Accelerometer Test
Test your device's accelerometer sensor. Move your device to see real-time acceleration data.
How to Use This Test
- Open this page on a smartphone or tablet with an accelerometer sensor
- Grant motion sensor permission if prompted by your browser (required on iOS 13+)
- Move, tilt, or shake your device and observe the real-time acceleration values on each axis
What This Test Checks
The accelerometer test reads data from the Device Motion API to display linear acceleration and gravitational forces acting on your device across three axes.
- X-axis acceleration -- left-to-right movement and lateral tilt of the device
- Y-axis acceleration -- forward-and-backward movement and vertical tilt
- Z-axis acceleration -- up-and-down movement, including the constant pull of gravity (~9.8 m/s squared)
- Sensor responsiveness -- how quickly and accurately the values update in response to motion
Troubleshooting
If you're having issues with the accelerometer test:
- Ensure you are on a mobile device -- most desktops and standard laptops lack an accelerometer
- On iOS, tap "Allow" when Safari prompts for motion and orientation access
- Try refreshing the page if the values remain at zero despite moving the device
- Close background apps that might be locking the motion sensor
- If readings seem wildly inaccurate, restart your device to reset the sensor calibration
Accelerometer Test on iPhone and iPad
Apple requires explicit user permission before Safari or any iOS browser can read motion data. If the values stay at zero:
- Open the page in Safari on iOS 13+ (Chrome and Firefox for iOS also work — they share WebKit).
- Tap "Request Permission" or "Allow Motion Access" if it appears.
- In the iOS popup, tap Allow.
- If the prompt never appears, check Settings → Safari → Motion & Orientation Access is enabled.
On iOS, a still device reports approximately (0, 0, 9.8) in accelerationIncludingGravity — that's Earth's pull on the Z-axis. If all three axes read zero, the permission was denied.
Accelerometer Test on Android
Android browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Samsung Internet, Edge) expose the accelerometer without a permission prompt in most cases. If readings are flat:
- Verify your device has an accelerometer (virtually all modern phones do — budget tablets sometimes omit it).
- The page must be served over HTTPS — motion APIs are blocked on insecure origins.
- Brave and some privacy browsers restrict sensor APIs by default — lower the shields for this site.
- If the screen auto-rotates correctly, the sensor works; the API call may be what's failing.
Understanding the Three Axes
Knowing what each reading means helps diagnose sensor or orientation problems:
- X-axis: left (negative) to right (positive) — roughly 0 when the device is upright.
- Y-axis: bottom (negative) to top (positive) — around 9.8 when the device is upright in portrait.
- Z-axis: back (negative) to front/screen (positive) — around 9.8 when the device is face-up on a table.
If your phone shows 0 on all axes but moves correctly in games, the web API is blocked — not the hardware. If it shows random spiking values even when still, the MEMS sensor may be damaged (common after a drop).
Common Uses of the Accelerometer
When you're checking if the accelerometer works, you're probably checking one of these features:
- Screen auto-rotate — if this stopped working, the accelerometer may be failing.
- Step counting — Fitbit, Apple Health, Google Fit all rely on accelerometer data.
- Tilt controls in games — racing games like Asphalt, Real Racing, and Mario Kart Tour.
- Shake-to-undo — iOS uses a shake gesture to undo typing.
- Crash/fall detection — Apple Watch and newer iPhones detect falls via accelerometer + gyroscope.
- Pedometer apps: always-on low-power reading of the accelerometer, no GPS needed.
Related Motion Sensor Tests
For a full motion sensor check-up, also run the gyroscope test (rotation detection), the compass test (magnetometer for direction), and the vibration test (haptic motor output). Fitness apps, AR experiences, and most racing games need all four working together. If the touchscreen test also shows problems, the device probably took a hit that affected the whole sensor module.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the accelerometer show values even when my device is still?
The accelerometer always detects Earth's gravitational pull of approximately 9.8 m/s squared. When your device is lying flat, the Z-axis will show around 9.8 while X and Y remain near zero. This is normal behavior and confirms the sensor is working correctly.
Does this test work on a laptop or desktop computer?
Most laptops and desktops do not have an accelerometer sensor, so the test will show 'not supported' on these devices. Some 2-in-1 convertible laptops and tablets with detachable keyboards do include accelerometers. The test works best on smartphones and tablets.
What units does the accelerometer use?
The Device Motion API reports acceleration values in meters per second squared (m/s squared). The values include gravitational acceleration by default. Earth's gravity produces a constant reading of about 9.8 m/s squared on whichever axis is pointing toward the ground.
How is accelerometer data used in apps and games?
Apps use accelerometer data for step counting and fitness tracking, auto-rotating the screen orientation, tilt-based game controls, shake-to-undo gestures, crash and fall detection, and augmented reality positioning. It is one of the most widely used sensors in mobile devices.
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