About the accuracy and performance of the Compass app on Apple Watch

Learn about the accuracy and performance of waypoints, elevation alerts, and the compass sensor in the Compass app on Apple Watch.

Cellular and Emergency Call waypoints

When available, cellular waypoints mark the most recent or closest approximate location where either your Apple Watch or iPhone connected to your carrier's cellular network. When available, emergency call waypoints mark the most recent or closest approximate location where either your Apple Watch or iPhone detected that service from a carrier might be available to make an emergency call. Your surroundings, environmental conditions, and other factors may impact call connectivity or waypoint availability. When your Apple Watch is not connected to its paired iPhone, call connectivity or waypoint availability may be impacted. Reconnecting may not be possible near these waypoints depending on these conditions.

The cellular waypoints feature requires an iPhone with a cellular plan using iOS 17 and an Apple Watch SE or Apple Watch Series 6 or later using watchOS 10.

Elevation alerts

Elevation alerts in the Compass app are designed for use only while on the ground. Elevation alerts should not be used for any health or medical purposes.

Magnets and compass sensor accuracy

The presence of magnets can affect the accuracy of any compass sensor. Apple's Leather Link, Leather Loop, Milanese Loop, and earlier Sport Loop watch bands use magnets or magnetic material that might interfere with the Apple Watch compass. The compass isn't affected by Sport Loop bands introduced in September 2019 or later, or any version of the Sport Band.

Magnets in all Apple Watch models can also affect the accuracy of an external compass. If you're using another compass during activities such as diving, hiking, or navigating, keep it separated from Apple Watch when reading the external compass.

Learn more

Learn more about the Compass app on Apple Watch.