iPad motion tracking not working after restart?
Check whether an iPad's motion sensors still report movement after a restart, then separate browser permissions, app settings, and possible hardware faults.
If an iPad app stopped following movement after a restart, the sensor may still be working. A browser test can help separate a sensor problem from a permission or app issue.
First check whether motion readings change when you tilt the iPad. If they do, focus on the app and its access settings. If they do not, check browser permissions and sensor access before assuming the hardware is broken.
Find the cause
- Open the Sensors Test on the iPad. If the browser asks for motion access, allow it. Some browsers require a tap before they can request sensor permission.
- Hold the iPad steadily, then tilt it slowly forward, backward, and side to side. Keep it in your hands and avoid sudden movements.
- Look for motion or gyroscope readings that change with the iPad's movement. If the test lists several sensors, check the motion-related readings rather than location or light.
- Return to the app that is not tracking movement and repeat the same gentle tilt. Note whether the problem appears only in that app or in the browser test too.
Use the same browser you normally use for the app if possible. A website's sensor access can differ between browsers, and an iPad browser may need permission again after settings change.
What the result means
Readings change when you tilt the iPad
The browser can receive motion data, so the basic sensor path is working. If only one app fails, check its own motion settings, supported features, or permissions. A browser test cannot confirm that a separate app is using the sensor correctly.
Readings stay still or remain at zero
The browser test is not receiving changing motion data. The cause could be blocked permission, a browser restriction, or a sensor that is unavailable to that browser. Check the iPad's browser settings and test again in Safari before concluding that the sensor is faulty.
The browser does not offer motion access
The browser may not support the needed sensor feature, or its access setting may be off. Try the test in Safari and check Safari's Motion & Orientation Access setting. A missing prompt does not by itself prove that the iPad has a hardware problem.
The test responds, but the app tracks the wrong direction
The sensors are providing movement data, but the app may interpret the device's orientation differently. Check whether the app expects landscape or portrait use, and whether its own calibration or control settings need adjustment.
Tilt works, but compass readings wander
Compass behavior is separate from basic tilt tracking. Nearby metal, magnets, speakers, or other electronics can affect compass readings. Move away from those objects and retest. A drifting compass alone does not show that motion tracking is broken.
How to fix it
- Reload the page or reopen the app. Close the page, open it again, and repeat the test. This can clear a browser session that did not request sensor access correctly after startup.
- Check Safari's motion setting. On current iPadOS versions, open Settings › Apps › Safari › Motion & Orientation Access and turn it on. Return to Safari and reload the page.
- Respond to the permission prompt. If Safari asks to access motion or orientation, choose the option that allows access. If you previously denied it, review the website's permission in Safari and try again. A site may need a direct tap before it can ask.
- Check native app permission separately. For an installed app that uses motion data, open Settings › Privacy & Security › Motion & Fitness and allow access for that app if it appears in the list. This setting is not the same as Safari's website permission.
- Check the app's tracking mode. Confirm that motion tracking is enabled and that the app expects the iPad's current orientation. Screen Rotation Lock can affect how some apps respond to orientation, but it does not prove that the motion sensors are off.
- Restart the iPad and test once more. If the browser or app remains stuck after permission changes, restart the device, open the test, and grant access when prompted.
When it may be a hardware problem
Suspect hardware only after motion readings fail in more than one supported browser or app, permissions are enabled, and a restart makes no difference. Check whether the iPad was dropped, exposed to liquid, or recently repaired. If it was, stop repeating tests and contact Apple or a qualified repair provider. A browser test can show whether readings reach the page, but it cannot identify a damaged sensor component.
Why a restart can change what you see
A restart can close a browser session or an app that had already been using motion data. It can also make a permission prompt appear again when the page requests access. Granting browser access does not automatically grant an installed app access, and permission for one website does not necessarily apply to another.
The Sensors Test measures sensor readings available to the browser on that iPad. It does not calibrate an app or verify every feature of a motion-tracking system. The sensor test runs in the browser on your device, so you can check the readings without uploading them.
