iOS ships with a basic compass that you can use to find your basic heading when driving or hiking. It's not as robust as some third-party orienteering apps, but it will work in a pinch when these ...

A compass is a navigational tool that helps people find their direction using the earth's magnetic field. It contains a magnet that aligns itself with the earth's north pole to indicate the direction.

"Simulation explores how insects glean compass direction from skylight." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com / releases / 2019 / 07 / 190718140438.htm (accessed June 2, 2026).

The Compass app comes built-in on every new iPhone, and it's helpful when you want to make sure you're going in the right direction. Here's how to launch the app, calibrate it, and use it to find your ...