Can you imagine turning your smartphone into a metal detector that fits in your pocket? Incredible, but true! Play with the idea of finding ancient coins, hidden nails, or even valuable fragments… with just a swipe of your finger.

Don't miss this guide: learn how to calibrate your sensor, identify different metals, and prepare your phone to explore like a real metal detectorist.

Ready to find metals!

Who said only professional equipment could find hidden metals? Nothing could be further from the truth! Today, your phone comes with a built-in magnetometer that measures the magnetic field in real time, allowing you to detect changes with surprising accuracy.
It's seriously a huge leap forward... well, just install the right app, enable the permissions, and calibrate the sensor. In just a few minutes, your phone will be ready for action, covering everything from DIY projects to exciting treasure hunts.

Why use your mobile phone?

Your smartphone is already part of your daily routine: calls, photos, maps... why not use it to detect metals too? With a mobile detector, you avoid carrying heavy and expensive equipment; you just need an app that takes advantage of the built-in magnetometer. This way, you gain in portability: fits in any pocket and you always have it with you.

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Curious about DIY? This detector alerts you to hidden pipes or nails in walls and floors, avoiding surprises—and costly repairs. Are you into collecting? Searching for old coins or relics on beaches and in parks becomes an accessible adventure. Plus, when it comes to security, quickly checks metal structures before drilling or excavating.

Are you on a tight budget? Forget about investing hundreds of euros in professional equipment: many apps are free or very low-cost. And, if that's not enough, share Finding is easy: create routes and heat maps with your GPS location, export data, and show off your findings on social media. Ready to give it a try?

In short, using your phone as a metal detector combines savings, convenience, and versatility: for everyone from amateurs to DIY professionals. Everything at your fingertips!

How the sensor works

At the heart of your mobile detector lies the magnetometer, a sensor that measures the strength and direction of the Earth's magnetic field. When a metallic object approaches, the field changes, and the magnetometer records these changes in microteslas (µT) or gauss, sending the data to the app for real-time interpretation. Wow, what a marvel of technology!

The apps translate these readings into visual elements: a virtual needle either intensity bars that rise and fall as the metal approaches or moves away. Many implement variable beeps or vibrations to alert you without looking at the screen, perfect in dark or noisy environments. In addition, the developers add ambient noise filters to avoid false signals generated by power lines, speakers or large metal surfaces.

To differentiate ferrous metals (iron, steel) from non-ferrous metals (gold, silver), some advanced apps use frequency calibration algorithmsGold tends to show more stable and smooth signals; iron tends to show sharp spikes and noise. With the professional mode, you set minimum thresholds and activate a “smoothing” (rolling average) that averages readings every 1–2 seconds, eliminating jumps and improving accuracy when searching for precious metals.

Finally, many applications integrate heat maps with GPS coordinates, creating detailed exploration routes. This way, you can not only detect metals instantly, but also record your journey and scientifically plan future expeditions.

Requirements and preparation

Before you head out into the field, make sure your phone meets the minimum requirements: Android 5.0+ or iOS 11+, integrated magnetometer and at least 100 MB free space for the app and its data. If you don't see the detector in your store, try trusted repositories or alternative stores.

Grants permits of sensor access and, if you want to geolocate findings, also enable location. This will allow you to create heat maps and return to promising points. Activate the automatic updates To keep the app and operating system up to date, each patch typically improves stability and accuracy.

The basic calibration It's vital: open the app, select "Calibrate," and move your phone in a slow figure eight for 10–15 seconds, away from interference (cars, large speakers). You'll see the virtual needle stabilize and the readings become reliable.

Manages the battery: These apps use the sensor and screen intensively. Play with more than 50 % of charge or carry a power bank compact. Adjust the brightness to a comfortable level and activate the saving mode Moderate to prolong sessions. Also, close background apps to free up memory and bandwidth.

With these simple steps, your phone will be perfectly prepared to become your pocket metal detector. Time to start searching!