How the test works
- Click Start to begin collecting sensor data.
- Move, tilt, and rotate your device during the test.
- The test reads DeviceOrientation and DeviceMotion events.
- After the test period, results show which sensors are active.
What the test checks
- Device Orientation API — alpha, beta, gamma readings
- Device Motion API — acceleration and rotation rate
- Sensor detection — which sensors your device has
- Event delivery — whether events are actually received
Understanding the values
- Alpha — compass heading in degrees (0–360°). 0° is north, 90° is east.
- Beta — front-to-back tilt in degrees (-180° to 180°).
- Gamma — left-to-right tilt in degrees (-90° to 90°).
- Acceleration — device movement in m/s² across X, Y, and Z axes.
- Rotation rate — how fast the device is rotating around each axis.
Supported browsers
Motion sensor APIs are supported in Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox on mobile devices. On desktop, most laptops and desktops lack accelerometer and gyroscope hardware, so sensors will report as unsupported. On iOS 13+, you must explicitly request permission before sensor events are delivered.
Common issues
- No sensor data — the device may lack motion sensors (common on desktops and budget laptops), or permission was denied.
- Stale or infrequent updates — some devices reduce sensor polling rate to save battery. Try moving the device more actively during the test.
- Inaccurate orientation — magnetic interference from nearby objects can affect the magnetometer. Move away from large metal objects or electronic devices.
Limitations
This test verifies that the browser can receive motion and orientation events from the device sensors. It cannot diagnose physical sensor damage, calibration issues, or driver-level problems. If the browser reports sensor data but the values seem wrong (e.g., orientation doesn't change when you rotate the device), the sensor hardware may be faulty.