How to find the Qibla correctly on your phone
By Team Sukon
Facing the Qibla is a condition of Salah: “So turn your face towards al-Masjid al-Haram; and wherever you are, turn your faces towards it” (Quran 2:144). A phone makes it easy — if you use it the right way.
Why phone compasses go wrong
Your phone measures the Earth’s magnetic field. Steel almirahs, speakers, fans, car dashboards and even a magnetic phone cover can pull the needle by 10–30 degrees. Stand away from metal and remove magnetic cases before you check.
Calibrate in ten seconds
Move your phone slowly in a figure of eight, three or four times. On the Sukon Qibla finder, the dial settles and shows “You are facing the Qibla” when you are within a few degrees.
Use the sun as a second check
Sukon also shows where the sun is right now. On the day the sun passes directly over the Kaaba (around 28 May and 16 July each year), shadows everywhere the sun is up point directly away from the Qibla — an old and reliable method.
Know your number
From most of India the Qibla is a little north of due West — for example about 278° in Kolkata and about 267° in Delhi. Every Sukon city page shows the exact bearing for that city.
If you are unsure
Scholars explain that a person who makes a sincere effort to find the Qibla and prays, then later learns it was slightly off, does not need to repeat the prayer. Small differences within the general direction are forgiven: the Prophet ﷺ said, “What is between the east and the west is a Qibla” for the people of Madinah (Jami at-Tirmidhi 342).