The application Strelka (or Arrow App) is a specialized tool for owners of Android devices, which allows you to accurately calibrate smartphone sensors, test performance and optimize GPS performance, accelerometer and gyroscope. Most often it is used to configure navigation applications (for example, Yandex.Navigator or Google Maps), games with augmented reality (Pokémon GO, Ingress), as well as to diagnose hardware problems. However, without proper configuration, the app may produce incorrect data or not work at all.

Many users encounter difficulties already at the installation stage: the application does not detect sensors, produces synchronization errors, or requires manual entry of parameters. In this article we will look all stages of setting up the "Arrows" from basic installation to advanced calibrations, and also tell you how to avoid common mistakes. The instructions are relevant for all versions of Android (from 7.0 Nougat to 15) and most smartphone models (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei, Google Pixel etc.).

⚠️ Important: The functionality of the Strelka application may depend on the smartphone manufacturer. Some brands (for example Huawei or Oppo) restrict access to sensors through third-party applications. Before setting up, check whether your model supports working with Sensor HAL.

1. Installing the Strelka app on Android

Before you start setting up, you need to install the app correctly. "Strelka" is not always available in Google Play, so you will have to download the APK file from trusted sources.

The most reliable way is to download the application from the official website of the developer or from the repository F-Droid. Avoid third-party APK hosts (for example APKMirror or APKPure), as they may distribute modified versions with malicious code. Before installation, be sure to:

  • 🔍 Check the file hash sum (MD5 or SHA-1) on the developer's website.
  • 🛡️ Enable file scanning in Google Play Protect (Settings → Security → Google Play Protect).
  • 📱 Allow installation from unknown sources (Settings → Applications → Special access → Installation of unknown applications).

If the application does not start after installation, check:

  1. Android version (minimum - 5.0 Lollipop, but for full operation you need 7.0+).
  2. Privilege ADB (if access to system sensors is required).
  3. No conflicts with other utilities (for example, GPS Status or Sensor Box).
📊 Where do you usually install APK files?
Official website of the developer
Google Play
F-Droid
APKMirror/APKPure
Another source

2. Initial setup and permissions

After installation, Strelka will require several critical permissions. Without them, the application will not be able to read data from sensors or enter data. adjustments.

Open the application and follow the setup wizard. At the permission request stage:

  • 📍 Geodata: Allow access to the location (Exact location).
  • 🔄 Sensors: Grant access to accelerometer, gyroscope i magnetometer.
  • 📱 System settings: Allow changing system parameters (needed for calibration).

If permissions are not in the list, you can enable them manually:

  1. Go to Settings → Applications → Arrow → Permissions.
  2. Activate all switches related to sensors and location.
  3. For Android 10+ additional permission may be required Display over other apps (in Special access).

⚠️ Attention: On some smartphones (Xiaomi, Realme) Android blocks the background operation of applications. For "Strelka" to work correctly, add it to the list Autostart and disable battery optimization.

☑️ Preparing for the first setup

Done: 0 / 4

3. Sensor calibration: step-by-step guide

Uncalibrated sensors are the main cause of failures in Strelka. If the compass shows the wrong direction and the gyroscope “twitches,” then manual adjustment is required.

For calibration:

  1. Open Strelka and go to the section Calibration (or Sensor Calibration).
  2. Select a sensor to configure (for example, Magnetometer).
  3. Follow the instructions on the screen:
    • 🔄 For magnetometer — rotate the smartphone along all axes (as if you were drawing a figure eight in the air).
    • 📏 For accelerometer - place the device on a flat surface and press Calibrate.
    • 🎯 For gyroscope —slowly rotate the phone in different planes.
  • After calibration, save the settings and restart the application.

    • If calibration does not help, try:

    • 🔧 Reset sensor settings to factory settings (Settings → System → Reset → Reset sensors).
    • 📲 Update the smartphone firmware (sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions of Android).
    • 🔄 Use alternative calibration methods via ADB (for experienced users).
    What to do if the sensors are not calibrated?

    If calibration fails after several attempts, the problem may be hardware damage to the sensors through the engineering menu. (##4636##) or specialized applications like Sensor Box. If the sensor does not respond, repair or replacement of the module will be required.

    Critical information: On smartphones Samsung with processors Exynos (for example, Galaxy S22, Note 20), the magnetometer may require additional calibration through the service menu. To do this, enter in the dialer #0#, select Sensor and follow the instructions.

    4. applications

    One of the main uses of Strelka is to improve the accuracy of GPS navigation. Google Maps or Yandex.Navigator "jump" or show the wrong direction, uncalibrated sensors are to blame.

    To optimize the work:

    1. Open "Strelka" and go to section GPS Tools.
    2. Enable the option AGPS Correction (speeds up satellite search).
    3. Activate Compass Stabilization (stabilizes compass readings).
    4. In the navigation application settings (Google Maps, Osmand) select mode High accuracy (Settings → Location → Mode).

    For maximum accuracy:

    • 📡 Use an external GPS antenna (if your smartphone supports OTG).
    • 🔋 Charge the phone to 50%+ - a weak battery can affect the stability of the sensors.
    • 🌐 Turn on data transfer via the mobile network (helps to “catch” satellites faster).
    Problem Possible cause Solution
    GPS “jumps” Weak satellite signal Turn on AGPS, use open space
    Compass shows incorrect Uncalibrated magnetometer Calibrate according to the instructions above
    The navigator freezes Conflict with other applications Close background apps, disable optimization batteries
    No GPS signal Hardware malfunction Check the antenna through the engineering menu
    💡

    If you often use the navigator in the car, install the smartphone on the holder closer to the windshield - this will improve signal reception GPS.

    5. Advanced settings: working with ADB

    For advanced users, Strelka supports configuration via ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This allows you to manually adjust the sensor parameters if automatic calibration does not help.

    To connect:

    1. Install ADB Tools on PC (download from official Android website).
    2. Enable USB debugging on your smartphone (Settings → About phone → Build number - press 7 times, then return to Settings → System → For Developers → USB Debugging).
    3. Connect your phone to the PC and enter in the command line: 
      adb devices

      (your device should be displayed).

    4. To calibrate the magnetometer, use the command: 
      adb shell am startservice -n com.android.strelka/.calibration.MagnetometerCalibration

    ⚠️ Attention: Incorrect commands ADB can disrupt the operation of the sensors. Before experiments, make a backup copy of the settings via adb backup.

    List of useful ADBcommands for Strelka:

    • 🔄 Resetting gyroscope calibration: 
      adb shell settings put global gyro_calibration_reset 1
    • 📡 Checking GPS status: 
      adb shell dumpsys location
    • 🛠️ Restarting sensor services: 
      adb shell am force-stop com.android.strelka
    💡

    ADB connection requires caution If you are not sure of the commands, use only automatic calibration in the interface. applications.

    6. Solving common errors

    Even after setting it up, Strelka may generate errors. Let's look at the most common problems and how to fix them.

    Error: “Sensors not detected”

    • 🔌 Check if the sensors are disabled. in the engineering menu (##4636##).
    • 📱 Update the firmware - older versions of Android may not have support Sensor HAL 2.0.
    • 🔧 Install an alternative version of Strelka (for example, Arrow App Pro).

    Error: “GPS signal is weak”

    • 📶 Check your network settings: enable data roaming (sometimes it helps).
    • 🔄 Reset the network settings (Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth).
    • 🌍 Use applications to speed up satellite search (for example, GPS Status & Toolbox).

    Error: “The compass is not stabilized”

    • 🧲 Make sure there is no magnetic interference nearby (speakers, metal objects).
    • 🔄 Carry out calibration in another place (for example, on the street).
    • 📲 Check if Strelka does not conflict with other applications (for example, Google Fit or Pokémon GO).
    Why doesn't Strelka work on Huawei?

    On Huawei smartphones with EMUI 10+, access to system sensors for third-party applications is limited. Solution: use official software Compass from Huawei or install Strelka via AppGallery with a Chinese account.

    7. Optimization for games with AR (Pokémon GO, Ingress)

    Games with augmented reality (AR) require the most accurate data from sensors. data-i="224">the character "floats" or the gyroscope does not react, you need to configure "Strelka" specifically for games. Pokémon GO the character “floats” or the gyroscope does not react, you need to configure the “Arrow” specifically for games.

    Instructions:

    1. Open "Strelka" and go to Game Mode.
    2. Enable options:
      • 🎮 Gyro Stabilization (stabilization gyroscope).
      • 🧭 Compass Smoothing (smoothing of compass readings).
      • 📡 GPS Spoofing Protection (protection against coordinate substitution).
  • In the game settings (Pokémon GO) disable AR+ Mode (if available) - it may conflict with calibration.
  • Before the game, do a quick calibration of the sensors directly in Strelka (section Quick Calibrate).

    • ⚠️ Attention: In Pokémon GO i Ingress there is built-in protection against cheating. If Strelka corrects the data too aggressively, the account may be blocked. Use only basic stabilization settings.

    For best results:

    • 🔋 Play with a battery charge of >30% - saving energy may turn off the sensors.
    • 🌡️ Avoid overheating your smartphone (put it in the shade or use a cooling case).
    • 📶 Turn off Wi-Fi - sometimes it interferes with accurate detection location.

    8. Alternative applications if "Strelka" is not suitable

    If "Strelka" does not work on your device or does not solve the problem, try analogues:

    Application Features Link
    GPS Status & Toolbox GPS calibration, sensor test, acceleration of satellite search Google Play
    Sensor Box Checking all smartphone sensors, reading graphs Google Play
    Compass (from Google) Simple compass with automatic calibration Google Play
    GPSTest Detailed information about satellites, signal, accuracy Google Play / F-Droid

    Before installing alternatives, check:

    • 🔍 User reviews (especially on forums like 4PDA or XDA-Developers).
    • 🛡️ The presence of malicious code (check through VirusTotal).
    • 📱 Compatibility with your smartphone model.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about setting up Strelka

    ❓ How can I find out what sensors are in my smartphone?

    Install the application Sensor Box or CPU-Z. In the section Sensors there will be a list of all available sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, etc.). You can also use the engineering menu (##4636## → Sensor Test).

    ❓ Why does the compass still lie after calibration?

    Possible reasons:

    1. Magnetic fields interfere (speakers, metal objects nearby).
    2. The sensor is physically damaged (check through Sensor Box).
    3. Incorrect settings in Strelka (try resetting to factory settings).

    Solution: perform calibration in an open area, away from electronics.

    ❓ Is it possible to use Strelka without root access?

    Yes, basic functions (calibration, sensor testing) work without root. However, for deep customization (for example, editing configuration files of sensors) you may need root access or ADB.

    ❓ How to reset Strelka settings to factory settings?

    Go to Settings applications → Reset data or clear the cache and data through the Android menu (Settings → Applications → Strelka → Storage → Clear data).

    ❓ Why doesn't Strelka see GPS?

    Possible reasons:

    • GPS is disabled in the Android settings.
    • The smartphone is indoors without a signal.
    • Conflict with other applications (for example, Fake GPS).
    • Hardware malfunction of the GPS module.

    Solution: turn on High accuracy in the location settings and check the GPS operation in the standard application Maps.