The sun arc is in the wrong place

The sun's position is worked out to a fraction of a degree; the arc on screen is only as good as your phone's compass. Meter shows the arc once the compass is within 15 degrees, with COMPASS and its error on screen.

Step by step

1. Step away from cars, metal rigging and magnets, which pull a phone compass off.
2. If the sun is out, let it into the frame. Meter finds it in the picture and corrects the heading while it stays in view.
3. Or point the camera at the sun once to line the arc up by hand.
4. When the sun is off screen, follow the arrow that points to it.

If that didn't work

Golden hour times assume a flat horizon. Hills, trees and buildings take the direct sun away sooner than the times say.

Last updated October 26, 2026