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MagnetMeter app for iPhone and iPad


4.0 ( 3680 ratings )
Productivity Navigation
Developer: Peter Breitling
1.99 USD
Current version: 1.9.1, last update: 4 years ago
First release : 18 Dec 2009
App size: 12.76 Mb

The first and only Vector Magnetometer on the iPhone - Visualize the hidden world of magnetism around you in 3 dimensions (3GS or later!)! It can be perfectly used to explore and measure the direction and strength of the magnetic field of random objects around you (which can be quite fascinating!). With limitations (see docs) it can be used as a metal detector to find electric lines or pipes in walls (always good to check a wall before drilling in, at least better with this than not to check at all). Another application is to use this tool as a rough estimate of your north-south position on earth without using the GPS(!) - just by measuring the local earth magnetic declination (it works fine even while flying in a plane to check how the declination changes). Or simply explore your next Christmas present before opening it! Send us your results!


The application has four different displays modes to visualize the magnetic field:

- Absolute Mode: Displays the absolute magnetic field in microtesla (μT) measured by the magnetometer.

- North Mode: A compass head-up displays the geographic north along with the pointer that directs to the magnetic north (thus display difference magnetic to geographic north).

- Declination Mode: Two arrows will be displayed to indicate the declination of the earth magnetic field (0° just on equator, increasing to north with blue pointer direction up or south with blue pointer direction down).

- Relative Mode: This mode shows the relative strength (absolute minus compensation vector) of the magnetic field in μT.


… and five different display modes for acceleration visualization:

- Absolute Mode: Displays the reverse acceleration of the iPhone (1g up when hold steady).

- X-Rotation - Y-Rotation - Z-Rotation: The arrow will display the rotation around the X-, Y- and Z-Axis of the iPhone. The digital indicator shows the angle numerically (-180° - +180°). A way to calibrate will be added with one of the next updates, so you could use this as a level.

- Relative Mode: This mode shows the relative strength (absolute minus compensation vector) of the acceleration.


For a detailed documentation, please visit our product homepage.


For recreational use only. However it CAN (!) be very accurate. The measurement is performed as good as possible (we try our best) by using the inbuilt accelerometer and magnetometer to their limits. The range of the accelerometer typically has a max of ±3g (~4.2g displayed here if combined) and each magnetometer usually recalibrates internally when over ±120μT in one axis. However, tell us your experience!

Pros and cons of MagnetMeter app for iPhone and iPad

MagnetMeter app good for

I really liked this app when I first got it, back during iOS 4.1. It worked really well and I couldnt stop playing with it. But after I updated to iOS 4.2, it just doesnt seem to operate quite the same. It can still measure fields, but its responsiveness seems diminished. This is most likely no fault of the creators since it was the iOS update that did it, but I would like it if it could be as good as when I first bought it again.
Had this one back when I still had a 3GS I believe, loved it then and loven it now.
The app works perfectly as it provides all functions its designed for in a clear and accurate way as well as with a very attractive graphics! Useful even for scientific purposes.
It has potential. Provides some neat info from the iPhones sensors. Fun to play with.
Using all features to an advantage on the 3gs, keep it up and we can see the full potential from this device!
If you wanted a tricorder, get this app. The arrow reflects magnetic flux very quickly and shows the field strength in real time. Its 99 cents and does a fantastic job of representing 3d magnetic fields. The new version has the compass overlay working correctly. Ive bought only a handful of apps and this is one. Its a very impressive app to anyone who is science minded.

Some bad moments

Does not work on iPod. Should be stated more clearly. iPod does not have magnetic sensor, from what I can gather.
We are encouraging people to place magnets around and on electronics because why???
The magnetometer function works OK but not in all modes. The compass star rotates briefly after the built-in compass has been activated but then locks up. The accelerometer doesnt respond at all, it just gives a fixed red arrow. Good for entertaining a 4-year-old using a little magnet to make the blue arrow dance; but thats about all.

Usually MagnetMeter iOS app used & searched for

vector 3, vector for iphone, and other. So, download free MagnetMeter .ipa to run this nice iOS application on iPhone and iPad.