---
key: mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-10
type: mechanic
id: phone-magnetometer--family-10
lang: en
title: Combinations with other channels
summary: >-
Magnetic heading can be combined with tilt, touch or location. The True
compass illustrates correction to geographic north.
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
status: active
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-10/'
jsonUrl: >-
https://gamemechanics.pro/api/v1/knowledge/en/mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-10.json
markdownUrl: >-
https://gamemechanics.pro/content/knowledge/en/mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-10.md
aliases:
- Combining input channels
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-10
title: Phone magnetometer interactions
url: 'https://gamemechanics.pro/en/mechanics/phone-magnetometer/#family-10'
categoryIds:
- section-1
supersededBy: []
attributes:
preview:
updatedAt: '2026-10-22'
title: Combining input channels
description: >-
Magnetic heading can be combined with tilt, touch or location. The True
compass illustrates correction to geographic north.
image:
src: images/mechanics/sensor-physics-magnet-2.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/a9/58/b1/a958b1b9-4cea-7513-75d5-8e6283b73916/03-find-north.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 Magnetic / True compass with True selected'
alt: 'Physics Toolbox: a Magnetic / True compass with True selected'
markers:
- x: 50
'y': 38
label: '317°: heading in the selected true-north mode'
tips:
- >-
Align measurement timing and check the availability of every input
channel.
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
---
# Combinations with other channels
id: phone-magnetometer--family-10
type: mechanic
key: mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-10
lang: en
status: active
url: https://gamemechanics.pro/en/knowledge/mechanic/phone-magnetometer--family-10/
Magnetic heading can be combined with tilt, touch or location. The True compass illustrates correction to geographic north.
## 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. 317°: heading in the selected true-north mode
- Align measurement timing and check the availability of every input channel.
- [Physics Toolbox Magnetometer](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/physics-toolbox-magnetometer/id1003749103?uo=4)
## How it works
The magnetic signal complements touch, movement, sound or image, maintaining a separate role for each channel.
## Variants
### Variants and applications
- Touch plus direction. Action: Point the phone at the world azimuth and confirm with a touch. Application: Shot, target selection, directed dialogue, command to a squad. Limitations: The magnetometer sets a horizontal reference; touch separates intention from inspection. Equipment: Telephone without external magnet. Preparation: Easy start. Type: Compound mechanics.
- Magnetic touch modifier. Action: Hold the magnet in the area; touches at this moment have a different meaning. Application: Alternate fire, second layer of the tool, temporary editing mode. Limitations: Check the independence of the magnetic signal from movements when touching. Equipment: Phone and external magnet. Preparation: Needs setup. Type: Compound mechanics.
- Slope plus magnetic parameter. Action: By tilting the phone, set one parameter, by moving the magnet another. Application: Steering wheel and gas, aim and strength, melody and volume. Limitations: Need to compensate for changes in the orientation of the phone; the original vector background is rotated. Equipment: Phone and external magnet. Preparation: Experimental. Type: Compound mechanics.
- Action only when stationary. Action: Allow magnetic gesture only when the gyroscope and accelerometer indicate a stable position. Application: Accurate input, key confirmation, reduction of accidental activations. Limitations: This is a software condition; Motion sensors by themselves do not remove all magnetic interference. Equipment: Phone and external magnet. Preparation: Needs setup. Type: Compound mechanics.
- Geoposition plus azimuth. Action: At a known geographical point, look in the required direction. Application: City quest, search for landmarks, orientation. Limitations: Geoposition is supplied separately; for geographic north, a declination correction is needed. Equipment: Phone without an external magnet. Preparation: Needs setup. Type: Compound mechanics.
- Camera plus magnetic channel. Action: The camera determines an object or pose, the magnet sets an additional mode or confirmation. Application: AR artifact, physical toy with a digital effect, interactive stand. Limitations: Positioning is provided by the camera; The magnetometer does not replace visual tracking. Equipment: Phone and external magnet. Preparation: Experimental. Type: Compound mechanics.
- Input with sound and vibration feedback. Action: Find the desired sector or signal strength by sound or vibration without constantly looking at the screen. Application: Audio game, educational device, accessible interface. Limitations: Accessibility requires verification with users; This is a form of feedback, not a new sensor. Equipment: Phone and external magnet. Preparation: Needs setup. Type: Compound mechanics.
- Voice plus magnetic gesture. Action: Say a command, and use a magnet to select the intensity or confirm execution. Application: Voice spell, musical instrument, props control. Limitations: Voice is recognized by a microphone; provide a mode in noise and without speech. Equipment: Telephone and external magnet. Preparation: Experimental. Type: Compound mechanics.
## 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