[Q] Magnet keeps activating screen, drains battery - Nexus 6 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I found out that whenever a magnet is close to the screen (like the ones to be found in auto wake/sleep smart covers ) the screen will go off, as it should, but wakes up again after 10 seconds.
It will keep doing that forever: wake up, sleep due to inactivity, wake up, sleep, etc etc. It is obvious that the magnet is somehow triggering the screen to wake up.
You can easily reproduce this by placing a white board magnet on the device (place it between the hours and minutes of the lockscreen clock). Just wait and see what happens.
This means that you are certain to drain your battery when your phone is idle, sitting in a smart cover like the official one from Casemate.
I would love to use the smart wake, it worked flawlessly on the Nexus 5 but works only as a battery drainer on the N6
Is there anything that can be done about it? or is it a hardware issue?

plaktoets said:
I found out that whenever a magnet is close to the screen (like the ones to be found in auto wake/sleep smart covers ) the screen will go off, as it should, but wakes up again after 10 seconds.
It will keep doing that forever:
Is there anything that can be done about it? or is it a hardware issue?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The magnet sensor of the N6 is under the M logo at the back.
When there is a magnet on the M or there above on the display the screen is switched off. And stays off, but . . . a weak magnet that moves a bit away may cause the problem you described.
The magnet sensor cannot be disabled (could not find an app). The solution is to remove the magnet from the cover.
BTW this may occur also with a (belt) case that has a magnet closure. That closure must be about 1 cm from the M logo.

NLBeev said:
The magnet sensor of the N6 is under the M logo at the back.
When there is a magnet on the M or there above on the display the screen is switched off. And stays off, but . . . a weak magnet that moves a bit away may cause the problem you described.
The magnet sensor cannot be disabled (could not find an app). The solution is to remove the magnet from the cover.
BTW this may occur also with a (belt) case that has a magnet closure. That closure must be about 1 cm from the M logo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats interesting, i didnt know the sensor as at the back. When i place the magnet there, the behavior is different. It does not go on entirely, instead it goes to ambient display. But not consistently... Weird.
Anyway i purchased some cheap neodyium magnets from eBay that are supposed to be quite strong, maybe that will have the desired effect. I plan to attach them to my spigen cover.

plaktoets said:
. . ,
Anyway i purchased some cheap neodyium magnets from eBay that are supposed to be quite strong, maybe that will have the desired effect. I plan to attach them to my spigen cover.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to be sure that the magnet sensor is active (screen off) you need probably more magnets.

NLBeev said:
If you want to be sure that the magnet sensor is active (screen off) you need probably more magnets.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's OK, they come in ten

I've observed this too. I wrote a Tasker app to sound a notification everytime the screen turned on (since my casemate flip case was closed) just to prove I wasn't crazy. mine turns on with every magnet (auto sleep) case I've tried. this is with stock software.
after posting about this issue in one of the case threads in the nexus 6 accessories forum, it turned out not everyone experienced this issue. or at least they didn't know they did.
I just wanna know how Google can even sell the casemate case in the play store when this issue exists (at least for some)...

Xposed has a module that turns off the magnetic sensor. I have no idea if it works or not so look at the thread for it. My phone is naked so I don't have this problem.
---------- Post added at 05:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:43 PM ----------
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2621807

No software yet to disable the magnet sensor
orangechoochoo said:
Xposed has a module that turns off the magnetic sensor. I have no idea if it works or not so look at the thread for it. My phone is naked so I don't have this problem.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2621807
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the hard cover I mounted a small round metal plate (glue) at the same height as the M-logo at the back.
I did choose that place, because it is above the coil for wireless charging.
But. . . . the problem is that exactly there the magnet sensor is located.
So when the N6 was mounted at the neodymium magnet, the screen becomes black.
The first thing I tried is to disable the magnetic sensor with the xposed-module. Unfortunately is does not work on the N6 with Lollipop.
Xposed need to be updated.
My hardware solution is to glue the metal plate on the cover, about 1 cm below the M-logo. And then wireless charging is not possible (metal becomes hot).
I am using at the moment two ultra thin covers for the N6. One with metal for car use and another original to allow wireless charging.

Same problem with the official case mate cover, it is useless. I pulled mine from a shelf this week wondering why I wasn't using it, two days later "ahh, now I remember...". One of the many reasons I don't like this phone. Generally, Motorola does a nice job but when they don't, the phones are real duds. At least this problem is better than those with the screen protectors keeping the screen off when you make a call.
Someone mentioned a fix using gravity box for the ambient display activating in a pocket and causing phone calls and texts inadvertently; I think it was setting to keep the screen off if the proximity sensor was active, like in a pocket. It would probably work for this problem too.

mgerbasio said:
. . . a fix using gravity box for the ambient display activating in a pocket and causing phone calls and texts inadvertently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When a magnet stays close enough to the M-logo there is no problem. But most leather cases are flexible. Little movings will continuously activate and deactivate the magnet sensor. So the screen is frequently tuned on.
We need a software solution that turns the magnet sensor completely off.
In the meantime you need to remove the magnet from the case/cover and replace it with Velcro.
In some types of cases the magnet is not in the center. Put the N6 in the case with the M-logo turned away from the magnet.
When the magnet is about 1 cm away from the M-logo, the magnet sensor is not activated.

NLBeev said:
When a magnet stays close enough to the M-logo there is no problem. But most leather cases are flexible. Little movings will continuously activate and deactivate the magnet sensor. So the screen is frequently tuned on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The update really didn't make a difference for this but I did notice that for the official cover, either I received a defective one or the magnet is extremely weak. Velcro won't help as it doesn't have a flap to keep it closed. I guess the prosimity sensor only works with a phone call.

Related

Kaiser turns back on again in belt-pocket without a reason.

Hi @ all !
There´s a thing very annoying in the new Kaiser... You cannot use any belt-pocket with magnetic closers !
After setting the phone to standby via one short press on power button, I found it back turned on again, everytime I took it out of the belt-pocket.
First I thought, that this must be the keyboard slide mechanism, cause the phone also comes back, when you slide out the keyboard, but I kept an eye on it, not the move the slider while putting it into the pocket and back out again. Then I thought, that it was the light sensor, but some tests made me sure, that it must be something else.
Finally I found out, that it turns back on again, cause I´m still using the belt-pocket of my old TyTN I with the 2 magnets as closing mechanism... If you try and hold a magnet over the keyboard in the area of S,D,E,X,F or even on the back side in the same area and move it around just a little bit, the phone turns on... Crazy, but true !
Now I know, why they gave that awful new belt-pocket with the tape-closer to the Kaiser...
Hope that helps
Marco
It is partly related to keyboard... it has a magnetic sensor that it is activated when keyboard is released, so the magnet from your holster tricks the sensor into believing keyboard is out, so it activates screen.
I guess thats why they have the velcro closer on the one that is shipped with the phone. This is somthing to consider when buying a nice Piel Frama one.
Absolutely it's the keyboard magnet operated switch that does it. But, I know you can run a magnet (let's say the case magnet ) over the d-pad area (seems to do it on mine) and the Kaiser will turn on. - However, I have been using the TyTn case also and I have not noticed it turning on just by sliding the Kaiser in and out. In fact I have just sat here and put it in and out every which way (for the last ten minutes) and it has not come on.
Maybe your magnets are stronger than mine or your keyboard switch more sensitive? I am also not keen on that "tape" closing on the new case.
Mike
lol i wish i would have read that some place, i thought it was the keyboard some switch but didnt think they would use a magnet, it was pissing me off a lot while i was driving, now i know i found on my own, but the magnet that i have is shielded a bit, but still just the right position and it will trigger the switch
I sure hope this was posted some place in a FAQ or wiki, if not it should be and if it was, then shame on me for not reading that part or noticing it
Magnetic sensor via magnet in holster.
Just found out this "feature" with a BB holster...
Has anyone found a way to exploit/use this feature to turn-on the device when removed from the holster?
That is something I always envied with my wifes Blackberry.
I've noticed this too
I have the same problem, but since mine is set not to wakeup when the keyboard slides open I can't see how the magnet could be the culprit.
I had the same problem with my Nokia and Kaiser.....Never thought it was because of the magnet sensor in the device....To tell the truth...I didnt know that it had one inside.....Thanks for the info....
Would it affect the sensor in anyways....if it doesnt, I can actually use this "feature" so my phone is awake each time I pull it out of the belt case......

Disable screen-off by magnet?

Has anyone been able to/willing to figure out a way to disable the whole screen-off by magnet thing? I've been using a magnet mount in my car, and everything works great except that if placed just a bit off, the screen will turn off. Turning the screen on doesn't help because it will turn right back off again as soon as you swipe away the lock screen. As soon as I remove my phone from the holder (or even just slide it up/down a bit) it will stop doing it. I can't really move the plate the magnet attaches to, because then it would interfere with wireless charging. I've seen solutions for other devices, but not the N6. Thanks.
following! i have the same issue with my magicmount.
melficeapollo said:
following! i have the same issue with my magicmount.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
where have you put your "plate" on your phone? do you use wireless charging at all?
I don't use wireless charging. It was for a magnetic mount in my car. I had my plate attached to the spigen slim case and I placed it about an inch below the Motorola logo, my phone kept locking and wouldn't unlock as long as I had the plate there and attached to the magnetic mount. I ended up having to move it up and cover about half the Motorola logo and it works fine, but I find that aesthetically unpleasant.
Therefore I'm hoping someone has a solution so i can lower the plate to where it was before.
Would also like a fix for this. Use a magnetic phone holder too. If I get it in a sweet spot then I'm OK but any movement or mount it just off screen is off and can't get it back on. Like a tasker to disable this would be perfect!
basicreece said:
Would also like a fix for this. Use a magnetic phone holder too. . . .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Till now I could not find a software solution to disable the magnet sensor.
In my car there is a strong neodymium magnet. Fixed with double sided tape. Diameter about 20 mm.
On the back of my N6 is a hard case with a small metal piece fixed on the outside with superglue.
When the metal is mounted on the lower part (about 1 cm below the M-logo) the magnet sensor is not activated
When there is metal on the back, wireless charging is not possible. The metal will be very hot and may cause damage.

[Q] Disable Magnetic Sensor?

Is there any way to disable the magnetic sensor on the N6? I have a smart cover that keeps constantly turning the screen on in my pocket and it's killing my battery. It is a very nice luxury case and I don't want to damage it or replace with another cover. I tried finding an app that would do it but no luck. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
bobprobert said:
Is there any way to disable the magnetic sensor on the N6? I have a smart cover that keeps constantly turning the screen on in my pocket and it's killing my battery. It is a very nice luxury case and I don't want to damage it or replace with another cover. I tried finding an app that would do it but no luck. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont think there is a way to disable it yet.
Although i read elsewhere its located in /sys/module/ and adding a '0' or 'false' to the value will disable. Issue is still not located the magnetic sensor, older devices it was in /sys/module/lid/parameters/lid_enabled.
But no luck on N6 yet
has anyone had any luck using an app to accomplish this?
bobprobert said:
has anyone had any luck using an app to accomplish this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found nothing to disable the magnet sensor.
Installed Xposed and a MagnetOff app. But it did not disable the magnet sensor.
Because I cannot disable that feature, I decided to use it.
On the outside of my belt case I attached a small magnet (glue) and now my screen is always off when the N6 is in the case.
When I take the N6 out of the case the screen turns on. No need for pressing a button.
NLBeev said:
Found nothing to disable the magnet sensor.
Installed Xposed and a MagnetOff app. But it did not disable the magnet sensor.
Because I cannot disable that feature, I decided to use it.
On the outside of my belt case I attached a small magnet (glue) and now my screen is always off when the N6 is in the case.
When I take the N6 out of the case the screen turns on. No need for pressing a button.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you sure the screen is always off when it's in your case? like the OP, I found that my screen would periodically come on when using a flip case that has the auto on feature (while closed).
PhilDX said:
you sure the screen is always off when it's in your case? like the OP, I found that my screen would periodically come on when using a flip case that has the auto on feature (while closed).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When de magnet is close to the circle with the Motorola logo the screen is switched off.
I am using a flat neodymium magnet with a diamater of 10 mm.
Because the case is partly open at the top, I can see that the screen is really off when the N6 is in the belt case.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cool-CowBoy...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item4d2493c910
When you are unsure if the screens will be turned off when the N6 is in the case, use a stronger magnet.
I mounted with glue a magnet at the outside and put a second one on the inside.
So I am using two small magnets.
any developer willing to dig into this issue to try to find a solution?

Stuck in weird screen after factory reset

I factory reset my phone to wipe all personal data and make it as new again. But as soon as it turned on again, It displayed the Huawei logo as always, then the logo of my carrier, and then got stuck in this weird screen (see photo) where nothing i press or swipe will give any reaction.
Tried the hard reset by pressing up and down volume and power at the same time. A different screen appeared for a second mentioning EMUI and below Installing update 5% and then suddenly an error appeared (see second photo).
Please dear experts here, let me know what is going on... I love this phone and was very happy with it until I decided to the factory reset which on other phones always helped me get original performance back.
EDIT: well this forum wont let me post links as a new member, i guess that includes images. so let me try like this
i66.tinypic.com/29ndu7b.jpg
i65.tinypic.com/ifyhyp.jpg
hope that works
No idea why but it's showing the smart cover lock screen when its supposed to only show with a Huawei P9 smart cover that is closed on the screen.
oh so you're saying it's showing the screen as if there was a cover on it? that would make so much sense because i've had the display replaced just a day before... so maybe they didnt do it right and now the phone has some pressure on the LCD and thinks it's a cover?
Yes, exactly as you said, it is thinking the phone has a smart cover on it.
How the smart cover works is phones is that they have a magnet on the smart cover that where if you were to put a magnet at the exact spot on the screen it will trigger the hall effect sensor (The spot where the phone would be told that the smart cover is closed).
Yeah sounds like something went wrong with the screen replacement but it's rather rare for this to happen as it would require an magnet to trigger the smart cover sensor.
so weird... i hope they can fix that issue it's still not working but i will bring it back today. thanks for explaining how the smart cover works!
do you know by any chance on which part of the screen those triggers are? or that trigger magnet, if there's only one?
sigekarhu said:
so weird... i hope they can fix that issue it's still not working but i will bring it back today. thanks for explaining how the smart cover works!
do you know by any chance on which part of the screen those triggers are? or that trigger magnet, if there's only one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
did you manage to resolve the issue? i currently have this problem
smart cover works with magnet. One of the quick fixes is to take a magnet and pass it over the screen. As i believe because im working for huawei they send us some devices and seems like the microphone or the speaker was moved. Those two have magnet and so it conflicts with the smart cover. Try as i said to pass a magnet from the screen and see if that would fix it. I am going to highlight That, This is happening due a hit, drop or misplaced speaker or microphone.
vampirian said:
smart cover works with magnet. One of the quick fixes is to take a magnet and pass it over the screen. As i believe because im working for huawei they send us some devices and seems like the microphone or the speaker was moved. Those two have magnet and so it conflicts with the smart cover. Try as i said to pass a magnet from the screen and see if that would fix it. I am going to highlight That, This is happening due a hit, drop or misplaced speaker or microphone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im not using a smart cover and i cant get onto my phone because it shows the screen that the smart cover would show if it was on. if only i could get onto my phone somehow and turn the setting off:crying:
Read again what I wrote.
vampirian said:
Read again what I wrote.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
magnet didnt work
taynox said:
magnet didnt work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
then you are going to have a factory repair because its either the mic or the speaker in a bad position and its activating the smart cover since both of them have a magnet in order to work.

Flip case that turns the screen on/off?

Has anyone got a flip cover for this phone that turns the screen off when you close it? Various reviews mention this phone has a hall sensor (Eg. nokiamob.net review). I installed a multi-sensor test app and can see a magnetic sensor there that shows changing readings when I waive a magnet over it, but opening or closing the case does not affect the screen. This work for anyone ?
istickland said:
Has anyone got a flip cover for this phone that turns the screen off when you close it? Various reviews mention this phone has a hall sensor (Eg. nokiamob.net review). I installed a multi-sensor test app and can see a magnetic sensor there that shows changing readings when I waive a magnet over it, but opening or closing the case does not affect the screen. This work for anyone ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been looking into the cases of this phone since i got it on the first day of launch. Sadly to date there is none. Maybe Nokia will release a case that does so and enable thay feature in a future update.

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