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Qibla compass: qibla direction and qibla time
Virdim shows the qibla three ways: the qibla time, which needs no compass; a qibla compass that uses your phone's compass; and a map that draws a line from where you are to the Kaaba. All three are free, with no ads.
Where to find it
Outside Türkiye: on the Today tab, tap the small Qibla compass card. The compass, the map and the qibla time use your phone's location, and the qibla time is shown in your phone's time zone.
In Türkiye: choose your district on the Today tab, open the prayer-times screen and tap Open compass. Prayer times currently cover Türkiye only; the qibla works everywhere.
1. The qibla time, no compass needed
Every day there is a moment when the sun stands exactly in the direction of the qibla. At that moment, facing the sun means facing the qibla, and the shadow of anything upright points to it. Virdim calculates that moment for your location. No sensor, calibration or permission is needed, and it is not affected by compass error.
2. The qibla compass
- Tap Open compass. The compass asks for location access (only while using the app); without it you can still use the qibla time.
- Hold the iPhone flat.
- The turquoise arrow points to the qibla. Turn until it reaches the mark at the top.
- When aligned, the arrow turns amber, the phone gives a haptic tap and the screen says "You're facing the qibla."
The current compass accuracy is shown on screen. A phone compass can be off by 10–20°: keep away from metal objects and cars, and if needed calibrate by moving the phone in a figure eight. When in doubt, use the qibla time.
3. The map
Below the compass, an Apple Maps view draws the shortest path (a great circle) from where you are to the Kaaba, so you can check the direction against a landmark. Map images need an internet connection.
Questions
Is it free? Are there ads?
Yes, it is free, and Virdim has no ads.
Is my location stored?
No. On the compass screen your location is used in memory only to calculate the angle; it is not stored and never leaves your phone.
How it is calculated
The qibla angle is the initial bearing, from true north, of the great circle from your location to the Kaaba (21.4225° N, 39.8262° E); the qibla time is when the sun reaches that bearing. Everything is calculated on your phone.
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