How this sensor test works
Open the page on a phone or tablet and start the test. On iPhone and iPad, Safari asks for Motion & Orientation permission first. Tap Allow. You then see live values for the accelerometer, gyroscope, orientation, compass heading, a bubble level, and a shake counter. Tilt, rotate and shake the device and the numbers move right away. Everything stays in your browser and nothing is uploaded.
Most desktop computers have no motion sensors, so the page will show nothing or zeros. Some laptops and 2-in-1 devices do have them.
What to check
- Accelerometer. Measures acceleration, including gravity. Lying flat, one axis should read about 9.8 m/s². It detects tilt, shake and steps.
- Gyroscope. Measures rotation speed. Values should be near zero when the phone is still and rise when you turn it.
- Orientation. Alpha, beta and gamma angles show how the phone is rotated.
- Compass heading. Should point north and follow when you turn. Keep the phone away from metal and magnets.
- Bubble level. Put the phone flat on a surface. The bubble should sit centered on a level table.
- Shake counter. Shake the phone and the count increases. If it does not, the accelerometer is probably blocked or off.
Sensors not working? Try these fixes
- iPhone and iPad. Go to Settings → Safari → Motion & Orientation Access and turn it on, or reload the page and tap Allow when asked.
- Allow site motion on Android. In Chrome open Settings → Site settings → Motion sensors and allow.
- Calibrate the compass. Move the phone in a figure-8 motion a few times. On Android open Google Maps and do the same when it asks to calibrate.
- Remove magnetic cases. Magnetic cases, wallet mounts and car holders distort the compass. Take them off and test again.
- Turn auto-rotate on. The sensors still work if it is off, but screen rotation will not follow, which can look like a fault.
- Test on HTTPS. Browsers only expose sensors on secure pages.
- Restart the phone. A reboot clears stuck sensor services. If the sensors still fail in several apps, such as AR, games and maps, the hardware may be damaged.
Why test your sensors
Sensors drive screen rotation, step counting, games, AR, maps and navigation. If a game does not respond to tilt, or the compass points the wrong way, this test tells you quickly whether the phone or the app is at fault. It is also a useful check when buying a used phone, after a drop, or after a screen repair.
If the readings look correct here but an app still misbehaves, the problem is in that app or its permissions, not in your hardware. Check the app's settings, update it, and reinstall it if needed.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test my phone's gyroscope?
Open this page on your phone, allow motion access and rotate the phone. The gyroscope values should change as you turn it and settle near zero when it is still.
Why is the sensor test not working on iPhone?
Safari needs your permission for motion and orientation. Tap Allow when asked, or enable Motion & Orientation Access in Settings, Safari.
Why does my desktop show no sensor data?
Most desktops and many laptops have no accelerometer or gyroscope. Use a phone or tablet for this test.
How do I calibrate my compass?
Move the phone in a figure-8 pattern a few times and keep it away from magnets, metal and magnetic cases.
What is the difference between an accelerometer and a gyroscope?
An accelerometer measures acceleration, including gravity, and detects tilt and shaking. A gyroscope measures how fast the device rotates.
Why is my compass pointing the wrong way?
Usually magnetic interference from a case, a car or nearby electronics, or the compass needs calibration.
Why is the bubble level off by a degree?
The sensor may be slightly uncalibrated, or the phone may not be lying perfectly flat because of a case, camera bump or uneven surface. Calibrate it on a surface you know is level, then compare.
Can this test the proximity or light sensor?
No, browsers do not expose the proximity or ambient light sensor to web pages. Use a built-in diagnostic menu or a dedicated app for those.