---
key: mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-06
type: mechanic
id: phone-magnetometer--family-06
lang: en
title: Gestures with a magnet
summary: >-
A scenario can distinguish magnet gestures through peak sequences, duration
and field-component changes. The instrument shows the input signal.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-06/'
jsonUrl: >-
https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-06.json
markdownUrl: >-
https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-06.md
aliases:
- Magnet gestures
tags:
- Phone magnetometer interactions
- Mechanics catalog
sourceIds:
- source-603978442e60360e
sources:
- id: source-603978442e60360e
title: Physics Toolbox Magnetometer
url: >-
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/physics-toolbox-magnetometer/id1003749103?uo=4
verifiedAt: null
relations: []
placements:
- catalogId: phone-magnetometer
id: family-06
title: Phone magnetometer interactions
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/phone-magnetometer/#family-06'
categoryIds:
- section-1
supersededBy: []
attributes:
preview:
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
title: Magnet gestures
description: >-
A scenario can distinguish magnet gestures through peak sequences,
duration and field-component changes. The instrument shows the input
signal.
image:
src: images/mechanics/sensor-physics-magnet-3.webp
width: 665
height: 1440
crop:
x: 51
'y': 323
width: 563
height: 1034
game: Physics Toolbox Magnetometer
sourceUrl: >-
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/physics-toolbox-magnetometer/id1003749103?uo=4
originalUrl: >-
https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/PurpleSource211/v4/76/23/58/7623583b-a84f-fd15-b138-fa78cf800baa/04-record-lab-data.png/720x1560bb.jpg
credit: Chrystian Vieyra
rights: >-
© Chrystian Vieyra. Developer-distributed App Store screenshot. All
rights reserved; excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.
caption: 'Physics Toolbox: a recording of sharp magnetic-field changes'
alt: 'Physics Toolbox: a recording of sharp magnetic-field changes'
markers:
- x: 44
'y': 64
label: A field peak can supply a threshold-action input
tips:
- >-
Test gestures at several distances and separate them from accidental
phone motion.
examples:
- title: Physics Toolbox Magnetometer
url: >-
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/physics-toolbox-magnetometer/id1003749103?uo=4
endsAt: null
provenance: >-
Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on
2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are
preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire
classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and
editorial review.
license: CC-BY-4.0
codeLicense: MIT
attribution: gamemechanics.pro contributors
catalogKey: catalog/phone-magnetometer
---
# Gestures with a magnet
id: phone-magnetometer--family-06
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-06
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-06/
A scenario can distinguish magnet gestures through peak sequences, duration and field-component changes. The instrument shows the input signal.
## At a glance
[Physics Toolbox Magnetometer](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/physics-toolbox-magnetometer/id1003749103?uo=4) · © Chrystian Vieyra. Developer-distributed App Store screenshot. All rights reserved; excluded from MIT and CC BY 4.0.
1. A field peak can supply a threshold-action input
- Test gestures at several distances and separate them from accidental phone motion.
- [Physics Toolbox Magnetometer](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/physics-toolbox-magnetometer/id1003749103?uo=4)
## How it works
The time sequence of magnet movements is recognized as a gesture with tolerances for distance and speed.
## Variants
### Variants and applications
- Magnetic swing. Action: Swipe a magnet through a calibrated area from left to right or back. Application: Swinging a weapon, flipping, deflecting a projectile. Limitations: Direction requires learning patterns, not a single field module threshold. Equipment: Phone and external magnet. Preparation: Needs setup. Type: Input method.
- Push and pull. Action: Distinguish between the sequences of zoom-remove and remove-zoom. Application: Push or pull an object, throw out or draw in energy. Limitations: Limit the trajectory; the starting position affects the signal pattern. Equipment: Telephone and external magnet. Preparation: Needs setup. Type: Input method.
- Circle gesture. Action: Move the magnet in a circle in a selected plane. Application: Create a portal, mix a potion, charge a circular attack. Limitations: Requires discernible patterns; turning the magnet itself may distort the signal. Equipment: Phone and external magnet. Preparation: Experimental. Type: Input method.
- Eight gesture. Action: Repeat two connected paths in the work area. Application: Complex spell, special move, ritual design. Limitations: This is limited gesture recognition; do not pass off as measuring an exact contour. Equipment: Telephone and external magnet. Preparation: Experimental. Type: Input method.
- Zigzag or broken line. Action: Alternate directions of movement according to a trained pattern. Application: Lightning, cutting, connecting virtual contacts. Limitations: Too similar gestures require a simplified vocabulary. Equipment: Phone and external magnet. Preparation: Experimental. Type: Input method.
- Wrist rotation with magnet. Action: Distinguish characteristic changes in the orientation of a magnet on a ring or holder. Application: Rotate an object, switch tool mode, rotate a virtual pen. Limitations: Hand movement and change in magnet position are mixed in one signal. Equipment: Phone and external magnet. Preparation: Experimental. Type: Input method.
- Dictionary of user gestures. Action: Record several repetitions of gestures and match the new signal with patterns. Application: Personal spells, accessible input, secret game command. Limitations: Requires training, checking for false positives and refusing to answer confidently when in doubt. Equipment: Phone and external magnet. Preparation: Experimental. Type: Input method.
- Gesture speed profile. Action: Distinguish similar movements by the “slow-fast-slow” pattern. Application: Quality of impact, musical articulation, manufacturing technique. Limitations: Estimation of speed is relative without a known trajectory; Temporary patterns are compared. Equipment: Phone and external magnet. Preparation: Experimental. Type: Game rule.
## Context and limits
Author's working classification for designing games and interactions. Options can overlap and combine; the list is not a generally accepted standard or proven exhaustive list. Application examples are conditional unless a specific verifiable observation is indicated nearby. Sources support individual techniques and technical limitations.
## Connected materials
## Sources and provenance
Original editorial design catalog consolidated from project discussions on 2026-10-20. Complete discussion item lists and contextual limitations are preserved; linked primary sources support specific techniques, not the entire classification. English translation was prepared with machine assistance and editorial review.
- [Physics Toolbox Magnetometer](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/physics-toolbox-magnetometer/id1003749103?uo=4) (id: source-603978442e60360e)
CC-BY-4.0 · gamemechanics.pro contributors