Phone Sensor Test
Motion sensors need your permission on some devices. This is a phone and tablet test — most desktops have no motion sensors at all.
Orientation
Accelerometer
Gyroscope
Vibration
Checking support…
Motion sensors report how a device is oriented and how it is moving: the accelerometer measures acceleration including gravity, the gyroscope measures rotation, and the magnetometer provides compass heading. Browsers expose these through device motion and orientation events, with permission required on some platforms.
How to use this test
- Open this page on a phone or tablet — most desktops and laptops have no motion sensors.
- Press Start sensors and allow motion access if your device asks. iOS requires this permission explicitly.
- Tilt the device forward, back and sideways and watch the orientation figures respond.
- Rotate slowly through a full circle to check the compass, and gently shake to exercise the accelerometer.
What your results mean
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| All values respond smoothly to movement | Accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer are all reporting normally. |
| Tilt works but compass heading shows nothing | Either the device has no magnetometer, or the browser does not expose heading. This is common outside Safari on iOS. |
| Values are stuck or jump erratically | A sensor that never changes suggests a hardware or calibration fault. Erratic compass readings are usually magnetic interference rather than a fault — move away from metal and magnets. |
| Nothing responds at all | Most likely there are no motion sensors, which is normal on desktops. On a phone, check that motion permission was granted and that the page is on a secure connection. |
Common problems and fixes
The compass points the wrong way
Magnetometers need calibration and are easily disturbed. Move away from speakers, magnetic cases and metal desks, then rotate the device in a figure-of-eight to recalibrate.
Permission is never requested
Motion access requires a secure connection. It also needs a direct user action, which is why this test has a Start button rather than reading sensors on load.
Readings work in one browser but not another
Sensor support varies considerably between browsers, and some expose motion but not heading. That is a browser limitation rather than a broken sensor.
Vibration does nothing
iOS Safari does not implement the Vibration API at all, so no web page can vibrate an iPhone. On Android, check that the device is not in silent or do-not-disturb mode.
Why this matters
Motion sensors quietly affect a great deal of everyday use — screen rotation, step counting, navigation, and games that steer by tilt. When one fails the symptom is usually blamed on the app: a screen that will not rotate, a map that points the wrong way. Checking the raw readings separates a broken sensor from a software setting in about thirty seconds.
Longer walkthrough: Phone Sensor Test — full guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does this test need permission?
Motion and orientation data can be used to infer things about a user, so browsers gate access behind explicit consent. On iOS the permission must be requested from a direct user action, which is why the test starts with a button.
Why do I see nothing on my laptop?
Most desktops and laptops have no accelerometer, gyroscope or magnetometer, so there is nothing to report. A few convertible laptops do have them for screen rotation. This is primarily a phone and tablet test.
What is the difference between the accelerometer and the gyroscope?
The accelerometer measures linear acceleration, including the constant pull of gravity, which is how a device knows which way is down. The gyroscope measures rotation rate — how fast the device is turning. Orientation tracking generally needs both.
Why is my compass heading inaccurate?
Magnetometers measure a weak magnetic field and are easily disturbed by nearby metal, speakers and magnetic cases. They also need periodic calibration, usually done by rotating the device in a figure-of-eight motion.
Can a web page vibrate my iPhone?
No. iOS Safari does not implement the Vibration API, so no website can trigger vibration on an iPhone regardless of how it is written. On Android it generally works, subject to the device not being in a silent mode.
Is my sensor data sent anywhere?
No. Readings are displayed in the page and nothing is transmitted, stored or recorded. Closing the tab ends sensor access immediately, and you can revoke motion permission in your browser's site settings.
Sources: MDN — performance.now() · MDN — requestAnimationFrame()
Found an error on this page, or a result that does not match your hardware? Tell us and we will correct it.