# Northern Compass & Navigation — Precision Compass & Navigation

> Precision compass and navigation app with dual compass display and GPS path recording. (iPhone/iPad app by TreesWithLeaves.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/northern-compass-and-navigation/id1312634791 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [TreesWithLeaves](https://appshunter.io/developer/1122815969)
- Category: Navigation, Travel
- Price: $3.99
- Rating: 4.40/5 from 627 App Store ratings · 12 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 14.0 · 30 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2017-11-15
- Data updated: 2026-08-16
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/northern-compass-and-navigation/id1312634791/reviews.md

## What is Northern Compass & Navigation?

Now with Apple Watch Series 5 Magnetometer support.

Featuring:

1. Precision GPS Heading Compass
2. Magnetic compass -  Apple Watch supported using pointer mode unless installed on Apple Watch Series 5
3. GPS Path Recording
4. Precision Speedometer
5. Destination Pointer
6. Google Maps integration

How are we different from other compass and navigation apps?

Northern is a powerful navigation tool that lets users cross validate and compare multiple directional/navigational readings within a single unified interface.

We believe this is a fantastic solution to a hard problem, namely that no one source of information is ever 100% accurate.  In short, Northern is designed to help our users more confidently and reliably decide which direction they are heading.

Our specialized, dual compass display is shown alongside Google Maps, providing a single, simple, focused interface, designed from the ground up to more effectively orient you within your environment.  More reliably locate North South East and West, or even better, select a destination from our map - Northern will then display an arrow that locks onto these coordinates even while you move from one point to the next.

Compass Types *

Compass #1 - GPS Heading Compass

- Extremely accurate given a strong enough GPS signal and straight enough path
- Works on your Apple Watch while your phone is in your pocket
- Users can select how many samples they want to include with each direction reading - up to 60 for very long paths or as few as 3 for more responsive readings
- Each new GPS location sample is analyzed along with all other samples providing a continuous solution
- Each solution is then run through a specialized algorithm that calculates an approximate accuracy
- GPS hardware doesn't suffer the same type of magnetic interference as the magnetometer driven magnetic compass (Compass #2 below)

Compass #2 - Magnetic Compass

- Now available on Apple Watch Series 5
- More sensitive then the GPS Heading Compass
- Includes hardware accuracy reporting
- Our new pointer mode lets you view your iPhones magnetic compass readings on your Apple Watch

NEW FEATURES
Path generation
Simple start/stop path recording lets you track your location over time.

Speedometer
Precision GPS analysis returns your speed in miles/kilometers per hour.  Utilizes our high accuracy heading compass algorithms.


Northern is Great for ...

... wanderers ...
... those with a poor sense of direction ...
... people who like to explore, know where they are, but not necessarily require a rigid set of directions.

Extra Features...

Integrated Apple Maps into our Apple Watch extension.  Users can reference surrounding streets and other landmarks right from their wrist.

Northern also uses Google Maps on your mobile device.  Users can toggle between terrain, satellite or hybrid modes.  We've also integrated Google Places, letting users quickly search for any destination with only a few taps.

Fun sharing features, including a scavenger mode, let users leave scrambled messages for one another - just find the location to unscramble.

* Apple Watch Series 5 is currently the only Apple Watch model with magnetometer hardware.  Previous Apple Watch models sample magnetometer readings from paired iPhone hardware.  All GPS location and heading readings also come from your paired iPhone hardware.

## Key features

- Precision GPS Heading Compass
- Magnetic Compass (Apple Watch supported)
- GPS Path Recording
- Precision Speedometer
- Destination Pointer
- Google Maps Integration

## What do users think of Northern Compass & Navigation?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 👍 Intuitive and easy interface
- 🧭 Accurate compass functionality
- 📱 Great app on the phone
- ✅ Works great after bug fixes

**Cons**

- 📉 Fading topo lines when zooming
- ⌚️ Compass not showing on Apple Watch
- ❓ Confusing interface, needs more instructions
- 🚫 Refund denied without reason

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Compass not showing on Apple Watch
- Pressing compass tab on watch does nothing
- App only displays instructions on watch, not compass
- Cannot get watch app to display compass

**Most requested features**

- Make topo lines darker and more visible
- Show simple compass feature on Apple Watch

## Recent user reviews (10 of 12)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/northern-compass-and-navigation/id1312634791/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Nice app but…

*2021-12-27, version 4.3.1*

Is there a way to make the topo lines darker and more visible? The more you zoom in the lighter the topo line become. Very hard to see.

### 5/5 — Northern Compass App

*2021-10-17, version 4.3.1*

I love the accuracy of this app, very helpful!

### 4/5 — now works with Watch 3

*2020-08-09, version 4.2.0*

The team fixed a bug with the watch display and now all is working great.

### 1/5 — Compass on Apple Watch

*2020-04-26, version 4.1.7*

It doesn’t show the compass on my Apple Watch,  it only shows the tabs. When I press on a compass tab it does not do anything.. any help or suggestions are welcomed?

### 5/5 — Easy peasey

*2019-05-17, version 3.5*

Good app, intuitive, easy interface

### 1/5 — Bate and switch

*2019-02-06, version 3.4.1*

I’m sorry to report the app did not work as I was lead to believe. Be very careful. After removing the app and requesting a refund, it was turned down for no reason.

### 5/5 — Perfect

*2018-10-20, version 3.1.0*

Such a great compass, just follow the arrow.

### 1/5 — Wish it worked on the watch

*2018-05-09, version 1.9.8*

Pretty disappointed in this app. I was hoping to use it as an easily visible compass on my watch, but no matter what I do to it, it only displays instructions on how to turn on background activity and the “force sleep” screen. And yes, following the instructions on the screen DOES NOT make it go away. The app is nice enough on my phone, but it’s totally useless to me there since I already have maps and compass installed.

### 5/5 — Excellent

*2018-04-29, version 1.9.6*

Best, most accurate, and easy to read compass offered on Apple. Completely simple, as real compass. Just point and you know exactly the direction in which you’re pointing.

### 1/5 — Stupid and overly complicated

*2018-04-27, version 1.9.5*

IT SHOULDNT BE SO DIFFICULT TO PUT A COMPASS ON APPLE WATCH.

## Frequently asked questions about Northern Compass & Navigation

### What does Northern Compass & Navigation do?

This app offers precise directional and navigational readings by cross-validating data from multiple sources. It features a dual compass display integrated with Google Maps, a destination pointer, and GPS path recording to help users orient themselves reliably.

### What are the key features of this navigation app?

Key features include a Precision GPS Heading Compass, a Magnetic Compass (with Apple Watch support), GPS Path Recording, a Precision Speedometer, a Destination Pointer, and integration with Google Maps. It also offers path generation and sharing features.

### Is this app free to use?

The application is free to download and use, but it does contain advertisements. There may also be in-app purchases available for additional features or content.

### What devices is Northern Compass & Navigation compatible with?

The app is designed for mobile devices and features Apple Watch integration, including support for Apple Watch Series 5's magnetometer. It utilizes GPS and can display readings on your Apple Watch while your phone is in your pocket.

### Who would benefit from using this app?

This app is ideal for wanderers, individuals with a poor sense of direction, and people who enjoy exploring and knowing their location without necessarily needing strict directions. It provides reliable orientation for various outdoor activities.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.5.1 — 2026-03-27

Ui fixes.

### 4.5.0 — 2026-03-22

Bug fixes and performance improvements.

### 4.3.1 — 2021-02-19

Feature Changes
- Renamed "scrambled message" to "Buried Treasure Message" and cleaned up instruction and sharing info.

Ui Improvements
- Updated menu and settings user interface.

Sharing Improvements
- Added apples native sharing feature letting users e-mail, text, or post "Star" locations.

### 4.3.0 — 2021-02-12

Feature Update
- Users can now select how long they would like like Northern to poll for their location in background.  Select up to 12 hours before Northern stops GPS location queries to save battery.

General Updates
- Updated for iOS 14
- Updated 3rd party libraries
- Ui Improvements and fixes
- Apple Watch Ui fixes

### 4.2.0 — 2020-08-06

- Fixed a bug on the Apple Watch app extension that prevents users from selecting from the main Instruments screen.
- Updated "Sleep" screen on Apple Watch.

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## More apps by TreesWithLeaves

- [Out Loud Companion](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/out-loud-companion/id1387883572)

All apps by TreesWithLeaves: https://appshunter.io/developer/1122815969

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-16.*