Betaflight fixed compass setup -- AT LAST!, by Joshua Bardwell on YouTube. 9 min 4 s.
- Video length
- 9 min 4 s
- Time to do it
- 15 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Flash your flight controller to Betaflight 2025.12 or newer. The new compass tools do not exist in older firmware, so update first and reconnect.
Open the Sensors tab in Betaflight Configurator. Look for the two new magnetometer features added for alignment and calibration.
Check that the compass is detected and showing live heading values. If nothing appears, fix the wiring and I2C or SPI setup before going further.
Run the auto-detect magnetometer alignment feature. It works out how the compass chip is rotated relative to the frame and sets the alignment for you.
Confirm the heading now matches reality. Point the quad north and check the compass reading before you trust it.
Understand what calibration does: it corrects hard and soft iron errors from nearby magnets and wiring, not the chip orientation.
Run the auto-calibrate option and rotate the quad smoothly through all orientations when prompted. Keep it away from magnets, speakers and metal.
Save the settings and reboot the flight controller. Recheck the heading in the Sensors tab after the reboot.
Test the compass in the field before flying far. Compare the heading with a phone compass or a known direction.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the compass away from power wires, buzzers and cameras, since nearby magnets cause bad readings.
Do the calibration outdoors, away from cars and metal benches, and rotate slowly and steadily.
If the heading is still wrong, check the alignment setting again before recalibrating.
Remove props before powering the quad on the bench.
Questions
Do I need Betaflight 2025.12 for this?
Yes. The auto alignment and auto calibration features for the compass were added in 2025.12, so older firmware will not show them.
What is the difference between alignment and calibration?
Alignment tells Betaflight how the compass chip is rotated on the frame. Calibration corrects magnetic errors from nearby metal and wiring.
Why is my compass heading still wrong after calibrating?
Usually the alignment is wrong or something magnetic is close to the compass. Recheck the auto alignment and move wires or buzzers away.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
