Motion Sensor
Accelerometer • Gyroscope • Compass
The Professional Guide to Motion Sensors and Gyroscope Calibration
When you turn your phone sideways to watch a video, or when you use your phone as a steering wheel in a racing game, you are using one of the most amazing parts of your hardware: the Motion Sensors. These tiny sensors act like your phone's inner ear, telling it which way is up, down, left, and right. At Hardware Tester, our Motion Sensor audit tool helps you see the invisible data moving inside your device.
Our mission is to make complex sensor data easy to understand for everyone. Whether you are a scientist checking a new piece of hardware or an 8-year-old who wants to see how a "digital cube" moves, our 3D visualization and live data logs are the perfect way to explore your phone's capabilities.
What is a "Gyroscope"?
A Gyroscope is a sensor that measures how fast your phone is spinning. If you rotate your phone like a spinning top, the gyroscope detects that "angular motion." It is what makes modern 360-degree videos and Virtual Reality (VR) possible. Our tool uses Alpha, Beta, and Gamma numbers to show you exactly how many degrees your phone is tilted in every direction.
What is an "Accelerometer"?
While a gyroscope measures spinning, an Accelerometer measures straight-line movement. It knows if you are walking, running, or if you just dropped your phone! It also knows where the earth's gravity is pulling. This is how your phone knows to flip the screen automatically when you turn it. Our Hardware Tester combines all this data into one easy-to-read live dashboard.
Motion Sensor Updates (v3.0.0)
Update: Feb 2026 (v3.0.14)
Added support for high-frequency 500Hz sensors found in the latest flagship phones. Improved the 3D cube stability for smoother visualization. New "request" system makes it easier to enable sensors on iPhones.
Update: Nov 2025 (v2.8.0)
Introduced Compass (Magnetometer) tracking. Now you can see which way is North directly in the audit console. Fixed a bug where some older tablets would show "flipping" data when held flat.
Why You Should Test Your Sensors
Check for "Drift"
If your phone is lying flat on a table but the numbers on the screen are still moving, your sensors might have "drift." This can make games harder to play.
Verify Repair Work
Just got your screen or battery fixed? Use our tool to make sure the repair person didn't accidentally disconnect the motion sensor wires!
Explore VR Readiness
Not all phones have a good gyroscope. If our 3D cube doesn't move when you tilt your phone, it means your device might not work with VR headsets.
How to Perform a Motion Audit
Follow these quick steps to see your sensors in action:
- Press "Request Sensor Access": Modern phones (especially iPhones) need you to give permission before they share motion data.
- Hold Your Phone Flat: Watch the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma numbers. They should be close to zero if the phone is perfectly flat.
- Tilt and Turn: Gently move your phone in a circle. Watch the 3D Cube on the screen follow your movements exactly!
- Check Stability: Put the phone back on the table. The cube should stop moving immediately. If it keeps shaking, your sensor might be noisy.
Fun Fact: The first phone with a built-in accelerometer was the Nokia N95, released in 2007. Now, even the cheapest smartphones have one!
Motion Audit Standard MAS-2026 • clinical Sensor Calibration
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my browser ask for permission?
Your motion data can be very sensitive. Browsers ask for permission to make sure you know that a website is "listening" to your phone's movement. We never save this data!
Does this work on a desktop or laptop?
Most desktop computers don't have motion sensors. Laptops usually only have them if they can "fold" into a tablet mode. This tool is best enjoyed on a smartphone.
Can I calibrate my sensors here?
Our tool is for diagnostics (checking). If your sensors are wrong, you usually need to use your phone's built-in "Compass" app or "Settings" menu to calibrate them.