the results...

Turn on "Do not disturb"
Plug it into the wall charger
Do not touch the device or turn on the screen, really dont mess with it!
Let it sit untouched with do not disturb on for over 90 minutes.

I was told that this should recalibrate the sensor. We shall see...

 

[richard371]

A few things:

1. Please ignore users that state this is no big deal and that we are being OCD etc. This is clearly a problem for those of us that use apps using the gyro/accelerometer. My Xplane always veers to the right and I have to calibrate within the app every time I launch it. Some apps don't have this feature. If you respond or argue with these users no matter how wrong or patronizing they are, the moderators will close the thread just like the original.

2. As bad as it is for some, I think the best course of action is to contact Apple and let them know so they will be more aware of this issue. Since most of the phones have this issue trying to go through all the hassle now to get a replacement that may be a little better or worse is just not worth it esp if you phone is perfect in every other way.

3. I feel apple will do 1 of 3 things with this
-Fix it in the factory and just replace iphones at peoples request.
-Give the genius bars a low level software calibration that can calibrate the phones if the are brought in.
-Add a user calibration option in a future software update.

Unfortunately since Apple doesn't like to admit its mistakes we may see the first option. The average person doesn't even know what a gyro/accelerometer is and would prob not notice it being off so I doubt Apple would announce it and cause a huge hardware swap out or even go to the trouble to code in a user calibration option.

I just find this disappointing because the previous phones were 0 and one of the big features of the 5S is the "motion" chip which is clearly less accurate.


As far as the image in the manual that just showing you how to use it. That doesn't fix/calibrate it. I can put it at any angle and tap the screen to make it 0 green but it still not correct with reality. I can't use my iPhone to hang a picture frame like stated here because it will be off 3 degrees. IPhone 5 was fine for this. (I know use a real leveler but the iPhone 4,4s, and 5 worked fine for this)

Read the manual and found this if you guys have not noticed it yet. Just a bit of information.

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Worth a try. Ill do it to the second phone now before I send back to ATT. Somehow I believe this person was blowing smoke as that is an odd way to calibrate it but ill try anything. Unless the do not disturb mode triggers calibration as I have mine plugged in on a flat surface every night and no change.

Just got a call from apple. This is a recommended solution for this problem. I will be trying this before going to sleep this evening. If others want to give it a go today, please update with the results...

Turn on "Do not disturb"
Plug it into the wall charger
Do not touch the device or turn on the screen, really dont mess with it!
Let it sit untouched with do not disturb on for over 90 minutes.

I was told that this should recalibrate the sensor. We shall see...

 

[tharepairguy]

Worth a try. Ill do it to the second phone now before I send back to ATT. Somehow I believe this person was blowing smoke as that an odd way to calibrate it but ill try anything.

In theory, It kinda makes sense. Might be a good idea to put it on top of a towel if you are going to be walking around the house. Any vibration it picks up will negate this procedure one would assume...

 

[cyks]

Turn on "Do not disturb"
Plug it into the wall charger
Do not touch the device or turn on the screen, really dont mess with it!
Let it sit untouched with do not disturb on for over 90 minutes.

I was told that this should recalibrate the sensor. We shall see...

Isn't that what most people do with their phones when they go to sleep? I would think, if this were to work, that most of the reports would show perfect scores by now.

 

[tharepairguy]

Isn't that what most people do with their phones when they go to sleep? I would think, if this were to work, that most of the reports would show perfect scores by now.

I get emails throughout the night and my phone vibrates. Not saying your not correct but maybe its a programming feature with do not disturb being activated. We shall see soon enough, as richard371 is doing it as I type, I think However, there are uncontrolled variables that could effect this, so everyone needs to at least attempt it. Like walking around the house causing minor disturbances and so forth...

 

[JD92]

Just checked my 5S that I bought today and it's off by about 2º compared to my iPhone 5.

I suspect this is a hardware issue, since everyone is getting different variances.

My guess is there will be a quiet solution for this, along the lines of the Retina MacBook Pro screen replacements. It won't be advertised, but at some point Apple will probably introduce a test for this in Genius Bars to allow staff to verify the problem, and if your phones fails the test it'll be a new phone for you.

This is definitely unacceptable, but it isn't a huge deal for me personally. I'll stick with this iPhone for the time being as it seems like all the 5s units are affected anyway. I'll head into the Genius Bar in 2 or 3 months time when supplies are better and hopefully a fix will have been implemented.

 

[Boen]

I basically did this just last night... Charged it overnight with the DND set to come on automatically from 10:30pm to 6am, although, the DND came on after I plugged it in. Not sure if that matters or not.

I still show bad numbers (-5 on desk which seems pretty level).

I'll try again tonight too.

 

[blhoward2]

Just got a call from apple. This is a recommended solution for this problem. I will be trying this before going to sleep this evening. If others want to give it a go today, please update with the results...

Turn on "Do not disturb"
Plug it into the wall charger
Do not touch the device or turn on the screen, really dont mess with it!
Let it sit untouched with do not disturb on for over 90 minutes.

I was told that this should recalibrate the sensor. We shall see...

How would this work when docked on an alarm clock? It would recalibrate to the odd angle?

 

[Lucille Carter]

Just got a call from apple. This is a recommended solution for this problem. I will be trying this before going to sleep this evening. If others want to give it a go today, please update with the results...

Turn on "Do not disturb"
Plug it into the wall charger
Do not touch the device or turn on the screen, really dont mess with it!
Let it sit untouched with do not disturb on for over 90 minutes.

I was told that this should recalibrate the sensor. We shall see...

Is this before or after I waive the dead chicken over my head 15 times

 

[richard371]

Just called Apple care and reported the problem. The guy was very interested in the issue. He had me go to accessibility and turn on reduce motion but I already tried that and it didn't make a difference. I mentioned the "do not disturb" option and he said that doesn't calibrate the phone it just keeps it from moving. He didn't think the phone has auto calibration when sitting still.

What he recommends everyone doing that notices this is go to apple.com/feedback and submit the issue.