Set a target on the map. The arrow tells you which way to go.

WhichWay is an iPhone compass app that shows you the direction and distance to any destination you choose. The screen is split into two halves: the top shows a large blue arrow that rotates in real time as you move your device, always pointing toward your target. The bottom is a map where a long press places a destination pin. Distance is displayed continuously in meters or kilometers. A settings panel lets you switch between True North (GPS-based) and Magnetic North (sensor-based) at any time.

Download on the App Store

Get it on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Real-Time Directional Arrow

Once a destination is set, a large blue gradient arrow rotates smoothly in real time to point toward it. When no destination has been set, the arrow appears at reduced opacity. Set a target and it snaps to full brightness, pointing the way.

Long-Press the Map to Set a Target

Long-press anywhere on the lower map panel for half a second to drop a destination pin. Tap the pin to remove it. Your current location is shown automatically on the map, so you can see your position relative to the target at a glance.

Distance in Meters or Kilometers

The straight-line distance to your destination is shown at all times. The app displays meters below 1 km and switches to kilometers (one decimal place) above that. The number updates with a smooth animation as you move.

True North or Magnetic North

Open the settings panel to choose between True North, which uses GPS data for geographic accuracy, and Magnetic North, which reads the device's magnetic sensor directly. The change takes effect immediately.

Clean Split-Screen Layout

The screen is divided into two equal halves. The top half is the compass view: a dark background with a large blue gradient arrow and the distance figure below it. The bottom half is a standard map view with your current location shown automatically. A gear button in the top-right corner of the compass area opens the settings sheet. The layout is designed so both the arrow and the map are visible at the same time, with no tabs to switch between.

LAYOUT
TARGET

Long-Press to Drop a Pin, Tap to Remove It

A long press of 0.5 seconds on the map places a destination marker at that exact point. The marker is shown with a map-pin icon. Tap the marker to clear the destination. When the app first opens, the map centers on your current location at a broad zoom level. After a target is set, the map adjusts to a closer zoom so you can see both your position and the destination clearly.

Smooth Spring Animation on the Arrow

The directional arrow uses a spring animation (response 0.4, damping fraction 0.7) so it follows device rotation with a natural, physical feel rather than snapping rigidly. The compass reads from either True Heading or Magnetic Heading depending on your settings, and recalculates the bearing to the destination every time your location or heading updates. Distance figures animate with an ease-out curve for a smooth reading experience.

COMPASS
SETTINGS

True North and Magnetic North, Switchable at Any Time

The settings panel slides up as a half-height sheet. It presents two options — True North and Magnetic North — with a checkmark next to the active choice. True North uses GPS data to show geographic north accurately; Magnetic North reads the device's magnetometer directly, which may differ from geographic north depending on your location. The selection takes effect immediately without needing to restart the app. If location permission is denied, a full-screen prompt guides you to the Settings app.

Long-press the map.
Follow the arrow.

3 Steps to Get Started

1
Allow location access and open the app

On first launch, the app asks for location permission. Allow it, and your current location appears at the center of the map automatically. The compass is ready to use.

2
Long-press the map to set a destination

Press and hold anywhere on the lower map panel for about half a second. A destination pin appears at that point. Tap the pin at any time to remove it.

3
Follow the arrow to your target

With a destination set, the large arrow rotates in real time to point toward it and the distance is shown below. Walk in the direction the arrow points. Use the gear icon to switch between True North and Magnetic North if needed.

Get it on the App Store

Download on the App Store

What Users Are Saying

"When I'm heading somewhere unfamiliar, long-pressing the map to drop a pin and having the arrow immediately show me the direction is surprisingly intuitive. Seeing the distance at the same time tells me exactly how far I have to walk."

— frequent_traveler_nana

"I use this on hiking trips. Being able to switch between True North and Magnetic North is quietly useful in the field. The operation is simple enough that I never have to think about it, and the large arrow is easy to read even in bright sunlight."

— outdoor_enthusiast_sota

"I use it to find my way back to where I parked. Drop a pin before I walk away, then follow the arrow when I come back. The interface is clean and uncluttered — exactly what I want from a utility app."

— traveler_akiko

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions below.

QHow do I set a destination?
ALong-press anywhere on the lower map panel for about half a second. A destination pin will appear at that location. Tap the pin to remove it.
QWhat is the difference between True North and Magnetic North?
ATrue North uses GPS data to indicate geographic north accurately. Magnetic North reads the device's magnetic sensor, which can differ from geographic north depending on your location. You can switch between them anytime using the gear icon in the top-right corner.
QHow is distance displayed?
ADistances under 1 km are shown in meters (e.g., 350 m). Distances of 1 km or more are shown in kilometers to one decimal place (e.g., 1.2 km). The value updates continuously as you move.
QIs location access required?
AYes. Location access is needed to display your current position on the map and to calculate the compass bearing and distance. If access is denied, a prompt will guide you to enable it in the Settings app.
QHow much does the app cost?
APlease check the App Store listing for current pricing information.

Get it on the App Store

Download on the App Store
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